Chapter 29
Callyn
“Callyn.” It was nothing more than a whisper, but I would know that voice anywhere. Zeke, my Zeke. I look up and meet his eyes. Those beautiful hazel eyes look at me like he can see into my soul. I look around and see that all my guys are here. I smile. Nothing has made me happier than seeing them. Lucian moves his hand like he wants to touch me but decides not to and pull his hand back. I look at him, my brown eyes meeting his.
“It’s okay Luke. I won’t break.”
“Oh, baby how can you say that? You’re lying in a hospital bed. God knows how seriously you’re hurt,” he exclaims.
“Because Lucian, I’m still here. My father may have beaten me, and I may be bruised, bloody, and scarred, but I refuse to let him break me. I will heal from this. My spirit may be slightly broken, but I’m hoping to have you, all of you to help me along the way.”
“Like you could get rid of us,” Graydon says.
“Yeah, we’re not going away that easily. I’ll even bring the glue to help piece you back together,” Max says smiling.
I smile, “Good,” I say as the tears start to well up in my eyes. I need them, all of them. They came for me and they helped me, will help me.
“Why the tears sweetheart?” Zeke asks as he gently touches the side of my face.
“Because you care and because you’re here.”
“There is nowhere we would rather be.” He leans down and places a quick kiss to my forehead. “We were so worried. Still am if I honest. Can you tell us what happened?”
I nod. I ask if they could help me sit up. Zeke is the closest, so he does. I sit without resting my back on anything. They all sit gingerly on the bed, not wanting to hurt me, each placing a hand on my legs. It feels nice to have them comfort me. I don’t think I can get through this without each of them. I tell them how when I got home, how my father was waiting for me. He saw us in town. I was supposed to be at the library, and I wasn’t. Then when he paid more attention and he realized I was with four guys. That set him off even more. I told them how he hit me, and I started crying, reliving it again. They each start to rub a circle pattern on my legs. It helped me tell the rest of the story.
I called them the second he walked away. The doctor said my back is bad and that I will have some scars from where the belt cut me. It will take weeks for the bruising to fade. I have to clean the cuts, so they don’t get infected. I have blood blisters everywhere. They are giving me some cream and muscle relaxers to help with the pain. There will also be some low dose pain reliever that I am to take only when needed.
My back will be tender for a while and that he wouldn’t suggest laying down on it. My back will probably get stiff because the slightest movement will hurt for a few days and it will make me not want to move, but I have too. When I get cleared to go back to school, I’m not allowed to carry my bookbag. Once the blisters, cuts, and the bruising start to fade, I’ll be able to do everything normally. I am to take it easy, light to no lifting for a week. After that, I can do small things but nothing too strenuous.
I have a follow-up appointment in two weeks to check the healing process. He gave me a number for a therapist he suggested that I call. The doctor said he was waiting for me to wake up so that he could call the police. He asked if I wanted to press charges and I told them I did. They all let out a sigh of relief. I can’t live like this anymore. Who is to say that next time he won’t go further. He could kill me. I’m probably lucky that he didn’t already. I go to reach for the water cup on the stand next to my bed, but the twisting motion sends a radiating pain through my back. I suck in a breath. Max rushes over to help.
“I’ll get it, next time just ask. We’ll help you,” Max says as he hands me the cup.
“Thank you.” I take a sip. “When the cops do finally get here, I’m going to tell them everything but I’m scared. I don’t know what’s going to happen to me.”
“Whatever does happen we are going to be here with you every step of the way,” Lucian states. I look around me and see every one of my guys are nodding their heads in agreement.
I love them. I don’t know if I could do this without them. I need them, all of them. I just didn’t know how much until now. When my father was coming after me, they were the first thoughts I had. I had to get to them. I needed them to come and help, and they did. They came and rescued me. There is not one doubt in my mind that they will be here to help. I don’t deserve them, but damn I’m going to be selfish.
There is a brief knock on the door before it opens. The doctor walks in with a couple of uniformed police officers.
“Sorry to interrupt, but the police are here to question Callyn.”
“We’ll be back when you’re done. You got this sweetheart,” Zeke says before he kisses my forehead.
“Holler if you need us, Callie bear.” Graydon leans down and kisses my forehead as well.
“Be strong, angel,” Max says right before he kisses my cheek.
“Just a little bit longer, baby.” Lucian bends down and kisses my other cheek. I watch as they all file out of my room. I square my shoulders as best as I can. I look at the police preparing myself for what is to come.
I take a deep breath. You can do Callyn.
You got this.