What If I Can't Forget You?

{28}

Ian's POV

Playing with PTV was my dream. And now, it seems as if it was a regular part of my life. It felt so natural, so right.

"Good night, Phoenix!" Vic and Kellin screamed together as we hit the last note of King For a Day. The lights went out, and the fans roared as we exited the stage.

"How did it feel, bro?" Vic approached me, slapping my sweat-drenched back.

"Fuckin' awesome." I replied, giving an exhausted smile.

"Damn straight!" Mike walked up, also dripping with sweat. "That was one of the best crowds we've had. Shame poor Jaime couldn't be up there with us." Murmurs of agreement came from the rest of us and we broke up to go to our dressing rooms to clean up.

As soon as I entered, I flopped on the small couch, still breathing heavily.
A knock at the door came as soon as I got comfortable. I groaned and got up to unlock the heavy door.

"Surprise!" Alex and Claire stood outside. I feigned surprise and delight at seeing my "girlfriend", but I couldn't hide a smile for Claire.

"Hey! Come on in guys!" I held the door for them as they entered. Damn, this door is heavy.

"You did so great tonight!" Alex said, kissing me. Ew. Ew. Ew.

"Congrats." Murmured Claire. It was obvious she didn't want to be here, and that made me angry.

"Thanks, guys." I smiled at Claire, who rolled her eyes and turned away. You bitch, I thought. You fucking bitch. I'll show you.

I'm not sure why her behavior got under my skin so easily. But looking at her, at her long legs and her perfect curves, I had to hold myself back from touching her. God, she is so hot.

I jerked my eyes away from Claire to look at my girlfriend, who smiled and hung on me. I had to have Claire. I had to.

"Hey babe," I said, looking down at Alex. "I think I left my lucky pick on the stage. On my amp maybe? Yeah, I think I left it sitting on my amp. Do you kind getting that, maybe, for me?" The lie slid easily off my tongue.

She smiled timidly up at me, nodding.

"Sure! On the amp, you said?"

"On the amp. Thanks, babe." She exited, accidentally slamming the heavy door.

"You know- I think I'll go with her-" Claire started for the door, but I was already there. I threw the latch on the thick wood and grabbed her wrists. God, now you're mine, bitch.

Claire's POV

No, no, no. I can't be alone with him.

I started for the door after Alex, but he was closer than I was. He jolted over and locked the door, grabbing my wrists forcefully.

"Oh my God, let me go!" I screamed, thrashing. He was stronger than me. He pulled me closer to him and spoke into my ear.

"You can't fucking win, Claire."

I spit on his face, and he shoved me to the floor. I tried to get to my feet, tried to get away. He kicked my stomach, knocking the breath out of me and stopping my escape. I fell completely to the ground on my side, screaming and tears streaming down my face.

He grabbed my wrists again, pulling me up to my feet. He tried to kiss me, a wet sloppy kiss that made me cringe. I turned my head, sobbing, and kicked him in the shin.

"Bitch!" He roared. He shoved my back against the cinder block wall and punched me. I screamed again, my nose gushing blood. There was violent banging on the door now, and that gave me hope.

I screamed louder. The nonsense that escaped my lips was supposed to be "HELP!" or something, but probably just sounded like I was being murdered. Well, I kind of was.

He shoved himself up against me, grabbing my face and forcing me to keep still while he tried to kiss me. His free hand slid around my waist and wandered all over my backside. I screamed again, terrified of him. Terrified of what he wanted to do to me.

I pushed him back with all the strength in me, but he grabbed a handful of my hair, yanking it. I cried out in pain. Fine.

I brought my knee up between his legs, as hard as I could. His grip loosened on my hair, and he froze. I did it again, harder this time. Fueled by his pain.

"FUCK!" He screamed, falling to his knees. I ran for the door, which was shaking now from banging and yelling on the other side. I tried to tug the lock back, but it was jammed.

"No!" I screamed, pulling with all my might. It was hopeless. I banged on the wood with all my might. The banging on the other side of the door ceased for a second, and I backed up. There was a loud jolt of the door, as if someone had run and jumped at it. It didn't budge.

I was sobbing, standing and looking at the heavy wood thing that separated me from freedom.

Suddenly Ian's hands were on my shoulders, and he jerked me backwards to the ground. I screamed, and scrambled to my feet. I ran for the other side of the room, but he caught my arm, digging his fingers into my skin. I thrashed, trying to get away, but he pinned me against the wall, using what felt like an extension cord to bind my hands. He tied them tight, then shoved me to the ground. I landed on the carpet without hands to catch myself, and the rough surface burned my face and arms. He stood over me, wild-eyed, knowing that he had won.