Lovers of Yesterday

Chapter 34 • Apartment

As I rushed over to my apartment, my courage started to wane. I wanted someone at my back just in case something happened. Gritting my teeth, I forced fake confidence and stood outside my door. Taking a deep breath, I unlocked the door and turned the knob.

When I stepped in, it was deathly silent. There were no lights on and everything was where it had been. It was too quiet. Liam's text made me believe he would be here. Maybe I was mistaken. Hopefully I was.

While I'm here, I might as well grab a couple more books. With not much else to do besides work, I've been reading more often. I've gone through most of the books I brought I guess I can grab a couple more.

I made my way back to my room and sat down in front of my open closet, pulling out the box of books I never unpacked. I sorted through them and pulled out a few to take. Pushing the box back into its place, I collected the chosen books and moved to stand up.

A foot slammed into my back and let out a shocked noise then a grunt as I slammed into the box and hit my temple on the corner of another box. I scrambled to move and stand up but he grabbed a fistful of my hair. I screamed as he yanked my head back.

I reached back and grabbed his wrist in attempted to dislodge his hand but it was no use. He dragged me out into the hall and lifted me to my feet, slamming me back into the wall.

"I fucking told you to not talk to that fucker! And what do you do? You run to him like a whore," He roared. "Why can't you be goddamn obedient? Huh? Why won't you listen?"

I struggled in his grip. Tears pricked my eyes from the sting in my scalp. I should've waited for Lynch. I shouldn't've come here alone.

He flung me to the side and a jarring pain flared in my shoulder. I refused to scream. I refused to show him he got to me. His foot came down on my ribs and I curled into a ball to protect myself. He caught my forearm, my thigh, and my back.

"I'll make you listen to me. I'll beat you until you're obedient." Another kick landed on my shin.

I heard banging but I wasn't sure where from. Everything hurt and my shoulder was screaming but I didn't want to move. I didn't want to give Liam another reason to hit me. The kicking stopped for a brief moment but I didn't relax.

"Who is it," Liam demanded.

Someone must be at the door. When I cracked my eyes open, I was still mostly in the hall but my head and shoulders were exposed so I could see what was happening.

Liam had the door open just a fraction so I couldn't see who was there. There was no response for a second.

"Hello, dearie. I just wanted to stop by and see Ryder. Is she available?" Anne's gentle voice floated into the apartment.

"No. She's out. If you come back later, you may be able to catch her." Liam turned his head and made eye contact with me as he said that.

He turned back to close it and there was a noise before it was being forced open. Liam stumbled back in surprise. Lynch stormed in and I caught a glimpse of Anne standing out on the walkway.

Lynch grabbed fistfuls of Liam's shirt and slammed him back into the wall. Liam struggled to break his grip but he wasn't budging. Removing one hand from his shirt, Lynch swung his fist and knocked him square in the jaw. Liam fell limp, knocked unconscious from the harsh blow.

Stepping back, Lynch let him slump to the floor. He stared for a few seconds before turning and striding over to me. He knelt beside me and reached for me but I flinched. Everything hurt. I didn't want to be touched.

"C'mon, sweetheart. I need to get you outta here. I know it hurts. Come on. Let me help you," he cajoled, scooping me up in his arms.

I groaned as everything shifted but I relaxed against him. I heard sirens approaching and looked to Anne who was hanging up on the phone. Lynch carried me over to paramedics who were dragging a stretcher behind them. Two officers ran past and I noticed a familiar truck pulling up.

Lynch set me on the stretcher and I was wheeled back to the ambulance. Paramedics moved around me, hooking me up to IVs and putting an oxygen mask on me.

"Her shoulder's dislocated. She has approximately a centimeter laceration to the temple. There's already some bruising on her legs and arms..." I tuned out what they were saying, focused on the hand that was brushing my hair back from my face.

Looking up, Lynch sat on the bench next to my head. He didn't smile as he stared at me. Concern was written all over his face. I worried him. I scared him.

"We're transporting the patient to Doctor's now." A paramedic hopped down and closed the back of the ambulance.

A minute later, we were moving. Looking back up at Lynch, I wanted to reached for him but my arm hurt. I sluggishly closed my eyes but the paramedic tapped my hand. I turned my head to look at her.

"Sorry, sugar, but you can't fall asleep. We'll be there soon and fix you up."

I nodded slightly and twisted my head back straight, staring up at the ceiling of the ambulance. I just want this to be over.

• • •

I finally had some quiet after three hours of nonstop questions and movement. The doctors had asked hundreds of questions before treating the cut on my head and popping my arm back in place. Hurt like a bitch. Now I had a sling for it and I wouldn't be able to do much for the next couple of days.

The officers had come in the get statements from me and Lynch. They explained that he was charged with aggravated assault, assault on an officer, and attempt to evade arrest.

Once the professionals were gone, my friends were the next ones to barge in. They berated me about how I shouldn't have gone alone and that I should have asked for someone's help.

When they finished with their ranting, I just asked, "But it's over now, isn't it?"

They didn't have an argument after that and Ember said she was glad I finally stood up for myself. Dria said she was too, she's just annoyed she didn't get to hurt him where it counts.

Once they had left, I relaxed and sank back into the hospital bed. It wasn't comfortable and the sheets were noisy but I could relax. I closed my eyes and listened to the steady beeping of the machines next to the bed.

The side of the bed dipped and a thumb brushed over my cheek. I opened my eyes to look up at Lynch. His expression was still unclear. I couldn't hold his stare for longer than a couple seconds. I felt like I let him down. I wasn't able to protect myself.

He tapped my cheek gently and brought my attention back to him. "How you holdin' up, sweetheart?"

I attempted to swallow back the lump. "I- I'm fine, Lynch. A little freaked out but I'm ok."

He frowned and his eyebrows knit together. "You're lying. I can see it. You wanna cry don't you?"

"Wh-" I couldn't even finish the word.

My bottom lip trembled and my eyesight blurred with tears. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to calm myself down. I don't need to be crying here.

I felt Lynch lean over me. His head fell to my shoulder while he supported most of his weight. A sob ripped through me before I could even attempt to stop it.

"It's ok, Ryder. Let it out." I wrapped my good arm around his back and fisted the fabric of his shirt. "I got you. You're safe."