Unexpected you

Chapter 45

I've been stuck in a stranger's backyard for hours, afraid to peek my head out of this Shed, and praying for my life. If Shawn hadn't tossed my phone out of the window, I would have been able to call Isabella or Chris.

Im so uncomfortable and in pain as I sit with my legs bent in a hook position. I've been like this for so long now that my behind and thighs have completely fallen asleep. To make matters worse, the half bag of manure, and rust taking over the gardening tools, has created the most horrid odor.

I can't help to notice the correlation between my surroundings at the moment, and my life. The shit people around me since I was a little girl, and the mental and physical abuse that has eaten away at my soul. Much like the rust has eaten through these pieces of metal.

I could tell through the edges of the door that the night had arrived. So I slowly stand, dust myself off and prepare to make my way back out. It isn't easy, and I have to spend some time helping my blood to circulate through my legs, by stretching and massaging them. I've been lucky enough that the owners of this house have not made their way through here. Because they most likely would have called the cops, or kicked me out of their property.
And that would've been horrible since I knew that Shawn was still out there. No doubt looking for me.

Ugh! Why am I having such a hard time pushing these doors open? I remember being able to squeeze through the doors easily, but getting out is proving to be much more of a challenge. I guess it must've been the adrenaline that helped. Ok Cheyenne... calm down and think. I desperately look around and spot a couple of small concrete paver's, and I immediately get an idea. Perfect! Ill use those to hold the bottom corner of the door open, while I slide out.

This neighborhood looks unfamiliar, and the street lights are so dim, that it makes it difficult to see past one block. But I continue to walk, forcing myself to move despite the pain of a thousand knives shooting down my legs. I can't stop. If I do, I might never make it home.CHEYENNE! CHEYENNE! Someone's calling my name, but It's so faint, that I can't make out the direction it's coming from. I need to stand still and focus. And maybe if I close my eyes and drown out the cars that are driving on the main road, I can make out who it is. As soon as I realize that the ones calling out for me are my sister and brother in law, I begin to yell. ISABELLA! CHRIS!

As I approach the end of the block, I see Chris's car, and it is by far the best thing that I've seen all week. CHEYENNE! He yells, and hurry's out of the car to grab me. But alas, I can no longer stand, and as soon as he reaches me, I collapse in his arms.

What a relief it is to fall into the arms of someone I trust. What happened? Isabella cries, as she gently tries to wipe away at the dried blood on the side of my face. Shawn. I managed to say before going into a coughing attack. We're going straight to the police station! My sister tells Chris. NO! Take me home and we'll call the cops from there. But Cheyenne! NO! I repeat. I don't want to sit in a police station while I'm in so much pain, Isabel. Please take me home.

I assumed that Shawn had driven me far from home, but we weren't far at all, and ten minutes was all it took to get back to mothers. Isabella kept trying and trying to find out what had happened, but I was too dizzy to explain. Give her some time Hun. She's been through a lot already and she's coughing way too much. Just get her some water for now. Chris told Isabel as he helped me out of the car. Mother, who I was told by my sister had been sitting near the kitchen window for hours, immediately opens the front door and comes running my way. My poor child—what happened? She cries. I hate that she has to see me this way. Covered in dry blood and bruises. A mother's nightmare I imagine.

I look up at my mother, and suddenly, I see him. Lucas—standing right at the doorway with complete shock on his face. In one quick second, he quickly rushes to me and wraps his arms around my waist. Baby—I'm so sorry this happened to you. He says as he lifts me up and begins to carry me inside the house. I wanted to yell at him to put me down the minute he lifted me, but there were too many people outside, and I wasn't going to cause a scene. My mother had already been dealing with Shawn's explosions on her front lawn, and I'm sure this was the last thing she needed.

As soon as the door closed behind us, I snapped. PUT ME DOWN! ... NOW! I say holding back the tears. He lowers me, and I turn and walk away. I'm too angry and hurt so I don't want to see him. Because this proves that Shawn was telling me the truth. Here I am thinking that Lucas was in New York, and he was here all along. Telling Shawn my secrets and putting me in great danger. Oh I really don't want to see his face right now, and after this betrayal, I don't want him near me ever again.

Cheyenne.... He begins to say, but I cut him off. Do you see my face Lucas? This was you! I yell. Causing everyone to look our way. I can see the hurt in his eyes but I don't care. He doesn't get to feel this way after what he did. I'm done being a fool for men. You betrayed me Lucas. You went behind my back knowing what Shawn was capable of doing. Why would you talk to him about my decisions or what I've been doing? I trusted you!

It wasn't that simple Cheyenne. Please let me explain. Go ahead Lucas! Please tell me why you chose to do what you did. You don't even realize how this all could've turned out do you? Shawn doesn't just shove me around, he beats me, Lucas. He kicks, punches, and chokes me until I'm seconds away from passing out! You knew this. So please—explain to me why you thought it was ok to speak to Shawn without giving me any type of warning?

Lucas looks around, shaking and hesitant to speak, but I assume it's because all eyes are on him. You have five minutes to explain, Lucas. I tell him as I carefully sat on the sofa. If he doesn't start talking, I will tell him to leave.

I wanted to surprise you, so I took a late flight last night. It wasn't even planned. I just packed a quick bag and purchased a ticket after work, and headed out. I was hoping that we could enjoy the weekend together. Maybe take Sofie to the zoo and allow her time to become comfortable with me. Anyway, I text an old friend to pick me up from the airport, but when he showed up, Shawn was also in the car. I didn't even know that he knew Shawn. They had been hanging out last night, and were on their way to a party. What does this have to do with anything Lucas? Get to the fucking point! This is a personal conversation. Maybe we should leave. Chris suggested and began to walk towards the front door. No one is going anywhere! I yell. Whatever explanation Lucas has, he can say in front of all of us. Go on Lucas— tell me why you played a part in this! I say as I pointed to my bruised and bloodied face.

On the way to my moms, Shawn asked if we were together. I don't know how he knew about us Cheyenne, but he did. And you know the kind of person I am. When someone asks me a question, I answer it truthfully. I didn't want to say anything, but I also didn't want to omit any of my feelings for you. Because we're bound to confess our relationship to everyone at some point Cheyenne. And I knew that lying about us in that moment would've made matters worse. I just wanted to be that man for you. The one who wasn't going to hide being with you because he loved you. I wanted to tell him the truth and hopefully get an opportunity to talk with him man to man. To tell him that I was yours and that I was going to protect and take care of you. But that wasn't your decision to make alone Lucas. I know baby. I didn't plan for it to unfold this way, but I cant hide my feelings for you anymore. And if it were up to me, the whole world would know how much I fucking love you. Please understand that I just did what I felt I had to do.

I stand and approach Lucas. I was the one on the end of his fist. I was there..... laying on the gravel wishing that I could just die, Lucas. You don't understand what this does to a person. To be beaten by someone for so long, that you find yourself hoping for the worse. Just so you never have to feel it again. I.... I. Lucas starts to say but I bring my hand up and shush him. Tell me Lucas. Tell me how in the hell did he know about New York? I told him that you wanted to come to New York with me. I told him that I was serious about our relationship and that you wanted to start planning a future together. And this is where I have a big problem, Lucas. Because I suppose I could understand you telling Shawn about us and how you feel, but my issue is that you spoke on my behalf. You spoke for me and that wasn't okay. Your choice put me in the worst position and my daughter could have been left without a mother because of it. I know I know—I'm sorry. Sorry isn't good enough, Lucas. And I don't think I could ever trust you again. The police is here! Isabella informs us as she opens the door to lets them in. Using the last bit of strength that I have, I turn to Lucas and say. Go! Go back to New York and don't ever look for me again!