Top Gun Imagines

23. Breakdown (Hangman - Jake Seresin) Requested

(Published March 14, 2023)

   "Well, well, well, if it isn't Alexandria the Great."
   I let my eyes squeeze shut in annoyance.  Hangman was back, and obviously in one of his moods, which meant many sarcastic remarks would pass between us in the next few hours.  Putting a small smile on my lips, I turned to greet him. 
   "Gagman, I should've known you'd show up," I retorted.
   His ridiculously pretty blue eyes held mine confidently.  "Had to see if you'd changed your mind yet."
   "I haven't," I assured him, though I wasn't exactly sure what he was talking about.  "Beer?"
   "You know what I like," He stated with a wink. 
   Pushing up the sleeves of my shirt out of habit, I moved to grab a new bottle for him.  As my arm passed under the bar lights, I realized my mistake.  As quickly as I could, I yanked my sleeve back down to hide the bruises.  Small dark circles where fingers had dug into my skin.  I winced at the memory, forgetting where I was for a moment. 
   "Alex," Hangman's voice snapped me back into reality with a jerk, and I dropped the bottle. 
   "Hold your horses, bruh, a girl's working here," I quickly shushed him, hoping no one else had seen my brief moment of weakness. 
   Slowly, I bent down to pick the bottle up.  My ribs ached with each inch I sank towards the floor, and my back screamed at me to leave the bottle where it was.  Still, I scooped it up.  Unfortunately, I had to grab the counter to help myself slowly stand, muscles crying out at me with each movement.  Blinking back the tears of pain before anyone could see, I tucked the bottle under the counter and fetched a new one.  With a solid thud, I placed it in front of Hangman. 
   "Enjoy," I muttered, not daring to look at him.  I didn't want to see his smirk or hear how I acted like an old woman or whatever he was going to throw my way.  Well, part of me did because I wanted to shoot snarky comments back.  Most of the time, bantering with him made me feel better and forget my problems.  But today, part of me just wanted to be left alone. 
   To my surprise, Hangman left me alone for most of the night.  He had disappeared from his normal seat at the bar, probably playing pool with friends, so I was left to other less irritating customers.  It wasn't until almost closing time while I was wiping down tables that I spotted him again.  He was watching me, a drink in hand and a frown on his brow.  I quickly looked away, not liking how he was watching at me.  I did my best to make it look like I had no problem bending to wipe the tables down, but the pain definitely slowed me down. 
   'Damn Jason,' I thought as another jab of pain struck me when I lifted a chair. 
   Once all the unoccupied tables had been cleaned, I returned to the bar.  Leaning against it, I gave Penny a small smile. 
   "Need anything else?" I asked. 
   "No, you can go.  Thank you for your help tonight, I know it was pretty busy." Penny sighed. 
   "Busy is good, keeps us on our toes." I told her, grabbing my purse and my keys. 
   "Guess so," My boss smiled.  "Have a good night."
   "You, too," I called back, already halfway to the door. 
   Stepping outside into a steady rain, I breathed in the fresh air and tried to prepare myself for what was to come.  Was he drunk again?  Or would he be his sober self, ready to hear every detail of my night?  I was never sure which one to expect.  Jason was unpredictable and cruel, but his home was the only home I had. 
   I started toward the spot I had parked my car in, only to stop dead in my tracks.  It was gone.  Jason had taken my car again with the spare key he had!  Tipping my head up to the sky, I let the rain slap against my skin as my breathing started to stutter in quiet sobs.  I needed to escape.  I couldn't escape. 
   "Alex."
   I spun around in surprise, my wet hair whipping me in the face as I did.  Behind me stood Hangman, equally as drenched as I was and a sad look in his eyes. 
   "I'm fine," I stated sharply, knowing he didn't deserve my anger, but unable to stop myself. 
   "You're soaked and carless.  Let me take you home." He said softly, crossing his arms. 
   "I'll walk," I objected, knowing if Jason saw me arrive in another man's car that he'd get angry again. 
   "Please, Alex," He pleaded soberly. 
   I looked up into the torrents of rain.  It wasn't going to stop anytime soon, and home was eight miles away.  Hugging myself, I nodded silently.  Hangman led me to his car and I slid onto the leather seat carefully.  He hurried around the car and climbed in without a word.  I clung to myself, ducking my head so I couldn't see the familiar views as we got closer to home. 
   "Tyler Street," I murmured, knowing he'd know where it was. 
   He started the car and backed out silently.  My head started to ache from the lack of sleep, the busy night, and the pain in my back.  I relaxed in the heated seat, knowing it was the only time tonight I'd be able to. 
   Before I was ready, the car came to a stop.  Unbuckling, I pushed open the door with a quiet "thanks" and slowly climbed out.  The house we were parked at was not Jason's, though.  Blinking in surprise, I turned to Hangman, who had climbed out now, too. 
   "You need to take me home," I stated bitterly. 
   He rounded the car and came to a stop in front of me.  "No."
   "Hangman, this isn't funny.  He's going to be furious if I'm not home on time." I hugged my aching ribs tightly.
   "Which is why I'm not letting you go home."
   I glared at him.  "That's not your choice!"
   "Can we talk about this inside, out of the rain?" He asked gently, surprisingly calm. 
   Still glaring at him, I reluctantly gave in.  The rain was cold and uncomfortable.  Shuffling pitifully, I made my way to the door.  Hangman beat me there,  unlocking and holding it open for me.  I stepped inside, glad to feel the warmth that met my chilled body. 
   The hallway was lit with warm yellow lights, casting a glow on the off white walls.  A pair of sneakers sat near the door and two jackets hung on hooks above the shoes.  Hangman closed the door behind him and took my coat.  Still quiet, he hung it up before taking off his own coat and kicking off his shoes.  Then, instead of turning to argue with me like I thought he would, he marched down the hall and disappeared into a doorway on the left some ten feet away. 
   I stood there for a moment, frozen in shock.  What should I do?  Should I go argue with him?  Should I stay and wait?  Should I sneak out and walk home?  After a minute, I slid off my own shoes and began walking slowly down the hall. 
   Reaching the door he had entered, I peeked in.  It was a bedroom, likely his.  He had laid out a grey t-shirt on the bed and was currently adding a pair of sweatpants that tied at the waist.  Turning back to his dresser, he pulled out a pair of socks.  Looking up at me, he tossed them on the clothes. 
   "You should change before you get sick," He mumbled. 
   "I should go," I hinted, suddenly reluctant to leave. 
   "You should stay," He objected, stepping around me to exit the bedroom.  "I'll make some coffee."
   I watched as he vanished down the hall, still soaked.  Slowly, my eyes returned to the bed.  I was cold and uncomfortable.  But I knew I couldn't stay!  Still, I couldn't help myself.  I quickly stripped out of my wet garments and slid into his too large, but warm, dry clothes.  Sighing a small sigh of relief, I wrapped my arms around myself. 
   "What are you doing?" I whispered. 
   'You're finally accepting help.' My brain answered. 
   I shook my head.  I didn't need help, I needed to get home.  Jason would be furious. 
   But...  Maybe that was why I shouldn't go home.  I was sure to get a bruising whether I did or didn't, at this point.  So why not stay and get warmed up for a few minutes?  Even if it was with Hangman. 
   I tiptoed back down the hall to the kitchen, where I found him pouring two mugs of coffee.  He had set sugar and creamer on the table.  Now, he placed a mug at each end.  My throat suddenly felt like it had a lump in it, and I had to swallow before I could speak. 
   "Hangman," I began softly. 
   He looked up and sent me a small grin.  "You can call me Jake."
   "Jake," I amended.  "I really should go."
   "I disagree." He sat down at the opposite end of the table from me and leaned back in his chair.  "And I'll tell you why, if you join me for coffee."
   I reluctantly took the other chair, hands folded in my lap. 
   "You shouldn't go back.  Not now, not ever.  Any man who beats a woman deserves to lose her.  I've been paying attention to you, Alex, so don't try to deny it.  I may act like an ass, but I have half a brain.  I know he hurts you."
   I dropped my gaze to the table top, unable to speak. 
   "You can stay here as long as you'd like.  I know you might not like me much, but you're safer bantering with me than you are living with someone who argues with his fists.  I've cleaned out the spare room, I just have to get bedding for it.  Once I do, it's yours."
   He paused and I let my eyes meet his.  He was serious, I could tell.  Tears filled my eyes as I realized this was my escape.  This was my chance. 
   "And I want you to know, if he even tries to enter this house, I will very literally kick him to the curb.  He will not hurt you here." He added, nodding once for effect. 
   "This isn't real," I whispered. 
   "I'm not playing games, Alex." He assured me. 
   "You have to be.  This can't be happening."
   He stood and walked over to me.  Gently lifting my chin with his hand, he smiled down at me. 
   "You're safe here," He murmured. 
   And with those words, I broke down.  Sobs racked my body, the tears from the pain mixing with those from the emotions I had kept bottled up.  Jake very softly pulled me up into his arms, holding me lightly but enough to keep me upright.  I cried into his wet shirt, my shaking hands trapped in between our bodies. 
   "Alex," He whispered once my sobs had ceased somewhat.  "Stay with me."
   Too exhausted to come up with an argument or a snarky remark, I just nodded into his shoulder. 
   "Thank you," I managed between hiccupy breaths. 
   And that was the night I considered to be the beginning of my very own life, as well as the beginning of a slow growing yet wonderful relationship.