About you

Chapter 28

Theo Elliot Garrison III

She was getting ready to do a chapter reading. I personally have never read her book, but apparently it was pretty good. Good enough for her to be financially stable in her life right now. She said that she would be reading 'the ugly' portion of the book along with 'the relief'. I had no idea what would be coming out of her mouth in the next few minutes.

I didn't want to leave her side. I wanted to stay beside her, but I give her the respect she deserves and sit in the crowd with her eager fans.

She read the first few sentences and I knew that this chapter would solely be about the asshole I got rid of. When she read the line about him punching her, I about lost it. I wanted to track him down, just to torture him. Just to abuse him like he did her.

She continues to read and it only gets worse. More and more abuse piled on top of each other. My irritation must've shown on my face because Gage motioned for me to go get some air. I shrugged him off. I needed to hear the rest.

She went through all of this and still her heart is sweet like honey, pure like true happiness. I cannot express how bad I want a taste of that.

He beat her, he cheated on her, he traumatized her, he raped her. Things I would never, ever do. I wanted nothing more than to hold her as she wipes tears away while reading. She's trying to keep it professional, but somethings you just can't hold in. I even notice several people on the crowd crying as well. I need to read this damn book.

She starts to read the next chapter. It was called the relief, so I hoped it lived up to its name and provide me with some relief. Because I'm one minute away from losing my cool. This chapter informs the audience of how her life has brought her to where she is now. How she had grown out of fear and is rising on the ladder of success.

When it was over, I stepped outside to take a breather. There was so much I wanted to say, that I wanted to do. This was her moment and who was I to ruin it. I just needed to breathe. Gage and Max join me.

"That's some tough shit." Max pulls out a cigarette and lights it.

"Man I thought you quit?" Gage scrunches up his nose.

He shrugs then passes it to me. It was his last one in the pack or else I would've made him get me my own. After that, I needed an entire pack.

"Y'all know I have asthma." Gage says opening the door and walking back inside.

I puff on the cigarette and hand it back to him. We watch through the glass library window as Melody hugs all the people and chats with them.

"I wanna kill him." Maxwell says without looking at me.

"So fucking bad." I watch as Mr. Band boy makes his way over to her.

"You know we could get it done."

"She would never forgive me." I run a hand through my hair.

He passes the little bit of the cigarette back. "Her heart's too big. I see why you like her." He smirks.

"We're just friends, you know relationships don't work out for me."

"Don't mind if I do then." He throws his hands up and opens the door.

I throw the bud to the side. "Watch it." I follow him inside.

Gage had started packing the gifts to the rental and Max began helping. I stood from afar watching BandBoy flirt with Melody. She couldn't possibly have the least bit of interest in him. I didn't want to sound cocky but he was the complete opposite of me. If she did find charm in him, that means she has no intention-no attraction for me. Surely that couldn't be true.