Dressed in Bruises -H.S.

Seven

My phone powered on and I thought as though it would explode from how many notifications I was receiving at once.

From habit, I quickly turned it on silent and felt it was best to ignore it all until morning.

I shut my eyes the second my head hit the pillow and fell into a deep sleep. 

I never leave the house without my phone charger, not that I'm addicted to my phone, but for emergency purposes, it's all about being prepared if needed.

But last night I thought it would be best to let my phone die on purpose.

A lie, an excuse, something that may hopefully soften the blow I'm going to receive from Greyson.

Because in all honesty, I'm really fucking scared with how he's been lashing out, his drinking has gotten bad and I can only think it is my fault.

It's everything I do, no matter what I do and how I do it, something is wrong or it doesn't meet his expectations and I have to endure the anger that follows.

-

I could feel that the door was unlocked as I held the knob in my hand.

I took a deep, shaky breath before continuing to turn it the rest of the way to see Grey with his back to me, sitting at the kitchen table, head in his hands.

He swung around fast and was out of his seat before I could find the courage to utter a single word.

His arms flung around me and I flinched but he...he embraced me.

He hugged me? Something that I have grown to miss and yearned for.

My love had turned to fear and I had began to forget my Grey, the Grey I had before these issues.

But this, this hug is making me forget all the bad and his arms were making me feel safe as he cried out to me.

"Where were you? I was so close to calling the police, I was worried sick." he spoke and then flooded my face with small kisses, mainly focusing on my forehead.

"Before you get mad, please listen to me." I pleaded, the euphoric feeling starting to fade.

"No, no, no I'm sorry. I've been the biggest asshole and I'm so sorry I'm just now realizing it. I threw all the alcohol away, I have a problem and my parents made me realize I need to seek help,"
I was surprised about what was occuring, but at the same time part of me wanted to scream in his face asking why I wasn't enough to realize he had a problem, strangling me and battering me to the point I lost parts of myself powering through it all and wishing for change. But no, just one talk with his money throwing mommy and daddy was all he needed. I took another deep breath.

"I was so worried you left me for good, which I can understand why you would have, but it made me realize I don't want to lose you and I need to get better for us, I've been selfish, I feel like a stranger to myself. I hope you got the job, I really do."

"I'm sorry, my phone died and I could tell you were drinking so I was overthinking coming home last night, I was scared you would hurt me." I didn't even have to lie, I just hope he doesn't ask where I stayed because I would be forced to lie for my own safety at that point. 'My boss' house' would lead to immediately accusing me of sucking another man's dick probably thinking that's how I got the job.

I stopped my thoughts as I was making myself more irritated.

He hugged me again, this time even tighter, but a good tighter.

"Baby, I can't change what I did but I'm gonna try my best, you mean so much to me." he spoke.

-

Two weeks later

It's been 15 days since Grey has drank alcohol and things have been pretty good, he's had a few outbursts but nothing physical, and he's apologized each time. I haven't taken it to heart because I'm sure cutting off an addiction is very hard and he's coping better than I expected.

Harry's tour starts in a few weeks, Leo and I have been working extremely hard on the outfits for each show to the point we've been working overtime this entire last week.

"

Hey, honey." Grey greeted me at the door, it was 11pm, I had just gotten off and I was exhausted.

He covered my eyes and was leading me into what seemed like the kitchen.

"You did this for me?" I was in awe as I eyed the delicious looking pasta dish on the table.

"You deserve a nice meal, especially with how hard you've been working lately." he said as he sat me down at the table across from him.

I watched as he poured us each a glass of red wine to go with the meal, I didn't think anything of it at first but the more I thought about it, I got nervous.

"Should you be having wine?" I quietly spoke.

"What do you mean by that?" he seemed taken a back.

"I just dont think it's a good idea, you're doing really good." I stayed positive.

The next morning

"Sherry, what the hell happened to you?" Harry approached me with the nickname he started calling me. "I had too much to drink last night and took a pretty nasty fall." I jokingly lied, trying to laugh off the black eye and cut cheek. "I'll be right back." he softly spoke while examining my face up close.

He returned with ice for my face but continued to ask questions. "How much did you drink? Had to be quite a lot for how bad that looks." "I just stayed up late working some more and ended up having too much wine." it was evident he didn't believe me.

"I swear I'm fine, you know how clumsy I am." I reassuringly placed my hand on his arm and his tension immediately loosened. "Okay, if you need anything please let me know," I smiled and gave him a quick hug to thank him. "And stop working so damn hard." he added.

"I'm sorry, Leo and I are perfectionists." I jokingly sighed. "He's a perfectionist, you're just perfect." he said while getting slightly flustered. "You're so corny, shut up." I softly pushed him while blushing. "Okay, I know it was bad but you seem like you needed some cheering up." he smiled.

"Actually, I'm kind of your boss so you're off today now. I have an idea." He said while texting his driver. "Harry tour is too soon, I need to get more work done." "Leo will be okay by himself for a day, he's done all of this on his own before. Plus you've been working so much, it will be fine. If you're worried about it I can help you out with some work later tonight." he reassuringly placed his hand on my lower back while guiding me back to the door I just entered a few minutes ago."