infatuated

seven

1 year and a half later

A lot of things have changed over the past year and a half, Paige moved out of her parents house with a new boyfriend as well as Tyler finally filing for divorce with Mel. Tyler and Paige continued to stay no contact, the last conversation being the big blow up. Paige laid for months feeling like sh*t about herself, trying to get over Tyler as quickly as possible, allowing herself to be open for a new relationship. Who she was with was closer in age, still a few years older but the relationship was seemingly promising. Tyler found himself drowning himself in alcohol to get away from the pain and stress of the past year and a half. Without Mel, he was able to do whatever he wanted which had its pros and cons. He started going out with Sam almost all the time, finding himself trying to fill the void of what was once Paige. He would hook up with girls frequently, but nothing felt the same as she did.

One late night, as Tyler was at a bar with Sam just drinking and enjoying their night, Tyler feels his phone vibrating in his pocket. He ignores it, assuming it was Mel harassing him in regards to the divorce. She would always call a couple of times, sometimes leave nasty voicemails so Tyler continued to ignore. After a few more calls, Tyler finally whips his phone out of his pocket frustrated. He looks at his phone expecting to see Mel's name pop up, only to find that it was Paige. He froze as he stared at his phone, not knowing what to do. "Holy sh*t." He says out loud, Sam looking over at him. "What?" He asks, Tyler turning his phone towards him. Sam now knew what had happened after Tyler confided in him regarding the situation. "Are you gonna answer?" He asks before Tyler turns the phone back to look at it. The call goes away again before immediately popping back up again. "I'll be right back." He says to Sam, walking outside to avoid all the noise before picking up.

"Umm.. Hello?" He says softly, quickly starting to hear chaos in the background. "Tyler I need you to come get me please." Paige begs, clearly crying as she spoke. Tyler almost immediately loses his buzz, becoming concerned by what he was hearing. "Where are you? Are you okay?" He responds, hearing Paige almost hyperventilating. "No I'm not I need you to come get-" She says before a loud crash cuts her off, Paige yelling to someone in the background. "Get the fuck away!" She screams, the phone dropping to the ground as a struggle is heard in the background. "Paige? Are you there?" Tyler asks as he listens to the chaos. Paige picks her phone back up after a few seconds. "I'm sending you my address now please get here as soon as you can." She says before hanging up the phone as an address is sent over text.

                            (TW: abuse)
        Tyler quickly goes back into the bar, grabbing his jacket off of his bar stool. "Hey I gotta go something's wrong with Paige." He says to Sam quickly before turning right back around, not allowing Sam to say anything as he looks surprised. Tyler makes his way to his car, getting in and quickly taking off. The house was 25 minutes away from where he was, however Tyler was flying down the freeway, allowing him to get there within 15. He quickly parks the car across the street of the house, going up to the door of the house, hearing a lot of commotion. He tries to open the door, finding that it was locked so he peeks his eye through one of the partially open blinds. He was able to see some movement before hearing some yelling, tilting his head up some more to see clearer. His eyes finally land on Paige, who was being held up against the wall by her throat. He could see her legs kicking, struggling to push him off her. "You're lucky if I don't f*cking k*ll you right now Paige." He says to her as you could hear Paige start to struggle for air.

        Tyler quickly starts throwing his body against the front door, trying a couple of times before it finally gives in. He immediately goes after the guy holding her, who quickly drops her to the ground, as he turns around to look at Tyler. "Who the fuck are y-" He starts before Tyler grabs him by his throat, slamming him down on the ground. Paige sits on the floor in disbelief, watching them as she catches her breath. "You're lucky if I don't f*cking k*ll you right now dipsh*t." Tyler says sternly, kicking him straight in the side of his head before getting down over him, wailing on him. Tyler easily knocks him out cold, continuing to beat the sh*t out of him to the point where blood starts flying. Paige quickly jumps up, grabbing onto Tyler's shoulder and trying to pull him off. "Tyler you're going to kill him stop!" She yells, "Please!" She begs before Tyler turns around, speechless. He quickly stands up before looking back down at the guy, kicking him straight in his chest before walking away.

       He pulls his phone out, Paige quickly gathering some of her things from a nearby room before walking back out. "Who are you calling?" She asks, Tyler holding up a finger to her. "Please don't call my dad. I'm begging you." She pleads, before hearing Tyler talk. "Hi, I'd like to report a domestic violence case." He says, the anger still laced in his voice. Paige sighs softly, Tyler reaching over and handing her the keys to his car before waving her off. She walks out of the door, the cold air hitting her as she quickly walks across the street to the car. Tyler continues to talk with the dispatcher over the phone before walking out to the car. He gets in the drivers side, Paige sobbing as he looks over at her. "C'mere baby." Tyler says softly, opening his arms for her as she crawls over into his lap, nuzzling her face into his chest as she cried.

        Tyler held her close to his chest, kissing her head softly as he squeezed her gently. "It's okay, you're safe now okay? I'm so so sorry Paige." He whispers to her, Paige just nodding. "The cops are gonna be here soon, you're gonna have to tell them what happened and let them take some pictures okay?" He says, Paige pulling her head away from his chest as she wipes her tears, flinching as she did. Tyler then notices her black eye, along with another bruise along her cheek. He sighs softly, shaking his head. "How long Paige?" He asks her, Paige taking a deep breath. "A couple of months.." She mumbles softly "But my dad can't know okay?" She says as Tyler furrows his eyebrows in confusion. "Why not?" He asks "I mean that's fine I won't tell him anything.. but why?" Paige shakes her head, looking down at his lap. "He just can't... I haven't really spoken to him in a while.." She mumbled, Tyler lifting her head up gently. "That's okay I won't say anything. Just come stay with me for a couple of days.. weeks if you need. Mel's gone, we got a divorce so there won't be any issues." He says softly, Paige nodding in agreement.

        Before they knew it, the blue and red lights were flashing throughout the car, Tyler throwing his jacket on Paige. She was only wearing a big t-shirt with her underwear, Tyler getting out of the car still holding her as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He rubs his hands along her legs in attempt to keep her warm as he approached the cops. An ambulance quickly arrives at the scene as well, requesting to bring Paige in there for warmth and a check up as well as questioning. Tyler was also pulled to the side, answering a few questions about what had happened. He explains his part of the story, glancing over often at Paige, who was in tears. Once everything was done, they had Paige agree to a no contact order as well as pressing charges against him. Tyler went back over to her after the ambulance released her with a few bandages and a tube of arnica cream. He picks her back up again, thanking the officers and EMT's before going back to the car. They quickly left, heading straight to Tyler's house.