Broken {Completed}

Protector

Once Jared left I got up and decided to cook Gunnar's favorite meal for dinner. Steak and salmon salad with shrimp and asparagus. So that meant I needed to go to the store.

I walked to Gunnar's room to find his door locked. I sighed in defeat and sent him a text letting him know I was going to the store to get what I needed for dinner.

I was going to tell Gunnar everything, and just hope that he would understand. Gunnar was just like Shannon when he was angry or objected to something. Stubborn and irrational.

I got in the car and drove to the supermarket picking up the ingredients I needed.

"Jenna? Is that you?"

I turned around to see the last person I wanted to see right now. Macy. I didn't say anything as I turned away from the girl and continued my shopping.

"Jenna, I know you're not still angry with me are you? That was like 15-"

"17 years ago. And yes I'm still angry! Shannon was the love of my life, and you knew that, but you slept with him anyway!" I hated the fact that she looked to be in better condition than I was. Her flaming red hair matched her lipstick, and she looked as if she was about to walk the red carpet. I wanted to punch her so bad, but I refrained.

"Come on Jenna that's over! Be an adult for once in your life!"

"You don't know the first thing about me. I suggest you get out of my face," I threatened.

She rolled her eyes and disappeared into the crowd of shoppers.

Moving here was the worst idea I've ever had. It's almost like reliving all of the shit I went through 17 years ago, I thought as I gathered the last of my groceries and headed for checkout.

When I got back home there was no sign that Gunnar came out of his room yet. I began cooking in hopes that he would come out from smelling the food, but he didn't.

I went to knock on his door, but still never got a response. "Gunnar!" I called banging on his door. Everything was quiet. I tried calling his phone. It rang a few times before going to voicemail. "Gunnar please open up!"

Nothing. I finally gave up and sat down on the couch and put in a movie. I only watched 20 minutes before falling asleep.

• • • •

By the time I snuck back in it was after 8. Moxxi and I stopped to eat dinner and time slipped away from me. When I was with her all my cares went away even for a moment. I unlocked my door and heard my mom's favorite movie playing. Making my way go the living room I saw Gerard Butler sweeping Emmy Rossum into his arms and sing angel of music.

"Mom," I said softly, but didn't get a response. "Mom?" I walked to the couch to discover she was a sleep. I couldn't help but smile. She reminded me of a child with her small frame and innocent face.

I turned off the movie and scooped her into my arms carrying her to her room. It wasn't the first time this has happened. It happens at least every other week. She over works herself sits on the couch and falls asleep just like that.

I laid her on her bed and pulled the covers over her then put on her sleeping shirt over the one she was already wearing and worked her out of it. Once her old shirt was off I went to the end of the bed, reached under the covers, grabbed the legs of her jeans, and slid them off.

She turned over on her side and began peacefully snoring again. I couldn't help how protective of her I felt. For whatever reason, she seemed defenseless to me, but I knew that wasn't true. She was the toughest woman I've ever known. Maybe it was because I didn't want her to have to be tough for or around me.

Whatever the reason I could never stay mad at her forever. I closed her door and went to the kitchen to find that she had cooked dinner, and it was my favorite meal. I began to feel bad. She tried to wait for me and fell asleep in the process. I began to clean up trying to think of a way to make it up to her, but I didn't regret going to see Shannon. I know enough about him to figured out how to approach this mess, but it was going to have to wait until my mother gained the courage to tell me.

• • •

I reached to pull the covers up, but I couldn't feel them. I sat up and found them on the floor. I sighed.

I must have slept pretty wild last- wait. How did I get in bed? And it's morning already? I smelled bacon being fried and my stomach instantly began to growl.

I slipped on some sweats and made my way to the kitchen where I found Gunnar cooking. There were two plates of pancakes and he was putting eggs on both of them followed by bacon.

I felt horrible. I should be tucking him into bed not the other way around. "Good morning," I said walking over to the cupboard and grabbing two glasses.

"Morning."

"Orange juice or milk?" I asked opening the fridge. The dinner I had cooked last night was placed in containers. Not only did he put me to bed, but he cleaned up too.

"Juice is good." He grabbed both plates and sat them at the breakfast bar.

I grabbed the orange juice and filled both glasses then sat down. "Are you still mad at me?" I asked handing him a fork.

"Mom I could never be mad at you, but I am hurt that you would keep this kind of information from me."

"I'm sorry, and you're right. I have no right to, but I want you to understand that I only wanted what's best for you."

I took a deep breath and began to explain everything.