My Brother's Best Friend -VS- My Abusive Ex.

Chapter Five

   “Joe,” I seethed through gritted teeth, my voiced laced with my irritation. I stood up, feeling safe with all the people around and said, “I’m not your girl anymore, remember?” I heard all the girls behind me gasped and guessed the news hadn’t gotten around to them yet. I saw the players on the field slowly stop playing to watch my conversation with Joe. I saw Eric and Traeh start making their way towards us, but Aiden stopped them. I imagine he said something along the lines of it being my chance to confront them to make them stop trying to interfere.

“Let’s talk about this in private.” He grabbed my arm and began to pull me away.

I yanked my arm out of his grasp and slapped him across the face. “Don’t you dare touch me,” I spat. “You don’t even deserve to lick the bottom of my shoe. Now,” I said getting closer to him, and lowering my voice, “because I meant it when I said I love you, I’m going to give you a chance to walk away and leave me alone for good, or I can tell everyone where I really got these bruises from and ruin your life. I don’t want to do that, so please don’t make me.”

“I’m getting help,” he said so only I could hear. “I can’t lose you Case. I love you.”

“I love you too, but I can’t keep letting you hurt me.”

“I know and I’m so sorry I ever did those things to you. I need you Case.”

“Then keep our deal. Get the help you need and when you get better, if you still love me, I’ll be here.”

“How do I know you won’t move on?”

“I’ll wait six months, on one condition. You have to wait too. If you date another girl, I’ll stop waiting and move on, and I’ll also move on if at the end of six months you haven’t gotten any better. I gave him a hug, forgetting about everyone watching us. “I’ll wait,” I whispered. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he said as he embraced me tightly. He kissed me on the cheek and stepped away.

When I stepped back I was able to see the faces of the people around us, but three really stood out. Traeh, Aiden and Eric stood side by side, staring at me with expressions that pained me to see. Traeh’s face was covered in shock and disappointment, which most girls would’ve said made him look hot, but it just made me sick knowing I caused it. Eric’s expression was the most obvious, he looked murderous, which was clearly aimed at Joe, and extremely disappointed in me. I risked glancing at Aiden to find him no longer there, but storming off the field towards the guy’s locker room.

“Aiden,” I yelled jogging after him. No one stopped me, they all just watched as I ran after him. I walked in to see Aiden punching the wall and growling in frustration. “Aiden,” I called out softly, trying to get his attention.

He placed his hands against the wall and leaned against it. “Why,” he asked, his voiced low and laced with venom. “Why would you forgive him?”

“He said he’s getting help,” I whispered, ashamed of making him so upset. “I can’t dwell on it,” I said remembering how those words had helped me when he said them.

“Don’t,” he yelled at me, making me cringe. His face and voice softened when he saw he was scaring me and continued. “Don’t use what I’ve said against me. I said that when some guy broke up with you, not when someone beats the crap out of you. I don’t think you fully understand how many people you’d hurt if you let him hurt you again. Do you understand you’re all your brother has left? He’s not the only one that loves you either.”