Bet Me

Chapter 23

Savannah POV

The sound of the T.V was supposed to make me feel at ease, somehow it did the opposite. I sat curled up onto the leather couch in a blanket, waiting patiently for James to come through the door. My posture could fool you as I looked rather comfy just curled up in an sweatshirt of his I kept from our first date, relishing the scent he left from the couch.

I had wished he would forgive me. I wished he would come back and see me on the couch and want me back. Things didn't work out that way and I knew what I was getting myself into as I sat shakily on the cold sofa.

"Get out." Was the bold voice I remembered so well. I spun around to see James, his face as cold hearted as ever. I never thought I saw so much hurt in a persons face before.

"Please let me explain."

"I know I gave you a key but you need to get out."

I get up from the couch and drop the remote immediately as I stay quiet, letting him say whatever he's about to. After all, I deserve it. 

"This morning I was upset about us. I mean you. I mean." He pauses. "Your boyfriend. Then something happened as I was walking down the street, angry about the situation." I notice his fists clench tightly, trying to gain some sort of grounding. "I want you to leave."

"Please, James. Let me explain. It's not what you think it is."

"You know, Savannah. You're the prime example of why I never let a girl in my life. Girls like you, the ones who make a guy think they're in love and then cheat, lie, go about their business like I-- like their boyfriends don't matter. You made me feel something. I thought it was real." He stares at me from across the room, his look hurt more than any words he could ever say. For some reason, it made me think about Darren, the way he treated me with so much anger.  "I know you're crying but believe me, I'm hurting worst than you ever could."

"There's something you need to know, James." I felt like I was there again, being pinned up against the wall just inches from Darren's hateful facial expression. Out of nowhere, the flashback seemed so real. 

"I don't want to know it. I know too much already."

Respectfully, I nod making the shameful walk towards James. He never left his stance by the door when he came in. I should have studied his face. I should have looked at the guy I fell in love with one last time. The only time I would ever know him again is if I saw him on campus. I would have to pretend like he never existed like, our history didn't matter. I would carry on with my life, getting over what Darren had put me through. 

The thoughts overcrowded my head space as I feel a gentle yet swift tug on my arm. "Ow don't touch me." I turn around, trying to leave. 

"What happened to your arm?" 

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." I answer, in a realization that there were a couple of scratches and little bruises on other parts of my body. Although it would give me a perfect excuse to use this to my advantage, I wasn't that type of person to use my weakness for pity. In fact, I had wish James didn't see it. 

"Come sit. Please." Taking his ShorePoint sweatshirt off, he throws it across the floor. He pats the seat next to him, much like he did on that drunken night we met. I giggle a bit, trying to distract from what I'm about to tell him. 

"That night you met him."I sit next to James, crossing my legs on the couch facing him. "He was pretty upset. So upset that he had to pin me against the wall and threaten me. I guess I didn't realize he left a mark on me. I was so distracted from the fact he did that."

James grabs my hands instantly and directly looks into my eyes. "Look, you need to go to counseling."

"Counseling by myself? No thank you." I interrupt, taking my hands back and rubbing them on my jeans. The thought of someone in a fancy suit trying to tell me how to live my life did not seem appealing to my senses.

"No. You and him. Work it out, figure out why he did such a thing."

"Excuse me? You think I'm planning to stay with him?" Shocked, hurt, and confused, I wanted nothing more than to bolt out of his apartment and never speak to him again. 

"You need to stay with him, you love him, right?"

"Actually I don't. Someone gets abused and you suggest them to stay because you think they're in love?" I wish I could tell him my feelings, I wish I could get on my knees and beg for him back wishing that it wouldn't look like I was trying to recieve pity. A part of me grew numb just thinking about it, knowing there wasn't a way I could make this guy ever love me again.

"Maybe that was wrong." Unable to look up at me, he continues with a heavy breath.

"It was wrong, James. You don't have to want me back, I understand why you wouldn't. But never suggest a person to work things out with someone who abuses them."

James sighs and runs his fingers through his hair roughly. "I just thought it was something you were used to. Something he did often that you could work out."

"Look at me, James." My eyes narrow at him, noticing his quick gaze towards me. His lips looked chapped and his eyes tired.  "I never knew he was that way. Sure he was controlling now that I think of it, but never did I think he would pull a stunt like that." 

"Savannah. My mother is sick." 

Guilt flushed my cheeks. Staying in this house with the intention of getting a guy back who has been through so much, no thanks to me, was selfish. Not saying another word, I take one more look at the man staring back at me. I stand myself up to make my way back to the door. I feel his hand grab mine quickly, much like he did when I left before. "I don't have a bruise on my hand do-"

He stands up fast, pulling my figure into his quickly as he lays both hands on my cheeks. His forehead meets mine as he stares into my eyes passionately, giving me a long kiss. It questions everything that has been going on, but I go with it anyway. "I should go. You're doing this out of fear, James."

"No." He pulls me again, this time on his lap as he sits back down on the couch. He stops "You're the reason, Savannah. You're the reason I got ahold of my mother again. If it wasn't for you, that story you told about yours. I would never have gotten close. She wanted to meet you." 

I interlace my fingers with his, holding his hand as I straddle myself on his lap. I was in shock as I did it.

"I want you to go with me to the hospital. I can't do this alone. I don't care what happened with you and Darren, I want to work things out with us. You and I together."

I nod quickly, taking his words in as I kiss him again, feeling our energies collide, kissing passionately on his sofa. I squeezed his arm tight, disregarding the look he gave me when I did it. I don't ever want to lose him again.