Battered and Bruised | Emblem3

Chapter 6: Numb

Shayley POV

I was peacefully laying down and cuddling with Keaton. This moment was one that I could stay in forever. I can’t believe the mystery stranger is Keaton. I’m thrilled that it is, but it’s like one in a million chances of that happening. He makes me so happy.

My beautiful thoughts of this beautiful boy were interrupted by the front door slamming. “Shayley?!” Max yelled from the front door. The blood drained from my face and my body tensed up, I was instantly in a panic.

I finally came to my senses that I needed to save Keaton from Max’s wrath. “Keaton, I know you have questions, but I can’t answer them right now. You need to leave. I’m sorry baby, but I will explain later. I promise.”

“Okay. Shayley, I don’t want to lose you.” I could tell he was upset. He was hesitant and tense.

“You aren’t going to lose me.” I walked to the French doors in my room and unlocked them. I grabbed Keaton’s hand and kissed his cheek before he slipped out of the door. I quickly locked the doors back and focused on Max and what I’m going to say to him.

I started walking to my bedroom door before it busted open with an angry Max standing there. “Who the fuck has their car parked on the street? Are you fucking around with someone?”

“No of course not, it may be someone visiting the neighbors. I don’t know.” I said calmly. I had to keep my composure so I didn’t give anything away.

“Oh yeah I’m sure. Where the hell is my dinner?” I instantly felt sick. I knew what was coming. I was completely caught up in Keaton and I forgot to cook Max dinner. I mentally punched myself in the face, even though I will probably get a fist to my face physically too.

“Oh um, Max I’m so sorry. I fell asleep and just woke up when you got home. I’m so sorry.” I knew no matter what I said, it wouldn’t prevent the beating I was about to receive.

“You think it’s acceptable to fall asleep when I’m expecting dinner ready when I get home?” he asked as he walked toward me with clenched fists.

“No, it isn’t acceptable and I can’t believe I did that.” That wasn’t completely a lie. I knew when Max would be home and I knew that he wanted dinner ready as soon as he got home. I was too caught up in Keaton to even think about Max. I don’t regret it at all though. Being with Keaton for that hour is worth weeks of being beat by Max. Keaton is worth it. I kept repeating it in my head. Not to make myself believe it, because I already did, but to remind myself.

Max forcefully grabbed my wrists. “You are fucking stupid. You can never do anything right, you dumbass bitch.”

He threw me down on the ground and kicked me. He kicked me in my recently healed ribs and in my stomach. I felt sick already and this made it even worse. He picked up my limp body and threw me over his shoulder. He was taking me to his room. He almost always does his beating in his room. This is the only time I’m in his bedroom, to be honest.

When we reached the room at the end of the hallway, he kicked the door open and threw me against the dresser. Pain instantly shot threw my back. My body is used to this stuff but it still hurts. Not only does it physically hurt, but it hurts emotionally too. He quickly came to me and pulled off my shirt and unbuttoned my jeans, leaving me in just my bra and panties.

Max took off the belt he had around his waist. He grabbed a fist full of my hair and pulled me down to the ground by it. The headache already forming up quickly left my mind as the belt whipped my body. Again. And again. And again. He hit my legs, my stomach, and back. I had marks everywhere. Tears started forming in my eyes. It hurt so much.