Battered and Bruised | Emblem3

Chapter 7: Blissful

Keaton POV

I was completely shocked by Shayley’s story. I can’t believe someone could actually do that kind of thing to her, or any girl for that matter. She is the most amazing person I have ever met and she gets treated like shit. Frankly, it pissed me off and all I wanted to do was go beat the shit out of this Max character. But then I wouldn’t be much better than him, so I had to try to contain myself. Shayley needed me right now and I was going to be there for her. I wasn’t ever going to leave her side.

Her kiss was sweet and gentle. I kissed her back gently, not wanting to hurt her already busted lip. I pulled away thinking that I hurt her. I don’t want her to hurt any more than she already is.

“I’m fine, Keats.” She gave me a weak smile and cuddled into my side. This was the perfect moment. I could stay cuddled up to her forever and be perfectly content. I slowly drifted off to sleep, breathing in her shampoo scent

I felt Shayley moving around in my arms, so I quickly opened my eyes to check on her.

“You okay, baby?”

“I’m perfectly okay as long as I’m with you.” Her sweet lips kissed my cheek.

“Good,” I said kissing the top of her head, “I’m going to go downstairs and tell Wes and Drew that you’re going to be here for a little bit…” I trailed off thinking about her leaving and going back to that asshole.

“Okay,” she said weakly. I think she was thinking the same thing I was.

“Uh, yeah… Why don’t you go take a shower or bath and get cleaned up? It may make you feel better,” I said as I walked to the door to let her have her peace. I mean I’ve seen her naked before, but I don’t really remember it and neither does she. So, it’s kind of a touchy subject I guess. I don’t want to overstep my boundaries with her either.

I left the room and started walking down the stairs. I have no idea as to what I’m going to say to the guys. I don’t want to tell them the whole story, because apparently I’m the only one that knows it. But they have to know some of it, because they’ll be seeing her with her bruises and busted lip for the next few days.

I walked into the living room where they were talking about music. Good topic, I thought to myself. Anyway, back to the point.

“Hey Keater Pan, was that Shayley I saw you carrying upstairs?” Drew questioned me with a wink.

“Uh, yeah it was. Guys I have to tell you something.” They both dropped their jokingly smirks when they realized something was seriously wrong.

“Shayley and her boyfriend got in a fight. He hit her. She is going to stay here for a few days.” I said it dryly. I didn’t elaborate on the severity of it either. I hated the fact that she had a boyfriend, but the fact that he beats her and won’t let her go makes it even worse.

“Woah. Dude. I totally forgot she had a boyfriend. Is she okay?” Wes asked with concern written all over his face.

“She’s fine now. But I just wanted to warn you guys before you saw her. She has a busted lip and bruises all over her. Just don’t mention anything to her about it when you see her, okay?”

“Definitely. We hope she feels better, bro. Take care of her.” Drew said to me reassuringly. I know I wanted to take care of her, I just hope I would be able to. I want to keep her safe.

I walked back upstairs to my room. I knocked on the door to make sure Shay was in the bathroom. It was silent on the other side so I walked in, but I found her sitting on my bed staring at the door.

“Hey, you didn’t want to take a bath?” I asked her.

“I do. But I want you to take a bath with me.” She looked down at her hands in her lap. She was trying to cover her blush but I could see it from a mile away. Her request shocked me. After everything she had been through today, I figured she would want to be alone and have privacy.

“A-are you sure?”

“I’m positive. I just want to be with you.”

I smiled and grabbed her hand. “Then let’s go.” I led her to the bathroom that connected to my room. I started the water in my jet bathtub.

She looked at me and then put her arms in the air. She wanted me to take her clothes off. I inched towards her and pulled her shirt off revealing the prominent belt marks and bruises all over her torso. My eyes started to water. How could someone do this to Shayley? It hurt me to see her hurt.

She noticed the tears in my eyes that I was trying to hide and cupped my face in her hands. “Keaton. I’m fine. Stop beating yourself up over this.” She started unbuttoning the buttons of my shirt and then slipped it off of me. I grabbed the clasp of her bra and undid it with ease.

“You seem to be pretty good at that, lots of practice?” she smirked at me trying to lighten the mood. What she said was a blow to my stomach. Does she think I have sex with a lot of girls? Does she think me hooking up with her at the party is a regular occurrence for me?

“Um, no. Not a lot of practice.” I said it in a hurt tone. I didn’t mean to show my emotion but I couldn’t help it. She looked at me with confusion in her eyes.

“Shayley, you’re only the second girl I have been with. Before the party, I had only ever been with my ex, Emily. We dated for six years and she cheated on me so we broke up. I don’t just go around hooking up with girls. I didn’t even plan on hooking up with anyone at the party but I wasn’t exactly in my right mind. I don’t regret it because that’s how I found you, but that isn’t a regular occurrence for me. I felt so bad the next day because that is not like me. I was so thankful I actually found you and I didn’t have to wonder who the girl at the party was.”

“Keaton, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed. You’re the second person I’ve been with too. And I don’t plan on adding anyone else to the list...”

“Me either,” I said before connecting my lips to hers. I kissed her passionately. I meant what I said, and hopefully so did she. I don’t want anyone else but her.

“Can we continue this in the bath?” I asked her already knowing what her answer would be.

“Absolutely.”

I pulled my pants off as she did the same. I got in the bathtub first. She got in with her back facing me and layed against my naked body. I got the shampoo, put it in her hair, and started washing it for her. When I was done, she washed it out and turned to face me. She washed my hair as well. We washed each other’s bodies too. I gently washed all of the bruises and kissed each one.

We got out of the bath and started drying off. When she was done, she wrapped the towel around her body and stared at me. I noticed her staring and stared right back at her. She’s so beautiful. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

“Keaton, I know this is fast but I just want you to know that I love you. I have never had real love in my life, ever. So I know that’s what this is. You make me feel like a whole new person. I don’t care if you say it back right away or not, but I’m just getting it out there. I love you.” I was speechless. I can’t believe she was brave enough to spill that to me. It made me realize what I love about her. It made me realize my love for her as well. Things with Shayley are different. I feel things for her that I never felt with Emily in 6 years. Shayley is extraordinary.

“I love you, Shayley Layne Brooks.”