Finding The 10

8 - Roomies

Eli's POV

"Why wouldn't you tell me? We are family, Frankie. Family sticks together." Marco yells from the next room and I hear it clear as day.

I pour myself another scotch and nurse it lovingly as Frankie and Marco continue to yell and cry at each other. Well Frankie is the one crying, Marco is doing all the yelling.

"You are never going back there. If you want your stuff, I'll go and get it myself. You are never to step foot inside that appartment ever again."

The office door slams and angry footsteps come my way so I do the only logical thing and reach for a second glass. I begin pouring the scotch and by the time Marco is by my side I hand it over.

He takes it willingly and skulls in in one gulp.

"Thanks." He breaths out before plonking down in the barstool next to mine.

"Did you know?" He says in barley a whisper.

"No. But I figured it out when I saw the bruises today."

Marco nods, accepting my truth.

"She said that it wasn't the first time but it was the only time she was afraid he would kill her. She said that he always apologizes and that it only happens when he has had too much to drink. Can you believe that prick uses alcohol as an excuse?"

I pour another drink for both of us.

"Some guys don't deserve to call themselves men." I mutter.

The thought of a man hitting a woman still makes my blood boil to this very day. I was raised in an abusive household until the day my mother said no more and left my father. Lucky for us, he never came looking for us and we managed to find happiness in another state. But I always wonder what could of happened if we didn't get out when we did. Would he have gone too far one night and killed both of us?

In my eyes, men that physically abuse their spouse and children are the lowest of the low.

"She isnt going back is she?" I ask, fearful of the answer.

"No. I'm not." Frankie answers for herself from the doorway to the back office.

Marco and I both raise our heads to see her and I hate what I am seeing.

I am so used to the strong and tenacious Frankie that seeing her so vulnerable actually hurts. I don't want to feel pity for her but I can't help it.

She makes her way over to us and pours herself a drink and downs it in one go.

The three of us sit in silence for a good 10 minutes before Marcos phone starts buzzing away. He checks it and quickly stands.

"Shit, I have to go. I told Beth I was just dropping in to pick up some paperwork for tax time. She is mad as hell that I havent answered her calls." He says before turning to me. "Are you alright to finish up?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Next he turns to Frankie.

"And have you thought about my offer? You might have to spend the first few nights on the couch until I can move my things out of the spare room but it's yours if you want it."

Frankie gives a half smile and shakes her head.

"No thanks Marco. I'll be ok. I'll find something."

"You can't keep staying at that hotel. Your going to chew through your savings. Just come back to mine for a few days." He pressures.

"No really. I don't mind the hotel. At least I don't have to do any cleaning."