The Car Garage

Chapter 18: Walk by me

I wake up in a bed I don't recognize, and a room that was completely foreign to me. I glance down at the dark blue blankets and peek under them, discovering that I still had that horrible dress on. I lay back in the bed, feeling way too tired for this right now. But, when the events of last night come back to me, I sit up with a gasp.

The door of the pure white room opens and I scream loudly, letting all of my breath go into the scream. It isn't long before the tears come as well. "Addy. Addison" a calming voice says and I feel strong arms wrap around me. I open my eyes and the sight of Matt makes me relax completely. It was okay. I was okay. "Where's Logan?" I ask, trying to keep the fear from my voice.

He sighs softly and runs a hand through my hair. "I don't really know. Uh, after I found you last night".. he begins and rubs the back of his neck. "I punched him. Hard. A few times, actually. I punched him until his breathing got soft and his nose was bloody". My eyes widen slightly, though I nod in understanding.

"You saved me..." I say quietly and bite the corner of my bottom lip. "How did you even know where I was?". I watch his expression which turned to embarrassment.

"I was watching you the entire night" he says quietly. "I always watch you. Which yes, sounds creepy. At first I just insisted that it was because your uncle told me to. At first, that's what I did. Just kept my sight on you to make sure you were okay. But then..", he pauses and rakes a hand through his soft hair. "Then I found myself captivated by everything you did. When you smiled, I smiled, even when I didn't know what you were smiling about. You laughed, I laughed. But when you first started talking to Logan..", he stops.

He warned me about Logan. He said he'd hurt me and he'd use me. I just didn't realize he was telling the truth. "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you", I say quietly.

He shakes his head and cups my cheek in his hand. "I'll admit, I was so jealous. I had so much jealousy in my heart I couldn't stop. So I turned to other girls, never all the way, but just for a few decent hours. But I also knew that Logan would hurt you. I just didn't know it would be like this".

I nod a little and for the first time, I notice what he was wearing. He was just in a pair of ball shorts and water was dripping down his chest. It was evident he had just showered. "So you brought me here after everything happened?", I ask.

He nods. "I wanted to be in here when you woke up, so you wouldn't be scared. But that didn't happen" he frowns apologetically but I shrug. "I didn't wanna take you home, knowing that your aunt and uncle would ask a million questions".

I thank him and run a hand down my leg. I notice the purple bruise on his side and I wince softly, running my hand down his sculpted physique. He shies back a little and I apologize. "Football" he exclaims and I nod. But it didn't seem like a football bruise.

"What's next?", I ask quietly.

"I'm not sure. But I know one thing... no more arguing. If you'll have me, I want to be by your side. Friends or whatever. I want to walk by you, with you. He won't hurt you again", he says

For the first time, I realized what that deep deep feeling I kept having was. I'd had feelings for Matt from the first time I saw him. It had nothing to do with what happened with Logan, or the pain I felt in my heart.

The ache was gone. It was filled with comfort and happy in this moment with Matt. So I did what I felt needed to be done.

I lean forward and press my lips slowly and softly to his.