Falling In Love With You

Chapter 9. The Truth Comes Out

Bex struggled to get away from Joel one more time, but he wrapped one big hand around her neck. Her bare shoulder scraped against the rough bark on the tree, tearing her sleeve, and she winced in pain.

"Hey!" A voice rang out through the woods. "Get off her!"

She managed to turn her head enough to see a figure burst through the trees. The next thing she knew Bowie was there. He grabbed Joel by the shirt and ripped him away from her. She sobbed, holding her throat.

Bowie's fist connected with Joel's jaw. He stumbled and fell backward.

"You don't touch her!" Bowie shouted, the veins in his neck bulging. "If you ever put your hands on her again, I'll kill you! Do you hear me?"

Joel scrambled to his feet and tried to shove Bowie. "Stay out of this. This is between me and her!"

"You don't want to mess with me, Joel!" Bowie grabbed him, throwing him against the tree. "You know I can kick your ass!"

Joel broke away, backing off. His lip was busted and bleeding. He looked up at Bex. "Slut," he muttered. He turned and hurried off, back toward the party.

As soon as he was gone, the alcohol in Bex's stomach came up. She coughed, her body racking with dry heaves. Her eyes, nose, and throat burned. When she was finished, she stood up shakily.

Bowie took her in his strong arms, and her tears came, running in streams down her cheeks. "You're safe now, Bex," he whispered, stroking her back. "I'm here."

"I was so scared," she managed to choke out. "I thought he was gonna-"

"Shh. It's okay now, baby," he reassured her. His own voice was choked with tears. "I won't let him hurt you again."

He took his sweatshirt off and wrapped it around her goosebumps-covered shoulders. Then, he hugged her again. "Let's get you home now."

He held her by the arm, helping her as she stumbled over tree roots and fallen branches, and they slowly made their way through the inky woods. When they reached his car, he opened the passenger door for her. She got in, shaking with cold and fear.

Bowie turned on the heat, letting the car warm up. He winced when he saw Bex's exposed forearms, where bruises were already forming.

"Thanks for helping me," she said quietly. She sniffled, pulling a dried leaf out of her hair.

"You don't have to thank me, Bex," he said. "I only did what any decent human being would do." He reached out and caressed her hand with his thumb.

"How did you know I needed help?" she asked him.

"I've been watching you all night," he confessed. "I saw him go into the woods after you did, and I guess some sixth sense kicked in. I've never trusted that guy."

"Thank you," she hiccuped.

"Bex," he sighed. "What are you doing going out with that loser and getting wasted? That's not you." His jaw was tight with tension.

Her chin trembled. "I only went out with him because you dumped me for no reason. And I drank because I couldn't stand seeing you with your new girlfriend."

He sighed again. "First of all, you cheated on me. Second of all, she's not my girlfriend. I only went out with her to make you jealous."

"What?" she cried, defensively. "I never cheated on you! I would never! I hate Joel. I only went out with him to make you jealous."