You Ran Away, You're All The Same

Part 15

“Hard to say what caught my attention
Vixen crazy, aphid attraction
Carve my name in my face to recognize
Such a pheromone cult to terrorize
I won't let this build up inside of me…”

Corey sang into the microphone as we all sat in the recording studio and watched him in awe. I was surprised that Corey wanted me to listen as he recorded; normally he hated to have others around when he does. It is now mid-August and all of the guys are here at the mansion.

“So what do you think of the song so far Steph?” Paul asked while nudging me in the side with his elbow.

“I like it, but I will let you know once the album is finished.” I smirked.
"I'm going to set outside Pauly. You coming?"

"I'll go with ya" Sid spoke up while jumping off the couch.

Sid and I walked out of the basement doors into the lower portion of the yard. I sat down on the grass while Sid stood beside me and we both lit up our cigarettes.

"So how's things going chicky?" Sid asked while looking down at me.

"There going pretty good Sidney. Why do you ask?"

"Just asking. Things are going to get crazy here within the next few months. Especially with Corey and Joey having to work together."

I sat there thinking about what Sid just said. I was hoping Corey was past the whole Joey thing but I guess I was wrong.

"I though that was behind us now.." I said trailing off into my thoughts.

"We all did. But Corey talked to us before Joey came down last week and let's just hope Joey stays away from you." Sid finished his cigarette and sat down beside me.
"Corey would do anything to protect you. You know that. And after what happened last year, Corey just can't let it go." Sid continued while looking around the yard.

We sat there in silence for about an hour until we heard the door open behind us. Sid and I turned around to see Corey closing the door behind him.

"I was wondering where yall went." Corey said while sitting down with us.

"We came out to smoke babe" I said to Corey while laying my head on his shoulder. He kissed the top of my head before putting his arm around me.

"You know, Steph. I never have asked how you two met." Sid stated, making me raise my head up and sigh.

"Do you really want to know Sidney?" I asked, hoping he would drop the subject. I could see out of the corner of my eye, he shook his head yes.

"I'll be inside babe. Text me if you need me." Corey said while kissing my forehead and walking back inside.

"Alright, Sid. I'll tell you."

I took a deep breath, and began telling Sid all about what happened the night I met Corey.

*Flashback to 7 years ago*

"You stupid whore. I saw they way you looked at that guy at the store." Joe screamed at me while walking behind me as I opened the door to his house.

"I wasn't looking at anyone but you!" I pleaded to him as I set my bag down on the couch.

All of a sudden, I felt something hit the back of my head making me falling on the floor.

"Joe. Please don't." I cried as I held my head.

"Shut the fuck up." He said while climbing on top of me and started punching my face. I tried to move my arms but he had them pinned under his legs.

I felt blood filling my mouth. I couldn't breathe.

"You're a sorry excuse for a woman Stephanie. Why can't you understand that you're nothing without me." Joe said while he stood up and kicked me in the stomach.

I laid there on the floor feeling helpless and scared. Joe has hit me before but never like this. I could see him walk into the kitchen and then he came back to where I was. All he did was laugh at me then spit in my direction before he when to the bedroom and shut the door.

After laying there in a pool of my own blood for over an hour, I slowly stood up, grabbed my bag, and quietly made my way out the door. I started running as fast as I could before he could realize I was gone. I have no family to turn to, and had no idea where I would go. Anywhere is better than here.

I made my way to the out skirts of Des Moines, an area I knew nothing about. I sat down on a bench and cried. How did I let myself end up like this? Why didn't I leave the first time? All my clothes are at Joe's house and I'll be damned if I ever go back.

I could tell someone was walking down the sidewalk towards me. I only hoped they would keep going. The man stopped and sat down beside me.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" He asked.

I nodded my head no before I looked up to see his face. Those piercing blue eyes stared a hole through me.

"Come on. Let's go get you cleaned up." He said while grabbing my hand.

I quickly pulled my hand away from him and looked him, terrified.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I'm only trying to help and keep you safe from whoever's did this to you."

I don't know what it was about him, but I felt like he was telling the truth. I took his hand and he led me back to his house. Once we arrived, he had me sit at the kitchen table while he grabbed a first aid kit.

"Corey, where have you been? Did you get my smokes?" Another man yelled down the hallway.
"Corey? Where the hell....woah. I didn't know anyone else was here." The man said when he walked in and saw me sitting there.

So the strange man's name is Corey.

"Dude, not now." Corey said while making his way back over to me. The other man walked back into the living room.

"My names Corey if you couldn't already tell." He said to me with a small smile.

"I'm Stephanie." I managed to choke out while still tasting blood in my mouth.

"Let's get you cleaned up love. Then if you want to, you can stay the night. I have an extra room." Corey said while getting the supplies out of the kit.

I stared out into space while he cleaned up the cuts on my face and my busted up lip.

"There. That should be good until you can take a shower."

"Thank you Corey." I said while looking at him and started to cry again.

"Let me show you to the spare bedroom. It has it's own bathroom if you want to shower. And I'll find you a clean shirt to sleep in." Corey took my hand like he did before and showed me upstairs.

"Who's that other guy?" I asked as we entered the bedroom.

Corey leaned against the door frame and smiled.

"That's Paul. He's a cool guy, kind of surprised him when he saw you in the kitchen." He let out a small laugh.

"I'm going to take a shower. Thank you for this." I said while closing the bedroom door.

"There should be some shirts in the closet. Take your pick. I'll see you in the morning love." Corey said with a smile while he finished closing the door.

*End Flashback*