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four

KYLE BECKER'S CAR WAS COMPLETELY FUCKED UP. He had never had it cleaned, almost always depositing everything into the backseat and Kayden heaved a sigh as she climbed in over the mountain of trash around eight'o'clock that night. She smiled gratefully as Kyle handed her a coffee from the driver's seat. It was an iced caramel macchiato, which was her favorite, and more or less settled the knot that had been twisted around her stomach.

She shut the door and Kyle pulled out of the driveway, running a hand through his dark blonde hair. He looked sideways at her, his blue eyes scanning the side of her face.

"How's your cheek?"

She pulled a strand of hair away from her ear. "Fine."

He sighed. "Would you mind covering it up for me? That way people don't start asking questions."

She slowly grabbed her makeup, not answering as she flipped down the front mirror, mixing foundation with the dark bruise that was now covering the right side of her face. Kyle pressed his lips together, saying quietly, "Kay, I'm sorry about earlier."

Kayden shrugged. "It's whatever."

Kyle shook his head. "No, Kay, it's not. I shouldn't have gotten to the point where I hit you."

Right. Kayden thought sourly. It's not like this is the first fucking time.

He looked back at the road, turning the steering wheel ever so slightly. "You just need to be reminded sometimes. That's all. When you belong to someone, sometimes you forget why you need them in the first place. We need each other, Kayden. I was just letting you know that."

"By hitting me." Kayden deadpanned. "By hitting me across the face so hard that you leave a fucking bruise? That's bullshit, Kyle."

He breathed out through his nose. "Kayden-"

"No-" She ran a shaky hand though her hair and turned in her seat so that she was facing him. "No, Kyle. I don't need to be reminded anymore. I-"

She breathed in a shaky breath, her blue eyes glistening as she wrenched up her shirt, exposing her ribcage. Bruises were lined up all over it, hurting whenever she slept on her side and refusing to go away.

Kyle suddenly yanked the steering wheel to the right, and Kayden shrieked as they pulled over to the side of the road. He cut the engine, staring straight ahead before he finally turned to her.

"What do you want from me, Kayden? I don't know why you insist on getting me to the point where I have to do that to you. If you just listened to me-"

"I do listen to you, Kyle!" She said desperatedly. "I'm trying- I'm trying so hard. I love you and I'm sorry. I just want us to be okay."

He closed his eyes, and then reopened them, reaching a hand out and touching the side of her face. "We will be okay, Kayden. Everyone needs to be reminded sometimes. It's not just you. I do the things I do for a reason. If you don't feel it, you don't remember it for next time. Do you understand?"

She pressed her cheek into his palm, answering in a shaking voice, "I'm trying to understand."

He opened his arms and she fell into them, breathing in his scent. His grip tightened around her body as he kissed her neck, shielding her from everything in the world that could touch her.

"New rules," He said suddenly, tilting her face up to look into his eyes. "I don't want you leaving my sight. No driving alone. And respect."

Kyle's voice was pleading with her. "Kay, I need respect. I don't want to keep having to resort to reminding you, but if it gets to that point, I will."