"What the fuck?" I wipe at my face to see Matt standing just outside of the kitchen. His face is stone. If looks could kill, Jace would have burst into flames. I notice his fists clenching. "Rachel, come here."
Jace is standing in between us. He slowly turns to face his brother. His grin is pure evil. My first steps are taken very slowly. I step to the side a few times to put the kitchen island between me and Jace. Once I have a straight shot to Matt I take it. He grabs my hand and moves in front of me. My hand grips the back of his shirt.
"Brother! Long time no see. I missed ya, man!" He speaks as if two friendly brothers haven't seen each other in a couple of weeks. He's so far from reality it's truly remarkable. He hasn't changed a bit.
"Get the fuck out of my house." Matt squeezes my hand. It gives me strength.
"Well now, I can't do that until I get what I want."
"You're not getting a fucking thing from us. So get the fuck out. Now."
"I need twenty grand. You better figure out how the fuck your going to get it for me."
"The cops are on their way. They'll throw you back into the pit where you fucking belong. Hopefully for longer this time." Matt doesn't even bat an eye. He doesn't care that Jace has a knife. His strength is something that I've always admired. I wonder if he's telling the truth.
"Fuck you. Here's what's going to happen. You go get the money and I'll stay here with Rachel." His eyes heat when they meet mine. I taste vomit at the back of my throat, I avert my eyes from his.
"I'm not asking again. Get the fuck out. Now." Matt is serious but Jace still has a knife. He waves it around every time that he speaks. "Rach, run to the bathroom and lock the door." Matt whispers this at the side of my head. No. No, no, no.
"I can't leave you with him." This is whispered back. My eyes still locked on the psycho in front of me. "Matt, please." The entire situation has me on edge but I need to know that Matt is ok. The only way to do that is to stay in this room with him.
"Go, now." His voice is different. I hear a tinge of fear. The smile on Jace's face is telling. He knows exactly what comes next and he's looking forward to it. My stomach riles. I think that I'm going to be sick.
Throughout Matt's entire childhood Jace was never happy. He would see Matt happy and would always try to bring him down. Jace wanted what Matt had. Good friends, parent's that loved him, brains, me.
My trust is with Matt. He knows how to handle Jace. He knows how to deescalate the situation. He said that the cops are on their way. I have to believe him. I have to know that he isn't putting himself in danger. Against every fiber of my being I run. The bathroom is just off of the living room hallway. I hightail it over, slam the door and lock it. My back is against the door. I slide down to my butt, wrap my arms around my legs. My breathing is labored. Through the tears I look around me and say out loud what I see.
When my breathing is under control I move so that I can press my ear against the door. I need to know what's going on. The voices are muffled. Through the window I see blue lights and hear sirens. Relief washes over me. I hear our front door open and close. Jace must be on the run. Trying to evade the police.
I don't even wait a second. The bathroom door is open and I run to Matt. At first I don't see him. Then I see his body on the floor of the kitchen. His hands are at his gut. My eyes take in the scene. Blood. Blood is pooled around Matt on the floor. Pure instinct kicks in. I'm on my knees and pressing the closest towel to Matt's abdomen.
"No, no, no, no, no. Matt can you hear me? Breath Matty. Fuck."
"SOMEBODY HELP PLEASE. HELP!" I scream at the top of my lungs. I know that there is help. They are dealing with Jace. Someone runs in and immediately calls for backup and what I assume is an ambulance. He kneels and helps put pressure on Matt. I move to Matt's head.
"Matty look at me." His beautiful blues find my eyes and he gives me a small smile. "I love you Matty. Please keep looking at me." He reaches up to touch my face. I put my cheek in his palm but his hand falls back down to his side.
The ambulance team work on him and get him out and to the ambulance. I throw on a shirt and race to the ambulance to stay by his side. We make it to the hospital and he's rushed into surgery. I'm told to stay in the waiting room.
It's torture. Pure torture. I wring my hands and try to keep my breathing at a steady pace. I sit down and then walk around and then sit down again. My nerves are shot.
After what seems like hours a doctor comes out to see me and to share with me news about Matt.
"He's stable. He's resting now but you can go in and see him." My eyes fill with tears as I thank the doctor. He shows me the way to his room. Matt's sleeping so I sneak in as quiet as possible. I move a chair closer to his bed. I'm not sure what time it is but I know that it's late. My body and my mind are both exhausted. My feet are tucked underneath me in the chair. I rest my head on my arms on his bed. One hand is in his.
Matt is ok. This good news is what gives me comfort enough to fall into a dreamless sleep.
YOU ARE READING
rachel
RomanceI stare at Matt's face as he looks down, concentrating on the game. I can tell he's so angry. He's holding it in his jaw, he's clenching his teeth. He's up in his head and I don't know what's going on up there but I just know it's not good. Even if...
