Page 43 of Loving Jamie

Please don’t leave.

It takes a few seconds for Justin to open his eyes, and when he does, I can see the wetness he’s trying so hard to hold back. His jaw clenches and his nostrils flare.

“No, baby. I need to hear this. I’m here to support you. I just hurt so bad that someone mistreated you.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze him to me. My big strong Daddy shakes in my hold. “I love you Justin, I love you so much.”

He squeezes me back and his back shakes as he holds in his cries. “I love you, baby.”

When I pull back, I see my sister wiping her eyes.

I settle back between my men. William has his hand wrapped around the back of Justin’s neck, softly tugging on his light brown hair.

“So, yeah. I lay the towel on the floor and crawl onto it. Allowing the cold material to numb my skin. Either I passed out or I fell asleep because the next time I opened my eyes it was dark outside, and Damian still wasn’t home. I struggle to lift myself off the floor and hobble to the bedroom to find something to wear. After putting on a loose dressing gown I go back to the kitchen to find some pain killers and when I open the cupboard, I see my phone stuffed behind the medicine box. Damian always had my phone so he could track my phone calls between Sarah and Jude. I was allowed to contact them once a week, and when I was finished, he took my phone and hid it in different areas of the apartment. But for some reason he hid it behind the medicine box. Knowing this would be my only chance to escape I called 999, gave them our address and said,‘There isn’t much time. He will be home soon, please help me.’and then I hung up. I deleted the call history and turned the phone off before putting it back behind the box. I took my pain killers and sat at the kitchen table and waited.”

My hands shake and tears slowly trickle down my face as I tell my story out loud.

“Sometime later the front door slammed open and I wasn’t sure if it was my abuser or my saviours. But then Damian’s big body strolled into the kitchen and my heart sank. He saw me sitting at the kitchen table and kicked the leg of my chair, causing me to crash onto the floor. I can’t remember what he was screaming at me before I heard the police sirens ringing outside. Damian must not have heard them because he continued shouting and laughing at me. But then the front door was bust open and I knew I’d made it. I knew I would be safe.”

Remembering the way Damian’s blotchy face suddenly drained of all its colour when he heard the police shouting, makes me smile through the tears dripping down my face.

“You ok?” William asks.

I probably look crazy when I let out a wet laugh, not bothering to wipe the tears or my snotty nose. I nod my head and laugh a bit more.

The three of them just sit and wait for me to calm down.

Sarah reaches down to grab something out of her bag. “Take this and wipe your face. You’ve got snot everywhere and it's not a hot look.” Even with tears in her eyes she still manages to make me laugh.

I take the tissues from her hand and clean my face.

“Right. So, the police turned up. Damian freaked when he realised what was happening. One of the police men looked at my battered face and said,‘Are you the one who made the phone call?’I nodded my head and within a few short moments they had Damian in cuffs and were pulling him towards the door while he screamed out a bunch of bullshit. Apparently, I was framing him or I was lying. But when the police took one look at my face and my split skin on my back, they believed me. They brought me to the hospital and one of the female officers sat with me the whole time I was there; she held my hand while my back was stitched up. I still actually have her number to call or text when I need someone to talk to.”

Justin stokes my leg, causing goosebumps to spread over my skin. “So, when all this happened, after he was taken away by the police, what happened next? Obviously, Jude never spoke to me about what happened, but did you go to court?”

Ah Jude. My trustworthy best friend. I really should give him a call to meet up. Have I been neglecting him since getting with my men?

No that’s silly, I’m sure he’s as wrapped up in Nate as I am in my Daddies.

“Uh yeah. I’m glad Jude never told you what was going on. During my relationship with Damian, I couldn’t exactly contact Jude that much and I think he knew why but he never pushed me. I imagine with the abuse from your mum he knew that it's not as simple to just leave. So, once I finally left him, I did meet with Jude and explain everything from the beginning. He was amazing. I only had to go to court once because it turns out I wasn’t the only person Damian had fucked with. When word got out about Damian’s trial, three of his ex‘partners’came forward about the abuse they suffered. The trial didn’t last long because of all the evidence and he ended up pleading guilty so it was dealt with fairly quickly. But he wasn’t set to be released for another few years, so I’m guessing he’s being released on good behaviour.”

After I finish telling my story we all sit in silence. My sister Sarah already knows all the details but I’m glad she was here while I replayed it all to Justin and William.

I look at Sarah to find she’s already watching me. I offer her a sad smile and she smiles back before mouthing, “Proud of you.”

She looks at the guys sitting on either side of me and says, “Ok well now that I know you're alive and safe, I’ll get out of your hair. Walk me to the door, Jamie?”

My Daddies stand up and both offer their hands to her, my sister snorts and wraps her arms around them and pulls them both into a hug.

I can't help but laugh when I see my over 6ft tall Daddies towering over my 5ft 3 twin sister. She’s stronger than she looks because I hear the breath wheeze out of their lungs.

When she pulls back, she says, “It was nice to finally meet you both. Treat my baby brother good, or I’ll chop off both of your balls. Understand?”

My men’s eyes open wide as they both nod their heads.

“Good. Welcome to the family, boys.”

She takes my hand and pulls me towards the front door. “Come step outside with me for a few?” I walk out into the hallway and close the front door behind us. “Are you ready for it?” She asks.

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