Page 19 of Intertwined Hearts

“Bye, doll.”

Shortly after getting off the phone with Hunter, two police officers came in my room. They introduced themselves, then told me they wanted my version of what happened. It was grueling retelling the story. I hated everything to do with Landon, but I told them all that I could remember. I shared with them what Hunter told me about too.

“When we walked in, your boyfriend was about two seconds away from leaving a size fourteen boot imprint on the guy’s liver,” Officer James said. He chuckled and the other officer laughed along. “The guy would have deserved it, but Hunter would have gotten himself into a whole lot more trouble than he would have bargained for.”

Officer Green spoke up. “You’ll be happy to know, Landon is incarcerated, again. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about him anytime soon.”

“That’s really good to know. But if he ever gets out again, I know now that he’ll come find me again.”

“You won’t have to worry about that for a long time. If you think of anything else, please feel free to give Officer James or me a call.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” They each handed me their business cards, then left my room.

Chapter 15

Jackie

I was relieved to hear the previous night, after Hunter left, that the first round of testing had proven I hadn’t gotten an STD from Landon. I’d showered numerous times every day, yet I still felt grimy. Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t wash away the memory of Landon, the bristled irritation on my skin where he touched me, or the memory of him forcing himself into me.

Hunter arrived as soon as visiting hours began. We were waiting for my release so I could go home. I felt very awkward around him. I avoided making eye contact with him. Hunter was talking, but my mind wouldn’t focus. A million thoughts were racing through my head. I had to get back to work. I had to pretend this never happened. How could I ever forget what he had just done to me? Would it take another eight years? What if it took longer? Tears prickled behind my eyelids, then spilled down my face.

“What are you thinking about that has you so upset?”

“Oh, I don’t know, Hunter. Probably the fact that Landon invaded my home, called me every vile name in the book, and violated me!” I screamed.

“Whoa, doll. I didn’t mean it like that. I wasn’t trying to upset you more.”

“Just let me call a cab and go home. You don’t need to miss work for me.”

“I think I do, darling. You may not realize it yet, but I think you need me right now.”

He was right. I did need him. I dropped my head and wiped the tears from my face. I needed him more than I wanted to admit. And I knew there was going to come a time that his patience would run thin, and he’d leave me. I wouldn’t be able to survive that devastation.

When we arrived at my place, I fumbled with the lock on my door until Hunter held his hand out for me to give him the keys. He unlocked the door and pressed it open. I had never been so happy to be home. My hospital stay was twenty-four hours longer than it needed to be.

“Thank you.” I slid in past him, careful not to make contact.

I walked into the living room and set my things down, then noticed. It had been cleaned. The coffee table had been righted, and the candles were back in their holders. The lamp was missing.

I turned to face Hunter. “Who was in here? Who cleaned up my place? Do you know?” I was shaking. Fear had completely taken over.

“It’s okay, Jackie,” Hunter said. He walked over toward me, and when he reached for my shoulders, I ducked so he wouldn’t touch me. “I cleaned up. I didn’t think you’d mind.”

“When? When did you do this?”

“The night it all happened. After I left your hospital room. The night you said you thought we needed space. That was also when I found your purse and keys on the kitchen counter.”

“Thank you.” I stood, shaking my head.

“Hey, it’s okay. You know I really care about you. I love you.”

“Please, Hunter. Don’t. Please.” The tears fell and my eyes burned.

Hunter

My heart was broken watching her, seeing how much anguish she was in. She blamed herself, it was obvious. But I refused to let her push me away. With Nikki away on her honeymoon, Jackie needed someone who would stay by her side through this. That someone was going to be me. I had no idea who else she was close to, and I felt like I needed to reaffirm my commitment to her, no matter what.

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