Page 20 of Intertwined Hearts

“Hunter, I just want to go lie down. I know you’re going to work. Thanks for bringing me home.” She turned her back to me.

“I’ll stay for a little while longer. I called out of work for the entire day. You go on and get comfortable. Do you need anything? Are you hungry? Want some water? Want me to run you a bubble bath so you can relax before lying down?”

“A bath sounds fabulous.” It was another opportunity to wash Landon from my person. “You don’t have to stay, though. I’m fine. Really.” I was convinced she was trying to drive the point home in her own mind more so than mine. I could tell she wasn’t fine.

“I’ll go get your bath ready, while you get something to eat and get some water. Then I’ll just sit out here and watch some television while you sleep.” Before she tried to object to my assistance, I left the room. Once the tub was filled, I walked back in to see her sitting on the couch with her knees bent, her arms wrapped tightly around her legs and her feet pressed in tight against her butt. She was staring into space.

“Jackie?” I called to her, but got no response. “Baby?” I made my way to the couch and sat down near her. She jumped.Fuck!That asshole really did a number on her.

I wanted to touch her. I wanted to hold her and assure her that everything would be all right in time. But seeing how she was acting, I had no idea how much time she’d need. She slowly turned her head and looked at me.

“Your bath is ready. Do you want anything to eat? I can make you something.”

“No. Thanks.”

“Did you eat anything today? You have to eat, you know.”

“Hunter, quit. I’m fine.” She let her feet slide down the couch until they touched the floor, then stood and walked into her room.

I had never been around anyone, or known of anyone, at least not personally, who had been through this type of trauma. I thought I’d felt helpless the night I walked in on that asshole manhandling her, but this was almost worse. I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to help her, but had no idea how. I wanted to comfort her, but didn’t know what she’d allow. She seemed put off by my presence and voice. I wasn’t weak, but I felt drained. I was powerless.

I grabbed the remote control and turned on the television, lowering the volume to barely audible. As I was flipping the channels, I heard Jackie’s blood-curdling scream followed by my name. The sound of her voice was frantic. I jumped up and ran as fast as I could into the bathroom. She stood before me clasping the edges of the towel around her in one hand, her other hand covering her mouth. Her wails and howls gutted me. I’d never heard anyone cry like that before. I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her body. She collapsed, and her knees gave way as she melted into me.

I knew my purpose. I knew why I had been so headstrong and stayed. I bent and lifted her into my arms. She wrapped her arms tight around my neck and burrowed her face into my neck. I walked slowly in to lay her on her bed.

“Don’t leave me, Hunter,” she said through her sobs, still holding onto me tightly. “Please, don’t leave me.”

“Never, darling.” The tears crested in my eyes as my heart broke. “Never.”

Chapter 16

Jackie

Two weeks had gone by since the day Landon reappeared and tried to destroy me. For two weeks, I’d been trying to resurrect my strength that I’d had before he stole it from me, again. I’d gone back to work and was able to keep up the façade, hiding my pain. I laughed at jokes, tried to stay engaged in conversations with my co-workers, and worked extra hard to give the appearance that nothing had happened. Every single day was exhausting.

I finished up my third visit with my psychologist, Dr. Reierson. For all the positive steps that I’d made, one big setback took place that had been the topic of discussion today. He saw how agitated I was and asked me to tell him what was bothering me. I felt really terrible saying the root cause of my problem.

Nikki was my best friend, and deep down, I was really happy for her and Jeff. When they announced she was pregnant, though, I felt like my heart was being constricted and I was on the verge of passing out. Of course, I congratulated her, and hearing her so excited to have another baby, made me happy. Happy, but fighting more demons, and more fallout from Landon. The doc wanted me to tell him more, but I couldn’t. I told him maybe in a future session I’d be able to talk about it.

When the session had nearly ended, Dr. Reierson strongly suggested I begin talking to Hunter. From our conversations, he thought Hunter would be very understanding and empathize with me. I took in a deep breath and sighed. I didn’t disagree with him, I just hadn’t revealed all of the details to anyone yet. I was still hesitant.

“I don’t know where to begin,” I said.

“What doyoufeel the least apprehensive talking about with him? He knows some of the details about this last incident. That might be a very difficult place to start, given the circumstances. When he asks questions, answer what you feel comfortable talking about. What you aren’t ready to discuss, just tell him that,” Dr. Reierson said.

“I’ll try.”

“Go at your own pace. You control how you open up and reveal things. You also determine exactly how much you’ll tell. You may decide some of the details from eight years ago are things that have no bearing on your relationship and don’t warrant being brought out.” He wrote a few notes on the pad. “We can discuss how it went next week.”

“Thank you, Doctor.”

Hunter

Jackie reluctantly went with me to Nikki and Jeff’s party. She was worried Nikki would figure out we were a couple and ask a million questions. I couldn’t believe neither of them suspected Jackie and I were dating, or even that we were on more friendly terms than just having been part of their wedding party. I was glad, but surprised. We wanted to keep our relationship secret. Neither of us wanted to be nagged for details. And right now, especially, was not the time to talk about what was going on between us.

I had only talked to Jackie via text since Saturday. She had become a little more withdrawn since then. She told me she was busy, but I knew better. If I was being honest, my patience was really being put to the test. This shit was taking a toll on my otherwise good nature. I was trying really hard to tolerate all of the mood swings, excuses, and attitude. I hated to even think that Jackie may have been right a few weeks ago when she said we were better off apart. Who needs a fucking girlfriend you can’t even see, can’t touch, can’t kiss, and can’t hold in your arms? I didn’t like when I felt like this, but she was driving me closer and closer to the edge.

My phone rang, and it was her. “Hey, Chipmunk.”

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