It's time to move on

Chapter 9

I stretch and flinch, I’m sore and stiff in so many places. It’s been a long while since I took a beating. My body is not as used to it anymore.

I walk around the house and find Jason sitting at his computer typing away.

I lean in the doorway watching him for a moment, “Good morning.”

“Good morning.” Jason says turning around in his chair, “How did you sleep?”

“Great actually for the first time in a long time.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“So how about I thank you for letting me stay here by making you some breakfast.”

“I like the sound of that.” He says standing up, he walks towards me then stops when he is in front of me, he looks down at me. I’m not sure what is going to happen next but I know what I want to happen.

“I think I‘ve got everything we need to make a proper breakfast.” He says and passes me.

I follow him into the kitchen a little disappointed. If this is the last time I get to see him I’m going to enjoy every moment. I get to work in the kitchen while he puts the coffee on.

It’s a big kitchen but I have to reach around him a couple of times for what I need as all the appliances are closely together.

As we are busy working we turn at the same time and bump into each other. I try my best to keep all the pancakes on the plate as Jason puts his hands on either side of my waist to steady me.

I start laughing, “Sorry about that.”

He doesn’t let me go, the bacon starts to burn but still he doesn’t let go.

I reach in closer to him and take the pan off of the stove.

I managed to save it.

“The bacon almost didn’t make it.” I say still standing close to him fighting the urge to lean in further and kiss him.

“I think I need a bigger kitchen.” He chuckles and steps away from me.

“Your kitchen is the perfect size. You might just have to move around some appliances.” I giggle.

After we finish our breakfast I say, “I think I should go home. There is some serious cleaning up waiting for me.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“I’m sure you have better things to do today.” I say giving him an out.

“Not really.” He shrugs.

Before I open my door, I turn to face Jason, “You don’t have to stay. I know after everything that has happened you might not feel the same and that’s fine.”

“Is that what you think? That I don’t want you because I do. Badly. I just don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.” He says stepping closer.

“You make me feel a lot of things but never uncomfortable.” I reply as I open the door. I start picking up and straightening as I walk in still having my bag and keys in my hand.

I look back at Jason still standing at the doorway; he looks over at the wall where we were kissing just a few hours ago.

“I’ll understand if you don’t want to deal with all this drama. We can just take a break for now and once everythings quiet again get together for coffee maybe.” I say while picking up a few more broken pieces and putting them down on the side table.

Jason steps inside my apartment and closes the door behind him, he marches over to me and takes my face in his hands and kisses me. I drop my bag and keys and he gently pushes me back on the couch and gets on top of me. His lips move from my mouth down my neck while his hand explores my body. His breathing escalates as does mine as this turns into a full blown make out session.

I reach up and run my hands over his chest and arms. He puts his hand under my shirt and his hand brushes over my stomach.

I flinch.

Jason straightens up.

“I’m sorry.” He apologises.

“Don’t be.” I say sitting up and pulling my shirt back into position.

“Maybe we should wait until you heal a bit.”

“I just hope that I will be able to keep my hands off of you for that long.”

“You’re not making this easy for me.” He says, giving me a brilliant smile.

I give him a peck on the cheek. I know he feels bad for accidentally hurting me.

I head into my bedroom to change. In the mirror I take a look at my upper body. My bruises are turning an ugly purple.

Not the worst I ever seen or had so they will  heal up in a week or so.

A commotion in my living room makes me jump. I throw on a clean shirt and rush out the bedroom door.

Charles is here! Pointing a gun at Jason’s head.

“No! Get back!” Jason screams.

“Charles. What are you doing?” I ask, my voice is surprisingly steady but my heart is jumping out of my chest.

“Baby, I’m so sorry for what I did, please you have to forgive me.” Charles says looking directly at me.

“I forgive you Charles, please do not hurt him.” I plead. I won’t survive if Jason gets hurt.

“He is the problem. If he is gone then no more problems.” Charles says waving the gun around.

“It’s not him, it was me, I’m the one that messed up.” I’ll say just about anything to save Jason.

 “Come home with me.” Charles says.

“No!” Jason calls stepping forward. How in the hell did Charles even get out?

“Calm down, Charlie.” I say putting my hands up and walking towards him.

“Don’t move!” Charles yells at Jason. Jason stops in his tracks but I’m closer to Charles now.

How am I going to get Charles’s aim away from Jason?

“You’ll thank me later for this.” Charles says. He keeps looking at me. I hear the gunshot and instinctively put my hands on my ears, through the corner of my eye I see Jason sink to the floor. Charles shot him without warning. Why would he do that?

I run to Jason as he clutches his stomach. I see blood spill over his fingers. He lays down on the floor.

“Run.” Jason groans and coughs.

Charles grabs my arm. “Time to go.” He says tugging at my arm.

“He needs a doctor.” I tell him and then yank my arm free from his grip.

“If you don’t come with right now I’ll shoot him in the face.” Charles says standing over Jason and aiming at his head.

I’m angry at Charles and fearful for the extent of Jason’s gunshot.

“Fine!” I yell, “Let me call the ambulance at least.”

“Fine!” Charles yells back and I take Jason’s phone out from his pocket. I dial and the operator answers. “I need an ambulance please my friend has been shot in the stomach.”

Before the conversation can continue, Charles takes the phone from me and tosses it on the opposite couch.

“Let’s go.” Charles commands pointing his gun at my face.

I get up, “Take that gun out of my face.” I walk past Charles to the door.

“You’re so cheeky.” He grins, “I will have to teach you some manners.” I glare at Charles.

Charles follows me out the door and to my relief I hear the ambulance sirens.

I hope Jason is okay.

I realise that even though Charles has a gun I’m not scared of him, there is nothing he can do to me that he hasn’t done to me before. I beat him once and I can do it again.

I can hear footsteps on the stairs. Charles pushes me into a hallway as the paramedics run past, Shirley looks so worried, second time in as many days she gets called to my place. There is no way I would do anything to disrupt them from saving Jason.

“How did you even get out of jail?” I ask.

“Stupid clerk let me out on bail.” He chuckles then adds, “Be grateful I’m taking you back.”

“I didn’t ask you to.” I tell him as I face him.. I can see him growing more irate with my talking back but I don’t really care right now. I want to stall him in hopes someone will stop him so that I can finally be done with him.

“You better watch it.” Charles warns as we walk outside. He motions to a car parked at the end and I get in. If only I can just get the gun away from him. We pass a police car as we drive away from my apartment building. I see Jamie in the vehicle. She looks so worried and scared.