Say It

Chapter 7:Flashback

*** May be some Triggers**

Claudias POV:

All night she had nightmares. Everytime she closed her eyes, she would wake up in sweats, screaming for him to stop. Trey is such a bastard, I swear, and if I could have got my hands on him before the cops had, she would never have to worry about him coming back. The cops would never find his body and she would never live in fear of his b***h-ass again. Mom called me shortly after Cassie text me about Lincoln's number. I thought I might have given the guys a heart-attack when I started freaking out.

**Last night**

"Oh hang on guys, it's my mom." I hold up a finger to shush them and answer the phone. "Hey mom-"

"Claudia, where are you?"

"I'm out with some friends."

"And Cassie?"

"She went home she was kind of tired." I turn my body some so I cna focus better on what my mom was saying. "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Claud, I need you to go home to her now. John and I haven't told you girls yet because we've been trying to figure out everything."

"Tell us what? Mama, you're starting to freak me out."

"Good! Trey got out and as long as he's out, you should be afraid for Cassie and yourself." I stand from the table walking towards the door.

"WHAT? What the hell do you mean he got out?"

She briefly tells me how the guards were mixed up and released the wrong person. My whole body is shaking. I'm not scared of Trey, per say, but he is a ruthless jackass who isn't afraid to hurt anyone who stands in his way. And he's really not afraid to hurt Cassie, maybe even worse. I almost lost my best friend and I can't lose her again.

"Okay mom. I love you both. I'm going home now.

Thankfully, Jason has no issues with heading out early and Ryder calls a cab.

**Present day**

I head straight to the kitchen and begin a big pot of coffee. I know I need it and I'm sure Cassie needs it more if she gets up today. It's 7am and I know I won't get more sleep, so I get dressed and head to the gym for a couple of hours. I leave a short note in the event Cassie does wake up.

After a couple of hours of blowing off steam, I go back to the apartment. Honestly ready for a hot shower and a nap. I walk in quietly, unsure if Cassie was still asleep, but I here the shower running. Probably washing off everything from last night. When she's finally done and walks out, she stares at me for a moment and smiles softly. One that is far from meeting her eyes.

"We need to talk about it. All of it and I know you don't want it and don't like too, but it's time. You've kept everything bottled up for years and now I need to know what to expect from him." I know she doesn't like my pushing. I have never asked what happened while she lived with him, but now I need to know. At least some of it. Her smile falls and she swallows hard and nods. As she goes to get dressed, I pour two large cups of coffee and heat them. I grab some bread, toast them and then jump in the shower to wash away my gym time.

When I'm finally done, I get dressed and go straight to the kitchen for my coffee and toast, finding my spot next to Cassie on the couch. Her little hands trembling away, but not failing to smile at me to show she's okay. Or as okay as she can be.

Cassies POV:

I've only told Claudia a few things about the time Trey and I were together. We started dating when I was 18 and right out of high school. It was almost a month after my 19th birthday, July 9th. I remember that day so well. I had stayed at his house the night before. It was a normal day. He went to work that Friday morning, but decided to go out with his buddy, Jody. I never liked Jody. He was a bad influence and every time Trey hung out with him, he became mean and doubtful of me. He finally came home that night after I texted him twenty times with no response. He was blazing, I could practically see the anger rolling off him. That's the first time he laid his hands on me, but it definitely wasn't the last. After that, he said I was better off moving in with him because if I didn't he would hurt Claudia, Suesannne, and my dad. I was terrified. I knew I could never let anything happen to my family, so of course, I gave in. Every hit became worse than the last. I stayed far from my family unless something big was going on and I knew there would be no way to get out of it. I hid it all very well and he knew where the bruises wouldn't show.

He never took me by force. He said I disgusted him, but he kept me around so no one else would have to be tortured by my body or face. If, for some reason, he was in the mood, I'd put myself in the mood. Like I said though, he never was; he found his hit somewhere else with someone else and I was just thankful he was leaving me alone. I was... I am afraid of him. The last time, besides court, that I saw him, he and Jody broke into my house and robbed me and my dad.

"I know you hate talking about him, but please. you have to tell me something more than what he did that last time. I need to know what we're up against." She finally says.

In part, I know she's right, but I just don't want to talk about it. I need to. I need to. I told her about the first time. When and his accuse. "He apologized as soon as he sobered up. I think that was the only time he was ever actually sorry." Her jaw clench together hard and I know she doesn't agree. "But," I take a deep breath. "He apologized in the beginning all the time. He would bring flowers, or buy my favorite chocolate. One day he just quit though. He said I was getting fat from all the chocolate he was buying me, but I never ate one piece of what he bought. I always threw them away." She reaches up and squeezes my hands to encourage me to continue.

I told her some more things about living with Trey. Honestly, it wasn't the worst. I've heard some stories and I'm surprised they made it a day. Don't get me wrong, it was terrible and I was always terrified, but I survived. "Okay, that's enough for now." Claudia says and stands from her place on the couch and walks to the kitchen grabbing a glass of water.

There's a lot I didn't tell her. Things I don't want her to know or things that really aren't important.. "So did they anything about Jody?"

"Well, from what I know, he's been out for a few months now." Jody received 5 years in prison with the possibility of parole."He got out on good behavior. But I have no idea how he's done or if him and Trey even kept in touch."

"He's probably the one hiding him." She lets out a breath and shakes her head. When Trey and I started dating, we tried to set her up with Jody. They went on a lone date and a double date with Trey and I. She told me he was a huge jerk. He was always saying something to belittle her and expected her to pay for his dinner on the first date. No doubt he probably would have been the same as Trey, only Trey was better at hiding it. Jody knew about Trey hitting me and cheating constantly. He walked in one time when Trey was beating me down for spilling a glass of tea on the floor. Jody froze for a moment, I thought he might save me, but he laughed and called me a dumb b***h before sitting on the couch.

Claudia brings me a glass of water and sits back down beside me. "I wish you drank." We chuckle a little and for a moment, everything of the last 15 hours disappeared. "So, aren't you going out with Lincoln?" Oh s**t!

"Lincoln, I completely forgot him!" I jump from the couch and run to grab my phone. I began to text him and ask about tonight, but reconsidered. I don't need to drag him into this mess right now. Maybe I should just call it off and wait until they have Trey and tell him everything. I decide to just call tonight off.

*Me: Hey, sorry to do this, but some things have come up and I just can't do this. I'm so sorry.

*Lincoln: No worries. We can reshedule. Maybe tomorrow or next weekend?

Shit, he's not understanding. I don't want to come off as an ass. I really like him. for the first time in a long time, I really like someone.

*Me: No, I'm sorry. I just can't date right now. I really like you, but there are somethings that came up last night and I need to get that figured out first.

I send and wait for him to answer me. A minute passes and still nothing has come through. I head back to the living room with Claudia just as my phone chimes with a notifcation.

*Lincoln: Who said it was a date? I don't date. So whatever.

I let a huff. Why are guys so sensitive.

*Me: Lincoln, I'm not blowing you off. I really like you but I need to take care of this first.

Before I can really close my phone and set it down, It chimes again.

*Lincoln: You good.

Fine, if he wants to act like a child, then I was going to let him. I don't deal with childish men. I put my phone down on the table and roll my eyes.

"What?" Claud asks me.

"I canceled tonight with Lincoln and told him we need to wait because some things came up and hes acting like a child."

"Because you hurt his ego. He has to hurt you before you hurt him." She tilts her head to the side a little. "Maybe it scared him when you said date. Jason did say he said he'd never settle. Maybe it's for the best."

"But I'm not trying to hurt him!" I raise my voice and huff, frustrated by everything right now. "I really like this guy. We kissed, and finally," I almost whispered. "a guy touched me without feeling his hands running all over my body or flinching because I was afraid he would raise his hand at me." I turn and look at her. "I finally felt safe with a guy."

She smiles apologetically and squeezes my hands a little. "I'm sorry, babe. Just give it some time then. Yeah?" We both nodded.

Just like that, the weekend is over and the work week was beginning. I was excited despite everything that has happened. I've only been there a week, but I already really love my job. And for the most part I like the people I work with. I don't know very many, but the few I do know. It's around 12:30 when my stomach starts to growl, I close up my files and computer. I grab my things and head my office.

"Hey, you wanna have-"

"Stacy, do you have any reports from last week? I think we have money missing somewhere." A handsome guy walks over looking down at a tablet, paying no mind to anything around him. He stops at the desk and rests his large arms down, still staring tensely at the tablet. He really is beautiful. He runs his large hand through his shine chestnut brown hair and sighs in frustration.

"Um, somewhere..." Stacy asks me before beginning to search for some papers he has asked for. At long last, when I answer Stacy he looks up, his ice blue eyes piercing mine. He seems shell shocked for only a moment. He clears his throat and moves closer, extending his hand.

"Ethan"

"Cassie"

"I didn't know someone so beautiful worked here," He smirks down at me. "and I've worked here since the company started. It's a pleasure." My cheeks flame from his nonchalant compliment.

"Likewise. And I've only worked here for a week. This is my second week, ha."

"Ohh here they are." Stacy says pulling us from our converstation. "I think this is what you're missing. If you need something more, you'll have to go to the boss." She says. He grimaces like the thought of the boss physically pains him.

"You don't like him either?" I ask. He looks at me a little puzzled and then stares at Stacy before she shakes her head.

"Cassie here, hasn't met the boss man yet." She says with a grin plastered on her face.

He only nods, a look of amusement on his face.

"So whats up?" Stacy asked.

"Oh, yeah." I turn my attention back to her. "You want to go to lunch with me?"

"Sorry, love. I would love to but I have another meeting to sit in on with the insufferable." She shrugs and gives me an apologetic smile. Ethan stands beside me and snickers. I glare at him not amused hes teasing me. He clears he throat before straightening up and speaking.

"I was going to take my break soon. I can go now if you want some company?" He say with a hint of a question behind it.

I look over at Stacy unsure if this would be a good thing because I have no idea who he is. "Hes a good guy. Promise."

"Wow wow wow. That's what that look was about?" He playfully places his hand over his heart as if I actually offended him. "I'm not a psychopath."

"Fine. But enough with the theatrics." I smile at him, happy to have hopefully made another friend.

Lincolns POV:

Our meeting with Anna Todd herself goes on for ages. She's so intelligent and creative. Her stories have taken the world by storm. Including her series After. It's pretty much unheard of for an author to get their start on an amateur writing app. It's quite impressive. I'm honestly honored she is even considering us as her publishing house after she had a fall out with her old one.

"Well Mrs. Todd, GHP would be thrilled to do any future business with you. My staff and I are super impressed with the way you captivated so many readers using an app. And it frankly goes to show how incredibly intelligent you are. My sister, and assistant, Stacy," I point beside me. "is a huge fan of the After franchise you've created. It would be an honor and a privilege to publish any work you submit to us." She smiles widely at me and stands from her chair and I follow suit. She reaches across the table and shakes my hand with so much enthusiasm, I feel my hand will fall off.

"Truly, I was a little skeptical before I came. I wasn't sure of the platform you could offer me because your company is so new, but I see you have reached great lengths to make sure everything runs smoothly. I'm so relieved and the contract looks amazing. My agent agrees. We thought it definitely thought it was too good to be true. I'm glad we've been proved wrong."

Her agent stands and shakes our hands as well. "We will get in touch with more detail, but I think we've found a 'home' for a while, I hope." I nod in agreement. I'm so damn happy this contract is going to work out.

We see them off at the door, I don't want to spoil their thoughts of me by being rude and letting them leave without a proper send off. I head back to my office with Stacy.

"That was freaking AMAZING!" she practically squeals. I laugh at her crazy excitement. I almost wanna jump around with her like Ross does with Phoebe and Rachel in naked fat guys' apartment,, but I'm scared I'd break the elevator.

"s**t, I can't believe it." I lean back against the wall just as the elevator chimes for Stacy's floor. "send me everything about the contract with them. I want to go over it again, personally." She smiles and nods.

Once I'm in my office, I close the door and finally get my Jed Nelson moment as I pump my fist into the air. Hopefully, this will be the start of bigger clients. The unfortunate thing about all this is I want to run down to her office and tell her the great news. I remember some of Friday night when she told me Stacy had told her about GHP's meeting with Anna Todd. She was so excited. She loves her. She said she became a fan on the app Anna started out on. I was a little shocked she took part of things like reading apps, but she said it's awesome to see all the potential in average people and the stories they have to offer. She even told me there were a bunch of authors whose stories would circulate widely if they were published. Maybe one day I'll look into it.

But nonetheless, I can't trot down to her office and tell her. One, she is still clueless about me being the boss. Second, she decided to blow me off for good. It shouldn't matter because I never wanted to settle down, but it does matter. It bothers me. This girl bothers me in the best and worst way.

Two hours pass and it's finally 5. I head down to Stacy's floor. I always pick her up and drive her home since we are only about 5 or so minutes from one another. "Hey. You ready?" I lean against the counter that connects with her desks and reacts my chin on my hands.

"Yup, let me get my stuff together. Wanna have dinner?" she asks. Every week or so, her and my mom gang up on me at dinner about my life choices and I let them get the anger or sadness out, but I really don't want to tonight.

"Nope. Today was a good day and I don't need you and mom ruining it." I shrug.

"No, we aren't I invited Eth, Ry, mom, of course the girls to dinner as a celebration. I promise, no badgering tonight." She holds her hand up in a boy scouts honor signal and smiles.

"Fine." she continues gathering her things and shutting off her computer when I hear tiny footsteps walking down the hall to the elevator. I can feel her presence without even looking to see if it's her. My heart is pounding as always when she comes around. I lift my eyes to meet the back of her head. Her beautiful hickory brown hair pulled into an almost sloppy bun the rest on top of her head. She was wearing jeans and a nice blouse with vans. She doesn't seem to want to try today, which is fine by me because I heavily enjoy this laid back side of her. "Have a good evening Cassie." She snaps her head up, looking back. She hadn't noticed I was here?

"Uh, yeah. Thanks. You too." She was hoping not to see me probably.

"Wait, Cas!" Stacy calls out. "We're going to celebrate because we got the Todd contract. Would you like to join us?" Yes, I ws a little angry with her for turning me down, but I hoped she said yes.

"Wow, that's fantastic! I bet the boss is happy." I looked at Stacy and smiled. She turns to look at the elevator as it finally arrived. "But sorry, I have a lot on my plate right now. Maybe another time?" With that, she walks into the elevator and answers the phone. A worried look stretched across her face.

"Hmm. I hope everything is okay. Did she tell you anything Friday?" I look at her confused about how she knew about Friday. "Ryder told me." I nod understandingly and shake my head no.

"She blew me off for good." I shrug a little.

"Well, you'd better figure your s**t out because she went out with Ethan for lunch today. I think he likes her. He came back booming and she was smiling an awful lot." She raises her eye brows a little and smirks, walking in front of me toward the elevator. Would she really date him, but not me? I thought there was some "problem" going on right now? Could my best friend really steal my girl? Well she wasn't yet, but seeing her again today definitely made me want to make her mine. No, Ethan couldn't have her. No matter how much he used his school boy charms on her.

"Wait, he really had her smiling?" I chased after her right before the elevator door closed. She was going to drive me mad.

*****800-799-7233 Ladies, this is the National hotline for Domestic Violence. We watched as my sister went through it and wouldn't get help for 13 years before she passed two years ago and I watched as my best friend went through refusing help for 3 years. She's finally away from him and doing so much better for herself, but she still struggles. Please, ladies and gentlemen, don't stay in abusive relationships. Know that help is out there. I can't say it's easy to get out. I've never been in that position, but know there are people who care about you and only want you to be happy and healthy. I care about your wellbeing. If you need help, please get it! Please know, I am in no way shaming anyone for their own life. I just want you all to know your worth.***