Used, Abused Then Loved

Chapter 2

Everyone was incredibly silent, even after Cody left. Matthew turned to Ireland, who was staring after her ex in shock. He bent down to her height and noticed the emotions in her blue eyes. They slowly became glossy as she raised her hand to her head, moving loose strands of her hair out of her way. The way her brown locks fell back over her face made Matthew catch his breath.

“I’m guessing that was the ex?” Matthew said, watching Ireland quickly take out her phone and face grow pale after a few clicks and swipes. “What’s wrong?”

“They have canceled my card, they canceled as well my motel room… I have no accommodations,” Ireland said, clearly frantic.

In her panicking state, everything around her seemed to go black and voices were foggy and faded as the room seemed to spin. That was why Cody looked at her the way he did. He closed down everything that she had in his name. Leaving her homeless and penniless. Cody’s entire plan was to make sure she would become entirely independent of him. This was far out of her control, and so was the hurricane of thoughts in her head.

“Ireland,” Matthew’s voice finally broke through. “Everything is alright, hun. I’ve got you.”

Ireland snapped out of it and her eyes came back to focus. She realized that Matthew’s face was really close to hers, which made her step back a little. “But… I..”

Matthew shook his head. “It’s okay. You’re safe with me.”

“She can have my bed if she wants, Matthew,” Skeet spoke up from out of nowhere. “I can get another room. I don’t think she should be alone…”

Ireland looked worried at this statement and started shaking her head. “I don’t want to take anyone’s room… I can figure something out.”

“Judging by the situation, I don’t think there’s an option here,” Skeet said, shrugging.

“That’s enough, man,” Matthew spoke up. “I think Skeet is right, though. With your ex in the area, I’m afraid to leave you alone. Skeet’s rooming with me, but if you don’t feel comfortable being in the same room as me, we can work out a way to get an adjoining room so you have your own privacy, but you’re not too far away.”

Ireland thought about it. She felt guilty for getting Matthew and Skeet involved. She wasn’t sure what all Cody was capable of if he really wanted something done, and it wasn’t his way. Matthew was an obstacle to her crazy ex and the last thing she wanted was for something to happen to him.

“Um… an adjoining room would be nice…” Ireland said slowly.

“I think the room next door to us is vacant. I’ll call them now and ask,” Skeet said, taking out his phone. “We still have a couple more hours to go before the event is over… Think you’ll be alright, Ireland?”

“I’ll stay close by,” Ireland said, nodding. “I’ll figure out a way to stay out of everyone’s way, I guess.”

Ireland glanced at her feet to avoid Matthew’s gaze. She wished she didn’t blush so fast. In an instant, her cheeks were rosy and everyone knew her emotions as if she wrote them on her face.

Matthew was smiling and looked over at Molly, who was also grinning from ear to ear. Everyone was going on about their business and having a good time, as if the scene didn’t happen. Matthew and Skeet had to return to the booth.

“You can hang out with me while you wait,” Molly said to Ireland. “I might not be Matthew, but I’m still pretty cool to be around.” Molly gave her newly found friend a wink, which caused Ireland to blush even more.

“I don’t know what you mean by that, but I’d love to hang out with you. You’re the best friend I never had… I mean, if you’re cool with being friends,” Ireland asked, moving hair behind her ear.

Molly laughed and threw her arm around Ireland’s shoulder. “I labeled you my friend the moment you opened up to me. If you need to rant or rave, I’m your gal. If you want to fan girl about how hot Matthew is, I’m all ears and right there with you!”

“Molly!” Ireland said, embarrassed. If she would’ve been able to hide like a child, she would’ve. Her cheeks were a champagne red after Molly winked and poked her side.

“Let’s walk around since the crowd has died down a bit. Moving around should be easier and you can see everything that’s going on,” Molly giggled as she led her new friend over to the Scream booth.

Molly purposely slowed down to watch the Scream cast. She stole a few glances at Ireland to see what she would do in Matthew’s sight. When they watched as a female fan hugged Matthew and kissed his cheek, Ireland felt a bit annoyed. Was she feeling jealous? She asked herself as she watched on. When their eyes met, Ireland quickly looked away and walked off, dragging a cheeky Molly behind her.

“Someone has a crush,” Molly leaned in and whispered.

“No, I don’t,” Ireland defended herself. “I just got out of a crazy relationship and I’m not ready to date anyone right now.”

“I never mentioned dating,” Molly poked. “I’m just stating the fact that you’ve been blushing like crazy for the past thirty minutes. Matthew came to your rescue. If that’s not masculine of him and sexy…”

“Yeah well, so did Skeet,” Ireland rolled her eyes. “I appreciate the guys for coming to my rescue. But I have no crush on anyone.”

Molly just smiled and nodded. “Alright, alright.”

Ireland and her new friend just walked around the center meeting new people. They would pass where Matthew and Skeet were, but Ireland would avoid looking at them. Molly would nudge her and tell her that Matthew would always look at her and smile.

“I’m no cupid, but I feel like there’s love in the air,” Molly said, wistfully.

Ireland rolled her eyes but said nothing. She saw no point in arguing opinions and facts with Molly. She seemed like a hopeless romantic and they hadn’t known each other that long. Ireland stopped and looked at Molly. She was definitely an intriguing person. Back home in California, Ireland didn’t have any female friends to hang out with. Cody made sure of that. If she wanted to go out and just enjoy peace at a park, he was right there with her, making sure she didn’t talk to anyone and if she tried, he’d drag her right home and have a go at her.

Ireland made a face at the memory. As much as she didn’t want her mind traveling back to that memory, she knew she had to take away the power of those painful memories to prove to herself that she could move on. That was a step in the right direction for healing.

“Ireland, are you okay?” Molly said, waving her hand in front of her face. “You’re zoned out.”

“I was just having flashbacks,” Ireland admitted, coming back to the present. “I’m ready to move on with my life and just be happy.”

Molly smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. “It takes time to heal and trust people again. I’d be lying if I said I know how you feel, but I’ve never been through it. But I’m here for you, though. I can give you my number and we can text or call each other when you’re feeling sad.”

Ireland’s eyes teared up, and she pulled Molly in for a hug. “I appreciate our new friendship. I’ve never had a friend in my life as caring as you. Thank you so much for becoming my friend.”

Molly returned her hug and sniffed. “No problem. I love meeting new people and making friends. But a little voice in my head told me to become close friends with you.”

Just then, Matthew and Skeet walked up as the girls pulled apart from each other. Skeet smirked and nudged Matthew with a nod.

“Can I get a hug too?” Skeet asked, grinning.

Ireland backed up, but Molly went in for a hug. Matthew just shook his head and looked at Ireland.

“How are you doing?” Matthew asked her.

“Pretty tired,” Ireland said, rubbing her right eye and stifling a yawn.

“We just finished up,” Skeet said. “Matthew, go ahead. Take her to the hotel. I can help clean up. And get her some food. I’m sure she’s starving.”

______________________________________________________________________________

Matthew and Ireland were heading to a place to grab a quick bite to eat. The drive lulled Ireland into a sleepy state. She could feel herself drifting off, but once the car came to a stop at a light, she was wide awake.

“You can close your eyes if you feel comfortable,” Matthew said, noticing her struggle to stay awake. “I promise you’re safe.”

Ireland rubbed her eyes and reposition herself in the seat. “I really want to believe that I’m safe and I really want to trust men…” She paused and looked out the window. “I’m not ready for that yet.”

“I understand,” Matthew said. “But I can still reassure you I won’t do anything to you.”

The rest of the drive was quiet after Matthew turned on the radio for some background noise. They grabbed their food to go and headed towards the hotel. He would make quick glances at Ireland, who was slowly drifting in and out of sleep. He smiled a little as her head finally leaned against the window.

Unfortunately for Ireland, her sleeping was her most active and vulnerable phase. In her dreams, she saw Cody standing over her with his belt in hand, snapping the leather together and staring at her with hatred.

Ireland groaned and moved around in her seat. Her eyes flickered and her breathing was heavy. She felt a hand on her cheek and shot awake with fear in her eyes.

“It’s okay. It’s just me,” Matthew said quietly, taking his hand away. “You were having a nightmare. We’re at the hotel.”

Ireland rubbed her eyes, her blushing flowering. She unbuckled and stepped out of the car, her foot getting stuck, causing her to trip. Matthew reached for her and caught her, both stumbling backwards.

“You’re alright,” Matthew chuckled.

“Sorry,” Ireland mumbled, standing up straight and meeting Matthew’s eyes.

They were both quiet, and no one made any effort to speak or move. Ireland never cared to make eye contact with people, but she just couldn’t pull her gaze away from his. She watched as his eyes roamed her face and eventually landed on her lips. She started feeling butterflies in her stomach as they held eye contact. Other gazes she’s had with men were of hatred or unearthly lust. But the way Matthew gazed at her was like a promise of protection.

Ireland’s heart was beating so loud, she wouldn’t become surprised if Matthew could hear it. A sudden rush of chilly wind blew her hair into her face, causing her to tilt her head down, breaking eye contact with him.

“It’s getting chilly out here. We should go check the front desk and see if Skeet was successful in getting that connected room,” Matthew said, rubbing the back of his head and walking towards the building.

The hotel was a grand hotel. Ireland tilted her head back and followed the building’s height. She mouthed the word ‘wow’ as Matthew led her to the front desk. Ireland looked around as he spoke at the front desk. At this time of night, the hotel was pretty busy as families came and went and a few children ran past them, nearly running into the bellman, who seemed aggravated. A couple near the sitting area caught her attention. They were embracing each other lovingly and stealing kisses.

Ireland felt a tug at her heart, wishing she knew what that type of love felt like. Matthew followed her gaze and sighed.

“Adolescent love is a beautiful thing,” he said with a chuckle. “So, Skeet wasn’t able to get the adjoining room. But I have two options for you: Option one, you take Skeet’s bed and room with me, or option two, you can get your own room, but it won’t be on the same floor.”

What was worse, being in the same room with a man you hardly knew or being alone on a different floor with constant anxiety that your ex might pop up?

“I… I guess I’ll take Skeet’s room,” Ireland said hesitantly.

“Are you sure?” Matthew said, softly.

Ireland nodded and Matthew went back to speak to the man at the desk, then made a phone call. Ireland drew her attention back to the couple, who were still embracing each other. She could feel that longing in her heart again as she looked from them to Matthew. There was a softness to his appearance, a warmth of kindness, a beautiful soul that was intact. He wasn’t like Cody. Not that she was comparing the two men, but Matthew seemed better than him. Better than most men she’s met when she was with Cody. Her ex had a strange group of guy friends. She recalled the time Cody took her to a bar and tried to give her away to one of his buddies. After she had thrown hot water on the guy and ran off, Cody found her and the punishment was very severe; she couldn’t walk for a week.

“Alright, Skeet’s room will be a floor above us. We’re all set,” Matthew said, shoving his phone in his back pocket.

Ireland followed him to the elevator, where they traveled to their room in silence. For the first time, her mind was blank. Probably from being profoundly tired. After she left her ex’s house in Cali and hopped on a plane, she had been going non-stop. When the elevator stopped, Ireland swayed and leaned into Matthew.

“Are you alright?” he asked her as she slowly opened her eyes.

“Hmm,” was all she said.

Matthew wrapped his arm around her waist and let her lean into him. He could tell she was tired when the door opened to their floor and she didn’t create any effort to move forward. So he scooped her up in his arms and carried her the rest of the way. Ireland was in and out of sleep and was mumbling things.

“I need you to stand up so I can get the room key out of my wallet,” Matthew said softly in her ear.

She nodded in response. Once the door opened, Matthew flipped a light switch, and the room lit up. The first thing she saw was the closet area, where a few suitcases piled up. Matthew gave her a sheepish grin as he cleaned off the bed. Skeet had his stuff laying all over.

“Skeet will be here soon to grab his things. I’ll see that his stuff is by the door so he doesn’t bother you if you’re asleep,” Matthew said, while he gathered things.

Ireland stood near the bathroom and watched him. He was really trying to make her feel comfortable around him. Matthew would keep his distance and made sure his movements were slow so as not to frighten her. She smiled a little, just thinking about the moment they had outside in the parking lot. The warmth behind his eyes and the way he held her in his arms made butterflies fly around in her stomach. Was Molly right about having feelings for him, or was this just being star-struck?