Me: No, you don’t. Believe me, you really don’t.
I smiled at my comment, because in reality, he doesn’t know I look like a monster.
Kaden: What the hell do you mean Gracie-May?
Oh fuck! Martha hadn’t told him. Face slap. Ouch. Broken eye socket and split lip - not a good move, Gracie.
Kaden: Don’t nothing me, Gracie.
Kaden: He’s hurt you, hasn’t he?
Shit, I didn’t even get to answer him back.
Kaden: Fuck, I wish I was there.
No, you don’t. I shook my head and it hurt. Everything hurt.
Me: I’m fine, Kaden, I can take a lot.
I could too. This wasn’t the worst beating I’d had from Ben.
Kaden:I wish I could take it all away
and be there to catch all your tears, babe.
Me: I know, somehow I’ll get through this.
My eyes watered with the light from the phone burning into them. I couldn’t stay awake much longer. I needed to sleep.
Me: I don’t wanna be rude but I’m exhausted, I’m going to get some sleep. I’ll text you in the morning.
Kaden: Sure thing, babe. Lock all the damn doors and sleep with a gun or something.
I laughed at his comment, it hurt my whole body. Being happy hurt.
Me: Gun I don’t have but Louisville slugger I do.
Kaden: Haha, next best thing, babe. Sleep with that and I’ll see you when I’m looking at you.
Me: Stole my line.??
Kaden: Won’t be the only thing I steal, babe.??
I smiled a real freaking smile for the first time all day.
Me: Night xx
Kaden: Night, beautiful xo
No longer able to stay awake, I set my phone on the bedside table and slid into the overly soft and pillowed bed. I settled myself under the covers, tucked myself down deep and watched the stars dance in the night sky before drifting off.
CHAPTER NINE
GRACIE-MAY
When I stretched out in bed, pain bit into my back as the skin pulled tight. Unwilling to get up, I laid where I was and basked in the sun which streamed through the window. Sun hitting the lace curtains caused patterns to dance on the crisp white walls. It warmed my skin and I wanted to stay where I was for the entire day. I needed to get up, Ben may have come home after I fell asleep.
Sitting on the side of the bed, I pulled a silk robe over my sore body before padding down the hallway quietly. I didn’t want to alert Ben if he was home. My breathing was rapid, the thumping of my heart was loud in my ears. Shaking invaded my body at the thought he would be waiting for me in the lounge room, volatile and still angry after the other night.
