Yet, the way he’s looking at me right now has me feeling like I’m the one he needs to be protected from.
It’s not true. I’d rather die than hurt Blake.
I’m being dragged back. I want to fight, to demand they let me go. I need to make sure Blake is okay. To assure him I’m not the one he has to fear. To apologise for losing control, but not for defending him.
I don’t though, knowing it will make things so much worse.
As I’m being dragged to the backseat of the police cruiser, I start to panic. I can’t lose him. I can’t. I don’t think I’ll survive it.
They close the door behind me, locking me in. I look out the window and see Blake running towards the car. “Cooper!”
My already pounding heart races faster.
He gets to the car, coming to a stop. “I love you!” he shouts. “Everything will be okay.”
I let out a somber laugh, relief filling me. For a moment I really thought I lost it all. He doesn’t hate me. But I still see that fear in his eyes. Is it because of me, or is it fear for me?
“I love you!” I shout.
The car pulls away and I watch as we drive away, leaving my heart behind.
I don’t regret what I did. I’d do it again. This time, I’d just make sure Blake wasn’t around to see.
Still. Mickey has money, I don’t. The best lawyers money can buy, while the best I can get is a public defender.
Knowing Mickey, he’s going to press charges. He’d do anything to make sure I didn’t get away with what I did.
I fucked up. Big time. But I don’t regret it. He was hurting my man, and that’s not fucking okay.
Never again will he fucking lay a hand on Blake. Because if he’s going to bring me down, I’m going to find a way to take him down too.
***
“Get up.” Someone bangs on the cell bars.
Groaning, I sit up, my whole body aching. “How long has it been?”
“A few hours,” the guard drolls. “Don’t be so dramatic. Now, come on, you’ve been bailed out.”
“I have?”
Rubbing the sleep away from my eyes, I get to my feet, back stiff from sleeping on the hard, steel bench.
I follow the guard out to the front of the station. As I walk through the door, there’s two people waiting for me.
“Cooper.” Blake’s voice sounds broken as he rushes over to me. He throws himself at me and I wrap him tightly in my arms.
“I’m so fucking sorry,” I murmur into the crook of his neck. “So sorry, baby. I saw him hurting you and I just lost it.”
“I’m not mad.” He pulls back, bright blue eyes glassy. “I’m worried about you. Are you okay?”
“Hands are a little beat up, but I’m fine.” I cup his cheeks and lean in for a kiss. “I thought I lost you.”
“Lost me?” Blake looks at me confused. “Why did you think you were going to lose me?”
“Because of the look in your eyes. You looked afraid of me.” My voice breaks. “It killed me. I never want you to think you have to be afraid of me.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I was just in shock at the moment, because of everything that was going on. I wasn’t afraid of you, Cooper. Never you. You're the only person who’s ever stood up for me, defended me. I love you so fucking much for that. The only thing I’m afraid of is how much trouble you're in because of me.”
