Steam fills the bathroom as scalding hot water cascades over me. I’ve been in the shower so long, I’m surprised the water’s not ice cold by now.
I stumbled in here as soon as Aaron released me and threw me to the floor like I was trash.
I still had some of his cum in my mouth and immediately vomited when I got to the bathroom. Then I turned on the shower, stripped off my clothes, and stepped under the hot spray, so numb I couldn’t even cry.
Aaron has said some terrible things to me, bullied me, gaslighted me, beat me—but this is by far the worst thing he’s ever done.
My throat and jaw ache, and the side of my neck feels like there’s bruises forming. I’m also bleeding a bit from the penetration. Thank god I have an IUD, because one of them definitely came inside me.
After what feels like another hour staring at the tile and trying to forget the feel of them in my body, I scrub off three more times and then make my way out of the bathroom.
I should leave. Maybe call Alyssa and stay with her tonight. But I don’t know how late it is, and I don’t want to burden her with this.
The cops likely wouldn’t believe me since Aaron and I have been together for so long, and even if they did, his dad is one of the best defense attorneys in the state. Nothing would happen to Aaron, and his retaliation for me ruining his reputation would likely result in a hospital stay for me. Or worse.
So I just slip on some sleep shorts and an oversize tee and slide into bed with the man who just raped me. Who just let his friends rape me.
I don’t know what I’m going to do. If I leave, he’ll just find me and bring me back. The only way I’ll ever be free of him is if he’s dead, and that’s starting to sound better and better.
I fall asleep dreaming of different ways to kill the three of them.
Chapter Eleven
Violet
THE NEXT DAY,I send a message to my boss to let him know I’ll be working from home the rest of the week. It’s not uncommon for reporters to only stop by the newsroom once or twice a week, so he doesn’t question it, even though I usually really enjoy going in every day.
But I look like shit, and I need to go to the clinic and get tested. God knows what shit Zach and Tyler might be carrying. Or Aaron, for that matter.
He left early this morning without saying a word to me. I wonder for a brief moment if he feels sorry, if he regrets what they did. But I doubt he does.
My jaw and throat are still sore, so I opt for a breakfast of just coffee. Maybe I’ll grab a soft pastry on my way home.
•••
When I’m finished at the clinic, I head to Brewed Awakening for a chai latte and chocolate croissant. I need a pick me up after having to tell them what happened and having them ask me multiple times if I’d like help making an official report. I understand they were just trying to be helpful, to do the right thing, but every time they brought it up, it just made me more anxious.
I peer into the coffee shop before I enter, making sure Alyssa isn’t there. If she saw me, she would know something was up, even with the sweater covering the bruising around my neck and collarbone, and I really don’t have the energy to lie to her. The coast is clear, in fact, the shop is pretty dead, so I head in and up to the counter to order.
As I’m waiting for my drink, the bells above the door signal a new patron entering, and I make the mistake of looking to see who it is.
Instantly, my eyes lock with dark, denim-blue ones. Fuck, what is he doing here? Damon smiles at me and then heads to the counter to order.
I debate leaving without my drink for a moment, but then the barista calls my name. I grab it and immediately head for the door.
“Violet, wait!” Damon calls after me, but I keep going, heading down the block toward my car.
Footsteps pound behind me, and then a strong hand gently grasps my elbows.
“Violet, wait. Please talk to me,” Damon pleads.
I stop, but I don’t turn around. My eyes are darting everywhere, searching for anyone who might see us together and tell Aaron.
Desperately, he says, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you it was me. I didn’t mean to freak you out or scare you off.”
Tears burn the back of my eyes. Of course, he would assume I was upset about him hiding who he was. That’s why any normal person would be upset.
I steady myself. “It’s okay, Damon. I’m not mad at you. I just . . .” I have to take another breath to clear the tears from my voice. “I have a boyfriend, and he would kill me if he found out what happened. I shouldn’t have let it happen.”
