Repair Me (9 page)

             
“Yes.” When he walked in he was wearing boxers only and his hair was fingered back as he must have wet it slightly. I tried my hardest not to look at him and focused on the edge of the bed. He sat on the opposite side and pushed the covers back far enough to allow his body underneath.

             
“You gonna just sit there or are you planning on laying down?”

             
“Why do you care where I sleep?” My tone wasn't asking a question, I was only proving a point.

             
“Because I slept on couches for nearly twenty years. I didn’t have a bedroom when I was little. I slept on a damn couch until I met Scott, he offered me to move in with him.” He pointed around his bedroom. “So… here I am.”

             
Eventually taking a deep breath between the two of us, I finally agreed to lay down, lowering myself in place. “Thanks for letting me spend the night.”

             
He never let me fall to my back before he pulled me close against his body. He pulled his arm over my head then lift my head until my cheek rest on his chest. His other hand reached for my arm which he pulled around his waist. “You know you’re not going back.” He whispered in my ear. I nodded as reality set in once again. His free hand moved to my eyes when he felt the tears fall to his chest. He bent down to kiss my forehead. “Everything’s gonna be okay.”

             
“No it's not. My entire life changed in the last 24 hours.” I pant between my words “Scott and Natalia took me from my home. Anthony had no clue I was leaving.”

             
“I know.” he answered without a question.

             
“How do you know?” I tipped my head to make out his facial expressions through the dark room. “You haven’t been home all day.”

             
“Because I made them, Avery.” Long moments passed as I laid in his arms. I inhaled with slow, strong breaths as I took his aroma in. But what did he mean, he made them? “I gave them no choice but to get you out that house. You’re not going back!”

             
“I have to tomorrow. Anthony is sending a tow truck in the morning and I have the key.” I cried out “My car broke down on Wednesday and I have no way to make it to school next week and no money to fix it. Please, Davien, just give me sometime.”

             
“No.” His answer was short but strong and deep. Then he fell asleep with no more words.

             
I laid in the bed, simply staring at the ceiling. I could feel his heart rate slow down and his breathing more shallow and steady. Davien was always very energetic and I had never experienced watching him as he slept. Even last week I never even saw it. We fell asleep together or possibly I had gone first. When I woke last Saturday, he was already out of bed. I enjoyed the time with my private thoughts and the reality of actually being with Davien at the exact time.

             
My hand lie over his stomach where he had placed it. His skin was so smooth and I found myself trailing my fingers from his lower abs, up his chest, then back down until I reached the waistband to his boxers. I continued following that same track over and over. His body was warm and the soft pattern of his chest moving in his sleep caused my body to ache for him without planning. Anthony was far behind any thoughts. At the moment I wanted Davien. I wanted him now.

             
Knowing he was sleeping I found myself continuing my trails up his body, each time dipping further down. I laid with my eyes closed as I dreamed of my hands over his entire body. The feeling caused my body to shiver. Without thinking on my last trail, I allowed my hand to slip under the band of his only article of clothing on his body. I felt like I was out of my body as I acted involuntarily, but I knew that I wanted it more than anything at the moment. I wanted him, I wanted comfort, I wanted his touch, I wanted one intimate moment with him. I knew he could erase at least a small part of my pain. I couldn’t tell whether my heart beat was growing, but I felt the vibrations between us grew each time my hand dipped further.

             
My hand was following the low point to the bottom of his V-line. Davien's free hand moved to my guilty hand and I instantly tensed as he caught my passionate moves. “No, Avery.” He pulled my hand to his chest and rest it in place. “Not yet.”

             
I felt embarrassed and confused yet I still let my question free from my mind. Whispering, “You asked if I would sleep with you and we both agreed on the same answer.”

             
“I asked you if you would if you were single.” He stated “You are not single. Not yet. Until then I will
not
go any further.” 

Chapter 5
             

              I could hear the shower from the bathroom across the wall. I laid in bed with embarrassment. I knew within minutes I would be facing him and I had allowed myself to search his body without permission last night. Unlike most men, he had stopped me and left my body panting for release.

             
I heard the water turn off and I sat up in the bed, the cover still pulled to my chest. I ran my fingers through my hair as I took long, deep breaths.  Davien entered the bedroom with only a thin, damp towel wrapped around his waist. I observed his amazing body. The V from his lower abs dropped below his towel. His lean shoulders followed a rigid touch to his elbows.  I made out the shadow to the bulge half way across his towel. “Good morning to you too beautiful.” He laughed quietly and my eyes popped to his face as I shook my head from dreaming. 

             
“Good morning.” My face turned 10 shades brighter when he spoke

             
“Sleep well?”

             
“Yeah, you?”

             
“Like a baby.” He walked to his closet and pulled a pair of jeans from a hanger. Without embarrassment, he dropped his towel to the floor and stepped into a clean pair of boxers then sat on the other edge of the bed as he pulled his pants to his waist. “You okay?” I was sure that he saw that I had watched him as he dressed with no shame. I wondered how many women had been in my place. How many innocent women had seen him naked and the many women that had begged to witness the sight.

             
“Yeah.” I stood from the bed and searched the room for my dress from the previous night. “I have a lot on my plate today though.”

             
“Like?”

             
“I told you. My car is being towed to a garage today. Anthony already has it planned. I need my car.” I didn’t want to imagine the scene when I arrived at the house to drop off the key. Obviously it wouldn't be that easy. I wasn’t stopping by to say ’hello’ and hand over a key. I was going home to abuse and questioning.

             
“You’re not going alone.” He firmly stated with bold bright blue eyes, never blinking as he spoke. His brows touched the top of his forehead. “I’m going with you!”

             
“No you have no idea of what Anthony is capable of.” I dropped my head still wishing everything had never happened.

             
“I knew Anthony well before you did. He’s never going to change.” I stared at him as I wondered how much Davien really did know about Anthony. “I’ll let Vince know to bring the car to my shop.”

             
“Your shop? And what does Vince have to do with my car.” My voice shouted as my nose reached my eyes.

             
“Vince is Anthony’s cousin and I work on bikes over at ‘Martin’s garage’. If I can repair bikes all day, I’m sure I can check out your car. Anthony won’t mess with Vince, he knows better. Vince knows Anthony better than anyone. He’ll break his fucking nose again.” The imagine went through my mind when I thought of Anthony. He had a slight curve to his nose that I had always assumed must have been hereditary. Anthony was a large intimidating man with deep tanned skin and inky black hair. His figure was modeled as many athletes worked hours daily to form. But Vince towered over his frame. Vince was naturally built and stood at least 6 and a half feet tall. His posture was straight, his arms were bulky with strength and as much as Anthony could toss me around, I still believed he didn’t stand a chance with Vince. Where Anthony was built with intimidation, Vince could have passed as a body guard or a bouncer.

             
“His cousin? Why are you just telling me? Why didn‘t you tell me weeks ago?” I worried. I wondered what information Vince had told Anthony. He had possibly told him that I flirted with Davien, did he know that I spent the night, twice?

             
Davien shot me a wicked grin. “You never asked.” He stood from the bed after covering his feet with clean socks. “Get some clothes on. We’re heading to the house.” He pointed to the few outfits that Natalia had taken from the house.

             
I shook without agreement. There was no way I was facing Anthony with these two men. He walked to my side, or his other side of the bed, and placed his hand on my back. He soothed my back in soft strokes. I lift my head to meet his eyes. “I’m scared, Davien.”

             
He cupped my chin as his long fingers traced my jaw. “Don’t be. He should be the one scared. I promise he won’t touch you.” His thumb caught the tear that fell to my cheek. “I won’t let him, Avery.”

☼

             
A few hours later and many calls to Vince, Davien had everything planned out. We would be heading to Anthony’s house within the next hour and my stomach was tied in knots, my hands were trembling with anxiety. I found Davien sitting on the couch leisurely, not a worry to him, as he spoke on his cell phone and I stood watching. He pointed his finger to direct me to the seat next to his.

             
When he ended his call I rushed with questions. “Davien, what are we doing? Who is coming? How am I going to get my things out? I need my clothes, I need my personal belongings.”

             
“You need your life, Avery. With Anthony in the picture, you don’t have one.” He pulled my face until my eyes stared at his. “Martin's tow truck is following us to the house and as far as your things, I’ve already handed the money over to Scott. You can get anything you need from the store.”

             
I sat in shook as I tried my best to trust the man I had only known for a couple of weeks. I knew it was for the best, but my life would never be the same. “I’m just scared, I’m worried, I don’t know what I am besides a homeless woman that has nothing.”

             
“You have me, you have Natalia, Scott, Vince and Justin.” He comforted me “You have a home. It may not be you biggest dream, but things will get better, promise.”

             
Vince pulled up shortly afterward and was followed by a Hispanic man in a blue tow truck. Vince stepped to the house as I stood in the doorway. He wrapped his massive arm around my shoulder, causing me to drop slightly “Ready?” I took a deep breath and nodded my head with his trust.

             
Davien reached for my hand and led me to his bike. He pulled his self over the seat then helped me to the back. He laced my fingers around his waist until I was secured to him. The roar of his bike, when it started, made my body vibrate with a mixture of tension and nerves.

             
He nodded to Vince to go who reversed along side with the truck. “You’re gonna be okay. Just stay on the bike as Vince and I take care of everything.” I held on tight as I witnessed Davien speed through the streets like I had never seen before. He was anxious, but I didn’t see a touch of worry to him.

             
When we arrived I had a perfect view of the front door from where Davien had parked the bike. The blue tow truck was reversing into the driveway wear I pointed to which garage door my car was parked behind. Davien pulled my shaky hands to his face and kissed them with reassurance.  

             
Anthony’s spotless Navigator sat on the opposite side of the drive and I thought of the many times we had rode together in that same vehicle. Many good times. Many bad times. I remember the day he bought it, he commented that maybe one day if I did the right thing I might have a nice car too. I always took the words as an insult whether he meant it that way or not.

             
Vince was stepping from his car and my heart rate grew faster against Davien’s back. He held my hand in front of him as we both watched Vince’s every move. He stood short minutes before Anthony appeared in the doorway. He took a short glance at Vince who was within arms reach, then focused his eyes on me as I sat behind Davien. I scoot closer on the bike until it felt like Davien was on my lap. Anthony’s eyes grew darker and very rarely let a blink loose. His eyes closed into squints as he shook his head with disbelief. He knew I had betrayed him and he knew I was leaving.

             
I watched as Vince pointed to the garage, demanding Anthony to lift the overhead door, but Anthony continued watching my every movement. He completely ignored Vince’s instructions but didn’t attempt to touch him. As soon as Anthony’s head turned, I assumed he was heading for the garage but instead he walked the small steps down the path to the driveway. His eyes never left mine and mine followed the same. My security was the man in whom my arms wrapped around, the man at the moment that I trusted. The man that held my hands tightly wrapped around him and his fingers were laced with mine confirming I was with him. I gripped at Davien's belt loops, holding him close. “You're fine, Avery. I've got you beautiful.” Davien tried to comfort me as he felt me tense against him.

             
Anthony sighed in amusement and softly spoke between clenched jaws in my direction. “You will not embarrass me in front of my neighbors, Avery Addison. You have embarrassed me enough. I have trusted you in my home, I have brought you into my life and treated you with all respect. My respect for you is gone.” His words stopped as he shook his head. “You have turned into a childish whore, just like your friend.”

             
My grip from Davien dropped when he stood from his seat. “Back the fuck up, Anthony. You will not talk to Avery like that. I will beat the living shit out of you. Right here, right now....” Davien's hand pointed at the ground. “In front of your fucking neighbors. You have no idea what you
Had.
” Davien stood within inches from Anthony’s nose. He looked at me, then back at Anthony with disgust He cracked his knuckles in one swift move “I suggest you open the garage door and allow her car out. That fucking simple.” His voice was deep and his words were harsh. But Anthony deserved every drop of it.

             
Anthony did nothing but laugh wickedly. Vince walked behind him and gripped the back of Anthony’s Polo shirt. Vince led him to the inside of my previous home. “Is Vince okay?” I asked Davien as he stepped over the bike.

             
“I don’t know, is Anthony okay?” Davien joked with entertainment. Within seconds the right garage door opened and Vince was stepping from the other side. He directed his finger to allow the truck to the front of my car.

             
Once my car was positioned securely to the back, Vince approached Davien’s bike. “Need anything important from the house?”

             
“My car title and my school things. I really can't afford to leave my books for school. Please, that's all I need.” I cried out “I'll show you where everything is at.”

             
“Go sit with Martin.” Davien pointed to the tow truck. “I’m going with Vince.”

             
I stepped into the tall blue truck as the Hispanic man pulled my hand for support. I was completely embarrassed and I held my head low “Ma'am, pick your head up. Everything is going to get better.” The man spoke with a soft accent. He seemed very caring and comforting, everything I needed at the moment. “My name is Martin. Davien works for me.” He held his hand out to greet me and I accepted it

             
My words were quiet at I pulled my eyes to look at the man's face. “Avery.” I introduced myself. “Nice to meet you. I'm sorry about everything.”

             
“No problem.”

              When they returned, Davien had my backpack slung over his shoulder and Vince carried a box that I assumed held things he implicated were thing of importance to me. I stepped from the truck and Davien brought my bag to Vince’s car.

             
The garage door lowered with no sight of Anthony as we pulled from the drive. My head rest on Davien’s shoulder as I felt relief. “What did he say?” I spoke over the rumbling of the bike when we pulled off.

             
“Not much.” He pulled my arms tighter around his waist. “Mainly just things like 'Stop Vince… I’m sorry'.” and I felt the vibrations from his laughter.

☼

              When I stepped from the bike I questioned “I didn’t know you worked on bikes.”

             
“Did you think I stood on corners singing to strangers with my guitar case open. I gotta pay bills somehow.” I shrugged my shoulders causing him to laugh with humor  “My Dad was an ass, yeah he was another Anthony, and my Mom was broker than shit,
but
she dated guys that knew how to work on cars and my attention was always on the bikes.” He held my hand as we walked in the house.

             
Natalia was already sitting on Scott’s lap when we returned to the guys place. Martin had taken my car to the shop and Davien promised to work on it on Monday. Vince would drop my things off later.

             
“Holy shit, Avery, are you okay?” Natalia jumped from her spot. She examined my entire body head to foot.