Page 83 of Beaten

While we waited, Emily and I set a date for our first date. Wising up and taking Meg’s advice, I made it clear that I’d take her out tonight if it was what she wanted, but I was just as happy to wait until she felt up to it. I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice. I might be a stubborn fool, but I wasn’t a complete idiot.

When Emily asked if we could wait until her face didn’t look like it had been used as a punching bag, I said yes, having fully expected that answer.

“If you want, I can come over tonight and we could watch a movie or something.” Dad had offered to have someone from SSI outside the house, to give them a sense of comfort, but they’d declined saying we’d already done too much. If she said yes, I could offer the same comfort, while getting to spend a the evening with Emily.

“I’d like that. Though I might fall asleep halfway through. I can’t believe how tired I feel.”

Thank God she said yes because I don’t know what I would have done if she’d declined.You would have parked outside the house all night. My internal voice sounded a lot like Jack. “No worries; your body’s working hard to heal.”

Not long after that, Mrs. Taylor invited me to dinner, though she said she felt guilty for serving my mom’s lasagna to an invited guest. I laughed and told her I didn’t mind. “Ma’s lasagna is one of my favorite foods.”

After dinner, Emily and I put on her favorite Disney movie and relaxed on the couch.

I was the perfect gentleman and resisted the urge to put my arm around her.

Right up until she started to doze off and leaned into my side. Then the most natural thing in the world for me to do was to put my arm around her and hold her close so she’d know she was safe while she slept.

Chapter 42

Emily

Jamie and I were going on our first date tonight. The bruises Craig had given me two weeks ago had mostly faded, and the cracks in my ribs were a lot less painful.

My dad was recovering too. And while Mom's endless doting was driving him crazy, he didn't complain. Being an overbearing mother hen was her way of coping, and we loved her for it.

Ashley had taken a few days off after she’d heard what happened and stayed with us. It was a godsend. Mom thought because she hadn’t been physically hurt everything would feel normal, but for the first few days after we got home she struggled being in the kitchen and kept looking at the door like she expected it to get kicked in any second.

Ashley’s presence provided a sense of normalcy none of us knew we needed. She’d kept us company in the kitchen, chatting as she helped cook or clean. And now she was backto help me get ready for my date, saying she wouldn’t miss it for the world. She was also slipping in, “I told you so,” as often as she could.

I shook my head to clear it when I heard Ashley say, “Earth to Emily.”

We had clothes spread out all over my bed as she attempted to help me find the perfect outfit. She was currently holding up a flowery summer dress. “What about this one?”

“Nah, too cute.” We were having trouble finding the perfect happy medium between cute and flirty, and sexy. I wanted to look good for Jamie tonight, but not like I was trying too hard.

I wondered if he was putting half as much thought into what he was wearing. “It’s so much easier for guys.”

“But not as much fun. They throw on a clean button-up shirt and pants and they’re good to go.” She rolled her eyes. “Bor-ring.” She picked up the sexy red dress she brought for me to borrow. “But we get to wear the fun stuff that makes their heads explode.” She held the dress to her body and shook it in time with her hips.

It was a gorgeous dress, but I didn’t think I could pull it off. Besides, it was a little too much for the casual date we had planned.I bet Ashley looks breathtaking when she wears it. She had the body and the personality to pull it off. Me, not so much. Not that my body was bad. I was in decent shape, but I lacked the no-fucks-given attitude to wear it without feeling self conscious.

“Maybe for your second date.” She winked at me.

I scanned the clothes strewn about the bed and saw it. The perfect dress. I picked up a long pale blue dress with spaghetti straps and a belted waist. It had small white flowers along the neck line and the hem. It was the perfect combination of fun and flirty with a hint of sexy.

“Perfect!!” Ashley beamed at me.

“I can’t believe I’m nervous. We’ve talked every day.” Seriously, it was stupid for me to be so nervous. Not only had we talked every day since that night in the hospital, but he’d visited me most days too. I had a sneaky feeling he came here instead of inviting me to his place so we’d feel safer, more comfortable.

I no longer doubted Jamie’s desire to see me. At least not most of the time. I only started to doubt it when I was alone and my demons would start talking. They always sounded like Craig.

But when Jamie was here, or I was talking to him, all I heard was his voice, reminding me of all the things I’d forgotten about myself.

I’d gone on the defensive a few times when he’d asked me what I was up to, but he wouldn’t let it go unchallenged. He’d make sure I knew he wasn’t checking up on me or judging me, often adding something like: I just want to make sure I’m not interrupting you.

“You’re nervous because you’re finally going out with your hot as fuck high school crush turned knight in shining armor.”

Mom said, “Ashley!” We hadn't heard hercome in my room.

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