Page 3 of Stay With Me

Running on pure adrenaline, I didn’t give him a chance to finish before I reared back and swung my knee into his groin with all the force I could muster. I knew my efforts were on target when his eyes bulged, and he gasped as his hands cupped his balls. Unfortunately, he was blocking the door, and was too big for me to get past him without the risk of being grabbed. So, I reached around his body to twist the doorknob and pushed him out the door when it opened. Then, I slammed it behind him, thanking my lucky stars when I found the door had a lock. I turned it to secure myself inside and slid down the door with my back against it as an added protection from Lucas getting back in.

Now, I’m sitting here catching my breath and I pull my phone out of my pocket with shaking hands. Damn it. I can’t call Teddy. He’s out of town for some comic book convention he’s obsessed with, and Trina’s on shift at the fire department today. Shayna’s visiting Tom at school this weekend and Jack’s deployed. No way I’m calling my parents. I just can’t do that.

I scroll through my contacts and see Charlie’s name. He made me swear I would call him if I ever needed anything and couldn’t reach Trina since they’re on different shifts at the fire station. I hesitate for a moment, but then a jolting thud slams into my back, and I assume it’s Lucas kicking at the door.

“Open this door, you fucking tease!”

The fury in his voice is palpable, and it’s enough to make me press the call button next to Charlie’s name on my phone. He answers on the second ring.

“Hello? Emily? Are you okay?” Charlie’s voice is rough. I look down at my watch and realize it’s almost midnight and I’ve likely woken him. I hear shuffling in the background.Oh my God. What if he’s not alone?

The repetitive pounding against my back and Lucas’s threats from the other side of the door mixed with the now deafening noise from the party, jar me back to my senses.

“Charlie, I need help. I’m in trouble and I don’t know who else to call…” No longer able to stop myself, I sob into the phone.

“Fuck. It’s gonna be okay. Tell me where you’re at,” he orders.

The slamming of a car door followed by the roar of a truck engine makes me realize he’s already on his way and a tiny sliver of the panic threatening to overwhelm me recedes.

I rattle off the address in a shaky voice.

“I’ll be there in eight minutes. Stay on the phone with me. Okay?” Charlie’s voice is soothing.

“O-okay,” I stutter, through my crying.

Charlie, who’s usually the strong, mostly silent type, spends the next several minutes making small talk, asking me about my classes and my apartment off campus. It’s obvious he’s trying to distract me.

Every time Lucas yells something in the background or slams into the door, causing a loud noise, my breath hitches and I’m sure it doesn’t escape Charlie’s attention.

“I’m only two minutes away now. I need to know if someone hurt you. Is it the guy yelling in the background?”

I hesitate to answer. “H-he didn’t h-hurt me.” I sniffle, trying to keep my nose from running.

“Em…” Charlie’s voice, while tender, holds a warning to it. He’s going to find out one way or another, that much is clear.

“He tr-tried but I stopped him and l-locked myself in the bedroom then called you. I b-bit him and kneed him in the balls. I’m on the second floor in a bedroom, but he won’t stop pounding on the door trying to get in.”

“Good job, Emily. Now tell me his name.”

“Lucas. His name is Lucas.”

“I’m here now. Stay on the phone until I find you. Okay?”

I nod, even though he can’t see me. “Okay. And… thank you for coming for me,” I whisper.

He clears this throat.

“You never have to thank me, Emily. I’ll always come if you need help. Got it?”

“Yes. I’ve got it.”

“I’m in the house. Stay in the room until I get you. I’m right here. You’re safe.”

* * *

CHARLIE

“Are you Lucas?” I ask the red-faced asshole who’s pounding his fist against the closed door.

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