Page 58 of Ruined

“Are you ever going to just be nice to her?” We’ve been here a few days and since day one he’s been nothing but forceful and violent.

Just like I knew he wasn’t going to answer me about this either because I knew the answer. Ryker can no longer hold eye contact, and I swear if he clenches his jaw any harder he’ll break a tooth.

“Fine,” I mutter. Ryker holds her longer than he would if it were just a hook-up. He might not want to admit it, but he’s grown attached. He cares for Blake.

Ryker finally hands me Blake, his eyes never leaving her. I can feel them the entire time it takes me to get across the living room to mine. Kicking the door closed, I make my way to my bed, placing Blake on top. Her leggings and sweatshirt are in place, but Ryker said her back and ass were going to be sore. Heading to the door, I start making a list of things I needed to grab, only to stop when I open the door. Bending down I grab the basket and close the door behind me. Emptying the basket, my eyes scan the belongings Ryker got. Ibuprofen, a bottle of water, some ointment, and a damn cinnamon roll.

Blake begins to stir pulling my attention back to her. Reaching to the bedside table, I flick the lamp on before I twist the cap off, emptying two ibuprofen into my hand.

“Hey, Sunshine,” I whisper. Blake’s eyes snap open, glancing around before finally settling on me. “Here, take these,” I say, handing her the ibuprofen. Blake peers up at my hand, shaking her head. “It’s just ibuprofen, it’ll help.”

Blake briefly looks at me before slowly taking the pills. Sitting up, she frowns but doesn’t make a peep at her discomfort. Taking the water from my hand, she downs half the bottle.

“Good girl,” I mumble. Her eyes snap to mine, pupils dilated, and her tongue darts out. “Please don’t give me that look. From what Ryker said, you need to rest,” I beg.

Blake rolls her eyes, trying to get up, only to drop back down on the bed.

“What hurts?” I ask, glancing over the supplies Ryker put inside the basket. I hate not knowing what to say to Blake. I feel like I’m walking on eggshells, unsure what is going to make her snap. She’s mad at me for letting Ryker choke her, but she’s not mad at him for doing it.

Blake gives me thatare you fucking stupidlook.

“Can I take a look?” I ask, hating the timidness in my voice. Much to my surprise she nods her head, rolling onto her stomach.

Before I can overthink it, I step forward, grabbing the bottom of her sweatshirt, pulling it up until I can see the clear red and angry belt marks. Some are raised while others look as if he didn’t want to hit her as hard. In an odd way, this is him showing he cares. I’ve seen some women after he’s done with them, and these are hesitant.

“I have some ointment that should help with them,” I mutter, reaching over. Blake moves around, pulling my attention to her. It takes me a second to realize she’s trying to pull her pants down. “Are there…” I don’t finish as she nods her head.

Letting out a sigh, I grab the waistband of her leggings, pulling them down. Blake buries her face into the pillow, unsure if she’s embarrassed or because it’s painful. In the dim light, red welts litter her lower back and each cheek where the leggings were hiding them.

“I’m sorry,” I find myself mumbling as if I were the one to do this to her. “Are you…I’m going to put some of this ointment on the welts, I suggest not wearing any pants, but uh, maybe just your underwear?”

Blake nods her head. I’m not sure if she’s even thinking or listening to me. I’m not even sure why Ryker thought I would be better at aftercare than he is. He’s had more practice growing up than I ever did.

Shaking my head, I tend to her wounds, before pulling her underwear back up. Blake crawls up the bed to her side, pulling the covers up to her chin. Sighing in relief, I clean the bed off, switch the lamp off, and I crawl in beside her.

“Are you okay?” I whisper into the dark. Blake shrugs, wincing a little as her shoulders pull at her back.

“Can you tell me why you went in there?”

Once again she shrugs.

“In his own fucked up ways, he cares. He’s just not the best at showing it.” I find myself wanting to defend Ryker. “You know I care, right?” I whisper so low I’m afraid she won’t hear me. It’s not until she signs, promise, and then holds her pinkie out. Smiling into the dark, I sign promise back, hooking our fingers together.

“Promise,” Imumble.

Her eyes begin to drift closed, and I finally start to relax. Even if she’s mad at me, she’s in my bed, and I find that even if Ryker and her have a physical relationship, she still has me. She trusts me, and that’s not something I take lightly.

My eyes snap back open when I feel her tapping my shoulder. “Hmm?” I hum.

She waves her finger, motioning for me to do something.

“You want me to turn around?” I ask.

Blake nods her head, closing her eyes again. Smiling, I pull the covers down, slipping underneath them. Facing away, it takes Blake a minute before I feel her pressing her front against my back. Her arms slip around my waist, her hand pressed against my chest. Sliding my hand over hers, she buries her face in my back.

Neither of them might want to admit it, but in their own way, they’re more alike. While Ryker took his trauma and past, turning him into a masked killer, Blake hates herself, and buries her rage until a single moment makes her snap.

It was only a matter of time until Blake finally broke through, and I wasn’t sure if any of us would be prepared for that.

---