Page 27 of Forgive Me Father: For I Have Sinned

“Sadly, no. But he’s gonna have one hell of a headache when he wakes up. He’s down the hall, handcuffed to his bed with police guarding him. Baby,” he paused looking for a safe spot on the bed to sit where he wouldn’t hurt me. “Have you ever been in love before?”

“I thought I had once, turns out I was more in love with the fact that for the first time in my life someone was being nice to me.”But I’m falling in love with you,damn near came rushing out.

“Oh Jamie,” he said, brushing the hair hanging in my face aside. “You deserve so much more than you’ll ever know.” He leaned over to kiss me just as the door burst open and Olivia came barreling through it.

“Oh my God, Jamie!” She took one look at me and started crying. “What the hell?” she asked, splaying her little body across me.

“Ouch Liv,” I protested, but she’d accidentally punched my broken ribs.

“I’m so sorry,” she was crying so hard now we could barely make out the words she was saying. Butch wrapped his arms around her and held her against him. In part I believe it was so she wouldn’t hurt me again. “Will someone please explain to me what the hell happened?”

Butch told her everything, including what I shared with him about the first attackpurposely omitting the sexual assault portion, which I was thankful for. I’d only shared that with him out of necessity, so he had a better understanding as to why I wanted, well, really needed to not jump immediately into bed with each other. Especially considering the last time for me was the night of that very attack.

Detective Richardson and his new partner came in and took my statement and asked if I’d be pressing charges. They reiterated the importance of doing so but said they cannot tell me whether or not to, ultimately it was my decision.

“Jamie,” Butch said, once again taking my hand in his, “we need to put this bastard away, you’re the only survivor who can testify, and I’ll be right there beside you all the way.”

“Me too,” Liv chimed in.

“I’d just like to stay out of the hospital.” I tried to make light of the current situation, but Butch’s face told me he wasn’t having any of it. “Facing him terrifies me, but I have to do what’s right. Yes,” I told them. “I’ll press charges.”

Butch went out in the hall with both detectives, sending Marcus and Daniel in the room next. Nurse Joan told them no more than four in my room at a time. They both came over, hugging me as gently as they could as well as embracing Olivia.

“Butch and Detective Richardson filled us in on everything. I didn’t realize this stemmed all the way back to the first day we met,” Daniel said, a sad look crossed his face. I was sure he was recollecting the very encounter.

“Times are changing, and I think it’s time we looked into hiring a bouncer, especially given the increase in business we’ve had,” Marcus informed the group as Butch came back in the room.

“I’d like to submit my resume for that position,” he announced, all heads turned his way.

“What?” we said in unison.

“You’re way overqualified for the job,” Marcus protested, but even I knew that was a half-assed argument to make.

“You’re right, but the person who’s most important to me not only works there but lives above the place. Had I not been out of town…” he trailed off.

“Butch, you had a job to do, and it’s not your job to protect me,” I added, even though I was still stuck on his previous comment.I was important to him?

“My minds made up. I’d rather be throwing spoiled brats out of bars than protecting their worthless asses.” He turned to Marcus. “If you’re serious about hiring a bouncer then I’m serious about applying.”

“We haven’t even talked salary?” Marcus said.

“We’ll make it work.” Seemed Butch wasn’t budging, and I couldn’t deny how much better I’d feel having him around full time.

“Well, Daniel, what do you say?” Marcus asked him.

“I say hell yeah, it’ll be a breath of fresh air after tonight’s incident to have Butch there. Did you see what he did to that guy? His own mother wouldn’t recognize him now,” Daniel was serious, but his statement made everyone laugh.

“Don’t make me laugh, it hurts too much,” I protested rather weakly.

“Shit, sorry,” Daniel said. “Come on Marcus, let’s get out of here. Besides,” he smiled fondly at Butch, “he’s in good hands.”

“As long as that asshole is in this hospital, I’m not leaving Jamie’s side,” he informed them, striking his protective stance. I was too tired to protest and barely stayed awake through their goodbyes. When all were gone, Butch turned off one of the lights and curled up beside me in the bed. This was probably one of the few times in my life I was happy I wasn’t bigger than I was because I really needed this man next to me.

“Jamie?” Butch said. I turned my head slightly to look at him. Not an easy feat given the pain I was in.

“Yeah?” I said, pushing the call button for the nurse to come in.

“I love you.”

“Impossible,” I told him as she walked in. “Can I get a little more medicine please?” I asked her as she made an adjustment to my IV. Almost instantly, I felt warm and cozy.

“How can you not believe me?” he asked but sounded sad which made my heart hurt.

“Because I’m unlovable,” I slurred.

“No, you’re not,” was the last thing I heard as I drifted off.

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