Page 76 of Kiss Me Ever After
“If you knew what was good for you, yes,” he hissed. “You not being around this summer meant I could do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.”
I clenched my fists against the ball of rage that exploded in my chest. “How dare you treat my mum with such little respect!” I yelled. “She deserves so much better than you!”
Ted’s face twisted into a sneer. “What, like you? Do you deserve the little London princess you’ve been shagging these past few months? Bet she could do with a real man. Is that why she left you?”
“Don’t talk about Lennon. You know nothing about her.”
“I’ve seen her enough this summer, pretty hot, isn’t she? Maybe I’ll fantasise about her next time I’m in the shower.” He made a gesture with his hand, by his crotch.
The contempt he showed tipped me over the edge. He couldn’t say things like that about Lennon. I flew at him, fists piling into his chest. Slightly unsteady on his feet, Ted swayed backwards, and I landed a punch under his chin. He lurched towards me and retaliated with a similar blow. I tripped over the coffee table and landed heavily on the carpet.
“Not so sure of yourself now, are you?” Ted let out a harsh laugh and followed it up with a swift kick into my ribs.
I yelped as he carried on relentlessly, aiming feet and fists wherever he could get a shot in. Instinctively, I rolled into the foetal position, desperately trying to protect myself as much as I could.
“Ted, stop,” I whimpered. “Please… what will Mum think if she finds me like this?”
Mercifully, the beating ceased. Ted mumbled something under his breath before delivering one last boot to my kidneys. I heard the front door slam, then everything went black.
When I came around, darkness engulfed the flat. I blinked, trying to focus on where I was. My face hurt, my body hurt, even my hair hurt. This was worse than last time.
Much worse.
I shouldn’t have provoked him.
I was only trying to protect my mum from him.
I rolled onto my back and groaned as the pain in my ribs intensified.
While I lay there, I tried to work out whether there was anyone home. No sound came from the bedroom or kitchen. With great effort, I got to my knees and crawled across the carpet to grab my phone from the table next to the armchair.
The clock said it was quarter to nine. I’d been out for around fifteen minutes, yet it felt like so much longer. There were three messages from Alex asking where the hell I was. Unsure whether I could even walk to the pub, I messaged him with aching fingers.
Justin: Mate, can you come to mine?
Given I was over an hour late, it would serve me right if he didn’t reply straight away. I squinted and saw the three dots moving. Unless it was one of the aftereffects of the beating I’d just got.
Alex: What, now? Why can’t you come here?
Justin: Alex, please. You’ll see why I can’t come to the pub when you get here.
Alex: Do I need to bring Curtis?
Justin: Yes. And hurry.
He sent me the shrugging emoji and an assurance they’d be here soon.
Even the small amount of effort I’d exerted sending a couple of texts took it out of me. I leaned against the base of the armchair and ran my hands across my face. Blood stained my fingers, my right eye throbbed. I needed help. While I waited for Alex and Curtis, I rested my head against the seat and closed my eyes. Hammering on the door woke me abruptly. I must have drifted off again.
“I’m coming,” I yelled, sensing it would take me a little while to get along the hallway. I dragged my battered body as quickly as I could until I reached the door.
“Justin? You there?” Alex’s tone radiated concern.
“Yeah, gimme a minute.” I turned the lock and pulled open the door before I sank down to the floor again.
“Jesus Christ, what the fuck happened?” Alex dropped to his knees beside me, tilting my face up to get some light from outside the front door to examine my injuries.
“Ted and I had a fight,” I managed.
