Don’t Cry Baby novel Chapter 17

Ty left early this morning for work, I wasn't even awake yet. I rolled out of bed about an hour after he'd already gone and walked into our bathroom. I step into the stand up shower and wash away the sleep sweat.

As I rinse the soap from my hair and lean my head back letting the water fall down my back, relaxing me and warming up my aching muscles. I finish up my warm shower and reluctantly climb out letting the cold air envelope me as I step out. I almost slip on the water dripping from my hair as I notice I am not alone in this room. A man stands in the doorway, a man who is not Tyler.

"Hey Ashley, fancy seeing you here." I stare at him , unable to take my eyes away from his dark complexion and caramel eyes I still dream about. I quickly wipe away a tear hoping he hadn't notice as I feel like my heart fell into my stomach. I fight the urge to run over and hug him, seeing him here and alive makes my knees weak. I try to compose myself, I know Tyler would be angry if he was here. He might hurt him, I can't have that.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, how did you get in my house?"

"Funny how you didn't ask me who I am though." My throat tightens and I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek trying not to break down in front of him. He comes closer to me and I attempt to back away but, my back hits the cold glass of my shower. Damien reaches for me, i flinch away from his touch and ignore the pained look in his eyes. I don't bother to look at him as I speak.

"How did you find me?"

"I called the emergency hotline you work for, that was a dead end. They wouldn't even give me your information for obvious reasons. After that I looked you up, it was pretty silly of you to put yourself on social media under your new name. I tracked you down using pictures you put up." I resist the urge to bring my hand to my face as I realize he is so right, I never should have opened that stupid account on facebook but, it was the only way I could still see my family without leaving Ty.

I push past Damien and walk back into my bedroom. I hear him follow me but, I quickly grab my phone from the bedside table before he sees and bring it over to my dresser. I place the phone inside the dresser so that it looks like I am looking for clothes while I press Ty's number and call. I hear him pick up and I leave the drawer open. I hear Ty say hello, without picking up the phone I speak to Damien to let Ty know that he is here.

"Damien you need to leave, I can't go with you. I love him, we're happy" I feel a warm tear fall from my eyes, if only he knew I was trying to protect him, if only he knew why I had to leave. Why I left him there to die.

"Ashley, I know you could be happier with me. Come home, come back to me." Damien reaches for my arm once more, I clutch desperately to the towel wrapped around me. I close my eyes, I wish I could say everything I want to say but I can't. I wish I could tell him that I love him but, I can't. I hear the phone disconnect, I know Tyler will be on his way now. Damien steps closer to me and I feel him against my back, he traps me against the dresser and his body. I want to lean against him and feel the comfort he has always given me. I bite my cheek again, tasting copper.

"Damien stop, you need to go. He won't be happy knowing you're here." He makes no move to back off.

"How would he know that I'm here, just leave with me. I'll keep you safe?" I shake my head and more tears fall from my eyes. I turn and around and come face to face with those eyes, the eyes that comfort me in my dreams.

"I...I called him." I close my eyes feeling the guilt rise up like bile in my throat. I hear him sigh and he backs up away from me. The warmth that he filled me with leaving instantly. A chill rolls up my spine.

"Just come with me Ash, he'll only hurt you." I turn away from him once more and find some clothes to put on. I grab a sweater and pants.

"I need to get dressed, you need to leave." I leave the room and manage to get to the bathroom without Damien. I lock the door as I close it. I slide down the door letting my towel fall. I bring my legs up to my chest and hug them tightly to my body letting the tears fall freely. I squeeze my eyes shut wishing that he would just leave, I was keeping him safe and he is now ruining it.

I hear him knock softly on the door and say my name. I stand up without saying a word and pull on the clothes I brought in here.

"Damien, I'm not going with you." I slowly open the doors once my clothes are on and I step out of the bathroom. As I step out I hear Ty enter the house and my heart starts to pound. I knew he would be here but, I didn't think he would be here so quickly. I need to show him that I want Damien to leave, I need to keep him safe.

As he steps into our bedroom, his eyes wild and fists already clenched. I look towards him and see him soften slightly as he looks at me. I run towards him and envelop him in a hug. His hands wrap around me and fingers lace into my hair.

"This is such bullshit, he hurt you Ashley!"