Love Me Always (I Hate You...I Think) Page 13

  Crunch. Biting my lip blood ran down my chin. Clearly, my nose was broken; I could see it angled oddly. It wouldn't be the first time I had my bones broken from this man who calls himself my father. Staring up to the man in question, he had turned his back on me. His angry curses echoed off his office walls. Images of my running a switch blade through him filled my mind. Many times, I have wanted to hurt him. One time I tried. The scars remained, jagged angry marks running across the left side of my back.

  As the father I long wished dead paced about the room, I played the imagines of the other night over in my head. Oliver's words lingering in my mind.

  "Harper, my offer still stands. It never went away; it's always been open to you. We are still family. And, family stays together."

  My chest clinched thinking about the sincerity in his tone. He meant every word he said. He still considered me family; even after all I put him through. How could he still think I was family?

  "Just get out of my sight. I can't bare looking at you any longer," Weasley spat rounding on me.

  Stiffly I stood biting the inside of my mouth in pain. Swiftly I left the room. As I exited the house, the gang made themself scarce. They knew better to mess with me after a beating from my father. I was always out for blood afterwards.

  Speeding down to the main strip of the city, I pulled up to a luxury hotel. I had a room reserved year round for times like this when I just needed to get away.

  The staff knew better to question me as I entered the hotel, no matter what condition I was in. Stepping into the elevator, I ripped a handkerchief out of my pocket gingerly touching it to my broken nose. With a sickening pop, I put it back where it was supposed to be.

  Gripping the railing I gasp, black spots danced in my vision. Ripping out my cell, I scanned my contacts. After two rings, she answered.

  "Harper sweetie," she purred.

  "Meet me at my room."

  "Be right over," Roxanne whispered huskily. Pacing my pent house suit, I waited impatiently. Pausing to look at my reflection in the mirror, I felt like punching the pathetic idiot staring back at me. My nose was bandaged and I looked like a jackass.

  A rapid knock on the door let me know she was here. "Hey babe," she grinned when I opened the door. The dress she wore was strapless and just barely covered her bare ass. Her heels were three inches tall. Damn she looked good even for a whore.

  "Oh, what happened to your face?" she pouted. "Doesn't matter," I grunted grabbing the front of her dress pulling her inside. Ripping the fabric up I barely kicked the door shut before I lifted her slamming her to the wall.

  "Mmm," she moaned nibbling on my ear. "I love it when you're rough."

  ~Secrets~

  It was Christmas day. Everyone was sitting around the table as I was making breakfast. I had refused to allow anyone to help me. I had a lot of breakfasts and dinners to make up for.

  "Hurry up woman, I'm starving, and if I'm starving I know Logan is dying," Jake told me tugging on Taylor's hair. She had her head resting against his shoulder trying to get some more sleep, but even as exhausted as she looked she still managed to punch him in the stomach for pulling her hair.

  Jake grunted and sunk into his chair. It was five in the morning. Why we didn't decide to wake up later in day when it was a reasonable hour was beyond me. However, at four everyone in the house was woken to Angie screaming bloody murder.

  Which in turn caused Kimmy to scream from being woken up suddenly? She never was good at loud noises. I almost clawed Oliver to death having woken up thinking the screaming was me since I was having a nightmare about Jason. All in all this morning has not been the best so far.

  Oliver had told me a few days ago that I wasn't the only one that had nightmares in this house. Angie and Taylor didn't have the greatest pasts either. However, Oliver didn't know why. Jet and Jake knew but refused to tell anyone. They said it was their secrets to tell. I would have to sit down and talk to her later.

  "Ever, baby girl," Oliver said coming up behind me. I blinked a few times coming out of my daydreaming.

  "Huh?" I muttered.

  He took my hands and moved them. Looking down I realized I was letting the eggs burn. He took over finishing breakfast while I sank down next to Leon and Lauren.

  "So you still wanna hang out with us losers. Normalcy is rare in this household," I grinned at the blonde currently curled up in Leon's lap her eyes open but out of focus.

  She looked up briefly, “It's not so bad. It's kind of exciting," she spoke through a yawn, so most of her words were a bit jumbled.

  "Well okay then," I laughed looking around the table. Angie was sitting in Jet's lap her face hidden in his neck. I caught eyes with Jet as I looked over. He gave a strained smile.

  "You know you are really skinny Ever," Lauren muttered from next to me. I glanced over at her then down at myself.

  "Well, that's what happens when you got to eat hospital food for a month. That crap sucked," I shrugged.

  "You haven't really seen her eat yet," Leon chuckled.

  I scowled at him, "What's that supposed to mean?" "He means you eat like me," Logan chuckled drumming his fingers on the table impatiently.

  "I do not," I frowned.

  Everyone around the table nodded. "Not at first Hun. Like when you came out of the hospital you were going through stuff and not eating but since you moved back in I have been having to go shopping like twice a week to feed you and Logan," Kimmy smiled. Her hands rubbing her growing little belly.

  "Well, I'm hungry," I grumbled. I didn't think I've been eating that much. Have I?

  "You wiped out the chocolate cake before I got any," Logan frowned. "She took the whole thing up to our bed. Had to change the sheets. I think I adopted a five year old," Oliver smirked sitting a plate of eggs in the middle of the table as well as toast, then bacon.

  "I like chocolate. You should know that chocolate isn't going to last long around me." "Yeah but you've been eating like everything in sight," Jake laughed startling Taylor who had finally fell back asleep.

  "Stop moving," she swatted him.

  "Breakfast is done, Tater Tot," he told her shaking her shoulder.

  "Asshole," she muttered half-heartedly sitting up.

  "I'll bite you," he smirked. Taylor's cheeks darkened. "Hey, not at the table," Jet told him nudging Tyler who was sound asleep on the bench by the windows.

  Tyler shot straight up looking around. Seeing the food on the table, he took his seat and we all settled into eat. It was bit comical. Everyone was exhausted we had been at the warehouse until two-thirty playing video games and hanging out with the other gang. Some of the members even brought their kids to play.

  Angie was trying to eat a piece of bacon but was tired she couldn't find her mouth. We chuckled as Jet took it out of her hand an fed her. She grumbled at him but opened her mouth like a baby bird while he fed her. After our silent sloppy breakfast, we moved to the living room to open presents, which there were a lot.

  "Ever and Oliver first. You two have combined gifts from all of us," Kimmy told us holding out four boxes.

  The first box was a bottle of expensive wine; the second was matching bathing suits. Jake grinned at us as I held up the skimpy hot pink bikini and a matching speedo.

  "Really?" Taylor frowned at him. "I thought you were getting the other. I told you to get the other one."

  "But, this more funny," he pouted. She rolled her eyes. "Thanks," Oliver scowled at Jake holding up the speedo which was entirely too small for him.

  Rolling my eyes, I unwrapped the third gift that was a little box, pulling open the lid I froze.

  "Oh my god, guys!" "Two tickets to Hawaii for a week," Kimmy grinned. "We figured you two need some time to yourself. You can change the dates and use it for anytime."

  Setting the boxes down I hopped off Oliver's lap and gave everyone a hug. "Thank you guys so very much." "What's in the last one?" Oliver question tearing the wrapping paper off the large box. I joined him in his chai
r again as he pulled the lid off.

  Oliver made a face and looked around the room. "Really? I would expect this from Jake."

  I looked into the box to find all kinds of "interesting" items.

  "Kimmy Lee!" I scowled knowing instantly who did it. "How did you know?" Alex roared with laughter. Oliver lifted a pair of hand cuffs out of the box.

  "These might be ni-"

  I wacked him upside the head my face getting hot all the way to my ears.

  "Utter another word Oliver James Wolfe and you'll be in the floor," I warned.

  Jake laughed, "Now who wears the pants in the relationship." Kimmy was looking at me innocently as I glared at her. I should have known she'd get me something like this. POP! I gasp jumping out of the chair.

  Oliver was grinning ear to ear with a whip in his hand. My left butt cheek stung. Narrowing my eyes, I charged at him grabbing the whip. We fought over it as the whole room filled with laughter. It really got entertaining when Oliver's chair flipped over and we were trapped underneath it.

  While we were out of view of the others Oliver brushed against me.

  "Oliver James Wolfe! You keep your hands to yourself!" "Oh dear, maybe you shouldn't have got that for them Kimmy. No telling what they're about to do now," Angie snickered.

  Oh god let me die now. Oliver shoved up off the ground pushing the chair back.

  "Just wait until we get to Hawaii," he winked. A new round of laughter started and I did the only thing that seemed logical. I crawled back under the chair out of sight.

  “You people are going to be the death of me.”

  ~~~

  "Oh look," Kimmy cooed holding up a blue dress with ruffles.

  "That's cute," Lauren smiled glancing up from another rack. We had been in the mall for an hour now shopping for baby clothes. The boys had all given us their credit cards and sent us on our way. They were dealing with gang stuff.

  Oliver told me it would be best if I got them away from the warehouse. I knew about the possibility that Harper and his father were behind the gang attacks but none of the others did.

  Oliver had asked the boys to not say anything. He knew they didn't like lying to the girls but it was to keep them safe. I argued that I had kept things from him and that did no good but whatever Oliver thought best. Although I knew the girls knew something was up, they just didn't say anything.

  "Hey this goes with it!" Angie bounced up next to Kimmy with a pair of boots. I had to admit the outfit would be adorable.

  "But, what if it's a boy?" I asked looking through the racks of clothes. "I don't think it is. I just feel it's a little girl. She's a kicker though that's for sure," Kimmy smiled.

  "How many weeks is it now?" Lauren asked holding out a lavender dress to Kimmy. Taylor and Angie were over by the baby shoes and other accessories.

  "Twelve weeks, my doctor said it'll will probably be about two to three more weeks before we can find out the sex." "Why aren't you waiting until then?" I laughed.

  Looking back at her, she was glowing with happiness looking through the clothes.

  "I'm getting a head start, that and I like looking at clothes."

  "When is the wedding?" Taylor asked leaning on a clothing rack near me.

  "After the baby comes. I want to be able to fit into a wedding dress."

  "We better be your brides maids," I warned knowing we already were.

  "I have been meaning to talk to you guys about that," Kimmy said nerveously.

  "You know I love you guys all the same right?"

  "Of course. What's up?" Angie questioned. "Well, I kind of want Ever as my maid of honor. She's been my best friend since kindergarten-"

  "Hey, no need to explain we already knew she was going to be," Taylor reassured. Angie and Lauren nodded. Wiping a tear from my eye, I hugged Kimmy. She squeezed me tight.

  I cringed, “Kimmy, I have a bloody tattoo on my shoulder.” “Sorry hunny forgot Oliver made you get that last night. Did it hurt?” she asked turning me around to move my shirt and look.

  However, she couldn’t see anything I had it bandaged up with plastic of all things.

  “It feels like someone touching a lit cigarette to your back and holding there.”

  “That sounds horrible,” Lauren frowned.

  “I get mine tonight,” Angie frowned, “I’m sure it won’t hurt that bad, but everyone is different. I have a high pain tolerance.” “So do I,” I joked.

  “I’ll say,” Angie laughed, “Shot nine times and still standing.”

  Then there was suddenly a crash.

  "Sorry, sorry, sorry!" Lauren exclaimed. Turning around we seen she had knocked over a whole clothing rack and it started a chain reaction knocking over others.

  "Lauren, my lord girl!" Kimmy yelled.

  "I'm sorry!"

  "Crap run. We're so going to have to clean this up!" Angie yelled.

  The five of us took off out of the store before the workers could stop us.

  Once we were down the walkway of the mall, we stopped laughing so hard.

  "You knock over everything!" I laughed. "I have two left feet," Lauren chuckled blushing.

  "We have got to wrap you in bubble wrap," Angie shook her head.

  "Why are you so quiet today?" I asked Taylor.

  She shrugged. This made me frown.

  "Did something happen with you and Jake?" She shook her head, "Not really...I just...I just am worried about stuff. I know you know what's going on Ever," she frowned staring at me.

  I shifted uncomfortably as the four of them eyed me intensely.

  "You do know, don't you?" Kimmy spoke looking away.

  "Oliver told me not to say anything," I muttered feeling guilty.

  "Well you know you're going to spill right," Kimmy told me with a stern look.

  Sighing, I caved, "Taylor knows a small amount," I started.

  Taylor pulled her eyebrows together, "I do?"

  Sitting down in the food court all eyes were on me.

  "When I got my memory back you heard about Harper punching me in the head."

  "What?" Kimmy snarled, "Dammit Ever I told-" "I know! I know you warned me, Kimmy," I threw my hands up. “I wasn't exactly in my right mind."

  "Go on," Taylor encouraged. "Ok, Harper isn't just some douche bag. He is Harper Jackson, son of Weasley Jackson the leader of the gang in Nework. He also is the one who trained Oliver his fighting skills. He basically raised Oliver."

  "Well, that's fucking fantastic."

  "Kimmy!"

  "What? You almost got hooked up with the asswipe."

  "You have been around the boys way too much," I muttered shaking my head. I told the rest of what I knew of Harper and what was going on. Oliver suspecting the attacks are being rigged my Weasley, and about how Harper looked the night he had hit me. The pain he had when he spoke of his father.

  "I don't feel a bit sorry for the asshole," Kimmy shook her head. "Well I do. You didn't see the look. You don't know what it's like to feel that helpless," I told her quietly.

  Shaking my head, I tried not to let any tears fall.

  "I'm going to the bathroom," I told them standing up. "I'll come with you," Taylor told me standing up, "We know what happened last time you went off alone."

  Rolling my eyes, we headed off to the bathroom leaving the others to get us food.

  "Is Oliver worried? I mean do you think that this Weasley guy is going to try anything?" "I'm not sure. I mean he seems somewhat worried but he's good at hiding it. I can pick up on it though."

  Taylor nodded and we rounded the corner to the bathrooms. It happened in the blink of an eye. A fist came out of nowhere dropping Taylor to the ground. Before I could scream, a hand clamped over my mouth and jerked me backwards.

  Kicking and biting I fought against the person holding me. Taylor was unconscious on the floor there was no way to get help. The person drug me into the men’s restroom shoving me into the room I heard them lock the door. Spinning around I came face to face with Har
per.

  "Har-"

  He clamped his hand over my mouth again and gave me a look meaning keep my voice down.

  "Don't scream. I just want to talk." I glared at him trying to pull myself out of his grip. He released me and I stumbled backwards my back hitting the opposite wall I cringed as my tattoo stung slightly. He quickly looked under the stalls but no one was in here but us.

  "You just punched one of my best friends and you just want to talk. What is it with pig headed fucking boys and-" Harper advanced toward me again as my voice rose. I clamped my lips shut glaring at him. I didn't want him near me.

  "I'm sorry about that. I had to act quick to talk to you. You're never alone."

  "For reasons like this," I snarled. "I know you hate me. You should. I've been a dick. I have been following you all day trying to get you alone. This was my only option," he scowled.

  "You better hope she is ok. I cannot even begin to tell you the wrath Jake and Oliver bring upon you."

  "Just hear me out," he told me running his hands through his hair. That's when I noticed his nose. It had clearly been broken. My eyes widened when I took in the rest of him. He had been beaten, horribly. The now blackened bruises fading but still visible.

  "What happened to you?" I wondered aloud. Catching myself, I pursed my lips. Taylor was knocked out in the hallway Harper was the last person I should be worrying about.

  "It doesn't matter. Ever, you need to hear me out. Let what I'm about to tell you sink in to that thick little head of yours," he told me seriously.

  Crossing my arms defiantly, I stared him down.

  "Stay away from Oliver."

  "Really?" I scoffed sarcastically. "Look you crazy stubborn little girl," he told me raising his voice now, "If you don't things are going to be bad...again. Do you want that? I know what my father is doing. He's going to use you against, Oliver. Just like Jason did."

  "Why should I believe you?" I demanded narrowing my eyes on him. Why was he telling me? He had to have some motive.

  "Stay away from Oliver. Break all ties. If you want him to live then you must. My father wants Oliver back at his side. Oliver is the "son" Weasley has always wanted. I know Oliver. He'll turn my father down and my father will not have that. No one turns him down. He won't just go after Oliver he'll go after you. Right now, you are his main target. He knows you are Oliver's only weakness. Stay away from him. If you don't it will be the death of both of you."