Guts
Chapter Twenty-Two: What Hurts The Most
Over the next week & a half, Jack & I were getting along a lot better.
"Here, babe. Try this," he said, handing me a piece of fruit. I turned it over in my fingers, inspecting it.
"What is it?" I asked, looking at him. I waited for him to finish chewing.
"How do you not know? Anyway, it's a mango," he told me as he popped another piece of the fruit into his mouth. I brought it up to my lips hesitantly, & I ate it. I had to admit, it was very good.
"That is so good," I said, & Jack nodded.
"It's good to be home," Jack said.
"It really is," I agreed, "when are you guys gonna start working on a new album?"
"Probably pretty soon. Alex has a few songs written already," Jack said. He turned & picked up a few pieces of paper that were on the desk. He handed them to me, & I read the title of the first one.
"Therapy. Is this…?" Jack nodded before I could finish my question. He'd written another song involving Tom… I read through the lyrics, amazed with them. Alex could write, that's for sure. I read the lyrics for the other two songs; Stella, & Sick Little Games. Again; incredible.
"I have faith in this album," I said, handing the songs back to Jack.
"I do too, but those songs still need to be revised," Jack replied, "c'mon. Let's go sit in the hot tub." I smiled & followed him upstairs. We both changed into our swim suits. Mine was just a simple black two-piece that tied round the neck & back. I met Jack out back since I had taken longer.
"Damn, babe. You should wear that more often," Jack said as he handed me a towel. I set it down on a chair & looked at him.
"& you should be shirtless more often," I said with a smirk, & I tried to walk past him & to the hot tub. Jack, however, slapped my ass playfully & picked me up bridal style.
"Jacky! Put me down!" I said, laughing. Instead of heading to the hot tub, he changed direction & went in the direction of the pool instead. I clung onto his shoulders tightly.
"Jack!" I squealed as he went to throw me in, but I kept my hold on him & brought him with me. We surfaced, & immediately we were laughing. Jack pulled me into him, & he wrapped his arms around my waist. Mine went around his neck, & I looked at him as our laughter died.
"You're amazing, you know that?" he asked. I smiled & gently pressed my lips to his. I pulled away & rested my forehead upon his.
"We should have a pool party," I said, pulling my forehead off of his. Jack pondered my suggestion for a minute.
"That's not a bad idea. Who would we invite?" He asked.
"Pierce The Veil, Black Veil Brides, Of Mice & Men, Alex, Zack, Rian," I said, making Jack smile.
"Sounds like a party then. You wanna call them up? Jack asked.
"I'll call Alex, Rian, & Zack. You can call the others," I said.
"None of them are probably even in Baltimore, babe," Jack said with a smirk. I shrugged.
"We can still invite Alex, Rian, who will probably bring Cass, Zack, oh! & Stephanie! I haven't talked to her in a while," I said.
About an hour later, after we had called them, Zack, Alex, and Rian showed up with Cass, & Steph showed up a few minutes after them.
"It looks like you two already started without us," Alex said as we made our way outside.
"Yeah. Jack threw me in… actually, tried to, but I took him with me," I said, making Jack blush a little.
"I would gladly try again," Jack said.
"No!" I said, & I went to run for a chair, but he grabbed me around the waist.
"Zack! Help!" I shrieked as Jack inched closer to the pool for the second time.
"There's no way you're taking me with you this time," Jack said, stopping at the edge of the pool. I was quick on my feet, & I pushed my lips onto his right as he pushed me, wrapping my arms around his neck & successfully bringing him with me again.
After surfacing, the five others were roaring with laughter. Jack playfully glared at me, & I sent him a wink.
"Sorry Jacky," I said, giving him a sloppy kiss on the cheek. The others then jumped into the pool, making it so Jack & I weren't alone. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alex & Stephanie laughing with each other, & it made me smile. They were so cute & they weren't even dating. Alex then grabbed her waist and pulled her close to him, pressing his lips against hers.
"Jack! Look!" I said quietly to him, & he looked to where I was pointing. He wolf-whistled, causing them to break apart & look over. They both had crimson cheeks, & Stephanie had her head against his chest.
"So it's official, then!?" I called over to them, & Alex nodded. I let out a squeal, & Jack laughed at me.
"Shut up, you dickface. They're fucking adorable," I said.
"But not as adorable as you," Jack said, & he kissed me forcefully. He backed me up until I hit the side of the pool. He lifted me up, & I wrapped my legs around his torso as he set me on the pool's edge. Jack pulled his lips off of mine.
"When everyone's gone do you wanna make some cupcakes?" Jack asked, chuckling a little at his random question. That word terrified me. Cupcake. To me, it was not a pleasant word. Visions of what Brandon did to me flashed before my eyes.
[AN: This next part involves harsh language, rape, and domestic violence. Therefore, it is a trigger warning. Please do not read it if you trigger easily, & by all means skip ahead.]
"I'm gonna make you feel good, Cupcake. So good," Brandon growled in my ear. My hands were pinned above my head, his nails digging into my arms.
"Let go of me!" I cried, desperately trying to escape his grip.
"You know, Cupcake, if you want to get this over with without any bruises, I suggest you shut the fuck up before I make you," he demanded, making me whimper.
"Get off of me you sick fuck!" I yelled, bringing my knee up & kneeing him in his exposed groin.
"You're gonna pay for that, you little fucking whore!" He bellowed, & he brought his left hand up, slapping me across the right side of my face. I screamed, though it quickly turned into a sob.
"Fucking shut up or you'll get us caught, you fucking bitch," he snapped, slapping me again. I whimpered in pain, & heard Brandon growl from above me. Next thing I knew, there was some sort of gag in my mouth.
He then had his way with me, not bothering to use any sort of protection whatsoever. When he was done, he slapped me across the face thrice more.
"You're such a fucking slut. I hope you fucking rot in hell," he said, & he spat on me before harshly removing the gag & pulling me up.
"Get dressed, you filthy cunt," he snapped, & he left the room with another final slap to my face.
~~~
"Becca!? Becca, can you hear me!?" Jack was yelling my name, his hands on my shoulders. I opened my eyes, tears spilling from them. Everyone was crowded around us, my legs still wrapped around Jack's torso; tightly at that.
"G-Get away f-from me," I sobbed, & I stood up, rushing inside. Once I reached the living room, I fell to my knees on the soft carpet. I placed my head in my hands & sobbed as footsteps rushed inside & through the kitchen & to me.
Jack tried to pull me up, but I refused, so he pushed me back until I hit the couch. He straddled my hips & bent down so his forehead was on mine.
"Tell me what you saw, Rebecca. Tell me!" He said sternly, taking hold of my shoulders. All that came out of my mouth was sobs as I failed to form words. I could hear Cassadee's and Stephanie's sniffles from my left as I kept my eyes shut. Jack slowly rubbed his hands up & down my upper arms as I continued to sob.
"C'mon, baby girl. You can tell me," he said softly.
"I…I saw Brandon," I sobbed, making Jack shush me.
"You had a vision about Brandon?" Jack asked softly, & I nodded, my eyes still shut tight. Jack pressed soft, gentle kisses on my face, anywhere he could easily access. He then slowly got off of me, & he pulled me into his arms. I relaxed against him, feeling so very safe.
~
The next day, I woke up wrapped tightly in Jack's embrace. I had fallen asleep crying, not able to get what I saw out of my head.
"It's about time you woke up, & good timing too. Do you want to go to Guitar Center with me?" Jack asked, making me jump what seemed a million miles up into the air, but was probably only half an inch.
"S-Sure… just let me get ready," I said quietly, & Jack released me with a soft kiss to my lips.
When I was finally ready, Jack and I both got in his car since I was in no shape to drive. The drive was about thirty minutes, but I didn't care.
We entered the building, our hands clasped together. Jack led me over to the electric guitars, & we looked at them together.
"Look at this one, Becca," Jack said, pointing to a black Mockingbird.
"Oh that's beautiful," I said, & Jack nodded in agreement.
"Isn't she gorgeous? I'm gonna go see if they have anymore in stock," Jack said.
"Alright. I'll wait here," I said. Jack nodded & kissed me before walking off. A few minutes later, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around & met a pair of blue eyes staring at me.
"Anything I can help you with Rebecca?" Brandon asked, & I backed up a step or two.
"Leave me alone, Brandon," I said, my voice shaking. He only laughed.
"You know, I've been eyeing you since you came in with your 'bf,'" he said, "and I can't help but think how pathetic you are." Now I was utterly terrified.
"J-"
"Shut the fuck up, you whore," Brandon said, covering my mouth with his hand. I whimpered as tears filled my eyes. Where was Jack? What was taking him so long? Brandon then grabbed my arm, digging his nails into my skin.
"Now listen here, bitch. I-"
"No, you listen here. Get your filthy hands off of her!" I'd never been so relieved to hear Jack's voice before. Brandon's gaze left mine, moving over to Jack's.
"Are you fucking deaf!? Get your hands off my girlfriend!" Jack said, & Brandon's hands were wrenched off of my face & my arm.
"Your girlfriend, huh? Look buddy, I could bench you, & that's saying something. I'm sure Rebecca here prefers a guy with some muscle," Brandon said.
"Who gives a fuck!? Not me, not her, not anyone in this god damn store except you. Now, you leave Rebecca alone or I swear to God I will call the cops and she'll tell them everything that you've done to her. You got me, Brandon?" Jack snarled.
"You told him? You fucking bitch!" Brandon said. Jack shoved him out of his way, gently pulled me with him, & we left.
Why me?
"Here, babe. Try this," he said, handing me a piece of fruit. I turned it over in my fingers, inspecting it.
"What is it?" I asked, looking at him. I waited for him to finish chewing.
"How do you not know? Anyway, it's a mango," he told me as he popped another piece of the fruit into his mouth. I brought it up to my lips hesitantly, & I ate it. I had to admit, it was very good.
"That is so good," I said, & Jack nodded.
"It's good to be home," Jack said.
"It really is," I agreed, "when are you guys gonna start working on a new album?"
"Probably pretty soon. Alex has a few songs written already," Jack said. He turned & picked up a few pieces of paper that were on the desk. He handed them to me, & I read the title of the first one.
"Therapy. Is this…?" Jack nodded before I could finish my question. He'd written another song involving Tom… I read through the lyrics, amazed with them. Alex could write, that's for sure. I read the lyrics for the other two songs; Stella, & Sick Little Games. Again; incredible.
"I have faith in this album," I said, handing the songs back to Jack.
"I do too, but those songs still need to be revised," Jack replied, "c'mon. Let's go sit in the hot tub." I smiled & followed him upstairs. We both changed into our swim suits. Mine was just a simple black two-piece that tied round the neck & back. I met Jack out back since I had taken longer.
"Damn, babe. You should wear that more often," Jack said as he handed me a towel. I set it down on a chair & looked at him.
"& you should be shirtless more often," I said with a smirk, & I tried to walk past him & to the hot tub. Jack, however, slapped my ass playfully & picked me up bridal style.
"Jacky! Put me down!" I said, laughing. Instead of heading to the hot tub, he changed direction & went in the direction of the pool instead. I clung onto his shoulders tightly.
"Jack!" I squealed as he went to throw me in, but I kept my hold on him & brought him with me. We surfaced, & immediately we were laughing. Jack pulled me into him, & he wrapped his arms around my waist. Mine went around his neck, & I looked at him as our laughter died.
"You're amazing, you know that?" he asked. I smiled & gently pressed my lips to his. I pulled away & rested my forehead upon his.
"We should have a pool party," I said, pulling my forehead off of his. Jack pondered my suggestion for a minute.
"That's not a bad idea. Who would we invite?" He asked.
"Pierce The Veil, Black Veil Brides, Of Mice & Men, Alex, Zack, Rian," I said, making Jack smile.
"Sounds like a party then. You wanna call them up? Jack asked.
"I'll call Alex, Rian, & Zack. You can call the others," I said.
"None of them are probably even in Baltimore, babe," Jack said with a smirk. I shrugged.
"We can still invite Alex, Rian, who will probably bring Cass, Zack, oh! & Stephanie! I haven't talked to her in a while," I said.
About an hour later, after we had called them, Zack, Alex, and Rian showed up with Cass, & Steph showed up a few minutes after them.
"It looks like you two already started without us," Alex said as we made our way outside.
"Yeah. Jack threw me in… actually, tried to, but I took him with me," I said, making Jack blush a little.
"I would gladly try again," Jack said.
"No!" I said, & I went to run for a chair, but he grabbed me around the waist.
"Zack! Help!" I shrieked as Jack inched closer to the pool for the second time.
"There's no way you're taking me with you this time," Jack said, stopping at the edge of the pool. I was quick on my feet, & I pushed my lips onto his right as he pushed me, wrapping my arms around his neck & successfully bringing him with me again.
After surfacing, the five others were roaring with laughter. Jack playfully glared at me, & I sent him a wink.
"Sorry Jacky," I said, giving him a sloppy kiss on the cheek. The others then jumped into the pool, making it so Jack & I weren't alone. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alex & Stephanie laughing with each other, & it made me smile. They were so cute & they weren't even dating. Alex then grabbed her waist and pulled her close to him, pressing his lips against hers.
"Jack! Look!" I said quietly to him, & he looked to where I was pointing. He wolf-whistled, causing them to break apart & look over. They both had crimson cheeks, & Stephanie had her head against his chest.
"So it's official, then!?" I called over to them, & Alex nodded. I let out a squeal, & Jack laughed at me.
"Shut up, you dickface. They're fucking adorable," I said.
"But not as adorable as you," Jack said, & he kissed me forcefully. He backed me up until I hit the side of the pool. He lifted me up, & I wrapped my legs around his torso as he set me on the pool's edge. Jack pulled his lips off of mine.
"When everyone's gone do you wanna make some cupcakes?" Jack asked, chuckling a little at his random question. That word terrified me. Cupcake. To me, it was not a pleasant word. Visions of what Brandon did to me flashed before my eyes.
[AN: This next part involves harsh language, rape, and domestic violence. Therefore, it is a trigger warning. Please do not read it if you trigger easily, & by all means skip ahead.]
"I'm gonna make you feel good, Cupcake. So good," Brandon growled in my ear. My hands were pinned above my head, his nails digging into my arms.
"Let go of me!" I cried, desperately trying to escape his grip.
"You know, Cupcake, if you want to get this over with without any bruises, I suggest you shut the fuck up before I make you," he demanded, making me whimper.
"Get off of me you sick fuck!" I yelled, bringing my knee up & kneeing him in his exposed groin.
"You're gonna pay for that, you little fucking whore!" He bellowed, & he brought his left hand up, slapping me across the right side of my face. I screamed, though it quickly turned into a sob.
"Fucking shut up or you'll get us caught, you fucking bitch," he snapped, slapping me again. I whimpered in pain, & heard Brandon growl from above me. Next thing I knew, there was some sort of gag in my mouth.
He then had his way with me, not bothering to use any sort of protection whatsoever. When he was done, he slapped me across the face thrice more.
"You're such a fucking slut. I hope you fucking rot in hell," he said, & he spat on me before harshly removing the gag & pulling me up.
"Get dressed, you filthy cunt," he snapped, & he left the room with another final slap to my face.
~~~
"Becca!? Becca, can you hear me!?" Jack was yelling my name, his hands on my shoulders. I opened my eyes, tears spilling from them. Everyone was crowded around us, my legs still wrapped around Jack's torso; tightly at that.
"G-Get away f-from me," I sobbed, & I stood up, rushing inside. Once I reached the living room, I fell to my knees on the soft carpet. I placed my head in my hands & sobbed as footsteps rushed inside & through the kitchen & to me.
Jack tried to pull me up, but I refused, so he pushed me back until I hit the couch. He straddled my hips & bent down so his forehead was on mine.
"Tell me what you saw, Rebecca. Tell me!" He said sternly, taking hold of my shoulders. All that came out of my mouth was sobs as I failed to form words. I could hear Cassadee's and Stephanie's sniffles from my left as I kept my eyes shut. Jack slowly rubbed his hands up & down my upper arms as I continued to sob.
"C'mon, baby girl. You can tell me," he said softly.
"I…I saw Brandon," I sobbed, making Jack shush me.
"You had a vision about Brandon?" Jack asked softly, & I nodded, my eyes still shut tight. Jack pressed soft, gentle kisses on my face, anywhere he could easily access. He then slowly got off of me, & he pulled me into his arms. I relaxed against him, feeling so very safe.
~
The next day, I woke up wrapped tightly in Jack's embrace. I had fallen asleep crying, not able to get what I saw out of my head.
"It's about time you woke up, & good timing too. Do you want to go to Guitar Center with me?" Jack asked, making me jump what seemed a million miles up into the air, but was probably only half an inch.
"S-Sure… just let me get ready," I said quietly, & Jack released me with a soft kiss to my lips.
When I was finally ready, Jack and I both got in his car since I was in no shape to drive. The drive was about thirty minutes, but I didn't care.
We entered the building, our hands clasped together. Jack led me over to the electric guitars, & we looked at them together.
"Look at this one, Becca," Jack said, pointing to a black Mockingbird.
"Oh that's beautiful," I said, & Jack nodded in agreement.
"Isn't she gorgeous? I'm gonna go see if they have anymore in stock," Jack said.
"Alright. I'll wait here," I said. Jack nodded & kissed me before walking off. A few minutes later, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around & met a pair of blue eyes staring at me.
"Anything I can help you with Rebecca?" Brandon asked, & I backed up a step or two.
"Leave me alone, Brandon," I said, my voice shaking. He only laughed.
"You know, I've been eyeing you since you came in with your 'bf,'" he said, "and I can't help but think how pathetic you are." Now I was utterly terrified.
"J-"
"Shut the fuck up, you whore," Brandon said, covering my mouth with his hand. I whimpered as tears filled my eyes. Where was Jack? What was taking him so long? Brandon then grabbed my arm, digging his nails into my skin.
"Now listen here, bitch. I-"
"No, you listen here. Get your filthy hands off of her!" I'd never been so relieved to hear Jack's voice before. Brandon's gaze left mine, moving over to Jack's.
"Are you fucking deaf!? Get your hands off my girlfriend!" Jack said, & Brandon's hands were wrenched off of my face & my arm.
"Your girlfriend, huh? Look buddy, I could bench you, & that's saying something. I'm sure Rebecca here prefers a guy with some muscle," Brandon said.
"Who gives a fuck!? Not me, not her, not anyone in this god damn store except you. Now, you leave Rebecca alone or I swear to God I will call the cops and she'll tell them everything that you've done to her. You got me, Brandon?" Jack snarled.
"You told him? You fucking bitch!" Brandon said. Jack shoved him out of his way, gently pulled me with him, & we left.
Why me?
Notes
Chapter Twenty-Two!
Title Cred: Rascal Flatts
I'm so fucking sorry I didn't update earlier or yesterday! I had no Wi-Fi. The struggle is real.
Leave your comments down below, and I'll read them, I promise!
If you couldn't tell, 'fuck' is my favorite word. I'm also sorry about the trigger warning in the middle. Sorry if you trigger really easy and stuff.. I don't usually write stuff quite like that, so it was kinda new to me too. Sorry again. ;-;
No shout outs. :(
@Tell My Voice What It Takes
No problum !
3/30/15