Walls

I woke up with a pounding headache and my body felt like it was on fire, I knew this feeling all too well. I moved Alex’s arm off of my torso and walked into the bathroom; looking at myself in the mirror made me was to puke. I looked like I had gotten mugged or something, I walked back into the bedroom to make sure Alex would be asleep for a little longer. When he looked good I walked out of the apartment and down to mine, when I opened the door Baltimore was waiting for me.
“I’m sorry Baltimore. I had an awful night. Let me go get dressed then I’ll take you to Alex’s and feed you.” I said
He wagged his tail and followed me into the bedroom, I pulled off Alex’s hoodie and pulled on a tank top then put the hoodie back on. I walked into the bathroom and did my makeup hiding every bruise on my face.
“Do I look better Baltimore?” I asked slipping my glasses onto my face.
He whimpered at me and I lifted him into my arms, I carried him out of my room and out the apartment door locking it behind me. I walked to Alex’s apartment and set him in the doorway, I closed the door behind me and walked behind the dog to the kitchen where I set food down for him.
“Ry is that you?” Alex’s sleepy voice came from the hall
“Yeah.” I said
He walked out into the living room just in a pair of basketball shorts, I walked up to him and he kissed me.
“Morning cutie.” He said looking over my face
“I covered them with makeup.” I said
“I see, you didn’t have to though.” He said
“Well I figured people would be around, I don’t want to answer questions.” I said
“I understand, they guys are still going to ask questions. But that’s because they care about you.” He said
I nodded and ran my fingers through his chest hair, I started laughing
“What’s so funny?” He asked
“Your chest hair.” I laughed
“What about it?” He asked
“It’s shaped like a tree.” I laughed
“That hurts my self-esteem.” He said holding his chest
“I’m so sorry Lex.” I said cutting my laughing
“I’m kidding, I know it’s shaped like a tree. But that’s cool right?” He asked
“Looks good on you.” I said standing on my toes to kiss him.
I heard the door open and Jack’s laugh as he walked in.
“Get a room.” He laughed shutting the door
“Technically we’re in a room, you just happened to walk in.” I said
“Technically whatever.” He said
I smiled
“How are you feeling?” He asked examining my face
“Nothing I can’t handle.” I said
“I hate to tell you this but you were petrified.” He said
“Wouldn’t you be?” I asked
He nodded
“How’s Zach?” I asked
“That guys didn’t get a hit on Zach. Rian got hit but he’s okay. I don’t know about the other Jack though.” He said
“He got hit?” I asked
“He was pretty bloody when we finally left.” He said
“I’m going to call Kenz.” I said
I walked into the bedroom and picked up my phone dialing her number
“What’s up?” She asked
“Is Jack okay?” I asked
“Yeah, when we left he was a little bloody but it was just his nose. He’s got bit of a swelled lip but nothing we can’t handle. How are you?” She asked
“Good, I think I might have a broken rib or something.” I said
“Get it checked out, you know how your ribs are.” She chuckled
“I think that’s one thing I didn’t tell Lex.” I said
“About your ribs?” She asked
“Yeah. I told him everything else.” I said
“Even Hope?” She asked
“Even her, he pulled me into his arms and told me his story.” I said
“So cute.” She said
I smiled even though she couldn’t see.
“So speaking of broken ribs, you might want to check on Mr. Barakat.” She said
“Did he get hit?” I asked
“Elliot pinned him to the wall, those kicks were powerful.” She said
“I’m going to go check on him.” I said
“Okay bye.” I said
I hung up and walked into the living room where Alex and Jack were now sitting on the couch.
“Jack get up.” I said
He looked up at me.
“I said get up Barakat.” I said
He stood up
“Remove your shirt.” I said
“Did Mackenzie tell you?” He asked
“Tell her what?” Alex asked
Jack pulled his shirt off and his ribs were completely bruised
“Jesus Bassam.” Alex said
I walked over to Jack and examined his ribs
“Some of these are broken.” I said
“How can you tell?” Alex asked poking Jack’s ribs
“OUCH!” Jack screamed
“The darker areas that are raised are most likely broken.” I said
“Seen it before?” Jack asked
“I’m missing three ribs.” I said
“What?” Alex asked
I pulled up my shirts and looked up.
“Feel right here.” I said taking Alex’s hand and pushing down where I’m missing my ribs
“What happened?” Jack asked
“I didn’t have dinner on the table in time, he used a baseball bat. They were so shattered they had to remove them.” I said
“Was that guy your ex?” Jack asked
I nodded and pulled my shirt down, jack pulled me into a hug.
“He’s not going to be able to hurt you anymore.” He whispered
I nodded and he held me tightly.
“Do you guys want breakfast?” I asked
“I’ll cook.” Alex said
“Let me.” I said
“No.” He laughed
Jack pulled me down to the couch and hit play on the DVD player, the movie pick was Home Alone
“Again?” I asked
“It’s classic.” He said
“It’s not even Christmas time.” I said
“Soon.” He said
I laughed because it was five months away
“It’s August.” I said
He nodded and Alex cooked while I watched the movie with Jack, as we were eating my phone rang in the bedroom. I got up and answered it
“Hello?” I asked
“I’m on my way to come get you.” Mackenzie’s voice said
“Why?” I asked
“We’re going to pick up my wedding dress.” She said
“Okay, I’m wearing sweats.” I said
“Me too!” She squealed
I laughed and hung up
“What did Kenz want?” Alex asked
“She’s coming to get me.” I said
“What for?” Jack asked
“Picking up her dress from the final alterations.” I said
“I forgot the wedding is in like three weeks.” Jack said
I nodded and there was a loud knock on the door, I walked over and opened it. Mackenzie was standing there in her Jack’s sweats and sweat shirt.
“I’m stealing her for a bit!” She yelled
“Alright!” Alex yelled
“Bye baby!” I yelled
“Bye!” He yelled
Mackenzie took my hand and dragged me to her car, we walked into the dress alteration place and one of the workers instantly recognized us
“Dresses?” She asked
We nodded, she took Mack away and I waited, when she came out in her dress she looked amazing.
“Want help with yours?” The worker asked
I shook my head and she handed me my maid of honor dress, I went into the dressing room and put it on, it fit like a glove. I walked out and posed
“It looks so good.” Mack said
I smiled
“How do Jack’s sisters look in their bridesmaid dresses?” I asked
“Good.” She said
Jack had four sisters who were the bridesmaids but I was the maid of honor.
We took the dresses back to my apartment and hung them in my closet, I looked over at Mack and wondered if she told anyone but Jack and I about her secret.
“Have you told anyone else?” I asked
“My mom, Jack’s parents, your dad.” She said
“Good reactions?” I asked
“Wonderful. My mom was so excited.” She said
“I’m excited to be a god mom.” I said
“This baby is going to love you.” She said
“Can I tell Lex?” I asked
She nodded and we left my apartment and I went to Alex’s
“Guess what.” I said walking through the front door.
He was nowhere to be seen, I walked through the house and heard the bed creak. I walked in and he was laying down with Baltimore, I had to take a picture so I pulled out my phone and slyly took one
“Guess what.” I said again
“What?” He asked
“Kenz is pregnant.” I said
“Really? Is that why she’s so moody?” He laughed
“That’s just her.” I said
“How far along is she?” He asked
“Almost four.” I said
“When did you find out?” He asked
“Before her soon to be husband.” I smiled crawling into bed with him
“Did you hear what I said last night?” He asked his voice laced with worry
I nodded laying my head on his bare chest
“I’m sorry if it freaked you out.” He said
“It didn’t.” I smiled
“Are you sure?” He asked
“Yes?” I questioned
“I just tend to freak girls out. I don’t know what it is about me.” He said
“Well.” I said
“What?” He asked
“You don’t freak me out.” I said
“Good, I like you too much to want to freak you out.” He chucked
I smiled and kissed his chest.
“Did I?” I asked
“Did you what?” He asked
“Freak you out.” I said
“What would have done that?” He asked
“Abusive ex, miscarriage, missing ribs.” I said
“Not at all. You can’t help the ex, I’m pretty sure I’d still like you if you had a baby; I love kids. And your ribs just mean I have to be careful with you.” He said
I could tell he was smiling
“Okay, good.” I said
“I already said it. I like you too much, you won’t be able to freak me out.” He said
I smiled and we fell into a nice nap.

Notes

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