The Cabin by the Lake

I felt something warm around my hand and I could hear muffled voices. My head was pounding and my left arm had pain coming in and out. I struggled to open my eyes, but the room was incredibly bright. I realized someone was holding my hand, and the voice I heard was Casey on the phone. I squeezed the hand that was in mine, “Emily?” the voice was frantic, and not the voice I was expecting. My eyes flickered open and it took a second for them to get adjusted to the light. Casey ran over to my side, “Ems? Ems are you okay? I’ll get a doctor!” She kissed the top of my head and ran off. I looked over to my right, “What are you doing here?” He did a small smile, “I should be asking you the same question.” He kept holding my hand, “Did Casey call you?” he shook his head, “I called Casey. Your records didn’t have an emergency number so they called me, the last person you texted.” He squeezed my hand, “Zac…I’m so sorry.” His eyes were soft, “Don’t be.” I tried to sit up, but he refused to let me do that until I got clearance from the doctors. “You know…this isn’t what I meant by show Ryan who your ex was…” I nodded, “I know…I was just so upset I went to different bars…next thing I know there he is.” The doctor came in with a smile, “I’m glad to see you’re awake! Can you give us a second?” Zac nodded, “Zac?” He turned to me, “Call Ryan…” He nodded and left the room.

"Hello Emily, I'm Dr. Eliza Jones." The doctor checked all the wires I was attached to and put a bright light in front of my eyes. “You have a small concussion, but nothing to serious. You have a small cut on your head, but no stiches. Your arm is going to take some time to heal, but luckily it wasn't actually broken, just a sever fracture.” I nodded, “Do you know what happened to him?” She nodded and sat where Zac was sitting. “The police took him in, but since there were no witnesses, they are letting him go. He got fined for breaking the restraining order. But be careful okay? He’s still out there.” I nodded, “Thank you.” She smiled, “You’ll be all set to leave tomorrow morning.” I smiled and she walked out. “Dude, get over here right now. She needs you.” I heard Zac almost yelling. But Sarah and Casey came in and closed the door. The sat on either side of me, both of them have been crying. “Please don’t pity me. I don’t want to think about it anymore…tell me something to get it off my mind.” Casey looked at Sarah and then to me. “Amanda asked me to marry her.” She flashed us her ring, and my eyes swelled. “Case! That’s amazing!” She leaned in to hug me.” That’s exactly the kind of thing I needed to hear. Sarah squeezed my hand. We saw Zac pacing back and forth on the phone. “He’ll come.” I nodded, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t come. He probably believes me now…he probably feels like shit for not believing me. And I probably won’t hear from him for a few days. But why was Zac the one holding my hand and not Ryan? Why wouldn’t he come? Zac knocked on the door, he looked frustrated.

“He’s coming.” He said with a forced smile. Casey and Sarah stayed for a little longer, but I told them to go. Zac refused to leave me until Ryan came. He held my hand the whole time. “Is Steph worried?” he shook his head, “No.” His eyes avoided me, “Why not?” He shrugged, “I’m helping a friend.” He still avoided looking at me. I sat up and took my hand away from him. “Are you still with her?” He looked at me with sad eyes. “No…” I took his hand, “why?” He took a deep breath, “I broke up with her…after the Halloween party…I couldn’t deal with what she did…” I stoked his hand with my thumb, “Why didn’t you tell me?” He looked into my eyes with sad, lonely eyes. “Because our conversation after the party…it would have impacted future relationships.” My mouth opened to say something else, to ask what we talked about. But there was a small knock on the door. A red eyed Ryan opened it with a bouquet of flowers. Zac stood up, “I’m gunna go…let me know when you’re home okay?” I nodded and he passed Ryan without saying a word. Ryan just looked at me, his eye searching for the words to say. “You should see the other guy.” I said with a laugh, trying to break the tension. He sat next to me, “Em…”I shook my head and grabbed his hand. “I’m fine Ryan.” He kissed my hand a million time, and looked up at me with tears. “I…I’m so sorry…I should have believed you.” I shook my head, “come here.” He climbed into bed with me and rested his head on my chest. “Don’t be sorry…it would have happened anyways. But that’s what I have been doing with Zac and the boxing gym…I’ve been learning how to defend myself against him…” He sat up and looked at me, “I should have been there…I should have believed you…” I shook my head, “Ry, stop it. This is no one’s fault. I should have told you sooner but I couldn’t…I was scared. But it’s in the past. It doesn’t affect me today.” He kissed me and looked into my eyes, “I promise Emily. From this day forward I will protect you. I will always be there for you.” I smiled, “I know Ry.”

Notes

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