All Of Me

Chapter 45

Brooke's POV

I snuck in the house at twenty-five past five, and as quietly as possible, I shut the door and crept through the living room, and as I tip-toed past the couch, I glanced over and Saw Paige sleeping peaceably.

I relaxed a little and let out a breath as I continued on down the short hallway to my room, and closed the door behind me, falling carefully onto my bed with a sigh.

What was happening?

Tripp's POV

I walked dripping wet into the house, quickly shut the door and cringed at the loud noise, waiting to hear mom yell. When it didn't happen, I tip-toed quickly to my bedroom, and shut my door. I sat down on the edge of my bed, and buried my face in my hands.

No idea what I was getting myself in to, I just knew I loved her. Yet I found myself constantly having to remind myself that wasn't enough.

Paige's POV

His fist met my face with a crack, and I met the floor with a thud, the searing pain in my eye socket relentless as I cupped my hand around it. "That's my money you're fooling with, slut!" He yelled and I cringed, un-moving as he stomped around, rummaging through things.

"When I send you to a clients house, it's your job to do what I pay you to do, not try to talk them into letting you go! You belong to me according to this **** contract!" He threw a crumpled piece at me and I flinched. He grabbed my arm and yanked me up, and tears began to fall unbidden down my cheeks.

"What? You're crying? I should be crying! You just costed me one hundred and fifty dollars because you're a crazy *****." He yelled and I tried to pull my arm away but he pulled me to him by it. "I don't want to do this anymore, Josh." I sobbed, and he laughed. A deep, sadistic rumble that sent chills up my spine. What used to be such a sweet sound in high-school now just made me want to run.

He bent down and picked up the contract, violently shoving it down my throat until I choked. "Well that's too bad." He walked out, and slammed the door behind him.

How did I get here?

Brooke's POV

I woke up the next morning, well, 3 hours later, and Paige was already gone. I wondered all the time where she was, but she would be 18 soon, and it wasn't really any of my business. Paige didn't like people up in her business, and I respected that.

I took a shower, got ready for classes, and headed straight for the UGA campus. I made my 8:45am class with time to spare, and the day seemed to go great. Which worried me. Nothing had gone this smoothly lately.

I finished up the day in English Lit, and walked outside to see no Paige. Which was a problem, since I had no car. I stood outside in the cooler-than-usual weather, and dialed her number. "Hey, this is Paige. I'm obviously busy. Leave a name and number and I'll call ya back. Later taters!"

I pressed the red button and sighed, wondering what to do next, when I heard a throat clear behind me. I turned and saw Clint, standing in khakis and a blue button-up, jingling his car keys. "Need a ride?"

I gave him a weak smile and nodded. Once inside his newest model red Ferrari, he cleared his throat and threw it into gear, heading for my apartment. "How have you been? I miss seeing you."

First of all, this car is intimidated. Second, I prefer little blue trucks.

"I've been pretty good. Yourself?" I tried to keep the whole conversation casual to avoid an awkward rejection in such a confined area.

He went on to tell me about some major golf tournament that was coming up, and I'm pretty sure he was just about to invite me when I pulled up at my house and saw Tripp's truck in the parking space below my apartment. I gulped and squeezed my eyes shut. "Well, well, well." Clint smiled as he opened the door and stepped out of the car. I scurried out and got between eh two of them.

"There's no bodyguards here, Tripp-a-doo. Take a swing." Clint laughed and held his arms out in a welcoming gesture. Tripp was tense, his eyes were fixed on Clint, and I was between them both. Tripp stole a glance at me and I pleaded with my eyes for him not to do anything crazy. It wasn't worth going to jail over.

Tripp turned and stalked back to his truck, slamming the door. "That's what I thought." Clint called after him and laughed. "What's wrong with you?" I turned to Clint and shoved him, furious. Who did he think he was? "You don't need a coward like that. What can he really give you?" Clint scoffed.

I reached a moment where I was so angry I couldn't even speak. "Get away. Get in your car and go. You had no right. I told you I didn't want to see you anymore." I backed away, and realized my hands were shaking. He stepped closer and his face was less playful and just made me nervous. "Do you know how many girls have told me 'no' in my life, Brooke?" He chuckled. "None."

I wasn't sure what was about to happen, and I saw a little blue truck skidding back into the parking lot and shutting off before I had the chance to find out. Tripp jumped out of the truck and stalked over. "You need to leave. Now." I'd never seen Tripp so angry, I didn't want to be there at that moment.

Clint made the mistake of moving toward Tripp and taking a swing, and in one quick motion, Tripp had that same arm behind Clint's back and his cheek planted against the hood of his shiny red car. I shrieked and backed away. Clint flailed about with his other arm and with a small smile, Tripp said, "I strongly suggest you get back in your pretty little car and skedaddle back to daddy. Mmkay?" and with that, Tripp released Clint's arm and Clint snatched away, slamming into his car and speeding away.

With that, Tripp rushed to me, taking in my horrified expression. "Are you okay?" He rubbed both my arms. "Yes, I-I'm sorry. He was giving me a ride home because Paige didn't show and he was already there. I d-didn't know he-" Tripp shh'd me and pulled me in for a hug. "What are you gonna do if he calls the police?" I looked up worriedly. The thought hadn't even crossed my mind.

Tripp chuckled a little. "I made a call to Uncle Todd while I was gone. He had me covered." Tripp kissed the top of my head and offered me a ride to work.

When we pulled up at work, Tripp kissed my cheek and promised me that everything was okay. I nodded and returned his smile before walking into work fairly late. As usual, lately.

Carol gave me a cheerful smile and I placed a hand over my belly, checking on Luke. He was moving, but not as much as usual. Probably sensed something was wrong. I was sure by the time he learned to walk I would be wishing it would be this easy to check on him.

The more Luke grew, and the closer time for him to arrive approached, I understood my mother less and less. I could never throw Luke out. Ignore him. Call him names and be cruel. I hadn't even met him yet and I loved him. I think I loved him from the moment I found out he was inside me, I was just scared. The first time I saw him on that ultrasound, he was my heart and soul.

As the work night went on, Carol fixed me a cup of coffee and told me to rest. That her doctor recommended it for her daughter, Brittany, to reduce swelling. I took the coffee and didn't argue. "Speaking of Brittany, how is she? And the baby?" I sipped the coffee.

"She's great. In fact, I talked to her about you--all good things--and she wanted me to ask you if you would have a double baby shower with her." Carol beamed, and I didn't know what to say. No one had ever done something so sweet for me.

I shook my head, "I couldn't impose on her day." But Carol immediately interjected. "You don't know my Brittany, she wants to. You would hurt her feelings more by saying no. You and Brittany will get along so well. And her friends are darlings too. Come on, you'll have fun." Carol patted my shoulders. I thought for a moment and then nodded. "Okay."

Luke was going to have a baby shower.