Текст книги "Protecting Her"

Автор книги: Alexis Noelle

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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 10 страниц)

Chapter Seven

Hunter

I’m laying down, trying to push thoughts of Sam out of my head. My usual asshole defense mechanism didn’t work on her. She didn’t care that I was a dick. I can’t be anything close to what she needs, but I also don’t want to quit and leave her here defenseless against her tyrant of a mother. Why she puts up with her is beyond me. I would have kicked that bitch to the curb a long time ago.

When I heard her scream my name today my stomach dropped. When I looked over and saw whoever that person was by the car, panic set in. I ran as fast as I could, praying that she wasn’t hurt. Looking into the car and seeing her huddled on the floor, I thought I was too late. I banged on the window screaming her name, begging her to open the door. Once I had her in my arms, I realized she was in shock. When I looked back at her in my arms holding onto me for dear life, I no longer saw Sam, it was Amy I was looking at. She was begging me to help her and it killed me that I felt so powerless once again. When Sam’s mother dismissed her situation and then tried to pull that shit in the room, I almost lost it. Whether she is a celebrity or not, she is still a fucking person.

Being close to her scares me. I can’t put myself in the position to lose someone again. I can’t be left with nothing but guilt and remorse. Losing Amy destroyed me. Knowing how I’m starting to feel about Sam and the fact that she is in danger, is bringing up shit I thought I buried years ago.

A knock at the door causes me to sit up straight. “Come in.”

Sam peeks her head in. “Hey, I have to head out to my show soon. Are you ready?”

“You sure you feel up to it?” I can’t believe she just didn’t cancel it.

“Yeah, plus I made a commitment and I can’t cancel it.” That comment no doubt came from her mother.

“Okay, as long as you’re sure. I’ll take you to grab some food before we head over there.” I stand up, putting my sneakers on and grabbing my wallet.

“I, uh, I actually ate already.” Her teeth grasp her bottom lip and her demeanor changes.

“When?” I know she hasn’t left the room.

“I got some room service. Now stop worrying, let’s go.” She lets out a nervous chuckle. As I follow her to the elevator, I think back to the events of the past few days. I don’t remember seeing her eat anything. I need to ask her about this.

Once we are safely in the car, I turn to her. “Why aren’t you eating? It’s not healthy.” I’m blunt and I can tell she is taken aback by it.

“What are you talking about, Hunter? I eat.” She looks away from me, another sign that she’s lying to me. I can’t do this shit.

“No you aren’t. You might be able to fool some people, but I see right through you.”

She turns back to me, anger evident in her face. “I said I’m eating. Now drop it, and just worry about doing your damn job.” She moves away and turns her back to me.

“What the fuck ever.” If she doesn’t give a shit, then neither do I. Yes I do. More than I want to.

We get to the stadium and the parking lot is already almost half full. Sam and I walk wordlessly to her dressing room and I stand outside as she gets ready. My body is tight with tension. I can’t stop stressing out and worrying about her. This is why I don’t get involved with chicks for more than a night. Emotions are fucking worthless. All they do is fuck you up and leave you a goddamn mess.

The door opens and I turn to see her. She is basically wearing fucking lingerie. Her legs are covered in fishnets stockings, with only what looks like a pair of black leather boy shorts. The only thing covering her tits is a black bra with rhinestones all over it. She squirms under my gaze, letting me know that I still affect her.

“I don’t know how it takes you so damn long to put on fucking underwear.”

Her eyes narrow at me. “It’s called a costume, dick.”

I laugh and lean down to whisper in her ear. “It’s called underwear because you’re supposed to wear it under real fucking clothes. Who’s gonna buy the cow when you flaunt the milk for everyone to see, cupcake?”

I pull back to see hurt flash across her face. Good. I need her to fucking hate me. If she does, then at least one of us will be making the smart decision to stay away. She opens her mouth to respond, but closes it. Sam pushes past me silently and I follow her. I know I hurt her. I took it too far. On the other hand, if I let this go any farther I’ll still hurt her, but it’ll probably be worse.

She stands at her spot under the stage as the music starts to play. Her eyes meet mine and I can feel the electricity that she emits flowing through me. She takes a deep breath before the floor starts to rise and the show begins.

I watch her, mesmerized by the way she moves. I know that I’m starting to have feelings for her and I hate it. Maybe I should just quit. I’ll make sure she gets a good replacement, not one of these untrained assholes. She is so electric when she is on stage, you can tell it’s a place where she feels at home. The true Sam shines through when she is up there and it’s fucking beautiful.

I start to notice a change. A missed step here, a stumble there. The song ends and she takes a long drink of water. I try to assess her to figure out what is going on but she turns and starts to move to the next track. Maybe I’m just over analyzing shit. She had a rough day, maybe she is just not on her game.

That’s when it happens. Everything stops as I see her fall. Her body crashes to the floor with a loud bang.

The crowd quiets.

The only sound is screaming.

It’s coming from me.

Chapter Eight

Samantha

Everything hurts.  I try to open my eyes but fail. There is an incessant beeping that sounds like it’s right next to my ear. Where am I? I try to remember what happened but everything is fuzzy. A pair of hands grab mine and I feel something wet falling against my skin.

“Please wake up.” The voice sounds distant but I can hear the pain behind it. “You can’t just leave like she did. I won’t let you down. I won’t make the same mistake. Just wake up.” It’s Hunter’s voice. “I saw the signs. I should have been more forceful.” The sadness in his voice gets to me.

I want to tell him I’m fine. I want to ask him what happened but I start to slip away. His voice fades and I can’t make out what he is saying anymore. I fight to stay awake but it’s useless.

***

“I don’t give a shit what you say. I’m not leaving this damn room until she wakes up.” I hear Hunter again. Anger is prominent in his voice.

“You are in no position—“

“I am telling you now lady, you can sit in here with me and shut the fuck up or you can leave. You serve no purpose here anyway. You would probably just make shit worse as usual.” His voice raises and I can’t figure out who he is talking to.

“She is my daughter, Mr. Stone.” It’s my mother. I can’t believe he is saying those things to her. Hunter is voicing everything I have wanted to for years.

“Then maybe you should treat her like your daughter instead of like your goddamn dog. She is a person. She matters, if not to you, she does to me.” I matter to him? Since when?

I hear their voices but once again I am starting to lose myself. I try even harder to stay alert this time. To wake up and find out what the hell is going on. The darkness starts to set in and I curse my inability to pull myself out of it.

***

Everything is quiet. I can feel something heavy on my stomach. I try to open my eyes and am finally successful but I shut them immediately from the harshness of the fluorescent lights. I try once more and blink a few times, shocked at my surroundings. I’m in the hospital. I look down and see an IV in my arm. What happened to me?

That’s when I see him. Hunter. His head is resting on my stomach, his eyes are closed. He’s sleeping. I remember hearing the things he said. He had been crying, yelling at my mother. I matter to him. I need to figure out what is going on, how I got here.

His eyes open and meet mine in shock. “Sam? You’re awake?” his voice is laced with exhaustion and relief at the same time. He jumps up, pressing one of the buttons next to me on the bed. “Are you okay? How do you feel? Do you need anything?” He is firing questions at me rapidly and I don’t have any time to respond to any of them before the nurse walks in.

She smiles at me before glaring at Hunter. “Good morning, Miss Baker. How are you feeling?”

“Sore and thirsty,” I rasp out.

“I’ll go get her water,” Hunter states, before running out of the room.

“That boy has been more of a handful than half of the patients here. He refused to leave this room for anything. Are you okay with him being here?” I smile and nod my head. “We tried to tell him that he couldn’t be in here but my God, he threw a bigger tantrum then any of my children ever had.” I laugh as I think of Hunter throwing a fit when they told him that he had to leave. Hunter comes back in with a cup and hands me the ice water. “Drink that slowly, the doctor will be in soon to talk to you.” She leaves and I look over at Hunter.

The silence between us in deafening. “What happened? Why am I here?”

His hands scrub over his face before he sits down in the chair next to my bed. “What do you remember?”

“I was getting ready for the show…” I try to think of what happened next and that’s when I remember it. What he said. It was like a knife to my heart, hearing him basically call me a slut. It had already been a really crappy day to say the least, and I get enough shit from my mom, that I really didn’t need it from him. I narrow my eyes at him.

His face drops. “Yeah, about that, I’m fucking sorry Sam. I never should have—“

“Miss Baker?” I look to the door and see a man who I assume is a doctor. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay.”

He looks over at Hunter. “I have to ask your permission to discuss your medical condition in front of your guest.”

Hunter looks over at me and right now, I just want him gone. He hurt me. On the other hand, he has been here with me. The nurse said he never left. He is so hot and cold that it’s confusing me and I have no idea where his head is. I want to tell him to leave. I want to have the doctor make him leave. But I don’t. Right now I need support, I need someone to be here for me. Even though he is an asshole to me fifty percent of the time, I feel like he is the only one I have in my corner. “He can stay.” Hunter’s body seems to relax a bit.

“Okay, Miss Baker. You need to start taking better care of yourself. This includes eating at least three solid meals, or six small ones. This may be an assumption, but judging from your chart, I think you may be suffering from an eating disorder. Your body is becoming malnourished and you need to understand the severity of these kinds of diseases. Not eating will cause organ failure, or a heart attack and can lead to death. It is no joke, and I know it may be hard given your profession, but you need to make sure that you are getting the things that you need.”

I look over at Hunter, wishing I had said he couldn’t be in here. An eating disorder? I mean, yeah, I don’t eat a lot. I don’t usually have much of an appetite and when I try to eat, my mother’s words usually echo in my ears. The realization about how unhealthy I have been living sets in. I can feel his eyes on me, watching me.

“I will be sending in a nutrition counselor to speak with you today.” The doctor continues to talk but I am so lost in my own head that I’m barely paying attention. I hear a door shut and I look up to see the doctor gone and Hunter’s gaze fixed on me. I have no idea what to say to him. I want to curse him out for saying the things he said to me. I want to tell him to leave me alone and not to come back. I want him to hold me and tell me that I will be okay. I want him to be someone I can count on, I need at least one person in my life. The life I live is filled with people around me constantly but none of them are actually in my life. None of them actually give a shit.

“Sam?” I look up at him and he is sitting next to me. “Talk to me.”

“Why, so you can throw it in my face the next time you feel bipolar? So that you can pretend that you care and then act like a complete asshole later? I’m good, thanks.” I turn away from him. I want to trust him. I want to let him in. But he is a risk that I can’t take right now. And he’s proven that I can’t let my guard down.

“I’m not good for you. I know that. I am a fucking asshole, and honestly it’s hard fucking work to keep that shit up. I don’t want to hurt you. I want to help. The problem is,  I don’t know if I can help you. I can’t have the past repeat itself.” His head is aimed at the floor, his eyes unwilling to meet mine. I can hear the pain in the strain of his voice. What happened in the past? What does that have to do with me now?

I’m about to ask him all of this when the door opens once again. The last person I want to see walks in, my mother. “Samantha, has the doctor been in? Did he say what happened? When will they release you? I need to know how many things to reschedule.”

Hi Mom, I’m feeling okay. The doctor said I have an eating disorder. Love you too. I should be used to it by now but I’m not. I just want her to be my mother, to care. “I don’t know when I will be getting out.” That’s all I say to her. Tears prick my eyes as the words escape my mouth from the struggle of trying to hide my emotions.

Hunter’s hand grips mine and I look over at him. I know he hates the way she treats me and it’s like he is trying to make up for it.

“Well, I will just go to the nurse’s station and find out. This is absurd; you are perfectly healthy, everyone suffers from exhaustion.” Before I can reply, she is out the door to go pester the nurses.

“Why do you put up with her shit?”

Well, if that isn’t the million dollar question. “I don’t know. I mean, she’s my mother.”

“Exactly. You’re her daughter Sam, not just a fucking paycheck.” What he says resonates with me more then he knows. My mother and I used to have a good relationship and I miss those days. I don’t trust Hunter with my feelings though. I can’t open up to him, just to be shut down or have it used against me later.

“Who are you to talk? I’m just a paycheck to you, aren’t I? Oh no wait, I’m also the one night stand. You haven’t treated me any better than her, so how can you sit there and act all high and mighty?”

I see hurt flash in his eyes before it’s replaced with anger. “You know what? Fuck this.” He stands up and moves toward the door. “If this is what you want, then I’ll leave. Have fun with the hyena.”

It’s not what I want. I just don’t know how to accept someone actually being here, I’m so used to being alone.

Before I can protest, he is out the door.

I’m alone, once again.

Chapter Nine

Samantha

The phone rings beside me, making me jump. I’m half asleep, since trying to get any rest in this hospital is basically impossible. Thank God I’m getting discharged today. I see it’s my mother calling and take a deep breath before answering it.

“Hey, the doctor said I should be out of here within an hour.”

“That’s good. I’m just calling to let you know I need to take a meeting. I’ll ask Joe to come get you.” I hear the clicking of a keyboard in the background and between that and her detached tone, I know she is only half present in this conversation.

“You’re really not going to come?” I try to mask the hurt in my voice but I know I don’t do a good job of it.

“Samantha, don’t be dramatic. You’re a big girl, I’m sure you don’t need me to hold your hand.” I don’t say anything. She just doesn’t get it. She hasn’t gotten it for a while. I need a mother, not a manager. “That’s my other line, I’ll see you later.”

The phone clicks in my ear and I sink back against the bed. How can she not care? How can she just push me off to the side? It hurts more than it should. I should be used to it by now. How can you get used to the fact that your mother doesn’t love you?

I think back to what happened with Hunter yesterday. I know that I took my frustration with my mother out on him. He had been here for me. He’d been the only one here. He is just so hot and cold that it scares me. I need someone who will be stable. Now, as I sit here alone, I wish I hadn’t pushed him away.

As ridiculous as it is, I feel like he can see through the facade I put on for everyone else. When his eyes bore into me, it’s like he can see my soul and it scares the shit out of me. Half of the time he is a decent guy that I could actually see myself being with, the other half of the time I want to kick him in the dick with my heel.

The door opens and the doctor walks in. “Miss Baker, you’re free to go. I’ve left you discharge instructions and there is some nutrition information in there. Your health is more important than anything else, so please take this incident seriously.” I nod my head. He places the papers on the counter. “Well, you are free to get dressed and then leave. Do you have a ride arranged?”

“Yes, I have someone coming.”

“Okay then. Be safe, and have a good day.”

He walks out of the door and I move to stand up. That’s when I realize I have no clothes here. What am I supposed to wear? I can’t put the costume back on and walk out of here looking like a hooker. The paparazzi will have a field day if I walk out of here in a hospital gown, not to mention that it would be so embarrassing.

A knock sounds at the door before it opens. Hunter.

“Hey.” He is carrying a duffel bag and he adjusts the baseball hat he’s wearing with his free hand, almost like he’s nervous. “I heard you were getting out today and I thought you might need some stuff.” He hands me the bag.

In it there is a change of clothes and a pair of sneakers. I smile at him, appreciating that he came and he brought this stuff. It’s times like these that I could see something happening between us. “Thanks, you’re a life saver.”

I go into the bathroom and change, also finding a brush in the bag. I try to make something of the nasty bed head I have going on, but it’s no use. I have strands sticking out in every direction. Half of my natural curls are present, mixed with the pin straight hair my stylist insists on. When I walk out, Hunter looks up and bows his head, trying to hide an obvious laugh.

“What is so funny?” I place my hand on my hips feigning irritation.

“Your hair, cupcake. It is definitely not photo ready.” He winks at me as he walks over. “Here, this should help tame the nest on your head.” He pulls a hat on my head as my mouth drops open from his comment. “Don’t look so surprised. I know there was a mirror in there.” He laughs again and I can’t help but join him.

I take the hat off, gather my hair into a makeshift ponytail, threading it though the back of it. As I pull it on, his scent envelopes me and I would be lying if I said I didn’t love it.

“Alright then, let’s get out of here.” He holds his hand out to me and I can’t help but look at it like it’s a foreign object. He must sense my hesitation because he grabs my hand. “I’ve seen you naked before, cupcake. You can’t be too shy to give me your hand.” He winks at me and I feel a blush spread across my face.

We walk out of the room and take the elevator downstairs. As we approach the exit, I can see photographers through the glass sliding doors. I stop walking, not wanting to face the insults that they will be throwing my way. Hunter’s hand squeezes mine.

“You got this. Just hold onto me and keep your head down.”

I nod and take a deep breath before he pulls me through the door. The lights start to flash and there is yelling coming from all around me. My hand grips Hunter’s as I remember the last time when the crowd got out of hand. We reach the car and I breathe a sigh of relief once the door closes. “So, where are we going?” I ask, as we pull away from the hospital.

“Well, your mother sent me this long ass list of shit you were supposed to do and places that you were supposed to be, but I told her that you wouldn’t be attending any of them.” My head snaps to the side in shock. “You need to rest Sam, and running around like she had planned isn’t good for you.”

I can’t believe him. Every time he says or does something like this, it makes me wish for more. I haven’t had someone to confide in for a long time, and I’m starting to feel like maybe Hunter can be that person. “So then, what’s the plan?” I want to say so much more to him. I want to tell him how I’m feeling, and how conflicted I am.

“The plan is to have fun.” He sits back, threading his fingers behind his head.

Fun has been a foreign word to me lately. There isn’t time to enjoy anything you do when every minute is scheduled for you. I smile, listening to the music and closing my eyes. This day might be exactly what I need.

“Sam, we’re here.” I feel Hunter’s hand rubbing up and down my arm as I force my eyes open. “You fell asleep.”

I did? I hope to God I wasn’t lying there with my mouth wide open, snoring, and drooling. I look around and see a movie theater. He’s taking me to a movie? I smile; I haven’t been to a movie voluntarily and without the pressure of the red carpet in forever. I get to go to premieres but it becomes about what you’re wearing. Making sure to laugh at funny parts so you’re not seen as stiff. Every reaction can be scrutinized by anyone around you. Hunter extends his hand to me again and I take it as we walk into the theater. He bypasses the ticket counter and the attendant scans his phone.

“What are we seeing?”

He points to a movie poster above us. When I look up, I almost let out a yelp just from the sight of it. There is distorted face that seems to be screaming in front of a broken down house. I am such a wimp when it comes to scary movies. The last one I watched had me waking up for nights thinking something was coming after me.

“Think you can handle it?”

Not wanting to seem like a baby in front of him, I force some courage into my voice. “Hell yeah, I don’t know if you can.”

I walk toward the theaters but he tugs at my hand, stopping me. “Slow down, cupcake, you’re missing the best part of the movies.” He walks me over to the concession stand. The cashier hands him an enormous tub of popcorn and a large soda. I grab the drink for him and follow him to the theater. Hunter walks toward the back and takes a seat in the very last row. There aren’t many people in the theater and the realization that I’ll be alone in the dark with him for a few hours has my body on high alert. We sit down and fall into an easy conversation. As the previews play, we give them thumbs up or down for what we think. Being with him right now is so easy, it just feels right and normal.

The eerie music starts to play as the lights dim all the way. Hunter places the popcorn in my lap. The smell of it invades my senses and all I want is to shove enormous handfuls in my mouth like a caveman. I don’t though. It’s like I have this block that every time I reach for food, especially junk food, I hear my mother’s voice. I lean in and whisper to him that I don’t want any. Hunter’s hand holds the back of my neck as he leans in, his lips almost touching my ear. When he speaks, his hot breath spreads goosebumps across my skin. “You’ll eat my popcorn cupcake, or I’ll get on my knees in this theater and eat that sweet pussy. I’m not saying I won’t do it later, but I’m not above making you fall apart in front of these people.” His teeth clamp down on my earlobe slowly, dragging over my skin and creating an immense heat throughout my body. “Be a good girl now, and I’ll treat you real good later.” His fingers skim the bottom of my shorts, dangerously close to the part of me that is begging for him.

I reach for the popcorn and grab a piece or two. My hand pauses in front of my mouth, it’s like I’m fighting a battle with myself just to eat. His hand doesn’t move, he just continues to trace slow lines across my upper thigh. The need I have for him is building and I can barely concentrate on what is going on. I place the popcorn in my mouth almost moaning at the deliciousness of it.

“You need it, don’t you? I can tell, Sam.” His hand inches higher and he tugs at the hem of my panties. “Tell me you want it.” Before I can even think, he sinks a finger into me with ease. “Tell me,” he growls in my ear.

“I want it.” My voice is a breathy, strained whisper full of want.

He retracts his finger, leaving me greedy for him. It’s dark but I can see the moment when he lifts his finger to his lips, sucking my juices off of it.

“So fucking sweet,” he whispers in my ear.

His hands undo the buttons on my shorts and slide my zipper down. I look around and even though there are probably only twenty people in here, I feel like they all know what I’m about to do. His hand dips down my shorts and beneath my panties. I gasp as his fingers enter me, his thumb  pressed against my clit. He starts a delicious rhythm; every time his fingers pull out, he presses down on my clit. It’s making me crazy and I writhe in my seat, in desperate need of release. Hunter dips his head down and gently starts to nibble at my neck, increasing the speed at which his is thrusting his fingers in and out of me. His teeth clamp down on my neck and I let out a yelp as my body breaks into a million pieces.

My head falls back against the seat but immediately pops up when I realize where we are. I look around but no one is turned our way. Someone a few rows ahead of us screams and I realize that I didn’t seem out of place, yelling during this kind of a movie. Did he plan this? I look over at the devil smirking at me and I know he did. I can’t help but laugh to myself.

His mouth is near my ear again. “Now, eat my popcorn before I bend you over. After watching you fall apart, I’m fucking rock hard and not above doing it.”

I take a deep breath, trying to get my bearings.

I look over at Hunter.

I’m in trouble.