Forever Mine

Chapter eight

Ollie

“Please, please tell me you’re home already. I really need to talk to you about today and I don’t know what to do.” I begged while on the phone. Craig was driving me back into town after the whole blow up at the house. I couldn’t believe what we witnessed. I have never felt more embarrassed, more upset, and more hurt while watching what happened between Felix and his dad go down.

He blamed him for his sister’s death.

He blamed him for the Marines that lost their lives in his unit.

He said he was a disappointment.

You would think after ten years, he would learn to let things go.

The look on my parent’s faces was pure disgust. I can see it. They were pissed off at Mr. Scanlon at what he said. My dad and Mr. Scanlon, or Lou, got into it big time, nothing like I’ve seen before and that’s when our moms broke them up and the truth came out, the whole truth, and I have never been more proud of my brother for stepping up and putting an end to all this nonsense.

But even though he finally put an end to it, the damage was still done. Lou was even more pissed off than before and I know for a fact that he would never forgive Craig, me and Felix. I wanted to run to him so badly and comfort him, because what happened never should have happened, but he got out of there so fast, I didn't have a chance to go with him.

It doesn’t matter anyway. If I never go back to that house, I will be okay with that, because right now, I need to make sure Felix is okay, even though I already know he isn’t. He needs to know we are all there for him and not only Craig and I, but our mom and dad too, and his mom. He needed to know.

And there’s the other problem I have right now and that’s Ryan Monroe.

We started off great, unconventional but great. He was such a gentleman when we started off last fall/summer. But that was short-lived. He got too comfortable and first started to take me away from my friends, telling me he had emergencies and needed me to come over to his place, like he didn’t feel good and needed me. I was dumb and went to him because I liked him, because he treated me so well.

Then he would blow up my phone when I was at work or out with the girls asking where I was and begging for me to come home, so I listened because it was easier to just listen to him instead of arguing.

I came home late from work one night because I was in surgery and it took longer than expected and he got upset because I wasn’t home and didn’t make dinner after he had a fifteen hour day. He didn’t take into consideration I was just in a twenty-hour surgery and that was the first night we fought. I chalked it up to us being overtired, but then things escalated.

When we argued, I would try to leave and he would grab me by the wrist and stop me. He begged and pleaded for forgiveness and I stayed because I thought he meant it. I saw it in his eyes, there were times he was truly sorry. Then he came to my place drunk one night because he was watching me and saw me talking to Aiden. He didn’t believe that Aiden was just a friend and that was the first time he gripped my wrist so hard it left marks.

He apologized and promised he wouldn’t do it again. It was because of the alcohol.

But I was stupid and believed him, thinking what he was saying was true. He started to spend more time with me, if that was possible, and doing things for me when I told him not to. It made me feel...indebted to him.

The possessiveness just got worse and anytime I talked to another man, I would get in trouble when I got back to the house.

He threatened to hurt himself if I left him because he needed me. I made him want to be a better person and he’s just scared of me talking to other guys because I would leave. The memories of the night he broke down and said that was engrained in my head. I couldn't handle it if he did something because of me, so I stayed for his sake...and for mine.

He fell in love with me and wants this to work and he wouldn’t be able to survive a day without me.

How am I supposed to respond to that? I took him seriously. I begged him to get help but he said nothing was wrong with him and he was fine. Lies. Something was clearly wrong but I couldn't take that chance.

But I was more afraid of what he would do if I did leave…not to him, but to me. I can see it in his eyes and I wanted to talk to Craig about it and I will have to call his sister, Nora, because she knows something. I just don't know a good time to call her. I want to be alone when we have that conversation, but it seems like he's always around.

The last time he hurt me a few days ago, I really do think he fractured my wrists and almost broke my ribs when he pushed me so hard into the table before he punched the wall in a fit of anger, making another hole, all because I was talking to Art while at work.

“I am.” Ava said, “What’s up? I was about to leave and pick up Luna and make my way over to Sawyer’s so we could hang out for a bit while the guys set up the tents for the kids tonight.”

“I need to talk to you and Sawyer about Felix.” I sighed, “Something bad happened and…”

“Ollie, I wouldn’t. Not right now.” Craig said as he kept on driving to Sawyer’s house once he heard she was going to her place.

“I need to talk to someone about it, Craig. A lot has happened and I’m worried about him.”

“Who’s that?” Ava asked, me forgetting she was on the phone for just a moment.

“My brother. He’s driving me to Sawyer’s place because I thought you would be there by now.”

“I’ll be there shortly. Just meet me there and if you want to talk to 'he who must not be named', Finn messaged me saying he’s in the basement punching his bag, so I would avoid the basement right now.”

“Okay, I’ll see you in a bit.” I hung up the phone and leaned my head back, just looking out the window.

“Talk to me. Where’s your head at?” Craig asked as he continued driving.

I let out a sigh, “I just…I can’t believe Lou would do that. It’s been ten years. Ten long, painful years for everyone and he just…he can’t let it go. You also didn’t have to do what you did tonight either.”

“I did, though. I should have said something a long time ago.” He sighed, “Sam and I were best friends. Losing her in that accident and seeing her…it just…I should have said something.”

“Craig…” I whispered as I reached over and grabbed his hand in mine, “She would want you to be happy and be yourself. No hiding, not anymore. Mom and dad took the news well. It was Lou who freaked out and we have no obligation to him. He's not family. Not anymore.”

“It’s still my fault, Ollie. If I never made that stupid agreement with Sam and forced you two to hide our secret, then you and Felix could have been together the entire time and who knows what would have happened. You two would probably be married, living happily with a bunch of rambunctious demon children running around, you wouldn’t be with Ryan and she would still be alive.”

“There is more to the whole Felix and I situation that you know.” I whispered, “I know you’re the one that told him what happened but he didn’t have to run off and leave me and not come back when I needed him when he promised he would be there for me.”

“Ol, he didn’t have a choice.” He pursed his lips, “He signed those papers saying he was enlisting and you can’t take them back and be like ‘Oh! I changed my mind because my girlfriend is…’” and he was interrupted by my phone going off.

“Sorry…one sec.” I mumbled as I took it out and it was Ryan. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, not ready for him right now.

After what he said at lunch today with his family and him wanting to start a family with me, I wanted to avoid him as much as possible.

The funny thing is, I never even had s*x with him. Something always came up and when we had a chance, I came up with excuses, but that also led to him pestering me and bugging me until he would eventually storm out of the apartment and go to god knows where. It just didn't feel right and I couldn't bring myself to take that step with him.

He swore he had never cheated on me, but he just needed to get out and let off some steam.

I don’t believe him.

And if he did, I honestly don’t even care. I really don’t because once I find out otherwise, it gives me a perfect reason to get away from him with an excuse.

But I’m scared that me holding out isn’t going to last long and, instead of having my greatest fear come true…I might have to do something I don’t want to.

“Where are you?” he grunted over the phone, “You left me with my family with all these questions about who these people are that came and I looked like a damn i***t. I’m on my way to your place right now so we can talk.”

“I’m not home…” I said softly, “I’m with…”

“I don’t care who you’re with. You left me with my damn family when I was just telling them about our good news for you to run off with your friends in some sort of emergency and you’re not even home! Are you at least at the damn hospital?”

“No, I’m with…”

“You have to be fuckin’ kidding me Ollie!” he yelled so loud I had to take the phone away from my ear, making me wince. Craig looked at me and glared and snatched the phone out of my hand.

“I don’t know who you think you are, Ryan, but yell at her again and you’ll have to deal with me! If you have a problem with her being with her brother, then you can suck my big fat c**k. Actually, do me the favor and don’t. I wouldn’t want your rancid ass mouth anywhere near my manmeat.” And I just looked at him with wide eyes, shocked as all hell and had the biggest smile on my face. He immediately hung the phone up and tossed it to me, “Why do you put up with him?”

“I love that you stood up to him, Craig, but I could have handled him.” I made a small smile, “He cares about me and takes care of me.”

“How does he do that? Because that right there? That’s not caring and taking care of someone. That’s controlling and that’s fuckin’ abuse.”

“He helps around the house, he’s there to support me on the hard days and he cares about me. We have bad moments, all couples do, but that’s because we both work a lot and don’t spend a lot of time together. I get mad at him like he gets mad at me.” Man, even I couldn't convince myself. The look on his face said the same thing.

“Bullshit.” He mumbled, “And then you’re going to tell me that those bruises on your body are from our little snake problem?”

“It is! I was riding Lily and she got scared and bucked up and I fell off.”

“There are a couple things wrong with that statement, Ol.” He sighed, “One, Lily isn’t afraid of snakes, that’s Hershey, two, we don’t have a damn snake problem not in a long ass time so cut the crap and tell me what the hell is going on because I swear, if it’s Ryan, it’s not Felix you have to worry about, although I’m sure he will kill him, but not before I do it first.”

“I got it, Craig. Damn, you spilling your guts to mom and dad really made you more…passive aggressive?”

“Nah, it just helped me come out of my shell and take care of those who I love and you’re at the top of that list.” He smiled over as he parked the car at Sawyers, “Damn, I never get tired of looking at his house. Summer did an amazing job with the remodels. And he's a looker too." he laughed, "Too damn bad he’s straight.” He laughed.

“Sometimes I wonder.” I laughed, “I guess he had a small run in with one of the guys when he was up in Buffalo and a little lip action happened, so you never know.” I winked and nudged him, “But in all seriousness Craig, I love you and thank you for everything. Do you want to come in and see the guys?”

He shrugged, “Yeah. I want to check up on your man before he does something stupid anyway.”

“He’s not my man.” I rolled my eyes.

“Not yet.” He grinned, “You can’t fool me, my little olive pit.” God, I hate that nickname, “It was supposed to be you two from the beginning and because Sam and I were scared, we ruined it for you both and that is something I will do whatever it takes to make up for you.”

“You don’t have to. I have Ryan and he makes me happy.” I smiled up at him.

“But do you love him?” I sat there and my smile fell and so did the look in my eyes, “That’s what I thought. You still love Felix, there’s no denying it, and once you admit it to yourself, you can move on from this asshole of a cop and being with the soldier you were meant to be with because Ol, even though what happened ten years ago put a hard stop to the relationship, I promise you, it’s never left his mind.”

“Shut up. Let’s go.” I mumbled and rolled my eyes as we both got out of his car. While we were walking up towards the house, I pulled my phone out and messaged one of the OB doctors to get me in for an emergency appointment tomorrow.

Because what he said scares the crap out of me.

“I’ll see you in a bit and maybe when I’m done dealing with macho man, you and I can go out to dinner and then you can hang out at my place for some movies, games and ice cream?”

“I would love that.” And with a final hug, he went down into the basement where he heard arguing and yelling, while I went outside to where all the girls were sitting with the kids running around the backyard.

Eliana and Trey are so damn adorable and are now starting to get their own personalities and are starting preschool in the fall this year. I can’t believe they’re almost four! Kennedy and Kinsley are trying to learn to walk and it’s so cute to see them fall on their little bottoms. Their birthdays are coming up soon and they will be turning one in a few months. Harper is right behind them and she is full of babbles. I know for a fact Finn is throwing something huge in June for her birthday and I can’t wait. He mentioned a bounce house. Little Mark is two and has been trying to follow Lucas and Miles around everywhere and I can see in their faces that they’re getting a bit annoyed.

Lucas and Ivy are about six years old, while Ellie is around five. Lucas is stuck between the girls and Miles, who has just turned ten right after Aiden left for deployment. Seeing all the kids just being themselves and being happy really makes my ovaries hurt, but not bad enough to want what, apparently, Ryan wants. My phone pinged, making all the girls turn to look at me as my eyes widened.

Ryan: I don’t appreciate what your brother said. I don’t know what the hell you’re telling people, Ollie, but when you get home we are going to have a long conversation.

Me: I’m going to his place tonight. Some things went down at my house with him and he needs me right now.

Ryan: Bullshit. Why are you at Sawyer and Finn’s then? Huh? Explain that.

Me: Why are you tracking me? Stop. And I’m here to check in with the girls for a bit and Craig wanted to see the guys and then I’ll be at his place. I don’t know when the next time I will be able to see you is.

Ryan: That’s a bunch of crap.

Me: I have work tomorrow morning and a couple of surgeries and when I go to lunch is when you start your overnight and when you get off, I go back in. When are we supposed to have this talk?

Ryan: You have such a smart mouth. Wait till I see you next baby girl.

“Ollie…was that Monroe?” Ava asked as she spoke from behind me, “You got tense…what’s going on?”

“So much…” I whispered, but we didn’t talk about Ryan. I spilled to them what happened today at Felix’s dad’s house and talking to them helped a bit.

I needed to open up more but I was afraid of what he would do if he found out if I told them what was really going on. If it was just me he threatened, I could handle it, but the other threats? I couldn’t let him hurt them in any shape, way or form, I just couldn’t.