You Broke Me

Chapter 10

Cades POV

My mom's words rang in my mind. ‘Keep an eye on her’ and ‘watch out for her’ and ‘she feels safe with you’ I couldn't help but wonder why she feels safe with me? Was it the honest conversations we had? Was it how we easily got along? Was it how we made each other laugh? We only spent a full day together and most of it was spent working on schoolwork. Is it possible to get attached so fast? I don't know, but I know one thing for sure. I can't stop thinking about her.

About what happened when I dropped her off. Mom was going to be going through her records at work today to see if she could find some answers. I hope I'm wrong. But soon enough we'll know.

I got into the parking lot and scanned for her. I didn't see her, so I walked up to the guys. Trinity was over next to Megan. We were chatting about pointless things, but my mind was elsewhere. Where the hell was she? The bell was going to ring soon and there was no sign of her. I pulled out my phone and sent her a quick text asking where she was, but there was no reply.

“Who are you looking for?” Mason asked.

“Taylor…” I mumbled. Mason was the more calmer of our friends so I knew I could at least trust him with some of my thoughts.

“Really?” he asked quirking an eyebrow. I nodded.

“I don't know if I can go through with the bet” he grabbed my elbow and pulled me aside. He looked over at Nick who was preoccupied talking to a few cheerleaders.

“Why? What's going on?” I looked at him contemplating what to say or how much I should mention.

“I've spent some time with her. And I won't go into too much because I don't know all the details, but she's going through some deep s**t. She's quiet for a reason. She's actually really nice and fun to be around. I don't know. I just, I don't want to be the cause of more pain for her. I - I don't know, man.” he furrows his brows for a second then smiles.

“You like her.” he states plainly.

“No, I don't. Maybe as a friend. But we only spent the day together yesterday.” he just snickers.

“Dude, my parents fell in love the minute they met each other. They were married 6 months later and have been together ever since” he put his hand on my shoulder. “If you want to call it off no harm no foul. It was inevitable for the big bad Cade Thomas to avoid catching feelings for anyone. The only thing that worries me is when Megan finds out you're catching feelings for someone else...”

“I could care less about her. I'm not with her anymore, so I don't see why she would care. And from where I'm sitting, she looks pretty cozy trying to get in Nick's pants.” I looked up one last time before the bell rang and saw Amanda pull into the parking lot. It looked like Micah was in the car with her. Mason nodded at me telling me to go talk to her.

“Hey, Amanda!” I yelled and she paused and looked at me.

“Can I help you?” she asked and Micah stood between us. I raised my hands to show I was friendly.

“I was looking for Taylor. She hasn't gotten here yet, and she's not answering my texts.“ I saw something flash across her eyes.

“She's not coming in today. She's... sick.” she said and clutched her books to her chest.

“Bullshit!” I called and she raised her head.

“Micah, I'll catch up with you in a minute” he hesitated looking between the two of us and nodded and walked off.

“Cut the bullshit. I know she's not sick.”

She looked around and made sure no one could hear. “She's at home. But she CAN'T come in today, Cade. Just drop it. I made a promise and I intend to keep it. If she's not talking to you, it's either because she's asleep or doesn't want to talk to you.” I wasn't taking that as an answer. I walked to my car and opened the door.

“CADE! Stop!” she shouted. Everyone's attention was slowly turning to us and then the bell rang.

“I'm going to check on her. You coming or not?” she shook her head.

“I... I saw her this morning. I am going to get her schoolwork. Please, when you see her keep an eye on her.” I nodded and she turned and walked into the building. Trinity walked over to me and leaned against the door of my car.

“Are you going to find Taylor?” I nodded.

“Yes, please keep it on the DL.”

She smiled at me. “Of course. I like her. She's nice.'' I smiled.

“Maybe she can replace boobs for brains over there” I gestured towards Megan and Trinity snorted.

“I don't know why I even tolerate her.”

I pulled up to Taylor's house and noticed there were no cars in the driveway. Perfect. I put the car in park and ran up the porch steps and knocked on the door.

“Taylor,” I called out. No answer. A few more knocks with no answer. I jiggled the door handle and sure enough it was unlocked. No harm no foul in me just walking in.

The energy vibe I got when I walked into the house was suffocating. There were beer bottles littering the table and counter, dishes piled up in the sink. There's no way one man can drink all this beer in one night. I have no idea which room was hers. I peeked in a few rooms, and found a coat closet, a bathroom, a laundry room. I decided to take the stairs to the upper level. There was only one door shut. That has to be hers.

I decided to knock. I heard groaning and took that as my sign to walk in. but the sight that greeted me will stick with me for the rest of my days.

There laying on her side in bed in only a sports bra and shorts was Taylor. She had a deep purple, almost black bruise the size of my hand on her upper stomach. Her face was swollen, she had scars littering her arms, legs, and back. Some bruises look halfway healed while some look fresh.

“Jesus f*****g Christ!” At that moment, Taylor opened her eyes. Well, as far as they could be opened with how swollen her face was.

“Cade...” she whimpered. I rushed to her and gently placed my hand on her cheek pushing her hair behind her ear.

“What happened?” I asked. She just started sobbing. Tears streaming down her face.

“Did he do this? Did your father do this?” She tried to sit up, but I placed my hand on her shoulder. “Don't move. Please,” she sighed and laid back down.

“Taylor….” I cupped her cheeks. Her blue eyes are glassy. “Let me help you. How long has this been going on?” she coughed and I could hear the rattle in her chest. Christ, she's probably got a broken rib.

She looked to her nightstand and nodded towards the cup of water. I grabbed it and brought it to her lips. There are so many emotions running through my head right now. I put the cup back on the table and returned my hand to her cheek. She reached up with her small hands and held mine. Her fingers were cold but soft. Something wet hit her cheeks, and I realized it wasn't her tears. They were mine. I was crying.

“Taylor, what happened? How long has this been going on?” she coughed a bit more but held eye contact with me.

“10 years.” she mumbled and tried to look away, but I held her still.

“I'm sorry， I don't think I heard you right， because I'm pretty sure I heard you say this has been going on for 10 years.” she closed her eyes and nodded.

“I'm sorry,” she said. I stepped back a bit and ran my hands through my hair.

“Why are you sorry? I should be the one apologizing to you! We've been in the same classes since elementary school and I never once thought...I didn't see it. Well, I didn't want to see it. I'm seeing now.” my phone vibrated and it was a text from my mom.

Mom: Call me when you get a chance. Yes, I know you're not at school. Trinity texted me.

Taylor started coughing again and then she gasped. I turned and looked at her and saw that she was holding her hand in front of her face and it had blood in it.

“How long has that been going on?” I asked and she shook her head.

“This just started...Cade...I'm scared, this has never happened before.” the desperation and fear in her voice shook me.

“Taylor, let me take you to the doctor, please. I can call my mom. She can help." she seemed to contemplate it over and nodded her head. Helped Taylor stand and put a sweatshirt over her and walked her out to my car. Thankfully it wasn't too cold. I put her in the car and called my mom.

“Cade?” she answered.

“Hey, I'm on my way to you. I have Taylor with me. She needs to be seen...can you help me?” I asked.

“Of course, son. What's wrong?”

I sighed. “I'll tell you when I get there. It's bad.” she disconnected the call and I got behind the wheel and shut the door.

“You're going to be okay,” I said, and she looked at me and shivered. My mind was made up though. I certainly wasn't going to go through this bet anymore.