Chapter 7 Trigger Warning

"What the fuck?" I exclaimed, grabbing for anything to steady myself and fight back. I sunk my nails into skinny forearm and my heart sank.

"Hey sweetheart, you miss me?" I heard as I was slammed back first into the side of my car. I looked up into manic brown eyes of none other than my ex, Mark.

"Mark you fucking idiot, let go of me this instant." I tried to shove him off but he had us wedged so I couldn't stand up straight and use my weight. He pushed his body flush against mine and my skin crawled. He had a hold of my right arm, but with my left I was able to dig my nails into his shoulder. He winced, but didn't move.

"You want to play huh?" He sneered, tightening his grip and grinding himself against me. I gagged and panic started to set in. He leaned in close to either kiss me or bite me, I wasn't sure, but I took the opportunity to headbutt him. I saw stars and everything went dark around the edges.

"Dammit you fucking bitch" He swore, stumbling away from me, clutching at his forehead. I went to take a swing at him and crumpled to the ground, I was too dizzy to move.

Before I knew what had happened, Zach came out of the house and had Mark on the ground. He was grinding his face into the dirt, both men yelling obscenities. I looked up to see Zach pinning Mark and dialing the police on his cellphone. Mark bucked, trying to get away and run, but Zach sat on him and continued to push his face into the dirt with one hand. It didn't take long for the police to show up and haul him off in cuffs. An ambulance showed up too and much to my embarrassment, checked me over. I told them I was fine, just a little shaken and sent them on their way. The police took a statement from Zach and myself, I told them that Mark was a psycho ex-boyfriend and one of the reasons I had moved to a new state in the first place. I told them to go ahead and press charges against him, bruises were starting to show on my upper arm where he grabbed me, and I was still a little fuzzy from the headbutt.

At this point, the cops hauled Mark away, leaving Zach and I alone. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. How the hell did the douche bag find me? What took him so long? Why did he pick tonight?! Zach was going to take one look at my hot mess and send me packing.

"Are you alright?" Zach asked, reaching out to hug me. I didn't let him. I should turn around and go home. This was a bad idea. I shook my head and went to get into my car. Zach grabbed my hand gently. "Hey, talk to me…"

"I'm sorry I'm such a trainwreck."

"What?! No. How could you have known he was looking for you? I'm just glad it was here and not somewhere else where no one would have been able to step in."

"You shouldn't have to step in. I shouldn't have come here, I'm really sorry." I turned to leave again, thinking that Zach wouldn't want to take on someone with so much baggage.

"Hey, will you at least come inside for a little while? I really wish you'd stay." Zach tugged on my arm gently, pulling me towards him. I let him hug me, burying my face against his neck. "You're shaking. Are you sure you're alright? I can take you to the ER."

"No! No, I'm okay. Let's just go inside." I pulled away, grabbed the liquor store purchases and followed Zach into his house. He took the munchies and put the alcohol in the fridge. He led me to the couch. He sat down and pulled me into his lap, hugging me close. He rubbed soothing circles on my back, giving me time to process. He didn't demand answers, didn't push me for details, just held me to him and let me be. After about twenty minutes of sitting together in silence, I finally decided I owed Zach the truth, if nothing else. I sighed and slipped from his lap to sit next to him. I turned to face him and he angled his body towards me, taking my hand.

"I'm so sorry. This is going to be awkward and hard for me, but you deserve the truth."

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to. I'll understand."

"No, if we plan on going forward, you need to know. That was my ex-boyfriend, Mark. I wasted five years of my life with that asshole."

"Hang on, do you want a drink before we do this?"

"Yes please." I answered. He chuckled and got up. He returned with a bottle of bourbon, two short glasses, and two hard ciders.

"I wasn't sure if this was a sip the cider kind of story, or slam the liquor kind of story…" He trailed off and set down the drinks in front of us on his coffee table. I poured us both two fingers of bourbon and handed one to him. "There is my answer, cheers..." He chuckled and we clinked glasses. He took a sip, but I took a swig.