CHAPTER 10

Jill has been sitting with me on my bed, it's late and she's watching the TV and she turns to see me awake, she shuts off the TV. "How are you feeling?" She asks. I shrug, and she holds me, "we have all seen Storm go off the rails before, this is different. He has never spiralled so quickly ever." Jill says frowning.

"Jill tell me the truth who is the girl?" I ask seriously.

"It should come from Storm," Jill says with a sigh. I stare at her coldly, "you got that stare from him. Very well, her name is Vanessa Kingsley, she was Storms girlfriend for a while like a year or something. Total bitch we all hated her, he loved her, or he thought he did, well not like he loves you. It was toxic, she got him into drugs, he was fragile back then, and it was a love hate relationship, they fought all the time, and eventually in a drug fuelled state they got into an accident, strange enough it was her driving and Storm tried to stop her. Nobody knew she was pregnant, but she did. It was obviously a drug fuelled mistake, Storm was way too young and she lost it. So after the accident Storm went on a bender after he found out about the baby. He was guilty because he didn't want the child, but having it die messed him up even more. The guilt ate him up, he nearly killed himself that night on purpose."

I look at her unable to even comprehend what's she's telling me, I stay stone faced showing no emotion. Jill continues, "she called him a few days ago before we all left, now I'm not entirely sure what she said, but when you left he went to her or she came to him, I don't know if he cheated, but I do know what they had was toxic. Whatever happened when he saw her was enough to make him turn right back to drugs to deal. He might have been high before he saw her but I doubt it, he disappeared for the whole afternoon through to next morning and came in like you saw him, and he locked himself up and kept drugging and drinking and calling for you." Jill finally finishes.

I sit still and I cry, this can't be real. She stays with me and Oliver brings me something to eat, I just about nibble and I rather drink the tea. Oli stays with me for the rest of the night and I lay awake for the entire night, I get up early and leave a note that I'm going to see Storm.

I take one of his SUV's and make my way to the hospital. The staff give me some privileges since I'm making health decisions while he is unable too. Storm is still asleep when I arrive. I fall asleep on the chair, head resting on the bed. I feel his hand stroke my head, "love you're here," Storm says softly.

I wake up, "yeah, I must have fallen asleep," I say running my hands over my face.

"I'm sorry," Storm says sadly.

"Explain to me what happened, Jill told me who she is, I want to know what happened after I left," I say firmly.

"Love," Storm starts.

"Don't love me, I deserve an explanation." I say with finality.

Storm starts explaining, "she called me a few days ago, something about needing help. I felt like I owed her something, I still felt responsible for letting things get so out of control. She came to the house, she looked normal but you could tell she was high on something, and she started doing lines in front of me, reminding me how it feels and all the times we had fun. Convincing me. I got up and I tried to resist it, but I wasnt strong enough. I thought she was clean when I agreed to see her, she clearly lied, when I was high I thought she was you, and well shit happened. When I woke up I threw her out and that's when the pictures landed up online. I was coming down and she left her drugs there and well I went on a bender with alcohol and drugs because I made a mistake and I thought she was you. I was out of my mind at a friend's place and came home, then you found me, I tried to overdose because I didn't want to ever hurt you, I couldn't let you see me like this."

My tears are falling freely, and Storm is crying, it's the first time I have ever seen him really cry and just how messed up his life was. "Love I'm so sorry." He apologizes.

Without a word I take the ring off, "when you are better and in a place where she doesn't matter anymore and loving me is stronger than drugs, then give this back to me. I am not leaving you, but I will not be living with you. I will be there to support you through this, you are going to a rehab, and I need to get over you cheating on me. No matter how it happened, it still happened and it crushed me." I say with tears streaming.

"My love look at me," Storm says and I can't, "Emily," he calls again. I look up, "I will do everything in my power to make this right, and don't worry I made sure she won't be pregnant in case I made any mistakes. I don't want you wondering about that." Storm says as he wipes my tears. "I made a huge mistake love, I should never have offered to help her, especially without telling you, and I promise you I will get clean, it was a momentary mistake and it will never happen again." Storm says pleadingly.

"I don't really know what to say," I answer sniffing.

"Say you forgive me," Storm begs.

I sigh, "that will take time, just focus on getting well now, the rest will follow."

Storm let's his teats fall again, "please dove don't leave me," he says, a broken man.

"I'm not leaving you, I just need time," I say wiping my tears and he nods. "I spoke to the doctor and he said you will be discharged this evening and put in rehab, we found a very discreet one back in Boston, and you will be well taken care of. I will visit when I'm allowed, we leave tonight."

"Love I don't know what I would do without you, you are all I have left in this world," Storm says still emotional. I squeeze his hand and it's time for me to go.

"I have to leave now, I need to make arrangements for tonight and pack, I will be back at four to pick you up." I say picking up my purse.

"I love you my rose," Storm says with a broken sob. I squeeze his hand again, I can't bring myself to say it, I just kiss his forehead and leave.

Jill and Oliver help me arrange everything, and they have been my constants, I'm so thankful. I don't tell them anything yet, I just need to process this all. Before I know it, it's four in the afternoon, I go alone to fetch Storm, I don't want anyone seeing us like this. Security is heavy around the SUV, I go in and bring Ken and a few men to protect us. I give Storm some fresh clothing, a hoodie, t-shirt and Jean. I have a jean, a hoodie and sneakers on with sunglasses. Just super normal not to attract attention. He spots my infinity necklace but says nothing. There are some press outside, but we keep a united front and Storm takes my hand and we walk out pictures snapping and paparazzi calling out questions.

'Storm what happened, why are you in hospital?'

We carry on walking, the guards keeping them away, I climb into the drivers seat, Storm sits passenger, and we speed off toward the airport. It's a twenty minute drive, I don't say anything just drive. "Love please speak to me."

I don't say a word I can't, "let me just focus on driving this is hard enough being in the same car, and pretending in front of the press," I answer and he puts his hand on mine, I try to pull it away, but he holds on and I leave it.

We get to the airport and I drive onto the tarmac by the plane, Oliver and Jill are taking another flight, they said we need alone time, to process. We get on the plane, and I sit down his eyes don't leave me. I sit silent, "Love I never thanked you for saving my life," Storm says tryigg to smile a bit.

I look up at him, I'm barely holding on as it is. We are in the air, and it's just the two of us, I curl up under a blanket, and I break down, I just start crying and I can't stop, Storm rushes to my side, I push him and push, but he holds me anyway I can't fight him off. I'm so weak, I haven't slept, I haven't eaten, I cry and he pulls me on his lap. I cry into his chest "let it out my love," Storm whispers.

I start screaming, "why did you do this to us, to me, to yourself!" Storm just holds me tighter.

"I'm sorry love, I will never hurt you again, I promise and I will never touch drugs again, well except a cigarette," Storm jokes.

"I could use a smoke," I say with a sigh.

"It's my plane, light it up," Storm says chuckling. I get a coffee and smoke, it's a once in a while thing, but it calms me.

We both fall asleep, Ken watches Storm while we sleep in case he does any drugs. We wake up on final descent, and we land. My car is at the airport, so I drive Storm to the rehab, called Meadows wellness centre, it's a celebrity rehab, very exclusive, perfect for Storm. I have his bags, and they are searched, he is searched, "you have a private suite, if you need anything they will let me know, it's progress based so I don't know how long you will be here," I say shrugging.

"Love I know how it works, it's going to be ok, don't worry," he says as he hugs me goodbye and his hand lingers on mine and we finally let go.

I drive to our house, I will go back to my old apartment tomorrow. I just need to be alone, "Ken do you mind driving me?"

"Not at all Miss Richards, Marshall can take your car back," Ken says kindly. I arrive at home, I won't be able to speak to him for a week. I take a shower and get into bed. This all feels so surreal, we were so happy and this woman comes in and destroys us, Storm ruins us. I cry myself to sleep. I have taken two weeks off, my lecturers send me the lectures on video so I don't fall behind. One less thing to worry about.

I took a leave of absence from work so I have time to myself and to think, I'm back in my old place, Oliver has been so supportive, I have gotten a few calls from Storm, he's doing well, I can visit from tomorrow, I'm a bit nervous. I take my car and I go to the store to pick up a few things for him, he's allowed food items just no caffeine based drinks, so I get him his favourite things, blueberry and cookies and creme pop tarts, Doritos, pringles hot and spicy flavour, cherry twizzlers, cinnamon bun bites, hostess sno balls, chocodile twinkies, he has a massive sweet tooth and this is supposed to help the cravings. I pack some more clothes, dvd's of his favourite movies and some music dvd's and of course his guitar. Everything is packed for tomorrow. I catch up on my studies and I go to bed. Oli climbs in with me, most nights I cry, he puts on my favourite show on Netflix and I fall asleep.

I wake up the next morning to my phone ringing, "Hello?" I answer groggily.

"Love," I hear Storm's voice.

"Storm, is something wrong?" I ask in a panic.

"No I just miss you, are you coming to visit yeah?" He asks.

"Yes I'm coming, I will be there around eleven, that's the time they gave me, how are you feeling?" I ask with a yawn.

"I'm alright, it's been easier this time, I can't wait to see you," he says happily.

"I know, I do miss you, I have something I think you will like to pass the time," I say mysteriously.

"I'm counting the hours," Storm says sweetly.

"Two," I say with a small smile.

"I will let you sleep some more love. I love you, see you soon," he says.

"See you soon." I say with a sigh. I still can't say that I love him, I know I do, it's just hard.

I can't sleep, I get up have a shower and have some breakfast with Oli, "Girl put something better on for your man." Oliver looks at me with disgust.

"Fine if it will shut you up," I say with attitude and laugh.

"Sassy bitch!" Oliver calls. I loosen my hair, put on some skinny jeans, a black fitted shirt some cleavage showing, and my high knee length stiletto boot, with my black trench coat. I put a little make up on with a red lip. I come out, "now that's my bitch!" Oli says making me laugh.

"Do you want to come with me?" I ask Oli.

"As much as I want too, you two need this time."

I nod, "ok". I load the stuff in my car and head out, it's a thirty minute drive, the place is pretty hidden for privacy.

I arrive at eleven, and Ken helps me carry in the boxes while I carry his pride and joy. I knock on his door, he just finished a work out, he's in sweat pants and no top, "Love," he says wihh a beautiful smile and he leans in for a kiss and I oblige him. "Wow love you look hot," Storm says eyeing me up and down.

"Thank you," I say.

I hand him the box, he puts its down and curiosity gets the better of him, he laughs, "all my favourite things in one room," Storm jokes, he looks at me and smirks. I pull the guitar case out from the side of the wall and I walk in, "Storm," I call out.

He turns around, "Stella!" I roll my eyes, I forgot he called it that. "Thank you love, I missed music."

"Have a quick shower and let's take a walk," I suggest and he nods. Ten minutes and he's ready coming out in a towel, I gesture to the suit case, "I brought you some clothes t-shirts and jeans, shoes."

"I miss you babe," Storm walks over to me as I'm lying on his bed, he lays over me, and for a moment I forget myself and he kisses me.

"The door," I say breathless.

"Locked," he says and kisses me and I kiss him back, he kisses the top of my cleavage and unbuttons my shirt, I'm not wearing a bra, and he kisses me down my neck making me moan. He loosens my jeans travelling down my stomach, he unzips my boots and takes them off my jeans and panties follow. He removes his towel, and he lowers himself on me, and we really kiss, there's need and urgency in both of us, he wastes no time and he enters me, I let out a soft moan, and we move with eachother. I still feel a bit detached, but we move faster and faster, he finishes, I didn't come and I can see he noticed but doesn't say anything. "I love you so much Emily." I can see the sincerety in his eyes, in that moment I knew we would be ok, it will just take some time.

"I love you too," I whisper and I see relief flood his eyes.

We get dressed and take a walk, "love, do you forgive me?" Storm asks hopeful.

I look at him, abd I try to explain, "just give me time, it's not that I don't want too, even just now when we slept together, I pictured you with her and I became distant, I need time, that's all. I hope you can give me that?" I ask.

Storm nods, "I can, just don't give up on me and us," he asks.

"I'm here aren't I?" I say with a smile.

He smiles, "that you are, my love."

"Any word on when you get out?" I ask wondering.

Storm sighs, "another week,"  he answers. "Will I be coming home to an empty house?" Storm asks.

"Baby steps," I say with a sigh. I'm not ready yet.

"Alright love, how's school going?" Storm asks holding my hand.

"I took two weeks off, although I'm technically still doing the work and handing it in. Watching you nearly die, it's hard to get over, it kills me everyday," I say with a tear.

"No more tears, when I get out of here I'm going to make this up to you I swear," Storm promises and I can see he's so sincere.

I give him a hug, "I know you will, it's time for me to go, I will come by again tomorrow, Jill wants to see you and they guys," I say and he agrees.

"Goodbye my beautiful angel."

"Goodbye Storm," I give him a kiss, and I head home to study.