Caught by Her Page 3

  The call had come in from a young, female neighbour. We visited her, hoping to gather further information, but she refused to get involved, closing the door on us as soon as she saw our uniform and badges. Without any injuries or assistance from the wife, there wasn’t much that we could do. The husband had taken off before we arrived so we hadn’t been able to apply any pressure on him either.

  We both slammed the car doors as we got back in. Huffing out loud and cursing, we drove back towards the station, both lost in our thoughts.

  Unfortunately, this type of call-out was a frequent occurrence and most ended in the same manner. At least on this occasion there hadn’t been any obvious signs of assault. You could almost fool yourself into believing that everything was alright. The domestic disturbance calls only seemed to be increasing and they never got any easier to stomach or deal with.

  Marcus was agitated, his driving more erratic than usual. I could feel him glancing over in my direction every few minutes before apparently giving up and pulling the car over to the side of the road.

  “What’s going on, Nate?”

  I waved my hand in a dismissive gesture and he shook his head at me.

  “Talk, Nate! You’ve hardly spoken to me in the last few days. Let me know what’s going on-”

  “-You’re not usually one for deep and meaningful conversations, Marcus. Let it go. Lena was hurt. She’s alright now - there’s not much more to say. Don’t be trying to start something just because these calls get to you. I don’t need you taking your frustration out on me.”

  His eyebrows shot up to reach his hairline as he looked at me in disbelief, and I immediately regretted my words. He shook his head, looking even more determined.

  “Which of us are you lying to? Start talking, Nate.”

  “Marcus, stop pissing about. You’ve obviously got something on your mind. Just spit it out instead of going on at me!” I massaged the back of my neck, rubbing forcefully, refusing to make eye contact with him as I looked directly in front of me through the windscreen.

  He came straight back at me, “Lena’s crash has obviously brought shit up for you. Hearing that over the phone,” he sighed, his voice softening slightly. “Honestly, I can’t even imagine. I was there, Nate. I saw your reaction. Just tell me what’s going on…”

  There was no point in hiding anything from him. Pretending I was fine wasn’t fooling either of us.

  “I can’t do it” I murmured, almost to myself. “I can’t fall for her to lose her, to have her taken from me. Fuck! Marcus…when I heard her scream like that…”

  I couldn’t carry on, swallowing heavily as I remembered the terror in her voice. I’d seen and heard plenty that had given me nightmares, but I didn’t think I’d ever be able to forget the sound of her screaming and the noises that followed - sounds that I’d tortured myself imagining in the days and weeks following my parents’ deaths. Having to sit and listen to her cry out Paul’s name, and then the crunch of metal on metal. I’d felt helpless as the ground beneath me was torn up, my world once again spinning wildly out of control.

  I’d driven recklessly, desperate to get there and for it to be different from the last time. I’d raced into the hospital, breathless and frantic. I’d given Lena’s details and collapsed into a chair, praying to a God I didn’t even know if I believed in for everything to be alright.

  Fear had crippled me. Even when they’d told me that she was safe, its icy claws had still held me hostage, wrapped tightly around my neck, squeezing the life and hope out of me. I’d needed to see that she was Ok.

  Words weren’t enough.

  I’d needed her to wake up and prove that she was alright.

  I’d needed to be able to walk out of the hospital with her in my arms, not just a bag of worthless belongings.

  When she opened her eyes and reached for my hand, the rush of emotions overwhelmed me, the strength of my feelings catching me off guard. Up until that point I’d only been focused on knowing she was alright. Once I knew that she was safe, my mind had begun to concentrate on other things - thoughts that I didn’t want to deal with - thoughts and emotions that I’d pushed away so I wouldn’t have to deal with them.

  I couldn’t go through this again.

  I’d never intended to fall for her. She’d meant so much more to me than any of the other girls I’d been with, but I’d not been looking for love.

  Caring for someone wasn’t the same as being in love with them; at least that’s what I’d told myself, over and over.

  Now I didn’t know what to think.

  I wanted her. I’d told her that I’d own her, that she’d be mine…I just hadn’t given any thought to what that would mean for me, what that would entail, and what that would mean risking…

  I’d become lost in my own thoughts as I heard Marcus speaking again. “Can’t fall for her? That ship has sailed my friend - left the harbour, sailed and docked elsewhere. You didn’t just fall for her, Nate. You leapt in, both feet together and fully submerged yourself in her. I’ve never seen you so wrapped up in anyone, ever.” His face became more serious. “What’s going on to give you doubts? What do you mean you can’t do it?”

  I appreciated his concern. I knew how much he hated to talk things out. “I just can’t handle this…” I muttered quietly but Marcus heard it.

  “I thought you said she was worth the drama?” he questioned, referring to an earlier conversation.

  I was wound up so tightly every muscle screamed out in protest. “Drama yes, but this is more than fucking drama, Marcus! This isn’t a shitty ex-boyfriend lurking about being a prick! She could have…” I choked on the words, unable to carry on, thinking about how close I’d come to losing her. “She should never have been in the goddamn car! She was going to visit...” I stopped, realising what I was about to say.

  Marcus looked at me, waiting for me to continue. I paused for a moment, unsure how to continue without breaking her confidence.

  “She was going with Paul to meet someone, someone she should never have been going to see. She knew it would piss me off. I can’t believe she could be so stupid…”

  Marcus looked at me, his face full of questions. When he realised I wasn’t going to say anymore, he spoke, “So, not the ex-boyfriend, but she was taking Paul with her to meet someone? Who? Why?”

  “She should never have gone to try and meet him. I said I’d deal with this. I’m so angry with her right now. I could fucking kill Paul…I just can’t…” I exhaled sharply and cracked my knuckles.

  Marcus watched me, his face looked worried and I tried half-heartedly to smile in reassurance. I’m sure it looked more of a grimace.

  I hadn’t been able to finish a single sentence I’d started.

  “Breathe, Nate. She’s alright. Everything else you can work through. She’s fine. So, the honeymoon period’s over. You can be mad at her - no harm in that. You’ll be OK, you both will. Talk to each other, sort it out, tell her how mad you are and then have great make-up sex” He grinned at me and I made another feeble attempt to return the gesture. “I hate this talking-it-out shit and I’m no good with the advice or the life-affirming messages but I’m here for you, bro, anytime. You know that. If you need to lay your girlie emotional shit on me, do it. I’ll listen. I can tell you now - I won’t have the answers, but I’ll listen. I’ll even promise to laugh at you on the inside too so you won’t be able to tell.”

  I couldn’t help the laughter that burst from me. “You’re a fucking idiot!”

  “My work here is done!” He looked pleased with himself, and we drove back towards the station.

  The rest of the day passed without incident. I had a mountain of paperwork to catch up on, which took me right up until the end of my shift. Marcus was waiting for me in the reception area when I’d finished. We walked back to the car in silence. He glanced over at me every few minutes as if he was considering speaking up but couldn’t decide whether to.

  I lasted until we got to the car, before
I turned to him. “I thought we were done. What’s up with your sudden desire to communicate – constantly? Why’d you keep looking at me?”

  “It’s just that you’ve obviously forgotten with everything going on but we were going to eat out tonight to celebrate Kelly’s birthday. We couldn’t expect you to come now. I wouldn’t like to go without letting you know, though, just in case…”

  I cringed inwardly but plastered a grin on my face, “Shit! I’d completely forgotten. Why didn’t you remind me? You’ve not given me much time!” I grumbled. “I’ll still come - of course, I will. Food at seven, wasn’t it?”

  “Great! Kelly will be really pleased.” We chatted about nothing in particular the rest of the way home before he dropped me off, agreeing to meet at the restaurant later that evening.

  I let myself in and went straight upstairs for a shower. I could hear my phone ringing as I dried myself off. I checked and saw that it was Lena.

  Sitting down on the bed, I called her back. She answered almost immediately and I couldn’t help the smile on my face at hearing her voice. I needed to pull back and put some distance between us until I knew what was going on in my head, but hearing her voice was like a light being switched on inside me.

  “Hey, how was your day?” I asked and she groaned, complaining about how her mother was fussing over her and not allowing her to do anything, but she sounded happy. “Listen, I’d completely forgotten that there was a meal planned tonight. Obviously they don’t expect for us both to go now…”

  “Why not?” she interrupted. I hesitated and she continued, “Nate? I’m more than capable of going out for a meal. I still need to eat. Are you still going to go? Do you still want me to come?” she asked, sounding uncertain, and I was surprised at the anxiety in her voice.

  “If you’re sure you’re up to it?”

  “Pick me up at 6.30,” she answered, and I smiled despite my reservations. She sounded like Lena again, it was good to hear the fire back in my warrior’s voice.

  I got myself ready to go out, throwing on a pair of jeans and a pale blue shirt. I sent a quick message to Marcus confirming that Lena would be coming with me and grabbed my keys before going to pick her up.

  Lena

  Thankfully, I wasn’t particularly high maintenance. Nate had given me barely forty minutes to get myself ready. I opened my wardrobe and looked for something to wear. I wanted something that would stop him looking at me like I was made of glass. I needed something that would make Nate reconsider the distance he was putting between us. I longed to see lust and desire in his eyes again instead of concern and upset. I needed a real reaction from him instead of his polite actions.

  I flicked through a few different outfits before settling on a red floor-length maxi dress. I wouldn’t need to wear a bra, which would benefit my sore and aching ribs and would also, hopefully, catch Nate’s attention.

  It still hurt too much to try and fuss with my hair, so I left it hanging loosely around my face. I was just finishing applying my makeup when I heard a gentle knock at the door, I called out and my mother walked in. “I’m going out for a meal with Nate,” I explained and she smiled. Coming up behind me, she began to play with my hair.

  “Are you alright, Lena?” she asked, looking searchingly at me in the mirror. Just as I was about to answer, my father called out to us that Nate was there.

  “You look beautiful” she said as I turned and hugged her.

  “I’m good, thanks, Mum.” I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Nate sat on a stool with his back to me, chatting to my father.

  He spun around to face me, and I saw a slow grin spread over his face as his eyes raked down my body. “Wow…you look incredible, Lena.” His voice was full of appreciation and I felt myself break into a wide smile.

  We drove to the restaurant and Nate filled me in on his day. We chatted easily and I began to wonder if maybe I’d been over-sensitive the last few days. Nate parked the car and I could see Marcus standing at the entrance, talking into his phone.

  He ended the call just as we got close and came towards me, wrapping me up in a huge embrace, careful not to hurt me. “Lena! So good to see you, you look amazing!” He looked me up and down, teasing Nate who punched him good-naturedly in the arm.

  “Back off, Knobhead.” I couldn’t help but smile. Already, I was glad that I’d agreed to come out. We walked through the restaurant, Nate and Marcus stopping by the bar as I continued onwards towards our table.

  Kelly leapt up when she saw me, giving me a quick hug before thanking me for coming and checking that I was feeling well enough to be out. I thanked her for her concern, reassuring her that I was alright.

  I glanced quickly around the table, there were a few faces I didn’t know, and the ones I did recognise; I could have done without seeing. There was a girl I didn’t know seated at the table, I guessed she must be Marcus’s date. There was a guy sat next to Kelly, who I presumed to be her boyfriend. Kelly caught my gaze and began to make introductions.

  “Everyone - this is Lena, Nate’s girlfriend. Lena, this is my boyfriend Carl...” He grinned at me and said hello.

  She gestured over towards the bar area, “You already know Marcus, obviously. This is Lindsay - then here we have Jess and Rachel, who you met previously in Milo’s.”

  I’d recognised Jess instantly as the girl that had been shooting daggers at me on one of the first nights in the club.

  “So lovely to see you again, Lena!” Jess smiled sweetly at me, though it was completely disingenuous, “We didn’t get the chance to catch up at the wedding; you weren’t there for very long! I’m a friend of Clarissa’s, and Nate’s, obviously.” The smug way she said Nate’s name told me more than I needed to know. I refused to let her see that her words had affected me, maintaining eye contact and smiling just as sweetly in return. “I’m just as happy to see you both again,”

  I caught Lindsay’s muffled snort as she pretended to cough, her lips pressed together tightly as she looked away from the table. Jess and Rachel both gave me a look of disdain before continuing to talk to each other again, dismissing me completely.

  I glanced behind me for Nate and saw him talking to Marcus; they were still standing over by the bar. Reluctantly I sat down, carefully trying to position myself so that I was comfortable. My headache had gone, but my ribs were still very sore.

  Kelly was seated again and deep in conversation with Carl so I turned to look at Lindsay. She eyed me curiously, flicking her glance back to the gruesome twosome before looking back at me. Clearly she shared the same impression of Jess and Rachel.

  “Hi,” she smiled kindly. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m good, thank you, just a little sore. It could have been much worse. You’re here with Marcus then?”

  She looked at me carefully before responding, “Yeah, we’ve been together a few weeks.”

  “How’d you meet?”

  “At work”

  “You’re a police officer too?” I asked sounding surprised and she laughed.

  “Yeah, nearly four years now…what about you and Nate?” she asked politely, and I smiled back at her, thinking about the circumstances of our meeting.

  I relayed the story to her and she burst out laughing, just as Nate and Marcus made it back to our table. They looked between us and Marcus raised his eyebrow. “Dare I ask?”

  The evening passed quickly. Nate fussed over me and declined us both any alcohol. Jess continued to shoot me sly looks every now and again, laughing at anything Nate said and fluttering her eyelashes at him. It was comical to see her flirting so outrageously right in front of me.

  Lindsay caught my eye a few times and I could see from her expression that she was unimpressed, but I wasn’t going to let it bother me. Things might not have been back to exactly how they had been before, but I wasn’t one to feel jealous. He was sitting next to me and it would be me that he left with. Lindsay and I got along well, laughing and chatting most of the evening.
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  Kelly asked after Maddie and shot me an apologetic look whenever Jess tried to engage with Nate. I couldn’t help but wonder how someone as pleasant and likeable as her, could be friends with Jess and Rachel, especially since they seemed to be on such good terms with Nate’s ex. It made no sense to me.

  They were all going to go on somewhere else for drinks, but Nate and I decided to call it a night. It had been lovely to get out of the house, but I was still aching and tired. There didn’t seem much point with Nate driving and refusing to allow me to drink anyway - not that I wanted alcohol.

  We walked back to the car and I felt more relaxed than I had since the accident. Tonight had been fun and it had been good to see Nate acting like himself again.

  “I had a good night,” I murmured to him as we began to drive.

  He glanced over to me. His face was only partially visible due to the shadows - he hadn’t shaved and his stubble was longer than usual. His mouth turned up as he gave me a half smile. “Yeah, it was good to get out and catch up with everyone.”

  There were a couple of people I would have preferred to have avoided but I smiled. “So what’s going on with Marcus and Lindsay?” I probed. “She seems nice, I really enjoyed meeting her.”

  “Yeah, Lindsay is lovely. They’ve known each other for years. They’ve been keeping it quiet since they probably won’t be able to work out of the same station anymore if they’re in a relationship. It’s just a bit of fun. It’s only been a few weeks - no point screwing around with both their lives just because they are literally screwing around. It probably won’t come to anything anyway.” Nate shrugged in an offhand manner and I turned to look out of the window so he wouldn’t see the hurt on my face.

  A flippant comment and I was back to feeling uncomfortable again!

  We’d not been together much longer but I considered us to be a lot more than fun, well I had anyway! Now, I didn’t know what the hell was going on. I wanted to talk to him about it. I needed to find out what the hell he was thinking and why things felt so different between us, but for the first time in a long time, I was scared of confrontation. I was terrified of what he was going to say.