Beautifully Destroyed (12 page)

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jeb

“Whoa Barb! Get off me!” I was pissed that she was even there, and I was even more pissed that my best friend would set this up. “I don’t love you anymore. Hell, I don’t think I ever did love you.”

“Why are you being such a douche to me?”

“Because you are not for me; Toria is.”

She grabbed her shirt and put it back on. “Why are you wasting your time with that? You are just embarrassing yourself.”

“You know what, Barb? It is none of your business what I do with my time. I love that girl, and all you are doing is trying to break us up. But I am sorry to say that will never happen.”

“So you’d rather be with someone that is addicted to drugs and is a whore than be with someone like me?”

I started to walk away, but turned back to her. “You bet I do.”

I smiled, and the shock look on her face was priceless. I walked into the house at the same time as Sean.

“Hey, where’s Toria?”

Maddie was sitting at the kitchen table, looking at her fingernails. “My guess is she is gone by now. You know, after that little show you and Barb just put on.”

I got in her face. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, you know with you and Barb basically dry humping in the backyard. She saw it all. Oh, and the look on her face was priceless. So after that, she took off running down the driveway.”

“You, Maddie, are nothing but a selfish bitch, just like Barb. You two deserve to be friends. And you.” I looked to Sean. “How could you let your bitch of a wife do this to my girl? I thought we were friends.”

“Don’t call my wife that!”

“I am done with this. I am done with
you
.”

I stormed out of the house and ran down the driveway. I was calling out her name, but there was no response. I had no idea where she would go. I ran back up to my car and hopped in. I pulled out my phone, and I called Brianna.

“Hey, have you talked to Toria?”

“No, why?”

Fuck. “She ran off on me and I can’t find her. She found out what happened years ago. How she was homeless.”

She was silent for a moment. “What? You have no idea where she is?”

“No. If you hear from her, please call me.”

“I will. Please do the same.”

I hung up the phone with her and started the car. I had to find her. I knew she had no money to get a cab. I pulled out my phone and called the cell phone I gave her. It just went to voice mail.
What have I done?
Then I realized who she would call. Vanessa. I sped all the way over to her house. When I got there, I knocked on the door.

Vanessa opened the door. “You need to leave.”

“Let me explain.”

“I don’t care what you have to say. That girl in there has been through so much. Let her rest, let her recuperate. I seriously have no idea how much more she can take. She is in the bathroom curled up in a ball. Whatever your friends have done to her has destroyed her more. So, Jeb, if you love that girl, leave and let her heal.”

I knew she was right. I needed to leave her alone. “Please call me if something happens to her. Please, Vanessa. I love her.”

“I know you do, and I will. But right now, go home, get rest, and leave her alone.”

I gave Vanessa a forced smile and walked to my car. I didn’t want to leave her alone. I wanted to hold her. To be with her. God, why was I so stupid? I knew something was up when Barb showed up to Sean and Maddie’s. I just couldn’t believe how they would treat me. I could see Maddie being scandalous. But Sean?

I got to my condo and went inside. I went to pour a glass of whiskey. I picked up my guitar and I started to play. I really missed playing, and I got the urge to write Toria a song.

I got out my pad and pen, and I started to play and write. I would win her back. I had to.

***

A week passed, thought it felt like eternity. My father had been in the office everyday helping keep the tension between Sean and me down. I was going to fire him, but I decided against it. He might have been an asshole, but he needed the job, and we needed the help. I’d tried to get updates on Toria, but Vanessa just shook her head. She hadn’t given me any updates on her at all. I really fucked up things with her. Finally, on Friday, right before Vanessa was about to leave, she stopped in to talk to me.

“Mr. Turner, please sit.” I did, and she continued. “Toria is a mess.”

“Why, what’s going on?”

The tears started to flow from her eyes. “I catch her sleeping outside, and when she is in the house, she is always in a ball, and when I go to talk to her, she snaps at me. As if she is angry all the time. I called Doctor Johnson, and she said that is normal. The type of drugs she was addicted to have fucked with her brain chemicals. Also, there are times she just sits there and cries. I try to console her, but she just pushes me away.”

“Have you tried getting Mitch over to talk to her?”

She sighed and looked away. “She doesn’t even want to see him.”

“Can I come by and see her tonight?”

“Please do. I plan on going out with Mitch and my brother. I invited her to go, but she just sat there and stared into the distance.”

She told me where I could find the key. I thanked her and got ready to leave for the day.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Toria

The bathroom tile was cool against my skin as I sat there shaking, and rocking back and forth. The pain in my head was unbearable. What was wrong with me? Ever since Sean pushed me down, I hadn’t been the same. I was scared, and the taste for drugs was becoming stronger. All I wanted was a pill to get me through the day. I started to remember bits and pieces every day, but none of it made me feel better. I finally remembered what Brianna said to me that last day I saw her. That ripped my heart out. That destroyed me. I was so sad that she would say those horrible things to me. I had no idea if I would ever forgive her. I knew she had stopped over a couple of times, but I was so glad that Vanessa sent her away. I also remembered who got me addicted to the drugs in the first place. Sean. He just didn’t want me to give him up. But once I got strong again, I would be doing just that. It was his fault for doing this to me. My parents… I couldn’t believe that they would allow me to be homeless and not even try to help me. I also remembered Vanessa and Tony and how they helped me. They only thing I could’t remember was Jeb. The one person who had been nothing but amazing to me, until the previous week.
Why can’t I remember him?

I stood up and went to the sink to wash my face when I heard the door shut. I was wondering why Vanessa was back so early. I walked out of the bathroom, and anger washed over me. I didn’t say anything, I walked over to the lamp, picked it up, and threw it at Jeb. He ducked just in time. He ran over to me and grabbed me.

“Let me go, you asshole.”

“No, we need to talk.”

I just started to scream and shake. We finally slid to the floor and he kept a tight hold on me. “Let it out.”

“Why would you do that to me? Why would you humiliate me like that? Why, Jeb? Why the fuck would you go back to that bitch?”

“It’s not what you think.”

“Not what I think, really? I saw it with my own two eyes. She was having a hay day with you.”

He sighed. “Please, let me explain.”

“No! I don’t want to hear anymore lies. Everyone has been lying to me. Walking on freaking egg shells around me like I am going to crack. Well, guess what? I finally cracked. I can’t take this anymore. My life is shit.”

He turned me so I could face me. “Toria, listen to me! It was a set up. I love you. Please let me help you.”

I finally broke down and cried. I pulled her knees up to my chin and cried. Sometimes I would let out a scream and he just sat there, letting me do it. This was what I needed. I needed to let it all out. Finally, after what seemed like an hour, I calmed down. I let him explain to me what happened.

“Why would they do that to me, to us?”

“They are sad people that have nothing going for them. Barb is a sad girl that has daddy issues. Just don’t let her get to you.”

“Jeb, I remembered a lot of things this week.”

I explained to him all the things I remembered, and he sat there listening to me. When I got to the part about how Sean was the one who got me addicted to the drugs, he said some pretty harsh words. But when I told him about what happened the other night, he stopped me from talking.

“Do you think he attacked you?”

“I have no idea, but I think I want to go to the cops about it.”

“We can go tomorrow, but Toria, I want to take you to my place.”

“I don’t know if I am ready for that. I am afraid you will hurt me again.”

“Baby, I promise, I won’t.” He brought his hand to my face, and I closed my eyes. I loved when he touched me. I love how it made me feel inside. I just loved the man. I knew it had been a short amount of time, but I just knew he was the man for me.

“Okay, let’s get my things. I will have to leave Vanessa a note.”

Just then, she walked in the door.

“Hey, what happened in here?”

“Sorry, Vanessa; I threw the lamp at him.”

She laughed. “That’s okay. Hey, are you two okay?”

“Yep, I am going to stay at his house. I think I am going to call the Doctor tomorrow. I think I need more help.”

“Good, Jeb, if you hurt her, I will cut you. If Barb does anything else to her, I will cut a bitch. And I don’t care if I go to jail.”

We all laughed. I gathered up my things and we headed out.

Once we were in the car, he took my hand and I squeezed it hard. I didn’t want him to let me go. “You don’t have to cut my circulation off, babe.”

I laughed. “Sorry.”

Once we got to his place, we walked in. He made me a sandwich, and after I ate, we went to sit in the living room. I saw a pad on the table and I picked it up. It was a song, and it was for me.

“It’s not done yet.”

“Wow, no one has ever done this for me. Why is it called
Beautifully Destroyed
?”

He smiled at me. “I know you don’t remember that last night we were together, but I called you that.” I was confused. Was that a bad thing that he called me that? “No, don’t think of it as bad,” he said as if he had read my mind. “You told me you would destroy me. But, babe, you are so beautiful, and not being with you would destroy me.”

I got up and straddled him.

He ran his hands up the back of my shirt. I got goose bumps. I leaned down and slowly kissed him. I could feel myself getting wet. “Jeb, fuck me,” I said harshly.

“What?” he said, laughing. I guessed I had never talked like that to him, because his face was covered in a look of shock.

That made me even more brazen. “I want you to fuck me.” His lips slammed hard against mine and he picked me up. He laid me on the couch. He was on top of me, kissing me. His hand went up the front of my shirt, and he pulled my bra down, freeing my breasts. “Oh yes, suck on my nipples.” He did just that. He nibbled them, and then he did it a little harder and I moaned out loud. “Jeb, can I suck your dick?”

“Oh god, yes.” He got up, and I undid his pants and pulled them down and his erection sprung free. I took the head of it and swirled my tongue around it as I also cupped his balls with my hand. “Fuck, babe.” I started to suck all the way down the length of his cock, and I started to play with his balls as I sucked his dick. I started to move my mouth up and down a little faster until he pulled out.

He turned me around and slammed his erection into my wet folds. “Oh god, yes.”

He started to slam into me harder, and I took my hand and started to play with his balls as he slammed harder into me. I thrust my hips with the motion of him. I was reaching my orgasm, and I could tell he was as well. He slammed once more in me and we both collapsed. We laid there on the couch. I realized he hadn’t worn a condom, but I didn’t care. It had felt amazing to feel his skin against my insides, and I would worry about the consequences the next day. I didn’t want to bring a baby into the world when I was still trying to get over my addiction, but I knew I could go to the pharmacy and get the morning after pill if needed. I didn’t want to ruin the moment by telling him about our reckless behavior.

He helped me up, and we walked into the bathroom. We took a shower and went to lay in the bed. I was so happy. Jeb and I were so happy together. I fell asleep quickly that night.

Chapter Thirty

Jeb

              When I woke the next morning, Toria had her head on my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, and she let out a little moan. “Good morning, sunshine.”

She looked up at me, and my heart melted. “Good morning. Do you really have to go to work today?”

“I do. I have a few things to take care of.”

She sat up and wrapped herself in the sheet. “Please don’t do anything to ruin your friendship with Sean.”

“I will not let him get away with harming you.”

She sighed and started to get off the bed. “I know. I was thinking of hanging with Vanessa today.”

I got off the bed and went to the closet to pull out some clothes for the day. “That sounds like a great idea.”

“Jeb, I am thinking of having her drive me to my parents’ house.”

I stopped what I was doing and closed my eyes. “Do you want me to go with you?”

“No, I need to close that chapter in my life. What they did to me was horrible. I am not sure what I am going to do about Brianna yet.”

I turned toward her, and I could see the sadness in her eyes. “Don’t be so hard on her. She was just upset and really young. She has really grown up a lot.”

I watched her get on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. “I know, but it still hurts. All they had to do was get me help.”

I walked over to her and pulled her into a hug. “So, are you going to group today?”

“I think so. I really need to.”

“Good, I think it will do you good. Okay, I need to get ready to go to work.”

We kissed. I didn’t want to leave her, but I knew I had to. Once I got to work, Sean was sitting in my office.

“Hey man. How are you today?”

I didn’t say anything to him; all I did was walk over to him and let my fist fly.  He backed up, grabbing his face. “What the fuck, dude?”

“Really, Sean? Drugs? Lying to me? I thought we were friends. Oh, and to top it off, you attacked her at your house.”

“What are you talking about?”

I started to pace around the office. “Toria remembered.”

His face went pale white. “So you are going to believe a whore over me?”

“I call bullshit! We had sex, and she was still a virgin.”

“Wait, you had sex with that crack whore?”

I had enough, so I attacked him with my fist again. I had no idea how many times I punched him by the time someone was pulling me off of him. I turned to see it was my father. “Son, stop.”

I watched Sean get up and hold his blood face. “Sean, get your shit and get out of my sight. You’re fired. I don’t want to see you ever again. And if you come anywhere near Toria, or say anything that will hurt her, I
will
have your arrested for any charge I can possibly lay upon you.”

He walked out of my office, and I went to sit at my desk. “Jeb, can you tell me what the hell is going on?”

My father sat down and I explained everything to him. He stayed silent until I was done. “Do you think that she was attacked on purpose?”

“I think so. I want her to talk to the cops.”

My father scratched his chin and pulled out his phone. “Yeah, Paul? I am at my son’s hotel. Can you stop in, please?”

I sat there watching him until he hung up the phone. “Okay, son, Paul, my Private investigator, will be here in ten.”

“Thank you for doing this. I love her.”

He smiled at me. “This is the happiest I’ve ever seen you.”

“She does that to me.”

There was a knock on the door and Paul walked in. He was about my age, maybe a little older, and he was wearing a suit and his blonde hair was buzzed. He sat down, and I explained to him all that had happened to Toria.             

“Can you take me to the spot you found her?”

I got up and we walked out of the building. We took my father’s car since he had his own driver. Once we got to the spot where Vanessa and I found her, we got out and went to the scene. Paul took out his phone and started to take photos of the scene. He would stop and take notes every now and then. Then I saw him walk toward a metal pipe.

“Looks like we have the weapon.”

I walked over to get a better look at it. The pipe had brown hair and dried blood on it. “Do you think that’s Toria’s hair?”

“I do. He grabbed out a plastic bag and put it in it. “Okay, I am going to get this to my lab and test it for fingerprints. Jeb, is there anyone besides Sean that has something against her?”

“Yes. Maddie, Sean’s wife, and my ex-fiancée, Barb.”

“Son, you really think she would do this?”

I looked at my father. “Actually, I do. She hates Toria for taking me from her.”

After we left the scene, we went back to my office. My father and Paul left after Paul told me he would call once he got some word. My father also put someone on Toria’s tail to keep an eye on her. I was surprised when he did that. For the rest of the day, I caught up on paperwork and put an advertisement online for Sean’s position. My main concern was Toria, but I still had a business to run, as well.