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"Would you like a drink?" Chase offers from the kitchen.
I look over, staring at the contents of the fridge as he stands in front of it with the door opened. I nod, spotting some water bottles. Chase reaches for one, walking over and holding it out for me.
"Thank you," I mutter, sounding like the victim of a bad head cold.
Beau motions to the couch. "Come sit down."
I follow him, sitting at the very end. It's an awesome couch, my body sinking into the soft material. Chase walks around the other side, handing out a bottle of water to the other guys and passing Beau an ice pack and paper towel.
"Here," Beau says, handing the now wrapped ice pack to me. "Put this on your cheek. It will help."
I gingerly take it, hissing at the icy cold shock as I place it on my cheek.
Jax throws himself onto the couch, spreading out at the other end, while Beau sits down next to me. I watch in confusion as Chase sits on the floor, crossing his legs, despite there being plenty of room left on the couch. He closes his eyes, looking like he's in the middle of a meditation session or something.
Beau pulls me from my train of thoughts, making me jump. "So, what happened? I assume this is the same asshole you told me about?"
A laugh escapes from my throat at the reminder of Aaron's new nickname. "Yeah. We got into a fight about it."
"What was the fight about?" Chase asks, and I stare at his still posture and closed eyes with bewilderment.
"Uh…" I hesitate, not comfortable telling a room full of strangers that I have a sexually transmitted disease.
Beau interjects before I can further elaborate on my single brain cell's thought. "Her shit-ass ex-boyfriend gave her chlamydia."
Chase's eyes shoot open and Jax casually glances over. I freeze in embarrassment, but none of them appear disgusted, much to my relief.
"What a shit stain," Chase mutters.
"He blamed me but I know it was him. He told me he was clean but I found his results and when I confronted him about it, he got mad."
Jax pulls a repulsed look. "And he hit you?"
I nod weakly, causing Jax to scoff in disgust.
Beau moves my hand, re-positioning the ice pack on my face. "Is he moving out?"
"Moving out?" I repeat, confused.
"Well, I assume you are ending things."
"I haven't thought that far yet," I admit quietly. "It was such a shock that I just waited until he left the apartment then I left too. I don't even have a plan."
Chase raises an eyebrow at me. "You can't stay with him. You know that, right?"
I used to question the struggles of women in domestic violence relationships. We always say 'just walk away' but I never stopped to consider that perhaps there's so many other factors involved. Fear, financial dependency, children, empty promises of it never happening again…
Money is so tight at the moment that I have no idea how I'll be able to pay rent on my own. Not to mention the lack of available housing around now that classes are about to start back up. I suppose I can make some inquiries with the college and see if my scholarship entitles me to on-campus support. At least with my lease ending, I'm not going to be trapped in a tenancy contract, but I would still have to face Aaron to end things and get my stuff out.
"You can stay here for a few days, if you need. As long as you don't mind the couch," Beau offers.
I look at him incredulously. "I couldn't impose on you like that. But, thank you anyway."
"You can have my bed if you want. I don't mind sleeping on the couch," Chase interjects smoothly.
My mouth feels dry as I take in their generosity. "I really can't do that."
"Do you have a friend you can stay with?" asks Jax. "Or family?"
