Family Ties (Hidden Secrets) Read Free

down, I took it.  He opened the door and I stumbled inside.  I could hear him talking to someone outside.
    “Not happening tonight darling.  Sorry.  My friend needs me.” Nate said.
    The lady didn’t seem to be too happy about it and soon you heard squealing tires as she drove off.  Nate came back in shutting the door.  He took his jacket off and hung it on the wall next to the door and made his way to the dining room where I was sitting.
    “ Mare?  Look at me Mare?” He whispered.
    I shook my head slightly.  These were the times I hated myself. Weak, broken shell of me had to face another person with what I let happen to me.  It was my fault.  I caused this one. If only I ’d learn to keep my fucking mouth shut.  If only…
    “ I can’t help you if I don’t know what is wrong.” He said softly and I could hear the concern in his voice.
    Slowly I lifted my head.  I tried to brace myself for his reaction.  I hadn’t even gotten a good look at myself.  The only thing I saw was what I occasionally caught a glimpse of in my rearview mirror as I drove all this way.
    “ Jesus Christ! What the hell happened, Mare?”
    “ What do you think happened?” I sneered, still not looking at him.
    “ You need to report him or this will never end.”
    I snapped my head up the rest of the way and glared at him. “Do you think if it were that easy that I wouldn’t have done it already?  Seriously Nate!”
    “ JESUS! Mare… this is the worst I have seen you.  I can’t keep hiding this from your family.”
    Pushing myself up to a standing position, I stumbled toward the door.  “I ’m sorry Nate.  I never meant to put you in a bad situation. I’ll just go.”
    “ No, Mare… don’t go… please,” he said grabbing my hand gently.
    I dropped to the floor and cried again.  This was not normal for me.  Even in the previous beatings, I’ve never broken down and cried this much.  It was pissing me off.  Nate pulled me into his lap carefully and held me while I cried. 
    Nate was a great friend.  He never asked me questions, but helped me when I needed it.  He was the only one I trusted with seeing me like this.  You would think it would be awkward between us since we had ourselves a little fling while I was staying with Kayla, but it was never like that with us.  We were comfortable with each other, in and out of the bed.
    “Thank you, Nate.  You’re too good to me.”
    “ I told you once before Mare… I’d do anything for you.” He kissed my nose.  “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up and see what kind of damage is left behind.  You staying here for a bit?”
    “ I guess we’ll see when we get me cleaned up, eh?” I winked at him.
    He just laughed and helped me upstairs to the bathroom.  Carefully he helped me out of my clothes.  He sucked in a breath when he saw me.
    “Don’t Nate… Please don’t.”
    “ I’m sorry Mare, but this is bad. I hurt for you.  I want to kill this son of a bitch!” He growled.
    After he helped me with a shower, he tended to the cuts and then loaned me some of his clothes to change into.  He went downstairs to make something to eat and I looked at myself in the mirror.  Aside from the cut and swelling on my face, you wouldn’t know I was beat.  All the injuries, but the ones on my face were hidden beneath my clothing.  This meant I could potentially go home and see my family during this break and that made me happy.
    Walking downstairs, I met Nate in the kitchen.  It was amazing what a shower could do for you.  My muscles were so sore and weak.  I was tired as all hell though.  When I walked into his kitchen, Nate smiled at me. 
    “Supper is served,” he said proudly.
    I started laughing, which smarted.  “Cereal?”
    “ Hey, I had to open the bag and check to make sure my milk wasn’t bad… that’s a scary task there.” He grinned.
    “ Thank you.” I said as I began to eat my cereal.
    He placed some pills and a glass of water