When Love Hurts Read Free Page A

of Chris out of my head. I rub my sore arm not even wanting to think about how bad my back hurts from being slammed into the entertainment center twice. A bath would be nice right about now.
    It isn’t until after I have started the bathwater that I remember the chicken. Sure enough, when I flip them over the other side is burned. I shake my head. This is embarrassing. I watch carefully as the chicken cooks on the other side, and then I take it out and place the pieces on a plate and paper towels I laid out. I collapse back in the kitchen chair and wonder what excuse I’m going to tell Jaylen about the chicken. I stare at them on the counter, half black and half golden brown, and wonder if I could fool him if I set all the chicken golden-side up. Maybe I should cook something else with the chicken, like mashed potatoes or corn or something. I stand up again and start to search his cabinets, then grab a simple box of mac and cheese.
    I grab a pot from the dish rack and start filling it with water. As I watch the water fill the pot, I suddenly remember my bathwater is still running and drop the pot spilling the water all over the floor, the counter, and a little on the chicken. I ignore it and sprint toward the bathroom. I shut the water off just as it reaches the rim of the tub.  
    I let out a breath and sit beside the tub, staring at the pink-and-white bubbles. I stick one finger in and pull it out, realizing the hot water was going full blast the whole time. A hot bath would be relaxing, but I don’t want to boil.  
    I check the clock in the bathroom that hangs above the toilet. It’s nearly six o clock, and Jaylen should be back any second. I stand up and walk back to the kitchen. I wipe up the mess I made before fixing Jaylen a plate of the least-burned chicken and setting it on the table. They still look burned, but that’s the best I can make them look right now. I stare at the plate I made for him and remember I still need to make the mac and cheese.
    I’m cleaning the pot I dropped, when the door opens and I hear footsteps. I spring around sharply, and Jaylen is standing there with his hands up in surrender. Then he laughs. “You gonna knock me out in my own house?” He’s staring at the pot in my hand.
    I place it on the stove before I smile. “Yeah. You fuck with Jaylen, you fuck with me.”
    Jaylen nods approvingly as he walks into the kitchen and stares at the chicken. “You made this?” I nod. “Looks good.”
    “No, it’s not,” I admit despite myself. “It’s burned on the other side.”  
    Jaylen gives me a weird look before he turns one of the pieces over. “Oh, I see.” Then he laughs. “How do you burn chicken?”
    “I was distracted,” I say, staring down at his floor again. I wonder how smooth it will feel beneath my socks tomorrow morning. “Daydreaming I guess.”  
    “About what?”
    I look up and see his brown eyes poring into mine. “About today, I guess. Mostly.”
    Jaylen nods before walking closer to me. “It’s gonna be all right.” He wraps his arms around me and pulls me in tight. I can’t help but deeply inhale my favorite cologne. I sigh and melt into my best friend’s arms. “He will never hurt you again. I promise,” Jaylen says.
    I nod even though in my heart I can’t help but think how difficult stopping Chris from hurting me would be, especially since I’m still in love with him.

Chapter 5

    I lie in Jaylen’s guest bed facing the ceiling wishing I could see the stars, but I’m feeling too sore right now. The bath helped a lot, but I had to get out earlier than I wanted to, since the chicken didn’t sit too well with Jaylen’s stomach.  
    I close my eyes, but see Chris so quickly I reopen them and realize it’s going to be a long night. I wish I can get my mind off him, but all I can think about is the girl I saw him with in the car. What does she have that I don’t have, other than a nice car?
    It’s breaking my heart to think about him