Chapter Ten

  “JC!” Joey yelled up the stairs. “I’m sure your hair looks fine, COME ON!!”
  “Shove it, Joey,” he said as he trotted down the stairs. “I was talking to my mom.”
  “Yeah, sure,” he teased. “You were making sure ever hair was in perfect place, don’t worry we understand.”
  JC eyed him. “I know your jealous of my hair Joey, but don’t worry.” He patted his belly. “I’m very impressed with the belly. Wish I had one.”
  “Why you…” He hooked his arm around his neck and put him in a headlock as he rubbed his hair.
  “Joey,” he protested as he tried to get away. “Don’t mess with the hair!”
  He just laughed as he released him and pushed him off. “Don’t offend the belly,” he said and then patted it. “It’s very sensitive.”
  He just gave him a dirty look as he soothed his hair. Sydney laughed as she walked up to him. “Don’t worry, your hair still looks fine.”
  “Yeah, whatever,” he mumbled, but just smiled when he looked at her. “You look absolutely stunning.”
  “Thank ya kindly,” she said as she grinned up at him before he wiped it off with a kiss.
  “Okay, lovebirds, come on,” Lance said as he tugged JC to pull him away.
  JC just laughed as he stumbled backwards. He hadn’t been in this good of a mood in a long time. And it was all because of a girl named Sydney.
  They piled in the van and went straight to a club since it was almost midnight. They had spent the evening eating in while they played poker. They tried to teach the girls, but it was a lost cause. They had no clue what was going on. Since the felt bad taking their money, they decided to play with partners so they teamed up and then split the winnings.
  “Lance,” JC said as the van made it’s way down the hill. “As much as we all looooved the bar last night, we are definitely going to a techno club. I don’t think I’ll run into Bella or Cindy Lou there.”
  Lance laughed. “You never know, C.”
  “Well, I’m praying that I don’t,” he said. “If my ass gets pinched one more time, I swear.”
  Sydney chuckled. “You sure weren’t complaining this afternoon.”
  The whole fan busted out laughing and JC just grinned at her. “I surely wasn’t, my dear Syd. Feel free to pinch my butt anytime.”
  “Thank you,” she said and then reached down and pinched his butt. She smiled when he flinched at the contact. “I’ll take that into consideration.”
  “Someone’s feeling kinky,” JC teased as he pulled her close.
  She chuckled as she rested her head on his shoulder. “You bring it out of me I guess.”
  He grinned as he kissed the top of her head. Everyone was quite as the van traveled down the streets that were lit with Christmas lights. No words were needed, because everyone was content. Joey and Georgia were huddled together in the back. Her head was resting on his shoulder while he laid his cheek on the top of her head. Lance had his arm around Michele’s shoulder and his hand dangled over her. She smiled as she reached up and linked fingers with him. He squeezed it as he kissed her temple.
  When the van pulled up to the club, they were still for a moment, because they didn’t want to move. Finally the door flew open. “Ya’ll coming?” Lonnie asked.
  “Yeah, we’re coming,” JC finally said as he walked out of the van with his hand in hers.
  The club was dark and very crowded and the room practically vibrated from the loud booming music. They went to reserve the table before they did anything else and then afterwards they agreed to split up. Joey and Georgia decided to stay at the table and have a couple of drinks. Lance and Michele hung out at the bar, while Syd and JC went to the dance floor.
  An hour went by, and they drank, danced and they were having a great time. Lance and Michele mostly hung out at the bar, but they danced every once in awhile. Georgia and Joey danced to a couple of songs too, but they soon would retire to the table where they could be alone and talk. JC and Sydney, however, did not leave the dance floor once.
  They were sweating up a storm as they moved to the music, and at one point Sydney was so hot she had to take off her sweater and wrap it around her waist. After one of the songs, Sydney was so sweaty that her white cotton shirt was sticking to her. “JC, let’s sit this one out,” she yelled in her ear.
  “Okay, good idea,” he said as he fanned himself.
  “I’m going to run to the bathroom real quick,” she said. “Will you get me a drink?”
  “Sure, what do you want?”
  “WATER!” she exclaimed. “I’m dying!”
  He smiled and then kissed her. “I’ll meet you at the table,” he said and then they both parted ways in the crowd.
  Sydney nudged through the crowd, pushing her way through. People kept bumping into her left and right and this one guy almost spilled a drink on her. She let out a sigh of relief as she went down the hallway to the bathroom. She went to the bathroom and after leaving the stall she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked hideous, she thought with a laugh. Her hair was flat and stringy and her make up had sweated off of her. Her arms were glistened with sweat and she smelled terrible.
  She let out a laugh as she started to comb her hair and slicked it back to a ponytail. She sprayed some perfume and patted her face dry with a paper towel. She shrugged. “Not a total improvement, but it’ll work.”
  With a satisfying nod, she made her way out of the bathroom and started to walk down the hall. She was almost to the end of it when a door behind her flung open and an arm grabbed her and yanked her in. She yelped and then jumped when the door closed behind her. She couldn’t see anything, all she could hear was someone’s heavy breathing.
  “Okay, JC,” she said as she put her hand on her hips. “Very funny.”
  He didn’t reply, but she heard his steps coming closer to her and when he stopped right in front of her she gasped. This man was NOT JC. When JC was this close to her she felt tingly and warm, but this man gave her the chills. She backed away. “Who are you? What do you want?”
  He let out a chuckle and then she heard a click as the light flooded the room. Her eyes widened when she saw the man in front or her. “Surprise, baby,” Brad said with an evil grin.
  “B..Brad,” she said in shock. “What are you doing here?”
  He stepped closer to her but stopped when she backed away. “You’re not scared of me are you?”
  “What’s happen to you?” she asked as she took another step back. “You have such hatred in your eyes.”
  “Well, of course I do,” he said calmly. “Did you really think I was going to stand around after the way you treated me. Saying there was another guy.” He then surprised her by grabbing her wrist and slamming her against the wall. She let out a cry as she slid to the ground, but he grabbed her arms and lifted her up. “NO one plays me, Syd,” he said forcefully and then pressed her against the wall with his body. “NO ONE!”
  “Brad, let go,” she said fearfully. “You’re hurting me.”
  He just gripped her harder. “I’ve been watching you, Syd,” he whispered. “I’ve been watching you with that gay ass singer.”
  “He is NOT a gay ass singer,” she said as all the fear went away and anger swept over. “He is talented and sweet and everything you could never be.”
  “I don’t want to hear it!” he said angrily which made the fear come back. “So what was so special about him, Syd? I mean, I waited 4 months to be with you and after only three days you slip under the sheets with him!”
  Her eyes widened. “None of your damn business, Brad!” she yelled back. “He is special and…”
  “Forget it!” he yelled as he clinched a fistful of her hair and pulled her head back so she could look at him. His body shivered with excitement as he saw the tears swimming in his eyes. The fact that he had the power to make her scared sent a rush through him. “I don’t give a flying fuck what that piece of shit does to you. It doesn’t matter, because now I’m going to take what I want!”
  She started to cry. “Brad, stop,” she sobbed. “Please, you're hurting me.”
  “Good!” he said and then pressed her against the wall with his body again. “I’m going to take what’s rightfully mind, Syd. And that’s you.”

  “Hey, C,” Lance said when he sat down at the table with two waters in his hand. “Where’s Syd?”
  “She went to the bathroom,” he said as he took a sip of his water. “She should be back soon. In fact, I’m surprised she’s not back yet.”
  “Don’t worry,” Joey said. “I’m sure it’s just a long line.”
  Michele came out of the crowd and sat down next to Lance. “I swear the people here can be quite annoying.”
  “Where have you been?” Lance asked.
  “Sorry, I ran to the bathroom real quick,” she said.
  “Did you see Syd?” JC asked.
  She shook her head. “No she wasn’t there.”
  “Was the line long?”
  “Nope, not at all.”
  JC started to bounce his knee up and down. “Something is not right,” he said with a sigh.
  “I’m sure she’s fine…”
  “Guys!” Lonnie said. “We need to go, now!”
  “What?” JC asked. “Why?”
  “The security guard found one of the waiters beaten in the alley,” he said with worry in his eyes. “His keys and clothes were gone, which means he’s here somewhere in here pretending to be staff.”
  “I have to find, Sydney,” JC said frantically as he got up.
  Lonnie grabbed him. “I’ll find her, you go in the van with the rest of the…”
  “Lonnie, I’m not leaving here without her, do you understand!”
  “Oh, god,” Michele said all of the sudden.
  The whole table looked at her. “What?” JC said frantically. “What is it?”
  Her eyes widened. “Ear…Earlier I saw this waiter from across the room and I…I thought he looked kind of like Brad…but I didn’t think it was possible so I ignored it.”
  JC’s stomach turned and his heart began to race with fear. “I got to find her,” he said as he ran off and shrugged Lonnie’s arm when he tried to grab him. “DON’T! Either leave or help me find her!”
  He held up his hands. “Okay, don’t worry, we’ll find her.”
  Tears started to form in his eyes as he shoved his way through the crowd. God, please let her be okay, he thought. Please let me have the chance to have her in my arms again. Please.

  Her eyes widened with fear. “You…you wouldn’t,” she said shakily. “Brad, I know your not a mean person, please don’t…” She stopped and screamed when he threw her on the floor. She struggled beneath him as he pinned her down.
  “Why are you fighting, Syd,” as he caught her flaring arms. He cupped both of her wrists with one hand and pinned them over her head. “You know I excite you.”
  “You disgust me!” she snapped and then nudged her knee and rammed it right in his groin.
  He grunted in pain as he rolled off of her. Sydney scrambled to her feet and ran towards the door, but Brad caught up with her and slammed her body against the door before bringing her back. “That wasn’t very smart, Syd,” he said as he pinned her on the floor again once more. “Not very smart at all.”
  “I hope you burn in hell, Brad!” she said and then screamed at the top of her lungs.
  He shut her up with his sweaty lips and he reached up and tore her cotton shirt easily as if it were paper. She struggled beneath him, but that just excited him more. “You like that Syd?” he asked.
  Sydney closed her eyes and groaned in disgust when he felt his hands on her. JC, she screamed in her mind. Please help me!
  Just then she heard the door fly open and her eyes flew open and saw Lonnie fall through the door way. She screamed his name and then a second later Brad flung off of her body. Tears started to flow down her cheeks as she turned to the side and curled up in a little ball.
  JC saw her shriveled body on the floor and his heart fell as he dropped beside her. “Syd,” he said as he touched her softly and he cursed when she flinched at his touch. “Syd, it’s me. It’s JC.”
  She looked up at him and when she saw those blue eyes looking down at her she cried as she held out her arms to him. “JC,” she said shakily.
  “Shhh,” he whispered as he pulled her in his arms. “It’s okay.”
  “I was…I was so scared,” she cried as she buried her face into his chest.
  Tears started to form in JC’s eyes. He had almost lost her, he thought. He didn’t even want to think about what would have happen if they hadn’t have found her. “I know, sweetie. I was scared too.” He kissed the top of his head. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, I promise.”
  He looked over at Lonnie who was watching Brad with disgust as he was being handcuffed. “Lonnie, let me have your jacket.”
  Lonnie looked at them and the anger swept away and concerned filled his eyes. He quickly took off his black leather jacket and handed it to him. JC carefully put it over her shoulders to cover her exposed chest where her shirt had been ripped. The sight was simply unbearable to him, and if he saw one more bruise on her, he was going to severely hurt someone. Like Brad. “Okay, let’s go home, Syd,” he said as he cradled her like a baby and stood up.
  Sydney closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck as she buried her face in her neck so no one would see her. Lonnie made a path for them and instead of having to walk through the club to get out, they took the back exit. The van wait for them and everyone was inside, praying that Sydney was okay. Lonnie opened the door and JC slipped in.
  “Oh, my god, is she okay?” Michele cried.
  “Yes,” JC whispered and then kissed the top of her head. “She’s okay.”
  The van ride home was quiet. If a pin dropped, it would probably echo through the van. Joey and Michele held the girls close, because they were hurting for their best friend. Joey closed his eyes as he carressed her hair and held her tight. Lance's head was resting on Michele's shoulder and, her cheek was up against the top of his head. He lightly caressed her leg to give her the comfort she needed.
  JC held on tight to her and never wanted to let her go. She was shaking and so he pulled the jacket tighter around her and tucked her under his chin. "Almost home, sweetie," he whispered and she just sobbed and as she leaned into the warmth he provided.
  As soon as the van came to a stop and the door flew open, JC stepped out and made his way inside. He didn't want to be around anyone but her, because he wasn't safe. He was on the edge of breaking and he just wanted to be alone with her. "JC," Joey said before he could go in the room.
  He stopped and turned around. "Yes?"
  "Take care of her, okay?" he said softly.
  Michele came up and kissed JC on the cheek. "Thank you for loving her so much."
  He managed a smile and looked at his friends. "It wasn't hard," he said and then walked into the room.
  He laid her gently on the bed and then kissed her softly before he pulled away. She cried in protest and pulled him to her. "It's okay," he said softly as he sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm just going to get you some clothes. "I'm not leaving you."
  Her eyes remained closed, but her muscles relaxed and he slipped away from her. He ran to his suitcase, and rummaged out his favorite old Redskins jersey and then quickly ran back to her side. He gently grabbed her arms and she winced at the pain. He froze, and then let her down. "I'm sorry, sweetie," he said gently. "I have to get you out of these clothes, can you sit up for me?"
  Her eyes peaked open and she saw his blue eyes and it made her feel stronger almost. She winced slightly as she sat up and he gently helped her shrug off Lonnie's jacket and then the ripped shirt was taken off as well. JC's eyes filled with anger for Brad when he saw the bruise on her arm. He lifted his hand and was almost afraid to touch it, but then gently ran her fingertips over the purple whelp. "Does...Does it hurt?"
  She shivered at his touch and then let out a shaky sigh. "It's...a little tender."
  He ran his finger up her arm and over her bra strap and then froze when he saw the tender spot on his neck. "Did he...Did he give that to you?"
  She managed to smile. "No...ahem...YOU did."
  His eyes shot to hers and felt himself turn red. "I did that?"
  She smiled. "Yes, while we were dancing."
  His brows rose when he remembered. "Oohhh, I see," he said with a grin and then ran his finger over it. "Does it hurt?"
  "Not at all," she said huskily.
  His eyes traveled down her neck and he frowned when he saw another bruise on the crook of her shoulder. "He's a monster," he said as he ran a finger over it. His voice cracked as it was filled with emotion. He then leaned down and kissed the tender skin softly and she trembled beneath his touch. "Here," he finally said as he leaned up and pulled the jersey over his head. "Let's put this on."
  She let him help her put it on and she carefully put her arms through the sleeves. He reached behind her and pulled her hair out of the jersey. She looked down at the jersey and frowned. "The Redskins?" she said with disappointment and then looked up at him. "I'm a Cowboy fan."
  He let out a laugh. She was surely something. Less than thirty minutes ago she was scared for her life and now she was cracking jokes at him. He kissed her on her forehead. "Well, sweetie we can't have EVERYTHING in common."
  She snickered. "I guess not."
  He leaned down and kissed her softly. "Let me get ready for bed, I'll join you in a minute."
  She sighed and kissed him again. "Okay."
  He left her and disappeared in the bathroom and Sydney slowly made her way back down on the bed. She colsed her eyes and tried to get the horrible night out of her mind. She didn't want to remember that night ever again. She didn't want to remember the feel of his hands on her or anything that had to do with him. When she was with JC, it all went away. But now she was alone and it was coming back to her.
  She curled up in a ball as the tears started to come. She had never been so scared in all her life. She couldn't believe that he was the same guy she had dated for four months. Everyone saw who he really was but her. And she found out the hard way.
  The bathroom door swung open and he came out in a pair of pajama pants that rode low on his hips, but didn't have a shirt on. The sight of him made all her fears go away and she was about to cry for him, but he was already at her side.
  "Syd," he said as he saw the tears. "It's okay."
  She snuggled up to his warmth and let the tears go. "I was so scared, JC."
  He shut his eyes as he felt his own tears begin to form. "I know, baby. But it's over now, it's over."
  She struggled to breath. "I..I know...I..I was screaming for you...in...my mind," she stuttered.
  "I heard you, Syd," he said as he kissed the top of her head. "I heard you."
  She breathed in and out as she slowly got her breathing under control. "I feel so safe with you."
  "I won't let anything happen to you," he said as he lazily stroked her arm that was resting across his chest. "I promise."
  She let out a sigh as she closed her eyes. They were quiet after that and all you could hear was the wind blowing against the windows and their heavy breathing. Sydney smiled slightly as she felt herself drift off to sleep. "I love you, JC," she whispered thinking that he was already asleep.
  But what she didn't know was that JC heard her words and he was saying them back quietly to himself. He didn't want to say it out loud, because he wanted to have her full attention when he finally spoke the words.

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