1.21 – Welcome to Twinbrook

Chapter tune: Damn Yankees – High enough

Warning: Foul language

“C’mon babe, let’s get out of here. Where are you staying? I’ll take you there” Jared said to Rose while trying to comfort her. He figured he shouldn’t ask her what happened exactly yet, as it was clear she was still pretty upset.

“I don’t want to go to bed” Rose said. Suddenly her expression changed. “Let’s go to a bar! I want to drink tonight!”

Jared smiled. He wasn’t used to seeing her like that, but figured it wouldn’t hurt her to get a little drunk to forget this day for a while. Hell, he had been doing it for years.

The only decent bar in this town was the Red Rendezvous. As it looked exactly the same as its sibling in Sunset Valley, it stirred some not so pleasant memories, but they both decided to ignore the feeling.

It was still relatively early, so the place was still empty. Rose rushed to the bar.

“Give me something strong and sweet” she told the bartender.

Jared looked at the man. “Don’t let her get too drunk, ok?”

“I’ll do what I want” Rose protested. “Did I ever stop you from getting wasted and doing what you wanted? No. So go on and leave me alone!” Although she was talking to Jared, she was staring impatiently towards the bartender. The poor fellow didn’t know what to do.

Jared sighed. He knew he hadn’t been the best example himself all this time. “Ok doll, I’ll give you some space. I’ll be close though, whenever you need to leave just say the word.”

She didn’t reply and started enjoying the company of her freshly made cocktail.

And the one after that.

Soon, the bar was filled with patrons dancing and enjoying themselves. Rose felt like she was having the time of her life too, although everything in her view became more and more blurry.

“Hey beautiful. Such a shame you’re drinking all alone. Want some company?”

Rose spotted a guy standing right next to her. “No, I’m good” she mumbled, but it didn’t make any difference. “Such a shame indeed” he repeated. “Here, let me buy you a drink. Yo!” he shouted at the bartender “Give her one more of whatever she’s having”

“She’s had pretty much all the catalogue man” the bartender replied.

“Well then, give her whatever the fuck’s the strongest! Do I have to tell you everything?” he said through his teeth.

Just as he was about to mess with Rose’s drink, Jared saw him.

“You! What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Relax pretty boy, we’re just having a good time, me and nice legs here. So do me a favor and go fuck yourself” the man replied with a smirk.

“Who the hell are you calling a pretty boy?” Jared growled “Don’t you know a better way to find women other than spiking their drinks? Yeah I saw you, you sick fuck! Now she’s with me, so back off!”

“Look who came into my town to threaten me! You don’t wanna mess with me you son of a bitch! Maybe I’ll mess your pretty face and we’ll see if she wants you then!!”

Jared didn’t want to get into a brawl. He wanted to leave this life behind, so he turned to Rose. “Come on babe, we’re leaving.” But before he even managed to finish the sentence, the other man attacked.

It was pretty clear who won the fight. “Now fuck off and don’t make the mistake to come near her again, or I’ll make you wish you were fucking dead!” Jared said to the man. “Are you ready to leave?” he turned to Rose.

He wasn’t prepared for her reaction.

“No! I told you I want to stay here! This is all your fault!” she screamed “my life has been a mess ever since I met you! And now you’re telling me you found my family when all the family I had left was that sour witch that doesn’t even want to know me! Leave me alone!”

She immediately ran outside. Oh crap. Just as Jared was about to go after her, the other man stopped him. “Just so you know, this isn’t over” he said in a calm but alarming tone.

Outside the bar, Jared found Rose passed out on a bench.

Since he didn’t even know where she stayed, he carried her all the way to the house he rented for a couple of days.

“It’s ok baby, we’re almost there” he whispered as they entered the bedroom.

He tried to remove her clothes. “No, what are you doing?” Rose muttered, barely making any sense. Jared smiled. “Don’t worry baby, it’s me. I’m not gonna try anything shady.” His face turned more serious. “I’ll never let anything happen to you. Let me take your clothes off and then I’ll go sleep on the couch”

“No, don’t go. I don’t want to be alone tonight” she whispered.

Jared couldn’t bring himself to sleep. It was partly the fact that Rose was passed out like a log on top of him, but mainly it was the guilt that because of him, she had been in danger both physically and emotionally. He swore that from now on he would always protect her, even if she chose not to be with him after all – which he prayed would not be the case.

He never realized exactly when he finally fell asleep, but they both woke up pretty much at lunch time.

“Hey” Rose said, her voice was sweet and warm.

“Hey doll. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes but… I want you to know I’m so sorry about yesterday. I mean, I don’t exactly remember everything, but I remember enough. I know you meant well… And thank you for being there and fighting with that man for me.”

“He’s not gonna bother you again baby. But don’t say you’re sorry… If there’s one of us who should be saying this it’s me. I’m sorry about everything that happened just because I was an ass. I really hope you’ll forgive me… someday.”

Her response this time was way better than what he expected.

When they finally managed to drag themselves out of the bedroom, they realised they were starving. “I’ll go buy us some groceries and then I’ll cook for you, ok baby? You stay here and rest some more, you had a long night” Jared said lovingly right before he planted her a kiss.

“Wait! Before you go, I forgot to tell you something” Rose smiled at him “I love you too.”

Jared beamed. “That’s good baby, cause I never plan on letting you go ever again.” He gave her a longing kiss. They both couldn’t have enough of each other.

While heading to the grocery store, he spotted Margaret.

He planned on confronting her about her behavior towards Rose, but before he had a chance to do it, her phone rang.

“Hello dear, it’s been a long time. What’s up? What? A car accident? And he’s there at the hospital now? But he’ll be ok? I see, I see. He said what? Oh, I know it’s nonsense dear. I’m afraid it’s happening again. Alright, as soon as he’s stable I’ll send him to a proper institution to be taken care of. You watch him closely, ok? I have to go now. Thank you for calling me dear, ta!”

Who could she possibly be talking about, Jared thought. He considered following her to see what she was up to, when he heard a familiar – but certainly unpleasant – voice.

“Well well well. If it ain’t pretty boy”

–

PS: Sooo, I wanted to say that my vacation starts this weekend, so I won’t be able to post any more chapters for the two following weeks 😦 But I’ll still be fully active here and hopefully during this time I’ll manage to catch up with all the wonderful stories I started and have yet to finish 🙂 Thank you so much for reading!! ❤