Chapter Forty Two-2

"What!?" I exclaims, my throat so sore and overwhelmed from talking. "What for?" "I didn't know if he was responsible for hurting you or not, Grace." Exhaling deeply through my nose, I glare up at the ceiling. "I can't believe this has happened. Is this going on his record?" "No, I haven't pressed any charges. I wanted to talk to you first." "Ring the police and let him go! He is not the one who hurt me, I promise. He saved me." "Who did then?" she presses. "Who hurt you?" I clamp my lips together, trying to think. Should I turn Ashton in? It would be the smart thing to do. He wasn't in his right mind, surely he wouldn't have hurt me if he hadn't been under the influence. Wait, why am I defending him? He assaulted me. But then I'll have to explain everything... "Ashton Brennon," I whisper so quietly that I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't hear me. "The swim coach at school." Her lips part as her eyes widen. "Ashton? Why on earth...?" Tears prick at my eyes. "I had... I had a fling with him at the start of the year. It was so stupid, I know. I just... felt so lonely and he was kind to me... it all happened so fast. He's tried to get back with me a couple times and I've said no... and now that I'm with Hayden, he hates me and apparently it's my fault all this stuff happened to him. He's just nuts, I suppose. I'm not the first girl either... there was another one he was with and she left the school because people found out. I didn't know that at the time, of course." I almost face-palm myself when I realise that I'm talking to my mother who is dating the said girl's father. "Wait a minute," she looks baffled. "You and your swim coach?" "It was months ago, mum," I say to her, as if that would make all the difference. "Wait," she repeats. "This story sounds familiar..." "Yeah, Carrie was the other girl." "You know Carrie?" she asks, her eyebrows raising. "Justin's daughter?" "Yeah, you have no idea." "I haven't met her yet, but I've heard a lot about her," mum tells me. "She's like my twin, mum. She used to go to Byron Elite. She used to date Hayden. She had a fling with Ashton. She swam... It's kind of ridiculous how similar we are, actually." "Why am I only hearing about all this now?" she questions, furrowing her eyebrows together. "You're never home," I reply weakly, quickly running out of strength. "How am I supposed to tell you when you're never home?" Squeezing her eyes shut, she places her head in her hands. "My God." "Carrie and Ashton have still been seeing each other, FYI," I tell her. "Just in case you want to mention that to Justin so she doesn't have the same fate I did." "He's a child predator," she murmurs. "I can't believe it." I roll my eyes. "Mum, I was old enough to make my own decisions. I am just as guilty as he is." "Did you have sex with him?" she bluntly asks. "No, thank God." She let out a visible breath of relief. "Good. He wouldn't want to be charged with assault and rape." "Mum! God, don't use the R-word! He was never horrible when we were... hooking up. He was just like a regular guy." "But he's not a regular guy, Grace," she snaps irritably. "He's your swim coach!" "Is he? I had no idea," I retort sarcastically. "This is a lot to take in." "Well, while you're processing it all, can you get them to release Hayden from custody?" "I don't know Grace, I still don't know the whole story..." "Mum!" I burst, my throat on fire. "He had nothing to do with it. His hands are bloody because he found out about me and Ashton and he punched his car window. He didn't lay a finger on me, he never would. Oh and he punched a locker as well, but again, not me or anyone else, okay? He drove me to hospital, even though he wanted nothing to do with me and how does he get repaid? By you sending him to lock up. For two days? Jeeze mum, way to ruin the last chance I ever had with getting him to forgive me." Her eyebrows raise at my rant. "Okay, okay! I'll go make the call." "Thank you!" I say to her, a little annoyed it took me that long to convince her. I love that she is so fiercely protective of me and wants to do the right thing, but I feel so terrible for Hayden getting caught up in all the mess. "Look, try and get some rest and I'll sort out the Hayden situation, okay? I promise." "I'm not going to be able to sleep until I know Hayden is safe and out of lock up," I admit. "Grace," she exhales. "Got any sleeping pills?" I joke. She gives me a flat, deadpan stare. "What, too soon?" A small smile breaks through her stern gaze. "Here, eat this yogurt. It might help your throat." "Thanks mum. I love you." "I love you, too. Buzz if you need anything, okay? I'll come back and let you know when I know more about Hayden." "Please do." Exhausted from my long and way too honest conversation with mum, I sink back into the pillows and let my eyes close again. -------------------