Forbidden Love - Segment 18

[itztigress3]

Segment 18 – Christopher
POV: Emily
Word Count: 4607
Warnings: None.
Authors Note: Special thanks to koolies20 for inspiring this segment.

August 20, 2007; Monday

Zac had stayed with me after my birthday, made sure I packed everything I would need and he helped me to prep the house for the long period it would be empty. Craig had agreed to check in weekly just to make sure everything was ok.

My given bunk was on the floor under Zac’s, because I was not sure that I would not roll out and several times since we started riding Zac or one of the others has woke me up because I was in the hallway, that was awkward to say the least. The worst part was not the rolling out of a bunk, it was the insane boredom. Although, I’d begun playing video games and found just how competitive Zac was. Although, a week into the tour I picked up the guitar and Isaac offered to teach me if I wanted and I found that was an excellent time killer. Zac also helped by giving me drum lessons sometimes using whatever was handy. They also appreciated that I could keep up with conversations well and was able to keep the merchandise table well stocked.

I was currently sitting in the back of the bus, it was 3:45 in the morning and everyone else was asleep. I was looking at the many text messages on my phone and wondering if I should reply. I was still sitting there at fifteen after when the door opened some.

“Emily?” Zac asked.

I looked up at him. “What are you doing awake? “

“I suppose I could ask you the same question. It’s after four.”

He walked over and I only moved my right leg, he sat down and then I laid it back over his thighs.

“Nothing conspicuous about this position.” He smirked some.

“There asleep.”

“Like we should be why are you up? I know you’re tired.”

I leaned forward and laid my head on his shoulder. “Christopher keeps sending me text messages.”

“Does he still want you to call him?”

“No. He keeps telling me not to go to Atlanta, to come home or stay somewhere else.”

I unlocked my phone and showed him the 18 messages telling me those in various wording. He kissed my forehead and moved the phone away.

“Emily, I want to ask you something.”

I sat up some and looked at him, waited on him to ask.

“I don’t know if Craig told you but when we talked before your birthday he said your father actually hit you for no reason and that he told Christopher and that he assumed it stopped. You never showed me a picture of your father and while you are ok talking to me about your brothers, you don’t say anything about him. Did he stop hitting you then or did he never stop?”

It was something I didn’t think he knew about, I guess I should have been clearer to Craig when I told him he knew. I sat there for a few minutes, chewing the bottom lip. He sat there and just by my hesitation I think it answered his question.

“Craig told Christopher and Aaron that he was hitting me, showed them the pictures he took. I was home when Christopher approached him about it, asked and accused.”

He started rubbing the outside of my thigh, small gestures of comfort and why did I like that so much?

“What did your father say?” his voice was lower than normal, caring and comforting.

I looked at him. “When he stopped hitting him he told him it was none of his goddamnned business what he did because I was his daughter and no fucking one would tell him what he could or could not do. Aaron wisely said nothing. He didn’t break anything but he came damn close to it. It never stopped him Zachary, nothing stopped him. He just quite hitting as hard, told me to keep them covered or else he’d make it worse. It stopped when he lost custody of me, because he couldn’t come around me.”

He didn’t stop me from laying my head on his shoulder, moved some so he could reach my back better. He had not lied about sex on tour either, it was very rare, but moments like this were actually not as rare as I thought they would be. The downside to riding was that when his wife called, I could not avoid the conversations at all, I understood he had to make her think he was still in it, but sometimes he sounded so much like he was in love with her. When they talked, Amanda and Craig’s words often came to mind.

I felt the kiss. “As much as I want to say that you should ignore his messages, maybe it would be better if you at least asked him why, see if he has a valid reason.”

“I can.”

“In the meantime, it’s late and we both have to be up fairly early today, I think we’re scheduled to arrive at ten. So, we should try to sleep. If you want, when we get settled and after the walk, you can send the message and I’ll be with you.”

I smiled. “I’d like that.”

I let him get up and we both went to bed, I lay awake for another thirty minutes before I fell asleep. It was Isaac who woke me up at 10:30, we were there and we needed to unload so after getting up, changed, and a quick breakfast we unloaded the trailer. The crew this year besides myself and the tour manager, Mr. Bowman was Darius and Daniel both musicians, Ariel who helped me, and two tech people Gina and Jamal. The trailer was unloaded and the instruments and tech was done by three, they were doing the walk today and I was going. I used this time to exercise for one and because it was a good cause. Since my job was done and I could I went out the back door and around the building before they came out.  I also did not make an effort to keep up with any one of them, because fans took photos and it was safer to not be always with them. Today was no different really. I was walking at the back and listening to the fans around me talk about the show, the new CD, and various other topics. We stopped about ½ way through and Taylor was talking to the crowd, covering why they were doing the walks and what the purpose was. I was standing on the outskirts of the fan group, taking some pictures and listening when I felt him felt his presence near me. I really didn’t need to turn around to know he was standing there behind me, slightly to my left.

“I am sure you got the text messages Emily Isabella.”

I lowered my phone and put it in my pocket. “Of course I got the messages.”

“How come you won’t turn around?”

I did turn around, he had not changed much since the last time I saw him. His eyes were still a warm grey like mine, his hair was still a lighter shade of brown but it was much longer than I remembered. He’s lost some weight as well. I missed him, missed them all really.

“Happy now Christopher Alexander?”

He smiled at me. “Yes. It’s good to see you.”

I snorted. “Yeah, I am sure it is.”

“Emily...” I held my hand up.

“Save it Christopher. You sat there in that room and heard exactly what he said to me. Every one of you did,  you all sat there as he told me how I was going to marry Adam. Not one of you stopped him from slapping the hell out of me, not one of you said it was a bad idea. Sure, you talked him down from hitting me again by telling him I needed time to accept the reality.”

A few of the people around me turned and I ignored them. However, I heard the speech end and instead of moving with the crowd we stood there, the boys were all ahead of us anyway.

“You’re not going with them?”

“I know where they’re going and I know how to get back.”

We stood there as the crowd of people left the area where Taylor had stopped; I waited until I couldn’t see the fans anymore, until no one was around us before I looked back at him. He started to say something and I just narrowed my eyes and he stopped.

“You waited eight fucking years and then you see my picture in a magazine and want to contact me? You want to tell me what to do now? Don’t go to Atlanta, why? Because my four brothers and my father live in Georgia and you fear for me for now? Where the fuck where you when he was hitting me because he could? Where the fuck were you when Adam came to the house and told me I had to go with him to get our marriage license? Where the fuck were you when I left, when I realized that he was going to make me marry him? How could any of you stand in that room and agree with him? Adam is a rapist and a murderer, is that what you wanted for me?”

He stood there quietly just looking at me, was that seriously his response? Silence? It’s all they ever did anyway, just stand by silently and let him do whatever he wanted. I waited for an answer for about five minutes and then I shook my head and turned to go back the way we came, I could remember that. He’d never change, none of them would.

“Emily, please stop.”

I paused before I did stop and turn to him. “What Christopher?”

“I didn’t wait eight years before I saw you; I have kept up with you the past eight years. We all have really, we were there when you graduated high school, and we just couldn’t come near you yet. We were all there when you graduated college; your speech was moving and suitable for you. You do not need to go to Atlanta because our father has not given up on you marrying Adam, he stills talks to him and still plans that wedding.”

I crossed my arms and waited on him to answer the rest of my questions.

“You remind me of Mom there. You look so much like her Emily.”

I still did not move but he walked a little closer to me. “I was there Emily, but I was only 18 and I had no idea what to do to make him stop, the one time I tried you saw what he did to me. We all knew Emily, but we also know what he’s capable of and we really didn’t want to make him mad at you for telling us or make it worse for you.  Believe me Emily, we tried to make him stop we told him over and over that you were not Mom, that it wasn’t your fault. He insisted that having you is what killed her.”

“It wasn’t my fault she died and I told him that!”

“Yes and he knocked you out Emily, if he’ll do that to you how do you think he treated us? We wanted to make him stop but anytime we said something we got hit as well. Mind you, we did not know he started just abusing you at fourteen until Craig called. I’m sorry I couldn’t make him stop Emily, I tried. Aaron tried. We all tried. He no more listened to us than he did you.”

I looked at him and waited for a few moments. He closed the gap between us and laid his hands on my upper arms.

“I would have never let you marry him Emily. None of us really liked the idea. George, Joshua, and Jason knew how he was and what happen and they did not like that dad wanted him to be your partner. None of us liked it. But Dad said it didn’t matter whether we liked it or not, because you were his daughter and there was nothing we could do. He told us if we did anything to take you away from Adam that Adam would take you away and we would never see you again. We were not sure if that was a threat to your life or if he simply meant he’d move away and never tell us, but either way it sounded bad and we agreed it was better that you be with him where we could watch you versus where we could not.”

“None of you did anything either, just let me leave, didn’t cares where I went. “

He rubbed my arms and smiled. “Emmy we all knew where you were the whole time. I followed you to Craig’s house that night. It was better for you to go on your own and you made the right choice. Yes, I’ll admit we came to get you and Joshua came back but really Emmy, we knew she wasn’t letting you go and Joshua learned the hard way apparently that Craig doesn’t play around.”

I let him stand there and rub my arms. “Why did you wait until the article came out?”

“Dad and Adam saw it and called George and asked if he knew why you were there and who you were standing beside. Naturally, we all know the band but George did a quick search and found them all married and you were not his wife, so Dad was confused said he wanted to talk to you. George called me and told me. I called; I’ve had your number since you had it turned on. When you didn’t respond, I called Craig to make sure you were ok. I find it weird for a gay man he follows you.”

“He loves me it’s just not in a romantic capacity. It’s more brotherly.”

“I think he’d be perfect actually, and then my little sister can remain little.”

I was about to reply when I heard my name being screamed and turned around toward the scream. I saw him coming toward us.

“Who is that?” Christopher asked.

“I’m not really sure.” Although I had three ideas on whom it could be.

He ran to me and once he was right there I realized it was Zac, which was good because he just pulled me to him into a tight hug. His cloths were different from what he had on during the walk; he had on sunglasses and a wig that changed his perfect hair into a hack job of blonde and brown.

“Are you ok? We got back and I waited and you never came in.” His words were running together so I barely understood half of it.

“Calm down baby, I’m ok.”

“Baby?” Christopher asked.

I looked back at him; this was a little awkward and strange. Zac held me closely to him not really knowing who this man was.

“This is Christopher, he’s my older brother.” I said.

Zac removed the glasses since no one was around us and looked at him.

“I’m Zachary, everyone calls me Zac.”

“Except my baby sister, who apparently calls you baby.”

“Christopher, I might be your baby sister, but I am not a baby. I’m a grown woman who can make her own decisions.”

He softened just a bit, the look of maiming left his face but Zac’s remain frozen and with that wig it was quite funny to me. But I addressed Zac first.

“Zac what are you doing? You realize you’ll be mobbed if someone recognizes you?”

“When you didn’t come in the back I got worried, thought something happened to you so I got dressed up and left to find you.”

“She is safe with me.” Christopher said.

I stopped Zac from saying anything by placing my finger on his lips. “We should get out of the middle of the park before he is recognized. Why don’t you come back to the venue with us? At least we’re within view of Mr. Paranoid here.”

They both agreed and we walked back, coming out a different way which gave Zac access to the alley behind the venue and away from fans. He sent Taylor a message and then let us both onto the bus where he took the wig off and the glasses.

“Yeah, now you don’t look like a stray.” Christopher said.

I sat down at the table and Zac immediately slid beside me while Christopher sat across from us.

“Why are you here?” Zac asked.

“She’s my sister; I have every right to see that she is ok.”

“You sure waited a long time; I mean where have you been?”

“I’ve been watching her and making sure she is ok. Just because she doesn’t see me doesn’t mean that I don’t love her.”

I laid my hand rather high on Zac’s thigh and he looked at me. “Taylor and Isaac need you to warm up and do sound check. Why don’t you let us talk while you do that? I’ll be alright Zac, he’s not going to hurt me and I’ll come inside when we’re done and before the doors open. The merchandise table is set up already and ready to go.”

He looked at me confused but Christopher wisely remained quiet. He finally got up and I walked him to the front of the bus. “I’ll be ok. I’ll lock the door and I’ll be fine.”

He glanced back toward Christopher who smiled and waved.

“Keep your phone with you.” He then walked off and went inside. He wasn’t really happy about it but I would address that later tonight when I could. I watched him until he was inside and then locked the door and walked back to the table.

“Would you like a drink? We have Dr. Pepper, Mt. Dew, Water, and coffee.”

“Water would be fine; I stopped drinking soda’s three years ago.”

I retrieved a bottle and handed it to him, sat down with my own bottle.

“How is everyone? Did they finish college or what?”

“Everyone is good and yes we all finished college. George has a bachelor in economics and he just got engaged, they bought a house just outside Atlanta. I believe you would like her, she is nice. Joshua did a bachelor in graphic designs and he does have a girlfriend, but have not met her. Jason got a bachelor in architect and has a girlfriend I’ve not met. Aaron went to a master in economics and as far as I know he’s single.”

I looked at him. “What about you?”

“Accounting degree, Bachelor’s so far but I am thinking of returning for the Master’s. I’m working on the CPA exam for Oklahoma.”

I leaned up some. “No boyfriend in your life?”

He looked at me utterly shocked and confused, it was nice to see I could still shock him even after 8 years.

“I saw you with Henry before I left, you kissed him. Although, you were very close with Cassie too, I assumed you were bi.”

“I couldn’t tell anyone about Henry, for obvious reasons.”

“Dad would have killed you. I know how much he disliked gay men; he only tolerated Craig because he knew Craig would never try get with me.”

He smiled. “Yeah. So…you work with Hanson now?”

“Warehouse manager and I’ve been there since November of last year. I did a tandem degree for management and accounting.”

“When did you start calling your boss baby? How long has he been running after you?”
I sipped the water and sat there quietly, I knew my brothers and they were very protective, more so than Craig. Telling him about us could be bad for Zac.

“Emmy...why are you not saying anything?”

“Zac and I are complicated.” What were we really? I loved him and wanted to be his girlfriend but so far all we had was sex. So were we friends with benefits?

“What do you mean complicated?” His tone of voice had gotten deeper and I could detect the anger in it.

I finished my water. “We’re not really together in a dating sense; we’re close but just not dating.”

“Emily Isabella why are you lying to me? It’s been eight years but I still know when you’re lying.”

I sat there another few minutes and his expression darkened and his eyes got darker.

“We can’t date Christopher, he’s married. But, he and his wife aren’t really getting along and there are complications that I don’t want to discuss. We are close but we’re not dating, it’s just complicated.”

“At least you’re not sleeping with him, that’s always a plus.”

I didn’t say anything, just sat there turning the bottle over in my hands. It really wasn’t any of his business who I was sleeping with or why.

“Emmy…you aren’t sleeping with him are you?”

“Christopher, it’s none of your business if I am. That’s my business; I don’t question or ask about who you’re having sex with.”

His face blushed and I was confused. I had never seen him blush. “Why are you blushing?”

“I’ve never heard you say sex before. I mean you were 16 when we stopped talking and it was not a subject we talked to you about.”

“Dad wouldn’t let you talk to me about sex.”

“So, I assume then you are having sex with Zac even though he is married?”

“Again, really none of your business.”

“So, then you are. Should I have a little chat with Zac to remind him that he’s married?”

“If you say anything to Zac about him and I, I won’t talk to you again Christopher. None of you tried to stop Dad when he was marrying me off to Adam, what did you think he was going to do with me?”

“Dad said he was just going to take care of you.”

“Yeah, he’s a rapist and I didn’t want to marry him. The reality didn’t sink in to me until after I was safe at Craig’s house. I wouldn’t have been given the choice Christopher. It was my decision to say yes to Zac, it was our decision to keep going. He and I have talked about things before and we are content with where we are.”

He looked at me. “You’re lying about being content but you are right. You’re not 16 anymore and while I really want to go inside and beat his ass, I have no right to do that. I would have never let you marry him Emmy; I love you too much to allow Adam to treat you the way he does women. I was talking to Henry about you, his father is a pastor and I was trying to arrange for him to marry you and Henry.”

“Seriously Christopher?”

“Henry is Gay Emmy it was just to keep you away from Adam. But, you ran away before we could do much. It was a way to protect you from Adam. I know what he did and the concept that he could make you have sex with him and there be nothing we could do never settled well with any of us. Adam kept telling us he was not going to hurt you. We of course knew better.”

“He told Craig he couldn’t wait to fuck me, exact words by the way. Craig told me after I moved in. But really, Zac and I are complicated and it’s better if you stay out of it honestly. He doesn’t know you and you don’t know him.”

“I may like to know him one day, but I know you’re busy on tour I just, you didn’t answer my messages and I got worried. I looked up their tour schedule and came here. I do like the walk idea, that’s really good of them.”

“Are you staying for the show?”

“I cannot believe I am saying this, but yes. I picked up the album a few weeks ago and it’s really good. So, I figured I would attend the show to. I’m not going to be screaming in the front row though. Sadly, I think you beat me to Zac though, it’s just not fair.”

I laughed.  “I am laying claim to Zac, paws off and I hit much harder now.”

He laughed and we sat there for another two hours talking before I had to go inside. I figured at this time Zac would be getting ready but he was sitting beside the door, asleep with his phone in his hand. I wondered how long he sat there and waited, but it was going for 7:30, doors were opening in thirty. No one was back here and I presumed that his brothers knew where he was; I leaned down and kissed him, which woke him up rather quickly but shocked me when he got up and pulled me in for a tight hug. I put my arms around his waist.

“Were you waiting on me?” I asked.

“Yes. I wasn’t sure if you’d be ok.”

“He’s my brother Zac; he’s not going to hurt me. He is also attending the show tonight, so if you see him don’t freak out. The doors will be opening in thirty minutes, so you need to go get ready.”

“Are you sure you’re ok?”

“Yes. I am. We had a discussion and I told him we could talk more later on but I needed to get inside. What was that on the bus anyway? You got possessive and you didn’t want to leave.”

“I didn’t want you alone with him. I wasn’t sure what his objective was.”

I smiled and kissed him. “I’m fine and you need to go get ready.”

“What if I want to stand here with you?”

I slid my hands down to his ass. “But if you keep me here then I get in trouble with Taylor and Isaac too and you get in trouble for not being there. I am safe and secure inside the building, I’m not going anywhere. So let’s go.”

He smiled and kissed me and then followed me to the front where he went to get ready and I freshened up a bit and then went to the front with Ariel. The show went well and Christopher sent me messages several times about how he liked various songs or how Zac’s solo’s impressed him. Once we were done for the night and the trailers were loaded with the equipment we had to leave for a new city. I promised Christopher we would text but told him staying away from Atlanta wasn’t possible, because it was my job and I had already planned to spend some time with Amanda. He wasn’t happy, but he had to deal with it. By the end of the show Zac’s late nights were catching up, so after signing autographs he went to bed. I sat up for just another hour, because I was so tired too.  But, I couldn’t shake the thoughts of how Zac and I were, was it really just sex or was there more there? I knew several times I had told him I loved him during sex, but he’d never agreed or said anything about caring about me.  Yet, his actions say he does care? I suppose, at some point in time we would have to talk about us again.