Free If Ever I Fall by Erin Trejo Page B

fucked in the hall but I heard him make her leave. She wasn’t happy about it but he didn’t touch her.” Gavin’s eyes glue to me, I can feel him without looking over at him. I know he’s looking.
    “And after that? How do you know she left?” Tammy looks at me catching my attention.
    “We drank a little and I helped him to his room. He was alone when I went to sleep. As a matter of fact I checked on him around 3 this morning to make sure he actually made it to the bed. He was alone then too.” All eyes are on me. I didn’t know it was a crime to check on someone. I’m not a stalker; I just know he drank a lot.
    “I see. So he never lifted a hand to that woman that you saw or heard?” Gavin is on his feet now looking as pissed as ever.
    “I didn’t fucking touch her. I think it’s a little fucked up that you take little goody two shoes word over your own son!” He snaps at his mother but what he’s saying about me is just pathetic.
    “Oh of course. You never lied before have you Gavin?” Tammy is right back at him with another low blow from what I can see.
    “I’m sorry you got dragged into this Laney.” Sean puts his hand on my shoulder as I nod.
    “It’s fine. If you need me I’ll be packing.” Stomping off I head towards my room closing the door softly behind me. I can’t live like this.
    Little goody two shoes needs to find a new place to live and fast.
     
     
     
     
     
     
                                   Gavin
    What a hell of a morning wakeup call that was! Not only is Jenna being a conniving bitch I had to deal with the bitch of all bitches! Waking up to your mother and brother are never two things you want to see after a massive hang over. I don’t even know how I got my clothes off.
    To top it all off I was so pissed I said things that I shouldn’t have and now Laney is on the other side of this door packing her shit.
    “Laney, can I talk to you?” I hear the lock click and I know she unlocked it for me.
    Running my hand through my hair, I turn the knob and head into her room. Sure enough, there on her bed are her bags with her clothes in them.
    “I shouldn’t have said that about you. I’m sorry.” Laney stops for a brief second before going back to packing.
    “It’s fine. We tried and this isn’t going to work. I will see if I can stay with Brad and Steph for a little while.” Shit, I really fucked this up didn’t I?
    “You don’t have to leave. I was an asshole and I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Laney tosses some more clothes on the bed before she starts to fold them and pack them in too. My heart feels heavy and I don’t like it at all. I’m not used to the kinds of feelings she has me feeling.
    “I do have to leave but thank you for the apology.” Standing from the bed, I know I saw a tear in her eye. My stomach knots up and I feel sick. I never cared before if I made a girl cry or even pissed her off but with Laney everything feels different.
    I watch her throw some more clothes before I take a step towards her. Grabbing her arms I pull her against me.
    “Don’t go. I’m so fucking sorry I said what I did. If I could take that back I would. I just don’t know what to do with all this shit in my head.”  Her tears wet my shirt but she keeps her head down. Fuck! I ruin everything that’s good in my life.
    “I need to go. I’m sorry Gavin.” Laney tries to pull away but I can’t let her, I won’t.
    “Laney, please. Stay. I’ll go. You deserve to stay here and have a home. I have been thinking that I might just stay at the studio for a while anyways.” Her head pops up and that tear streaked face rips my chest open.
    “This is your house. Why would you leave?” I know all of this confuses her but she means something to me whether she understands it or not. Hell, I don’t even understand it.
    “It’s just a house. I know you need your space from me and I think I need some too. You stay, please.” Laney steps