Guarded: Sequal to Broken

Twenty-Two

I mash my hands against the steering wheel as I sit in the driveway, unable to leave safely with the tears clouding my vision. Every part of my body alight with fire and pain while simultaneously feeling weakened and defeated to the point of over exhaustion.

"Cal." I startle as KayKay slides into the passenger seat.

"I don't want to talk." I mumble through the tears.

"Hey, Maddie was there for Ashton after I broke his heart, and I want to repay the favor by being here for you, okay? Whatever you need. Let me help anyway I can. She would kill me if I didn't."

"You want to help?" I sigh, wiping my face with his hand.

"More than anything" She nods.

"Don't let them try to hook me up with anyone. It's what they are going to do. Try to distract me from my pain with other girls. And I can't do that right now. I just want to wallow, I don't want to see anyone naked under me but her. I will be an asshole if they push it on me. She was scared, and I don't want to have to worry about anything if she decides to come back. She is it, and if I can't have her I don't want anyone."

"Okay." She nods, "I admire that, Cal. Staying devoted even though you don't have to."

"I have to, Kay, maybe not technically, but emotionally I am too attached not to."

"Okay. Anything else, you have my number. We are all here to support you, Cal." she smiles, reaching to hug me tightly before opening the car door to leave.

"Wait." I stop her, "Would it be okay if I slept in the guest room at yours and Ashton's? I don't think I can be in our home without her."

"I'll get it made up as soon as we get home. You are welcome to go pack a bag and head over now though." She nods.

"Thank you. I'd head for Sydney already, but we have band stuff to do before the Christmas break." I nod.

"We'll be home in a while. Get Duke and some clothes and head over, you still have a key right?"

"Ya. Thanks Kay." I sigh, wiping the last of my tears away as she closes the door, retreating back up the walk to the front door.

Maddie's POV

"Knock knock." Sam sighs, tapping his knuckles against the door frame.

"Come here." I motion to him hurriedly, pulling him into a tight hug as soon as he sits on the bed beside me.

"Are you okay, Mads?" he whispers into my now honey blonde hair. He'd never say it out loud, but I know he agrees with me that it doesn't suit me at all. I've been blonde for only a few hours and I'm already longing for my dark hair back.

"No." I finally sigh, curling against him.

"Me either." he mumbles.

"I miss Calum, I miss him comforting me, I miss everything. But I can't have him for his own safety. I refuse to let myself put him in danger like that. I had to do it, Sam, I had to break him so Chris doesn't kill him. Why does Chris insist on ruining every part of our lives?"

"Because he is evil. That's why. I hope when this is all over, when we get to go home to our lives again. I hope Calum is waiting with open arms for your return."

"I broke him, Sam, I don't think he will dive back in like that."

"He knows you, Maddog, he's probably already chalked this up to your fears and need for his safety. I bet he waits for you."

"I hope so." I sigh, thankful that Sam knows Calum well enough to predict what I can't tell him.

"Claire is nice at least. And this house is huge, I'm glad we don't have to feel like we are stepping on their toes being here. And I like Dan, and Adam seems cool enough. I can handle being here a while. Plus, I haven't got to live with you in seven years, and for the next six weeks at least, I get that luxury."

"Ya. Who would have thought we would end up running from Chris, and not only fighting him with my dad's family, but living in their basement to hide from him."

"Our lives will never be normal, Mads. But hopefully other than this little bump, our adult lives can be unusual in a happy way, unlike our upbringing was."

"Hopefully." I nod, trying to steady my heart by breathing with Sam, focusing on his rising and falling chest.

"We've got each other, Maddog, we got through it all once before, we can get each other through it again." He smiles.

"Together." I agree quickly.

"Try and get some sleep, Mads, it's been a long few weeks. I'm next door, just call out or come find me if you need anything." Sam smiles, kissing my head softly before sliding from the bed, heading for his room. I carefully roll to my back, breathing slowly as I stare at the ceiling, my mind stuck on the coffee eyed boy who refuses to leave my thoughts. Wishing he was here to hold me, not alone in our bed a thousand miles away, doing the same as I am; wishing we could be together again already.

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Sad Times for Madlum and life!

Luke spilled the baby Hemmo secret, but who is surprised by that. It is Luke after all.

What next? Where and when does Chris strike??

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~M =)