The Space Between Us(37)

“I asked him to let me out and he said that I didn't want to leave and that he knew what I really wanted.” I could actually feel the tense waves and rage flowing off of Asher from hearing that one sentence. “I kept saying no, but he cornered me and then he pushed me up against his closet door and kissed me.” Her face dropped into her hands and she let out a few more sobs. “It shouldn't be a big deal, I've kissed him before, but this felt different.” She looked up at me, her eyes bloodshot and her face red and puffy. “I was scared,” she whispered.

We both jumped when we heard Asher punch the wall. He moved over to his desk chair and picked it up off the floor and slammed it back down so hard one of the wheels went flying across the floor, broken off from the force of his blow.

“Can you tell me what happened next?” I asked gently.

“He had me by my arms and he forced me over to his bed and tried to make me lie down. I was telling him no, and I couldn't understand why he wouldn't stop. He was supposed to stop!” She became panicked. I knew I was going to lose her in a moment, but I needed to get the information out of her.

“Reeve, take some deep breaths. He can't get to you in here. Right, Asher?” I looked over at him, hoping he could help me.

“I'll f*cking kill him, Reeve. Don't worry about it. I've got you.”

I don't think I had ever loved him more than I did in that moment. I helped her take some deep breaths and when she had regained some of her composure she continued.

“I was on the bed, and he was over me, holding my arms down by my wrists over my head. He tried to get my shirt off. I kept telling him no and to get off of me.” She sniffled again but kept going. “He kept calling me a whore and a cock-tease. I tried so hard to get him off of me. He leaned up a little, I think to try and undo the button on my jeans, and there was just enough room between us for me to knee him right in the junk.”

My eyes went wide because, honestly, that is not what I expected to hear.

“You got him in the balls?” Asher asked from across the room. She nodded.

“Yeah, I got him good too because he immediately rolled off of me, holding himself and groaning. I jumped off the bed and he rolled right off it onto the floor. So then I kicked him in the stomach. I left right after that, but I heard him throwing up as I was running down the hall.” She looked back up at me. “I figured this is where you were, so I ran straight here.” She looked over at Asher.

“I'm sorry. I saw the sign on your door. I wouldn't have bothered you otherwise; I just didn't have anywhere else to go,” she started crying again. Asher walked over and knelt down in front of her and tipped her face up to look at him.

“Hey, Reeve,” he said in a voice so soft, even I was calming down. “You're one of my best friends. If you need me, I'm here. All the time. No matter what.”

Nope. I had never loved him any more than right now.

She nodded at him. “Thank you,” she whispered. His hand came to her cheek for just a moment and then he stood again and headed towards the door.

“Where are you going?” I asked. All of a sudden, panic was coursing through me.

“Well, Charlie, I'm going to go and kick Caleb's ass.”

“Well, Asher,” I emphasized his name, making it evident that I didn't appreciate his tone, or the fact that he used my full name. “It kind of sounds like she already did that.”

“No, she defended herself. I'm going to beat his ass so hard that tomorrow he won't even remember his name.” I stood up and went after him.

“Asher, no, don't. Please.” I made it to him and grabbed him by the hand. He stopped and turned towards me but I saw his eyes rolling.

“Bit, I don't have time for this. Someone has to kill him.” I took his face in my hands.

“Not you, Ash, please. Let's just call the police.”

“We can't call the police! This whole frat house is full of underage college kids drinking! If I call the police so many people will get in trouble. He's the only one that needs to be punished.”

“Ok, so, we take Reeve home – both of us – and tomorrow we go to the campus police. We'll report it. Let the school deal with him, Asher. Please don't go to his room. I need you with me right now.” I knew I was playing dirty. I knew I used his inability to walk away from me when I needed him against him, but I didn't care. I cared that if he went down to Caleb's room he could possibly get hurt. “Please,” I begged softly. I saw the moment he made the right decision. His eyes softened and his shoulders lost some of their tension. He bent down so that his forehead leaned against mine.

“Fine,” was all he said.

We gathered up Reeve and all three of us walked back to our dorm. I took her into the bathroom and helped her get ready for bed. She had grown quiet on the walk home and now she seemed very distant and far away. Her eyes were glazed over and she wasn't responding to me normally.

“Reeve? Are you ok?” She nodded her head, but didn't say anything. “Hey, Reeve, everything is going to be ok. We'll go to campus police tomorrow and tell them everything. He'll never mess with you again.” She nodded a second time and I couldn't help but worry. I didn't want to push her. I had no idea what was going through her head, but I would give anything for her to just look me in the eye or say one word. She was breaking my heart.