High Convictions: A Heart Strings Love Affair, #3

By J. Haney

Tap, Tap, Tap. Anyone there? Oh, there you are! Last you saw me, my life went down the drain, and it's still much of the same. However, now I have a newsecret I don't want my boys to know. Want to know whatit is? Sorry, I can't tell you that'd ruin the story.Just know we're all a little mad down here.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. Haney
• Release date: Nov 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223570127

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This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to any person, place, or theory are in no way intended or to be inferred as fact or reference.

The work is the particular property of the Author. Produced by human intellect and was in no way created or manipulated by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) program. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part or resourced by any entity, now or in the future, in any format without written permission by the Author unless part of a Review, Interview, or public push of the work and specific other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Contains adult situations. 17+ only

Manuscripts and Designs By Human Designers With Licensed Images by

Haney Hayes Promotions

For Deviant Darlings Publications

©2023 Haney

1

Abigail

The year hasn’t gotten better. After the New Year’s party, everyone went home. They did have a show walking out, though. I couldn’t have asked for a better job then what my boys did. We’ve been back to school for about two and a half months. I wasn’t going to go, but Clayton wasn’t hearing it. So here I am, freezing my ass off and dealing with the pain.

Everyone has done well to keep Harmand away from me. He pled not guilty, so until the evidence is brought out in the trial, he’s getting to do pretty much any damn thing he wants. He has cornered me a couple of times, but I’ve kept it to myself. There’s enough shit going on with the rape and waiting for court. His father is on paid leave as well as Killian. Stevens, the principal, didn’t want them around students till the whole mess was sorted.

I’m still singing at Mac’s for the dinner crowd during the week and all weekend. Right after school, I’m pushing papers at Radman’s. I have to keep up with both jobs to pay for my new secret. I’ve done well keeping it from the guys, but I’m pretty sure Vic is starting to pick up on the fact that I never run out of pills. It’s hard to hide my shit because I’m still not driving, and the only time I’m alone is when I’m at work, or the boys are.

I just left Music Theory, and I’m heading to lunch where the boys will greet me. Only I make a stop in one of the quiet halls to take a pill. The cold is driving me crazy and hurting like a bitch. If I could drive, I’d have already left and gone home. Once my pill is down, and the bottle is back in my bag, I’m turning the corner only to walk into Harmand.

Fuck. I shout, grabbing my shoulder. Watch where you’re fucking walking.

Look who’s talking, whore. Harmand replies. Seems I didn’t knock you up. Guess I need to try again.

How do you know I didn’t get rid of it?

"Because it’d be part of you. Then I’d get exactly what I’ve always wanted. You."

Leave me alone, Harmand! You aren’t supposed to talk to me.

He looks up and down the hall then back to me. Nobody’s around to stop me. It seems your boys are getting lazy. Harmand shoves me against the wall and holds me there by my shoulder.

Stop. Now. I plead but wait for him to bring himself closer to me. Once he’s within hitting distance, I bring my knee up, clip his balls and knocking him to the ground. I give him a quick kick to the face with the new boots Clayton made me get. They’re steel-toed or something. Then take off running before he can get up and catch me.

After I get away from Harmand, I head for the cafeteria, watching my back the whole way. I’m just about to the cafeteria when I run into somebody while I’m watching behind me. Hands go around my waist as my shoulder smacks into a chest.

Ouch. Fuck. Shit. I shout before looking up into Clayton’s face.

Honey, what’s the matter? Clayton questions.

I thought I saw Killian. I’m okay now. I lay my head on his chest.

Honey, you know there’s no way he can be here.

That’s what they say, but I still worry.

Well, there’s nobody behind you. Clayton smooths my hair back before taking my hand. Come on, Vic’s waiting on us.

Actually, I was thinking about calling Fred. The cold and I are not going over well today.

Why don’t you come to lunch then we go to music and then I’ll take you home?

"I don’t want to do music, again today."

Abigail, what’s going on?

I don’t feel well. I just want to go home. My whole-body twitches when I feel eyes land on me. I know the only person that can make me feel that way is Harmand. Please, just let me call Fred.

Clayton pulls me into him. Where’s your backpack?

Um, I must have left it in class.

Well, let’s go get it.

I can go; you just go ahead and get lunch. I say, turning away before he can see my face. I’m trying to school it, but Clayton always catches me up if I’m lying.

"Honey, what’s going on? Where’s your bag, really?"

I sigh in defeat turning back toward him. Do we really have to do this?

He puts out his hand. Come on, show me.

I relent and take him to where all hell broke loose. I point to where there’s blood on the floor I’m sure from me kicking Harmand in the face. It happened here.

Clayton speaks, but his voice is very rigid. "He touched you."

Yeah, he usually does. I say, and he balls his fist. I’m fine. Can we just find my bag? I have homework.

His eyes are looking at the ground. I’ll be right back.

He ducks into the boy’s bathroom, and I go from being upset to straight pissed off. I’m gone, leaving Clayton to find my bag. Apparently, someone else needs my attention more. I walk into the cafeteria. My eyes are scanning the area and landing on just who they need. Not thinking, I walk over and smash Harmand’s face into his tray, and as he stands up, I grab someone else’s tray and swing it, smashing it against his face and watching it break.

What the fuck? You crazy bitch! Harmand shouts.

Where’s my bag?

Looks like your bitch found it. I’m sure it smells excellent now.

Just as I’m lifting my foot to take out a kneecap, I’m lifted from behind; my foot comes up, clipping Harmand under the chin, landing him on the table behind him as I throw my head back to get whoever off me.

Get off me, fucker! I shout, swear, and continue kicking my legs as I’m being walked backward.

My feet are grabbed, and I look up, seeing Clayton. Which means Vic is holding me. Oops.

We’re putting you down. Clayton says as he lets go of my feet, then Vic rights me once again. He steps back away from me and tips his head up to Clayton, and a look passes over both of their faces. It’s like they are having a conversation without any words. They do this a lot now.

You take her on home, and I’ll grab our work. I know I have some in Home-Ec. I’ll see you both in twenty. Vic kisses me on the cheek then does the same with Clayton.

Have you got everything you need, honey, or do we need to go to your locker?

I look at my bag. I don’t use the locker anymore.

Clayton wraps his arm around me. We sign ourselves out; then we’re off to home. Clayton drives him and me, but Vic still drives the wrecker. Clayton helps me into the car before getting in on the driver’s side. With my head laid against the window, I can just hope Clayton lets it go.

We’re just about home when Clayton speaks up. Honey, seeing as we’re about home. Wanna tell me what the hell happened? 

I swallow audibly. I took care of it.

What were you doing in the same zip code as him?

"I had to piss after class. When I was coming around the corner, I smacked into him. Once he got close enough, I dropped him. I didn’t know he was going to be there. Okay?"

Clayton sighs, running a hand through his hair. After this, maybe we should take Wayde’s mom up on you homeschooling at least till the trial is over.

Why am I being treated like the guilty one? I didn’t do anything wrong.

"You almost kneecapped him, but Honey, it’s not about treating you like your guilty. It’s about keeping you safe."

Don’t you get it? I’m not safe. I won’t be, not until they are behind bars and the nightmares stop. I can’t close my eyes without reliving everything that happened. It doesn’t matter if I’m at home or at school.

I don’t know, maybe I can drop a class, so I can meet you after yours.

You aren’t dropping classes. It’s something I need to deal with. You, Vic, our friends, and family. You all can’t do this for me. I have to do it. Would you let me drop classes if the roles were reversed?

"No, but I understand where you’re coming from. Every time I see him, I want to bash his fucking brains in, but I know that all that would do is take me away from you and Vic. While I know it’s not the right thing, I still can’t help but fantasize about it every time I see him. About how good it’d feel to see his skull cracked open on the ground. Seeing him fills me with rage, but it seems like for you, it’s something else, and I don’t know how to protect you."

You can’t always be there to protect me. Sometimes it’s something I have to battle alone. Like the nightmares, if it were just what happened this time that’s bothering me, I could bury it. It’s everything. I close my eyes, and it all comes flooding back. Eight years of hell, and I relive it daily, but I smile and pretend that everything is okay to keep my dark cloud away from you and Vic.

Maybe you should think about talking to someone?

And maybe not. I don’t need some busy body in this small town sticking their nose in my business, then blabbing to everyone.

Then we look for someone a town or two over. Driving an hour out of town wouldn’t be a problem, especially if it means it could help.

"Clayton, I said, no."

Would you even consider it?

No, because it ain’t happening. I don’t want to sit on someone’s couch with a box of tissues and cry about my problems. I’m dealing with them the same as I have every other time. Clayton gets quiet as we pull into the driveway to find Wayde’s momma walking out of the house. Just perfect. I say under my breath.

2

Clayton

S hit, I whisper as Abigail jumps from the truck, leaving her stuff on the seat. She breezes by Mrs. Davenport, leaving the woman turned in her wake. I grab our things and am meeting the concerned momma by her car.

Is she okay? Mrs. Davenport watches the house with a voice of concern. I-I just dropped by with groceries and a nice apple tart. Shouldn’t you two be at school?

I sigh, She had a rough day. I’m sorry. Thank you for helping out. What do I owe you? I go into my wallet. The parents and Fred have been keeping us in groceries a while now, and while they keep refusing to take any money, I keep trying to put it in their hands.

Now, now. She folds my hand closed with the cash inside. Don’t waste your money here, you take that and take your girl out. Someplace nice. Get out of town for a night. The three of ya. She kisses my cheek and gets into her car, starting it up.

Hey, Mrs. D? I knock on the window.

She smiles up at me, the glass dropping. Yes, Clay, what is it, my dear?

You got room in your class schedule; I mean, if I can talk Abigail into it?

For Abby, girl? Anytime. You let me know, and I’ll arrange it.

Thanks.

She nods and rolling up her window, leaves.

Going into the house, I find after a thorough search that Abigail is up to her chin in a bubble bath. All I can see as I peek in on her is the top of her head as the hot water runs.

Hey? Where is everybody? I hear Vic as he comes into the house and watch her sink. I close the door and bolt to the stairs coming down them as Vic starts up.

Hey. I cut him off.

What? He looks at me, confused.

She’s a- in the bath. I turn my head, looking over my shoulder.

"Okay? What was that about?"

I don’t wanna tell him; she’d rather not see him. If I do, he’ll march up there and run at her like I did. Frankly, I think I’ve done enough for one afternoon. I don’t answer right away. Instead, I avert my eyes.

Hello? Mister Perfect?

Don’t freak out, okay?

You know usually people say don’t freak out when they know they’re gonna freak out. Is-is Abigail rubbing off on you?

Just promise me you’ll let be?

"Like you did? You don’t ever let anything just be, so why should I?"

Because I already fucked it up enough for both of us, okay?

Just tell me what she said. Vic snaps.

"She- didn’t say anything, it’s just- No sooner had the words come from my mouth than he is trying to get by me. I put up my hands backing up the steps, blocking him. Dude, enough. She’s fine, just needs some time. I already went after her, hence her hiding."

"After what happened at school? I mean, what the fuck did happen, beside me gettin’ a bashed nose and Harmand a concussion?"

I mean, he cornered her. She retaliated, for once.

I saw him come in after you all left, yes. I didn’t-I figured you all would have said something.

No time, I didn’t even realize till we were in the hall with blood on the floor. I put my hands on his shoulders, running them down his arms, trying to diffuse, and distract him. All I knew for sure was that she needed to be out of there. Let’s leave her be for a bit. Mrs. D was here, why don’t we slap together a late lunch, since none of us ate?

How about you go make lunch, and I’ll go talk to her?

I just told you I made a clusterfuck outta this, are you really gonna go and fuck with her again?

"Okay, you messed it up, maybe I can go ahead and fix it."

I laugh outright. "You can’t be serious; you aren’t exactly Mister Sensitive in this Triad."

Well, apparently, you couldn’t do it this time. He catches me in the ribs, and I sidestep as he marches up the stairs.

Ugh! I know there’s no stopping him, I just hope that he doesn’t flip her out. I don’t want to have to go up there and break them up because he set her off. She isn’t afraid to take a swing at him. Hell, she damn near killed him before Christmas. If I hadn’t... She’s had a rough go of it, and while she isn’t the only one, she’s been affected a helluva lot worse than me. Giselle is getting a sentence reduction for testifying against Harmand, it’s bullshit, but it’s life.

I go through the cabinets and the fridge. Seems there was a sale on meat. We’ve got like six roasts, steaks, cubed beef for soups and stews, pork chops, country ribs, and so much chicken that if we eat it all, I swear I’ll sprout feathers and cluck. I decide that what we need is comfort food.

While I’m mixing up the cornbread, I can hear them shouting. I want to go up there, but at the same time, I think, if he wants to step on a rattlesnake, someone must be alive to suck out the poison. He’s on his own. I’m frying some chicken and stirring the gravy when I hear someone coming down the stairs. Turning around, I see that not only Abigail is wet. It seems he must have jumped in that tub right along with her.

I raise a brow while Abigail gives me a pointed look.

You two hungry? I’m starving, made fried chicken, cornbread, mashed potatoes, and gravy. There’s sweet tea in the fridge. Vic, you wanna grab it, while I finish up here? I say with a smirk. I figure if I avoid the woman staring daggers at me, that they may miss.

I can’t believe you let him go up there. A hiss fills her voice. I guess I’m too big a target.

Honey, I’m sorry, but it was that or lay him out. The man doesn’t deserve a concussion for caring about you.

So, you rather I kill him in his sleep?

I’d rather we sleep in peace. Now come over here both of you and eat. I pull out the kitchen chairs.

I’m not hungry. She goes to turn toward the steps.

I’m not hungry. I mock.

Sit. Comes from Vic, and she stares him down, as Chaos sits down.

I can’t help but chuckle at the dog and the situation.

"Since when did you become my daddy? She turns to me. Do you think this is funny?"

"I think that Vic tryin’ to order you resulting in the dog finally listening, is hilarious. As for this? I point between us three. I think that we are fussing and making a bigger mess of it than it already is. Can’t we leave it at we’ve said our peace, you know where we stand, we know where you are, and I hope you reconsider the homeschooling, if not the rest? I love you; we love you. As for right now, I just wanna feed ya. Seeing as you refused to eat this morning."

"I’m not hungry. To eat- I have to be hungry."

"Fine. You know what, don’t eat. Me? I’m gonna fix a plate, get me a tall glass of sweet tea and enjoy the fruits of my hard labor." I turn on my heel and grab a plate. It clinks loudly as I snatch it from the cabinet and begin to fix my food.

3

Vic

Idon’t know why I tried. The conversation with Abigail went over horribly. She told me to mind my own fucking business and kicked me in the nuts. Now she’s refusing to eat. I’m over her bullshit. As she starts to walk away, I run and grab her. Throwing her