I look away, my whole body starts to tremble. I can hear Samuel in my head again, repeating the words he whispered to me. Those damn words I fear will continue to haunt me.
I shake my head, "No." The word is nothing but a whisper and I hope he heard me because I’m not sure if I can say it again.
"Okay. Was this a willing act? Did you consent, Elliott?"
"I didn't say no." My voice cracks and tears flow over and down my cheeks with every blink. I can't look at him.
"That doesn't mean you gave consent, Elliott. Did youwantit to happen?"
I didn't tell Samuel no.
I didn't fight hard enough.
I should have done more.
"No." I drop my face into my hands as the tears take over.
"You didn't deserve to be taken advantage of, Elliott. I am so sorry." Raf tries to pull me into his embrace, but I flinch away, "It's not your fault, please know that."
The cries turn into overwhelming sobs as I let them roll out of me.
He sits me on the edge of the bed, respecting my space but keeps my hands in his, "Just so you know, I ran all the tests I couldwith the sample. One being a pregnancy test." My sobs catch in my throat and I can't get any air into my lungs.
Why hadn't I thought about that? I mean that is how babies are made and Samuel…he…he—no…
"It was negative." I inhale a shaky breath of relief. "When you’re ready, I would like to run some more tests to make sure you didn't get an STI."
"A what?" I look up at him with knitted brows.
"Ahem—” he looks briefly around the room as though he's trying to determine the right words, “An STI is a sexually transmitted infection. It’s something you could get from having sexual intercourse."
"Oh." I avert my eyes, discomfort still swirling in my gut. I had no clue that was even a thing that could happen.
"Whenever you’re ready, I just want to make sure you are safe." I nod at him, not able to respond with anything else with all this new information swirling around in my head. "I'll leave you to rest. Please take care of yourself. You need time to heal."
“We can do it now.” I say through gritted teeth.
“Elliott, we don’t have to-.”
“I want it to be over with.”
“Only if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
He squeezes my hand softly and then quietly leaves.
All of my ambition to leave this room is lost as I tuck myself back into bed and wait for him to come back.
12
Hunter
I jump from my bed, startled. The sound of Elliott screaming echoes throughout the house, and I can't get my feet to run fast enough. She didn't come out of the room after our talk and I was afraid that her talking about Everton had her swirling back into her abyss.
I sprint down the hallway and see Marcus in her doorway already. How in the fuck did he get here before me? His room is clear on the other side of this house.
"What's happening?"
