I roll over to the other side of the bed groaning at the sound of Luke's loud snoring.
"Luke." I groan turning back to face him.
He doesn't move at all other than his chest rising and falling. I hit his chest with my palm and he still doesn't move at all. I repeat his name and prop myself up on my elbow looking down at his sleeping face. He's so peaceful and handsome, why do I have to go back home today?
I turn to get up but hands grip my waist and yank me back to Luke's chest.
"where do you think you're going, Little Missy?" he teases my ear and kisses my neck repeatedly.
"Baby, I gotta get home" I whine "Dad might be out of the hospital and if he's not then mom will be a wreck."
"Baby Doll, don't leave" He pleads as I turn over to face him.
"You have a sound check in three hours." I get up and pull my hair up. I watch him roll over to his back and pop his bottom lip out in a kind of pouting way. "Baby don't pout." I respond pecking his pouty lips. "love you" I pull my bag up on my shoulder and he stands up pulling me to his chest. Repeatedly he kisses my neck and slides my water bottle from my bag.
"Hey!" I shout trying to reach it as he raises it above his head. "Give me that!" I scream jumping up to get it.
" Oh this?" He waves it in front of my face. Trying to grab it but failing as I squeal as he runs to the window pouring it completely out onto the sidewalk below.
"What the hell!" I scream slapping his back repeatedly.
"You can't drink this much anymore, Lizzie!"
I pop out my hip and sigh. "Fine."
"Good girl" He pecks my lips and throws the bottle in the sink. "I'll call you tonight, Baby doll."
- few days later-
"Liz!" Mark screams running to me and wrapping his arms around my waist and spinning me in circles in the middle of the barn. "I've missed you" his lips get closer to mine and I immediately pull away.
"Save your kisses for my mom." I growl turning and going back to sweeping.
"Babe, that was a mistake!" He begs
"I'm not marrying you" I calmly state going back to the chores.
"You don't have a choice!" He snaps grasping my arm.
"Watch me." I pull out of his grasp and walk past him and walk down to the farm house.
The screen door slams behind me and the smell of my grandfather's cigar hits my face.
"Hey grandpa!" I chirp as I walk through his house to the living room. His feet are propped up on his footstool and the back of his worn out recliner is all the way back. Snoring fills the small space and I small giggle leaves my lips. The box TV plays a baseball game, as usual, and he jumps slightly.
"grandpa" I whisper shaking his shoulder slightly. His wrinkly blue eyes open and looks at me still in a daze,
"Hey girl!" He says sitting up quickly and pulling me into a hug. The smell of smoke still sticks to his clothes and makes my eyes water from the smell.
"Didn't Grandma tell you to stop smoking?" I fall onto the couch and prop my feet up on the coffee table.
"What she doesn't know won't hurt her." He belly laughs scratching his white beard. A slam comes from the front door and Grandma comes in holding paper grocery bags. Her gray hair is up in a bun on top of her head and a mint green apron is tied around her waist covering her long yellow skirt and white T-shirt.
"Liz come help me with the groceries. I will deal with your Grandfather later." She shoots a stare his way and he pulls at his beard.
"Better be careful, Grandpa." I warn him as I kind of laugh. He raises an eyebrow and gets out of his chair.
"I'll be fine, Baby Girl." He hugs my shoulder with one of his arms and kisses the top of my head. "I'm going out to get see if the others need help." He shuffles to the door and flips his hat onto his head.
"Come help with the groceries." Grandma commands. I do as I'm told. " So who's this Luke fellow?" She asks throwing frozen corn into the freezer. My cheeks flush pink and I smile. "I'm guessing he's important." A teasing tone comes out of her mouth. I nod covering my cheeks and put the bread in the bread box. "Now, who's this Lisa girl you're father married?"
" Some girl that hates me. She lied to dad, said she was pregnant, I found out told dad and he got rid of her." I shrug. I glance down at the pickled chicken feet and a look of disgust hits my face. "why do you have chicken feet?" I question looking over at grandma winging her hips to a song playing in her head.
"well, pig feet weren't there and if I would have gotten human feet you would think I am a strange grandmother." She laughs sticking her tongue out at me and snatching them from me. "when does school start back for you?" She changes the subject.
"next week. I can't wait to see my friends again."
"you haven't seen them all summer? Shame on you!" she scolds.
"I've been busy." I reply setting my phone down on the counter.
A text from Sav.
Hey! Luke is on the radio and Marisa is here for Rose! Get your but home!"
I look at Grandma and squeal.
"what on God's good earth is wrong with you child?" The chicken feet fall to the tile for as I run to the old radio across the house and put on the country music station.
"that was Luke Bryan' song rain is a good thing!" chirps the DJ "we are also here with Mr.Luke Bryan himself! Hello Luke."
"Howdy Jase" Luke replies back. "how are you?"
"I'm great now we have some questions for you."
"shoot ." Luke says as I fall onto the couch falling in love with his voice.
"what is your favorite color?" the DJ teases.
"well I wouldn't be a country boy if it wasn't camo so I'll say camo." he laughs.
The DJ asks him question after question until he gets to his last question.
"well, we have pictures of a little blonde leaving your hotel room the other night." Jase starts. I perk up listening intently "who was this cutie?"
"well Jase. That was my amazing girlfriend Lizzie." Luke says. Right about that time a text appears on my screen.
From Luke
I miss you baby doll. I'll be home soon.
I smile and switch off the radio.
"Grandma! I'll be back later! Love you!" I shout as I walk out the door.
"well,well,well. Sounds like someone hasn't broken up with their forbidden country boy."
"Mark." I groan. "leave me alone." I command.
He grips the top of my arms and picks me up of my feet, looking me straight in the eyes.
"You will be listening to me from now on!" he hisses. He releases my arms and I fall to a weak heap on the ground. I feel a steal-toed boot connect with my back and I cry out in pain. "yes, scream baby." he says climbing on top of me and straddling my waist. He gently strokes my cheek as a small tear leaves my eye from the pain he caused in my back.
"help!" I manage to scream as he smashes his lips to mine keeping me silent. I struggle under him and he pulls back smacking me across the face. I place my hand where his made contact and small stings run through my cheek. I watch him ball his hands into fists and connect it with my eye. The pain is unbearable and I black out.
-----
I open my probably swollen eye and look around the darn room I'm in.
"good you're awake. I had to make sure your weren't dead. I'll check on you tomorrow. You're food is over there." Mark walks over to my limp body and kisses my lips. "no more fighting. Remember? Good night my love." he walks to the door and closes them. A sound of chains hitting the wooden door hit me.
He's keeping me captive.