RORY
Imogen's face shows many expressions; anger, embarrassment, and so much sadness. I guess I was the last person she expected to see in these almost empty streets.
"Come with me," I say.
The middle of the sidewalk isn't the right place to discuss what's going on with her, so I place my arm around her shoulders and we walk in silence towards my apartment. Imogen shivers and that's when I notice that she's only wearing a light sweater. I take off my jacket and put it around her. She pulls it closer and mumbles thanks.
As soon as I open the door, I invite her inside and turn the heater higher. As I come back with a blanket, I find her still standing close to the door. I'm not sure if she's doing that out of the discomfort this situation brings or because there are stacks of books, empty beer bottles and a pile of dust everywhere.
"I'm sorry the place is a mess, cleaning isn't one of my best skills," I remove some magazines I left on the couch and motion towards it. "Take a seat please."
Imogen does as I say and sits in the corner. I place the blanket over her shoulders since she's still clutching to my jacket. I then rummage through my kitchen drawers until I find what I'm looking for. She stares into space and only reacts when I'm close to her as I inspect her cheek.
"It's nothing," she avoids my gaze but accepts the ice pad I hand her.
"No, it isn't. It was Duncan, right?" I ask and she nods while her tanned cheeks blush deeply. "Where were you going?"
"To a safety shelter. I had just been to the police to press charges for assault and domestic violence and they gave me an address. I'm not going to become a fucking statistic and die at his hands. It's my fault because I let this situation go on for too long. This is the first and only time he will hit me."
I feel her anger in my heart and I share the sentiment. I'm not a violent guy, but this makes me feel so pissed. We have been working so closely for the past two years and I've kept my feelings for her hidden because she was in a relationship. Duncan has never been my favorite person because I dislike cocky people who disguise bullying with mockery. I know he made her feel like crap at times, and it has been me picking up the pieces to make her feel better about herself.
"This isn't your fault and you need to get that out of your head. You always see the best in people and you've given him enough chances to prove he isn't an asshole. And sorry to say, but he's the biggest one out there. What did the police say?"
"There's a warrant for his arrest and they will contact me as soon as they know more so that I can go back to my place."
"Imogen, I know this apartment is a disaster, but I would feel better if you stay here for as long as you need to. I don't want you to rely on someone else when you have us, and I certainly don't want him anywhere near you."
"Thank you, Ro. I'm really tired, so I'll accept your offer just for tonight. Better to stay with a friend than with strangers. And I'm so sorry I bailed on you and Adam today. I was about to leave for the club and we started arguing, and well, you see the result," she motions to her face.
"What could have been so bad that he did this?" I ask and then realize that I still have the tube of arnica cream in my hand. "Here you go. This should help to make that less."
Imogen stares at the grounds and seems to be pondering on whether to tell me the reasons that led to the fight. She lets out a deep breath and looks at me with her sad dark eyes.
"I've been planning to leave him and took some steps to find a place to live then I found I'm pregnant. I didn't know how to bring the topic up because he hates children. Then this afternoon he found some lab forms and a brochure about pregnancy in my purse while looking for money. Asked me what it meant and I told him I'm 14 weeks pregnant. Then he started yelling in my face, saying it can't be his and that I must be sleeping around. Ro, fury blinded me and I slapped him. Not my most gracious moment, but I couldn't stand the assumption that I'm a cheater. Then he punched me. I took my purse, hurried out of the apartment and didn't look back."
"He deserves much more than a slap," I sit closer to her and hold her in my arms.
Imogen is a great girl with a really good sense of humor and a strong character. She was already with Duncan when we started working together and I always thought he was trouble. He would appear at the club randomly and get pissed at Imogen if she was chatting with a male clubber. Adam had to interfere several times to tell him it's part of her job to socialize with our customers and that he needed to stay out of it. And this is what scares me about Erin getting together with the wrong guy. I don't want her to be involved with a guy like Duncan.
Imogen's phone rings and I leave her alone for a moment to give her privacy. From my bedroom, I can hear her mumbled conversation while I call Adam.
"Rory? What's up? I just walked inside."
"We have a situation. Imogen wasn't sick. Duncan punched her and she's here at my apartment."
"Is she okay?"
"She has a bruise on her face. For the rest, she's angry and upset. They argued because she's pregnant and he accused her of sleeping around."
"He's always been a problematic dick! Where is that asshole?"
"Hopefully getting arrested as she pressed charges. I convinced her to stay here tonight, but I will feel more at ease if she stays longer. If he gets bailed, she won't be safe at her place. I don't think he knows where I live."
"Let me know what can I do to help."
"Can you call Erin and let her know? Imogen can use a female friend. She's never talked to me about having any and since she was heading to a shelter, I can assume she had nowhere else to go."
"I will give Erin a call now. She never goes to bed right away. Send me a message or call me when you know more or need any other help."
Adam, besides being my brother is the person I trust the most. To many people he comes across as a workaholic with nasty moods, but the reality is that Adam is caring, kind and understanding.
No more noises come from the living room, so I feel comfortable joining Imogen once more. I find her staring at the phone in her hand while she covers her mouth with the other.
"What's going on? Are you okay?" Her expression makes me feel even more worried.
"He left... I think he figured out I went to the police. I fear he will be looking for me."
"Imogen, I will do whatever it takes to keep you and your baby safe, okay? Duncan doesn't know where I live or that you are here with me and I will feel more at ease if you stay here with me for a while. I'll make sure that Adam changes your shift so that we are together as much as possible."
"Rory, I will be intruding your privacy. I can't do that," she shakes her head. "The last thing you want is to have a pregnant woman living with you."
"I insist. You are one of my closest friends and if something happens to you, I will never forgive myself."
"I'll give it some thought," she sighs. "The call I got was to let the police know of where else they could look for Duncan. He will be an idiot if he appears at the club."
"Just so you know, I called Adam to let him know what happened and he offered to help in any way he can. You can wear some of my clothes tonight and tomorrow we can figure how to get some of your stuff here. I'm sure Adam can give us a ride, and Duncan will be stupid to try anything with us there."
"Adam must be thinking the worst of me."
"No, he only wants to help, we all do. Let me clear up the bed in the second room for myself and you can sleep in mine."
"No Rory, I can sleep here on the couch."
"I don't think your baby will appreciate sleeping on this uncomfortable couch."
Her warm smile is all I need right now to know she'll be okay.
"Let me help give you a hand," she stands up and for the first time I notice that her body has changed. "Yeah, I got these now," she pats her breasts and I feel heat on my cheeks.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare."
"We are kind of roommates now. No need to behave oddly around me," she gives me a friendly bump with her hip.
"I don't want you to think I'm a creep or anything."
"Ro, we have worked together for over two years and you've never made a pass at me."
"I'm not that kind of guy."
Because she was taken, but I liked her since the first time Adam introduced us. And in between the scent of liquor, I pause at times to enjoy her perfume when she's standing next to me. I love it when she smiles and how well we work together. I like everything about Imogen, but she was with someone else and my parents raised me well enough to be respectful towards women.