Run Away

<SFTC: Run Away by Bruno Mars>

Chapter 28

I've never known Tanner as a violent man. Never one to go into a fight without a good reason, always slow to anger unless it had to do with me. But this morning, when I wake up, all I hear is chaos. More glasses shatter, silverware clinking from his fist slamming onto the counter, and his punches landing on what sounds to be the couch.

I jerk myself out of bed, my body ahead and more awake than my mind. I walk in on what seems to be a rant. Tanner turns as soon as he hears me, eyes red and splotchy and cuts marking his hands, arms, and feet. My stomach drops as I observe the remnants of his montage. Glass is scattered around the room from several sources, a pillow cowers in a corner of the couch, and a few smashed plates lying next to a wall.

"Why'd you do it, Taylor!" He attempts to shout it at me though it comes out as a desperate plea.

"Tanner.."

"You don't have an explanation, do you? Do you! You lying, little cheater!" He screams it, screams it louder than I'd thought possible. The echo of his words pound through my head, taking over my senses with excruciating power. Lying, little cheater. By Tanner. Lying? Lying. I never lied about it. I told him flat.

"Tanner." I try to steady my voice without it quavering. My eyes scan over to several broken bottles of alcohol shattered on the floor. "Tanner, you're drunk."

"Who cares? Who cares anymore, Taylor? If I can't trust you, I can't trust anybody!" His voice lowers but just barely under a scream. He collapses onto the couch, sitting on the edge with his eyes back on his knuckles.

I sit next to him and gather my courage to rest a hand on his arm. "You can trust me. I made a mistake, T."

"Yeah. Some mistake." He rolls his eyes.

"Then why are you still in my apartment, hm? Why'd you kiss me like that last night? Why'd you make me think everything was going to be okay?" Now I'm the one shouting.

He stands up, glaring down at me like I'm nothing but a piece of dirt. "Hope.

"I hoped and I prayed that maybe it'd be okay. Maybe if I stayed, this would all be a bad dream. That we can forget you ever kissed Harry. But, I don't think I can, Taylor. Not yet, anyway. I still love you, as pathetic as that may seem, but I don't think I can stop."

"Then don't fight it, Tanner. I love you and I'm so sorry it hurts an-"

"-Harry told me."

"Told you what?"

"Told me what you guys did. What you wouldn't do with me yet you let him. What about what you promised me to only be mine when you let that douchebag get in your pants!" His voice rises again to screaming level, echoing off the walls and almost magnifying them.

I stand, gulping down my pride and grabbing his arm. "Harry lied, Tanner. I-I don't know what he told you but we didn't- We didn't have sex. We kissed."

Tanner glances at me for a second and then back to the ground, as if considering to trust me or not.

And then he shakes his head thoroughly. "I have to go."

"Don't leave," My voice breaks off.

His voice raises again. "I'm not leaving!" He softens it as if finally realizing it. "I just need time."

At least that's something I can give him for now. The rest is up to him and what's left of his trust in me, which I'm sure is running on empty.

••A/NSuper Short, sorry