Chapter 17.

MICHAELS POV

It's been ten days since the situation at Brookes house happened. I still feel absolutely horrible for not being there when she needed me most and beating the shit out of her father. But I wasn't to know that it was going to happen I didn't have cell service at the club and usually I would of left straight away when I heard the news from Luke but I had a big fight and a lot of money riding on my back I had to finish. I got Luke to leave and go get her with Ava, I said I would pick her up later.

Since being kicked off the football team I decided I needed a new hobby to keep me fit and I was always good at fighting so when Calum suggested this underground fighting ring he heard about it naturually was a good idea... I could get fit , bust a few asses and get paid for it. Mum needed my help now that dads gone she always says she is fine but I can tell with the extra hours she does she is struggling and the record shop wasn't paying enough for me to do that. I would of told Brooke but I know how she gets she wouldn't understand she'll say its unsafe and will probably try to talk me out of it.  She hasn't asked about it since that night as I haven't been going since she was staying at my house - I do have a fight coming up soon and I need to WIN.

''I really need to go home.'' Brooke sighed as she slipped on another one of my t-shirts tying it up so it fit her slightly better. I had offered multiple times to go there myself and grab her stuff so her parents couldn't poison her with anymore lies... But she insisted on doing it herself.

''Are you sure?'' I say. I was worried for her to be back in that house at least this way I can go with her but I really don't want her - I 'd rather buy her a whole new waldrobe.

''I need to do this Mike'' she says softly gathering her hair into a pony tail.

BROOKES POV

I really don't know what to say. I feel mentally and physically drained still although the events of my family unraveled almost two weeks ago now. I have been staying with Michael ever since, I feel bad but Karen reassures me she loves having me here. Michael has been great, he hasn't really left my side since but I still do wonder where he was that night but don't push it anymore. I pull open one of Michaels draws and pick out a dark green t-shirt throwing it over my head and tying it up. I'm tired of wearing his clothes I should of thought more clearly and packed a few bits before I ran away but all I had were the clothes from that night and I threw them away as they just brought up bad memories and smelt of the whisky my father had smashed on the floor.

****

I stared up at my house frozen in place as the memories of the night flashed back, although I couldn't see my fathers car parked outside I was still struggling to move from my seat. Michaels hand squeezes my thigh snapping me from my thoughts. I turn to face him giving him a small smile as I relax a little under his touch.

''We can turn back?'' he says reassuringly, reaching up to push a strand of my hair out of my eyes. 

''No I have to do this.'' I say undoing my seatbelt and getting out of the car. Before I could ask Michael to come with me he is already out of the car walking towards me.

''I'm not letting you go alone.'' he says firmly and I don't argue at that I take his hand as I walk towards the front door knocking on it.

To my surprise a tall middle aged woman opens up the door with black hair and green eyes. She looks familiar but I am unable to put a name to the face.

''Brooke Is that you?'' she gushes pulling me into her arms, Michael squeezes my hand and slightly pulls me back towards him.

''It's me Aunt Veronica. I know you haven't seen me for years!'' she explained stepping back to let us in.

''W-What are you doing here?'' I ask looking around the place - It looks the same as always.

''Well. After you know... Chase called me explaining everything! I couldn't believe my ears my little sister being pushed around by that swine? I never liked him honey, thats actually why me and your mother had our disagreements I knew she was too good for him. I came here and threw his drunk ass out... as a lawyer he knew not to touch me or I could do him for a lot worse than psychical harm.'' she explained.

''I tried to get mu- I tried to get her out.'' I explained.

''Melissa Is stubborn,she always has been. She always wanted this perfect family Brooke I don't think she understood what was actually going on I think she was blind to it. She's taking a nap at the moment but I know she'll be happy to see you Brooke.'' she said. I nodded trying to gather up all this new information.

''Where are my manners? I am Veronica you must be Brookes Boyfriend?''

''Michael.'' he says.

''Lovely to meet you Mike.'' she chirps, I can tell Michael feels uneasy with the nickname from the look on his face and I shrug my shoulders.

''I'm just going to grab some of my stuff.'' I say and disappear upstairs with Michael to pack some stuff.

*****

MICHAELS POV

I can't say that I'm unhappy with how things went. They worked out pretty perfectly to be honest, I'm glad Brookes Mum is okay. Although we never got a long , although she never gave me a chance I would never want anything to happen to her I'm not a monster. I'm glad her Aunt is here to look after things she seems pretty bad-ass and at least she doesn't hate me yet.

I continue to fold up Brookes clothes packing them as neat as I can into a steel suitcase. Brooke decided to go speak to her mother alone I wanted to go with her I didn't really offer more told her I was going but she wouldn't let me anywhere near. I understood she had to do this alone but I just wanted to make sure she was safe. My phone starts ringing and I see the familiar number - I reject it twice but it keeps on ringing so I finally answer.

''What do you want?'' I mumble.

BROOKES POV

I walked into the spare room where mum had been staying, I'm not surprised she didn't want to stay in their, her own room. I knocked lightly before entering and stared at my frail looking mother tucked up into bed, her eyes were cracked from where she had been crying and had full black bags underneath from what looked like exhaustion and her nose was bright red.

''Brooke?'' she sniffled reaching out, I sat down on the bed taking her hand and squeezing it tightly noticing the faint bruises all over her arms.

''I'm so sorry'' I cried out hugging her tightly

''Shh.'' she whispered kissing the top of my head. ''-Is Chase here?'' 

''No. I think he needs time to adjust'' I say. 

Chase has been living at Lukes since this happened. One of his brothers had moved out and across the country for work so Liz was happy to rent it out to my brother for a small price as my brother wouldn't stay without giving her something - Michael helped by getting him a job at the record store so he could pay his way which I was thankful for.

''I don't expect to be forgiven.'' she sighs burying herself back under the covers.

''It'll be okay mum I promise.'' I say reassuringly but I don't know if anything will be the same again so much has happened. 

''Yes It will.'' she says wiping under her eyes, and shifting to slightly sit herself up ''I've got a plan- we're going to sell this place and get away'' she half smiled.

Sell our home? although the bad memories flood the place their were so many good ones too. I don't know how I feel about her selling up? Could we even do that?

''Are you sure? This is our home.'' I whisper.

'' Yes Brooke. That is the first step we're going to move to Perth with your Aunt Veronica. She has a lovely house in mind - a friend of hers is selling up. It'll just be Me , You and Chase.'' she smiled and I felt my heart slightly drop a funny feeling in my tummy... Perth? That was over 2000 miles away!

''Mu-''

''We'll be so happy Brooke. A fresh start for all of us! We'll be safe I promise. You'll come with me won't you?'' she gushes and I have a feeling she hasn't been this happy for awhile.

''Yeah of course I will... A fresh start.'' I say. I don't know if thats what I want to do or even if i'll do it, I just didn't want to kick her while she was down and let this be the thing to help her mend her broken heart... keep her mind focused.

''- And you'll talk to Chase?'' she asks desperately I nod my head at her and listen to her ramble on of our new future.

MICHAEL POV

I know I shouldn't be listening but Brooke has been there in over an hour and I'm worried. I tried sending her multiple texts but I soon realized she had left her phone on the bed. I sneak just behind the door and catch the conversation they're having - I didn't mean to listen I just happened to be there and they happened to be that loud... therefore I had no choice really.

'' - The first step we're going to move to Perth with your Aunt Veronica. She has a lovely house in mind - a friend of hers is selling up. It'll just be Me , You and Chase.'' 

PERTH?! What she can't expect for Brooke to just pack up her whole life and leave because she made the wrong choice in love and married a psychopath. We're happy together here and Brooke has finally settled at my place we have so much to do still...

''Mu-''

''We'll be so happy Brooke. A fresh start for all of us! We'll be safe I promise. You'll come with me won't you?'' she gushes and I have to stop myself from lunging in there and telling her to shove her Perth dream up her ass... she's safe with me she always has been.

''Yeah of course I will... A fresh start.''

My heart drops. I feel the anger rush through my veins. I can't believe she would just leave me? A long distance relatonship won't work she'll just forget about me and find someone else... I need to get out of here.

I picked up my phone dialing the number from earlier as I walk I out of the door.

''I'm on my way'' I mutter

****

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