Chapter Ten: Past: Three is a crowd

Stop!

Tell them to stop!

You'll end up in the hospital again!

You crazy Lil b-

"STOP!" I screamed.

Their attention snapped to me, Owen seemed to realize what he'd done and regret covered his facial expression but Justin had fear on his facial expression. He remembered the incident.

"Get out. Get out, Owen." I murmured.

He took a step towards me and Justin stood in front of me. Shielding me. I could see his muscles tensing. He was close to his breaking point. Owen wasn't a friend or competition. No, he was Marcus in Jus' eyes and he would cause havoc and inflict pain on me. I wouldn't let Jus close off like he did after that incident. The drinking, the pain, the fear…all of it was just too real to ignore. To let go. I Wouldn't choose Owen over a man who shielded me for more than a decade.

"Get out." I said more confidently.

"Thora I apologize- "he started.

"Jeez man!" Justin said with frustration as he rubbed his face, he was boiling.

���Get out Owen before you get hurt. "I said hurriedly with worry.

But Owen ignored me and tried to sidestep Jus to get to me, big mistake. Jus punched him square in the face and dragged him by the top of his jacket around the neck area.

"Jus calm down please." I cried out to him.

But he didn't even listen to me, I doubt he could even hear my pleas for him to stop. Owen tried badly to fight back but his hits were just pebbles. I needed to do something and quick. I ran to the front door to screamed for help, only to find Michael about to knock. Thank you, Jesus.

"Hell- "he began

"No time please help me! Jus and Owen! Fighting!" I pleaded. He quickly raced to the kitchen with me following.

"JUSTIN AND OWEN BREAK IT UP!" He roared.

Justin kept punching on though, just when I thought he was done when he stood up from the ground with Owen breathing in harshly on the floor, he dragged Owen's body to the door and threw him out. He slammed the door with such force, I'm sure the hinges broke. Michael stared in amazement. I shook my head at him indicating not to try and scold Jus while he was still angry, he quickly rushed out to check on Owen. I rushed to the sitting room area and called reception for a paramedic, worried that Owen could have broken ribs. I pulled out an emergency kit to clean Justin's bruises but when I entered the kitchen, he was still fuming.

"Jus… can I clean your wounds?" I whispered taking small steps to him.

"He would have hurt you, he can hurt you, I should've killed him!" he said loudly.

"No, he would not."

"Did you not hear the way he spoke to you!" he roared.

"Yes, I did and it was disrespectful but he apologized."

"He would have gotten worse!"

"He's not Marcus!" I cried out

"Do you really think I'm that stupid that I wouldn't see a person like Marcus try and enter my life again?" I shook with fear and anger.

I threw the contents on the table and began to walk away. I headed straight in the bathroom and threw cool water onto my face. Hoping for it to be a dream or just a nightmare because I couldn't understand what just happened. I went to my room and started to clean up. I couldn't just sit down because I was shaking. I hadn't realized I was crying until I tried to remove my hair from my face and touched my wet cheek.

"Tho?" Jus voice rang out.

"What are you still doing here Jus?" I asked not even turning to him as I continued to clean.

"I'm sorry for just... doing that."

"I know you're trying to protect me but not every man I meet is like Marcus Jus." I snapped.

"I know but- "

"There is no 'but' if you know the truth. You've never had a problem with guys that I meet or date, why is Owen such a freaking threat to you?"

He kept quiet and rubbed his face.

"You can't even answer me. Get out Jus." I said as I pulled his shirt off me. I threw it at him and turned my back to him.

I suddenly got turned around and he slammed his lips on mine. He was furious and he was letting me know with every movement. His hands tightened by my waist and my nails dug into his shoulder blades. It was a war and I wasn't planning on losing. My nails dug deeper into his bare shoulder as he hoisted me up. He hissed and groaned as I scratched him. He pulled back as we gasped for air, staring into each other's eyes. There were emotions that I couldn't comprehend. His blue-green eyes were now blue with a tinge of green.

"A threat because unlike the other guys, I feel like he can actually get you and claim you as his, when I always thought you would be mine one day." He whispered.

I gasped as he threw me onto the bed and continued to show me his true emotions, maybe even ours. Making me scream for our possible future.