Eventually the pain of the gun shot had settled in. I felt this surging pain. The adrenaline in my body started to die down and I realized how bad the pain truly was. It's funny how you don't feel the pain, you feel invincible until it truly settles in. What's funny is that the gun shot alone wouldn't have stoped me from beating the shit out of my father. But instead it was when he stomped on my head on the side walk. I could feel the blood dripping out of my head, with the raging head ache complimenting it all. My body was warm being all soaked in blood and such. I was taken in to multiple scan rooms to check what had been affected. In the ambulance I texted Max telling him to come to the hospital. He didn't respond. He must've been busy. The nurses and doctors were rushing everywhere. I've seen this scene play out before. Except it wasn't for me, it was for my mother. I was a little scared, I thought I was going to die. I didn't want to die after life had just started to become my own. I can't let the man who took the experience of living away from me also take my life. I'm not going to allow it. I felt the fear overwhelm my emotions as my breathing became ragged, my heart dropping to my stomach and my mind becoming buzzed. I felt light headed and heavy both at the same time. The doctors noticed my heart rate increasing and new I was going into a panic attack so they tried to calm my nerves. I tried to keep a cool front but I couldn't I just broke instantly. I wasn't sobbing, just pure panic.

I didn't even realize that Max had arrived with his friends and dad until I heard a audible gasp. I looked over to see his face as my eyes widened. He looked so scared. But I couldn't help but smile. He calms me down so much. Just his presence comforts me. When I was pushed in to surgery for my leg I could hear Max shout " WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED TO HIM?!" Which made me chuckle softly. I don't know why but his concern for me was comforting and so sweet.

Everything went well despite hearing I won't be able to walk for a few weeks and the fact I had a pretty bad concussion. The doctors then said I had guests visiting which made me confused. I quickly forgot because it was a sign of the concussion. I was shocked to see Max, PJ, Bobby, Tank and the old man goof. They gasped seeing me covered in bandages and one of my eyes being red since a blood vessel popped. Thankfully it won't stay that way. Max ran over and gently hugged me. I flinched a little at the pain but I needed that hug so bad. I wrapped my arms around him quickly. He eventually let go and cupped my cheeks as he asked in a worried tone, eyes full of tears "what the hell happened to you?" He asked. I looked embarrassed but I sighed softly and said "who else?" Expecting Max to know immediately "what did he do?! What made him go this far?!" He asked me as I explained. "Claire had told him a completely different story saying I wanted to have sex with her and when she didn't want to apparently I had Stacey here beat her up. So he picked me up after you left the frat and Claire was there accusing me still. He then started laughing when I told my side and said that men can't get raped and I would've enjoyed it in that case so I went mad and told him how I didn't wanna marry a slut faced whore. So he dropped her off and drove off into the middle of no where. Pulled me by my hair out the car and tried to beat the shit out of me. I fought back and tried to beat him up afterward so he pulled out a gun. Shot me in the leg and then stomped on my head on the sidewalk, he then left me just laying there bleeding out." I said as I heard the groups audible gasp as Max looked hurt and angered at the same time "your dad is a fucking psychopath. I'm going to kill that mother fucker I swear to god.." he said annoyed. Max's dad took him and had him relax a little "now listen Maxy let's calm down and think about this logically. We will figure this out together" he said to which Max slowed down and sighed softly to calm down a bit.
"Bro.... Max almost unleashed his inner alpha dawg" Bobby commented which made me snicker until Bobby continued "that makes you the omega Brad" so I shouted " SHUT UP BOBBY!" To which Max shrugged " nah I'll always take care of my pookie bear" which made me blush and super annoyed at the same time.

The room laughed but because it was so loud my head ache became worse as I put my head in my hands and groaned as PJ chuckled "Brad it's just a joke. There isn't a need to flip out" he said as I shook my head "shut up shut up shut up" I groaned to which everyone looked confused. I don't blame them from what it looked like it was like I was being immature at their stupid comments "babe I promise it's not that big of a deal he was just joking" Max tried to comfort me by holding me as I quickly pushed him away. The head ache grew so bad as I leaned over and vomited into the trash can. Everyone flinched and cringed a little as Max tried to comfort me as I laid down groaning "my head..." I whined as Bobby left to grab a nurse who came in giving me pain medications. She suggested everyone left because my head aches were only gonna get worse. Max kissed my forehead before leaving but I grabbed his hand quickly "stay..." I begged. He smiled softly and laid next to me gently as he held me close. I could hear his old man say to PJ " they're a match made. I'm happy for my boy..." which made my heart rush. I'm at least happy one of our fathers supports. That's all I needed.

When everyone left, I held onto Max and closed my eyes sighing as I tried to relax this damn head ache. "How are you feeling?" He asked carefully. His voice was so soothing. "Not well... I have a horrible headache... my dad almost killed me.. I'm forced to marry someone who assaulted me and tried to rape me" I said as Max kissed my cheek gently " I'm gonna do whatever in my power to help you...." He said softly. But the next thing he said made my eyes widen. I didn't expect it at all. "I know it's too early to say this but I mean it Bradley, I'll do anything for you. I love you" he said in a serious tone. I felt my heart squeeze as I froze. I looked up at him with softened eyes as I slowly leaned in smiling softly. "I.... I love you too Max" I smiled as I kissed his lips gently.

Even though I was going through hell. Max somehow managed to always comfort me despite everything. Despite living in this hell.

That was until I got a text

Father: " I want to meet this Max Goof kid"