It wasn't an idle threat, I didn’t know how strong he was, but I knew he was strong. Just as I knew he would do as he threatened. My fingers trembling, I turned the key. Opening the door a few inches, I peered into the gloom.
“Briella.” The relief in Tommy's voice was obvious as he curled his fingers around the wood and opened it further.
Powerless to stop it, I took a step back, crossing my arms over the low neckline of the dress that I had been so excited to show him. At that moment I just felt silly. Silly and far too exposed.
“What do you want, Tommy?”
Cocking his head to the side, he studied me. A fine line appeared between his eyebrows like my question confused him. “I've come to take you home.”
“I would have thought not going back would have given you a hint.” Somehow my voice came out flat. There wasn't an ounce of emotion in it. “I’m moving out.”
Tommy's eyes narrowed angrily and then softened. “You've been crying.”
It wasn't a question so I didn't answer him. Instead I wiped under my eyes with my thumb. It came back black.
“Did you expect me to be all merry and doing a jig?” I took another step back as he came forward, but I didn't get very far. His hands came down on my waist, stopping me in my tracks.
His touch sent shockwaves through me. The walls that I had haphazardly erected around myself crumbled to nothing. A sob tore its way out of my throat.
He was on me in an instant. Those big arms holding me against his chest as he whispered sweet nothings to me. I didn't hear any of them.
Clinging to him, I let myself cry.
* * *
“Baby,it's ok, it's all going to be ok.”
Dimly, I became aware that Tommy's lips were on my face, kissing my tears away. I didn't even remember when he had tilted my face up to his, I had been so overwhelmed with my sadness.
No, not my sadness.
His betrayal.
He had no right telling me everything would be ok when he was the one that ruined things. And he sure as hell had no right kissing me.
Tommy's mouth pressed against the corner of my lips, and I tore myself away with a cry. If I let him kiss me then I would be lost. I would forgive him.
“Don't do that.”
“Briella...” He took a step forward and I held out a hand to stop him.
“Don't, Tommy.”
“Don't what? Kiss you? Love you? What exactly shouldn’t I do, Briella?”
I wanted to laugh at his use of the word love. You didn't hurt the ones you loved. You didn't betray them with some half naked skank the moment you had a fight.
“What do you want, Tommy?” I answered his question with one of my own.
“You,” he said simply.
I laughed before I could help myself.
Tommy's eyes darkened. “It's the truth, Briella. You are all I want.” His voice cracked. “All I will ever want or need.”
I continued to stare at him, my muscles clenched with anger. Every atom of my being wanted to fly at him. To beat him with my fists as I screamed into his face.
“You seemed to be doing just fine without me back at the compound Tommy.”
