Page 54 of Crossroads

“I’m sorry about that.”

“Don’t be sorry about that. You had nothing to do with that. Other than existing. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with that man, but he was always an asshole and seems to have leaned into it with his age.”

“I would say maybe it’s because he has a small dick, but one, I don’t want to think of his dick. And two, that’s just mean to people who don’t have big dicks.”

Bronwyn’s lips twitched. “That is all true. Now let’s get you something with sugar in it, and we can drown our sorrows and anger in a pastry.”

“That sounds absolutely perfect.”

The bell at the top of the door rang again, and we whirled, only relaxing when we saw Teagan slide through.

“What happened?” She looked both angry and pale at the same time. “Was it the paparazzi?”

“Just Nathan,” Bronwyn answered quickly.

Teagan’s gaze narrowed. “I don’t know what’s up with that guy, but one day he’s going to get the shit beat out of him, and he’s going to have deserved it. Did you tell Bodhi?”

Bronwyn gave me a curious look, but I quickly shook my head. “There’s no need. He has enough to worry about, and it doesn’t always need to be about me.”

“Kiera,” Teagan began, but I shook my head.

“No. That man does not get to ruin our lunch. Let us just go enjoy ourselves. What do you say?”

“If that’s what you’d like, but knowing this small town, my brother’s going to hear about it.”

“Only if you tell him,” I warned.

Then I looked over at Bronwyn. The other woman held up both hands. “I’m not going to text him and out you. But I wouldn’t keep secrets in a relationship. But that’s just me.”

I shook my head. “We’re not exactly, well, in a relationship. We’re just…hanging out.”

Teagan just shook her head. “I swear, you’re worse than me. However, because I don’t want to be questioned, I’m going to move on. Let’s get something to eat before I have to sadly go back to work.”

“I was just about to bring out pastries. Does that sound like a good way to start your lunch?”

“That sounds perfect,” Teagan said with a smile, but I still saw the worried look on her face. Well, I was worried too, but I wasn’t going to let that bother me. Not today. Not when I was finally trying to find my peace. And that peace wasn’t going to be with Bodhi or worrying about what would happen when I left town. Because that had to be soon. The longer I stayed, the harder it would be to leave. And I think all of us in this room knew that.

All content, and oddly happy because I had found true friends when I hadn’t been expecting it, I made my way down the side street toward the truck. It was getting slightly busier on Main Street, with tourists walking about with their cameras always ready to take photos of the beautiful scenery and the Rocky Mountains. I wasn’t in the mood to have cameras in my face, so I went down the back alley area that was far cleaner and nicer than any other alley I’d been on. Everything had flowers and little white picket fences, and it was gorgeous. I was going to head back to Bodhi’s place, prepare something for dinner, work on my music, and figure out how to say goodbye.

And with that depressing thought, I pulled out my phone, ready to text Bodhi to let him know my plans.

A hand slid around to cover my mouth before I could say anything. Panic rose up my spine, and I twisted, trying to get away. Whoever held onto me squeezed my face, but I staggered to the side, knowing if I didn’t get away now, I wouldn’t ever. I’d been too weak before. I wouldn’t be so again. I bent over, and the person let me go for a moment before gripping my arm in a bruising hold. I finally looked up into the familiar face that sent ice through my veins.

My eyes widened when I realized who it was, and I balled my hand into a fist, slamming it into his face. Jeremiah’s head slammed back. I took two steps backwards, trying to get away, but I wasn’t fast enough. Jeremiah growled, grabbed my wrist, twisted, and pain shot up my arm.

“Jeremiah. What the hell are you doing? Stop this. Please. Just stop.”

“You bitch. You ruined everything.” The sunlight glinted off a knife, and my eyes widened as I screamed for help. When the blade glanced across my arm, red-hot pain radiated through my flesh, and I put my hand over the cut, trying to staunch the bleeding.

“You’re fucking insane, Jeremiah. I didn’t do anything to you. Please. Just put the knife down.” I tried to move away from him, but he tightened his grip, waving the knife in front of my face. I swallowed hard, knowing that no matter how hard I fought, I couldn’t stop a sharp blade.

I looked into his tweaked-out eyes and realized that he had to be on something stronger than before. He was so fucking strong, in that wigged-out way, that I knew he would crash soon. He had scratch marks all over his face and had lost a good twenty pounds. And yet he was still stronger than I am. He slashed the knife out again, as I fell back, and tears filled my eyes. I blinked them back, trying to go numb. This couldn’t be happening.

He swiped the blade along my jaw, and blood welled, sliding down my neck. I kicked at him, getting him in the knee, but he pushed my shoulder hard enough to bruise, and I tilted back. My head slammed into the ground, and then I curled myself into a ball, trying to protect my body as Jeremiah kicked once, twice, and I couldn’t back away. I tried to push, tried to crawl, but everything hurt. It was as if I were dreaming or sliding through molasses. My limbs weren’t responding to me quickly enough.

“I told you that you were mine. You slut.”

He kicked again, and then Jeremiah let out a high-pitched scream.