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Now, it’s my turn.
“I know it’s hard, Reed, but I think that’s a smart decision. It takes sacrifices to get to the top, and I think you will definitely get there.”
I nod, hoping she’s right. Performing is a fire in my blood, but it’s more than that.
It’s an escape.
I need my career to help fill the emptiness left by Callie and the feelings for her that might have dimmed but are still there.
CHAPTER 20
Callie
“Had to call my little brother didn’t you, Callie? You just can’t stay away from him. You chase after him like a dog in heat,” Mitch mocks, taking a drink from the bottle of whiskey he’s been guzzling on.
“Mitch, it’s not like that,” I murmur, rubbing he tension out of the back of my neck. I’m so tired. I feel like I haven’t slept for weeks, and I mostly haven’t. Mitch is too unstable to allow myself to rest when he’s home—and he seems to be home now more than ever. I think that because he truly enjoys torturing me. He gets off on it.
I’ve been so desperate that I’ve been planning on leaving sooner rather than later. It’s starting to not even matter that I have very little money saved. Maybe Mitch senses that lately. He doesn’t leave me alone long enough to allow me time to pack my clothes. He’s even begun taking me to work and picking me up. He’ll show up throughout the day, too. He’ll excuse it by saying it’s for lunch or to spend my breaks with me. We both know it’s just so he can keep an eye on me.
“Tell me what’s it like, Callie? Are you aching to have my brother back between your legs?”
“Will you stop? I’m trying to help your mother. I’ve been with her for two days. Sleeping with Reed is the last thing on my mind. My God! After everything you’ve put me through, I never want another man,” I snap.
I know the minute I finish yelling that I was stupid. I’m going to pay for it, too. My only excuse is that it has been a hell of a day. I’m so tired of the abuse and insults that Mitch piles on me day after day that I can’t stop myself.
“You fucking bitch,” he growls.
I start backing away. Fear laps a heated path through my body that feels like an assault on my senses. He stands up, but sways slightly as he does. I silently pray that he passes out, but I doubt I’m going to get that lucky. Still, I pray for it anyway.
“Mitch, don’t do this. We have to be able to be there for your mom tomorrow,” I try to reason, but I know it’s in vain. He’s too far gone, and I definitely traveled into the danger zone.
“I’ve been letting you by with too much. You’ve forgotten who is in control.”
“Mitch,” I respond, fear leaking into my voice.
I watch as he undoes his belt. It’s like it’s happening in slow motion. My breathing is so loud that it seems to drown out all other sound. He brings his belt up in his hands, his glassy eyes narrowing as he looks at me with pure hate.
Oh God, I really have gone too far this time.
He bends his belt in half. Then, using force with each hand, cracks the leather. It snaps loudly and the sound echoes as if it were a gunshot. I let out a short scream before I catch myself, jumping in my fright.
I continue to back up, but my body hits one of the dining room chairs.
I’ve run out of room.
“Bend over the table, Callie,” he orders, his voice dark and laced with an evil that seems to ooze with each and every syllable.
“Mitch, don’t do this. I’ll do better. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you,” I beg. My stomach is churning as he continues to advance.
“Bend over the fucking table, Callie. If you don’t, it’s going to be much, much worse, and we both know I can deliver on that promise. Don’t we, sweetheart?”
I’m shaking from head to toe. My body trembling so hard that even my teeth are chattering. I know I can’t hold out, though. He’s angry—maybe even angrier than I’ve ever seen him before.
I turn, putting my hands on the table and immediately that one word keeps repeating in my head.
Survive.
I just need to survive. There has to be a chance to get away from Mitch during the funeral and things. I’ll leave the minute I get the chance. I won’t have a lot of money. Still, I’m almost positive that I can find a job for cash somewhere. Right now, it seems like everyone is hiring. It can’t be that hard. It will be okay. I just have to survive.
I’m trying to distract myself by making plans. That stops when I feel Mitch’s hand move through my short hair. It’s grown out some, but still unbelievably short. The entire energy surrounding him is dark and evil.
