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“You can and you will, Blaire. He won’t hurt you ever again,” he snaps. “Now, change that Uber destination and create a diversion. Rich doesn't need to know where you're going. And Blaire…”
“Yes?” I whisper as I gaze up at Levi while we put all my bags in the back of his red pride and joy.
“Stay in touch. If you need me, contact me. Please, just let me know you're safe. I’m always your friend, Blaire, no matter what my bastard brother did. You need me for anything, call and I'll be there.”
“Thank you, Levi. You never really were a bad guy, but you did put on a good act, though.” I smile slightly as I sniff back the tears before I jump in the car and insert the key in the ignition. I gaze up at his watering eyes before he dips his head down and shuts the door.
“I never was, Blaire. Now go, before Rich wakes up.”
I start the engine and look over my shoulder at Levi before I speed away. “Be careful,” I shout out the window. I watch his shoulders slump low from the pain and turmoil that has been building over the last few years.
The little bird has finally been set free from her cage and is ready to spread her wings and start to explore life. The first steps in my plan to move forward are to go to my parents' new house.
BLAIRE
PRESENT DAY
Why can't I just sit back and wait a few more days to move like I originally planned? Stubborn through and through, that's me. I would never listen to what people told me, even when I was younger. Why change what I already know? Stick to my roots; that's my motto. My parents don't need to know the real reason why I’m going sooner. They don't like Rich and they are glad our relationship is over. They keep pushing for answers, which I don't want to talk about. Plus, I'm sick of the need to look continuously over my shoulder and expect to see the evil glint and sickening smile of his, as he stares back at me. The fear that Rich has finally found me to take me back to the life I have run from is real.
I know my parents have only been in this house a few weeks, but it wouldn't take long for him to piece together where I am and find out their new location. I'm sure he must have friends that work on the force, maybe give a backhand payment, anything to get what he wants. Rich is meticulous. He follows through to get what he wants and unfortunately, this time, it’s me.
He’s certainly tried hard enough to grab my attention with the constant calls to my cell. My voicemail is full to capacity and text messages vary from gentle pleads to angry abuse. I did try at first to ignore him, but I know Rich won’t give in, especially when the demands got worse, and that final message hits my screen.
Get your ass back here by my side before I get my hands on you and drag you all the way back by your hair. Last chance. – Rich
After that, I made the choice to change my number and be done with him, but not before I let Levi know that I’m fine and that I’ve changed plans. I know it’ll put a target on my head. I could only buy so much time, and now, two days have gone since that call to block my old number and change my line.
I don't know what Levi did to keep Rich away this long. I know he must have placated him somehow, because Rich isn’t a patient man at the best of times. If I was to hazard a guess, he’s giving him a constant supply of alcohol.
I’m not an idiot, and my brain screams it’s time to get away while I can. Alarm bells will ring the moment Rich notices Levi without his Camaro. There's only so many excuses Levi can use until Rich will connect the dots together. I hope he uses his head and tells him that he lost it in a poker game or something to ease the pressure, but sometimes, guys just don’t think.
The first thing I did when I got to the house was to lose the license plates and change them out. I don't have much savings that I can touch, most of them secured away in my trust fund, but it's the one thing that would have given the game straight away if he did spot them. I know I couldn’t lose the car for any reason. After all, Levi did give it to me to support me to escape Rich’s clutches. The Camaro has been his baby and I will protect it until the time is right to give it back to him.
With my own opinion of life now truly changed, people could see a difference in the old me, but I didn’t want to share the reasons why. I understood that my portrayal could hurt others, but I just didn't care. Well, in front of people that's what I showed. It's a whole different story behind closed doors. Alone, my true colors could manifest and come to light. I'm sick of the constant bullshit being thrown my way in life. Everyone thinks they know what's best for me. That I need time. No, I decide what I need, no one else.
My life, my rules.
It's time for a fresh start in Armstrong, Georgia. Away from the crazy ex-boyfriend that drove me to the edge of my sanity. A new life; a new focus. A time to make those initial roots grow into a home where the small community could get to know me for who I really am.
Only essential people know of my arrival dates and now I’ve screwed those up with my last-minute decision to leave early. The quicker I stand tall and show everyone that I'm not a weak mouse but a strong lion, prowling for my place in life, not letting an ex screw my life up, the better. My parents, on the other hand, would prefer it if I stayed with them where they could watch my every move. That's why I decide my plans are going to stay a secret from them until I have everything ready.
The call to tell me that I could move in early seemed too good to be true, but I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Since I’ve been home, I'm surprised I haven't castrated someone. Maybe I’m being paranoid, that I overreact to my parents words at times, but my confidence has taken a nosedive after being constantly chipped away at all my life. This is just another incentive for them to see how far I can be pushed. Water under the bridge to their faces though, as I would just let the insults slide over my tough skin and only let them seep back in when I'm alone with my thoughts. I've been told by my mother to never let anyone see your weaknesses. Otherwise, they have the ammunition to control, to destroy and then, to overpower you. She’s right. The moment someone does, then it’s game over. I take that advice as gospel; no matter who the person may be.
* * *
“Mom, Dad, are you around?” I shout up the stairs. I give a quick check of each room as I pass throughout the lower ground level of my parents house. I’ve left a pile of packed boxes next to the front door, ready to load into the car. I wait for the stomps on the stairs and the huffs to begin after I’ve disturbed their peace, but they never come. Where are they? Their car is outside, so I know they’re around somewhere.
This is the only way I know I can escape without the pressure mounting too high and result in me exploding. Over the last few weeks, the talks from my parents to remain with them and start afresh has become a drone in my mind. I know all they want is what’s best for me, but they never stop to think what I may want. I should be the bigger person and admit my reasons why my plan has changed but then that would unravel a whole pile of baggage. It is the lesser of two evils at the end of the day. I know if I’d mentioned my plans earlier it would’ve only caused endless arguments between us all. It maybe hasn’t been the best idea to not tell them until the last minute, either. My parents are used to my ways, but this probably would be in the top five of things to frustrate them and make them lose their cool. Well, Mom that is. Dad just goes with the flow and understands what battles to pick and not. Sensible, I think, a trait I certainly have. Time, that's all they need to understand my thought process.
“Ah Blaire, couldn't it wait until later? I was whooping your dad on the treadmill again. It’s like he plans to lose every time.” Mom heaves out as she tries to catch her breath and wipes the sweat from her brow with a towel that she grabs from over the top of the door.
“Who says I don’t?” Dad winks as he saunters past the machines and grabs his water bottle. He takes big gulps quickly, and drains the contents inside as he leans his hand against the wall to steady himself.
“I don't get why you just don't run outdoors? I'd be so bored if I just stared at the same picture of the bay on the wall,” I joke as I look between the two of them and wiggle my eyebrows up and down as I lean with my back against the doorframe.
“The bay has been captured beautifully in that oil, such delicate strokes, but who said that's what I focus on.” Dad chuckles as he walks over to Mom, wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her close into his side before he starts to kiss her deeply, like I don't even exist.
“Come on.” I turn around and place my hands across my face before I shake my head at the nerve of them. “It’s like you're determined to scar my mind forever more. I really don't need to see that. Can we talk, please?”
