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“That’s fine. I’m about done with you anyway. If I wanted a bitch at my heels, I’d’ve bought a fuckin’ dog.”
The urge to kill rockets through me. Blood rushes my ears, the sweltering heat making it hard to breathe. I went against my better judgment. I acted on my impulses, and he made a fool out of me.
On the way to the door, I catch sight of a baseball bat leaned up against the edge of his dresser. In one fell swoop, I snatch it in my hands and swing. The end catches the lamp on his bedside table. It crashes to the floor but doesn’t soothe my need for vengeance.
“Hoooe!” he yells, jumping from his bed seconds before my bat comes down in his place. “You’re a crazy bitch, you know that?”
“I’m gonna fucking kill you!” I advance, whipping the bat in his direction as he ducks away. A jar of change on his dresser shatters, but all I see is red as I block him in the corner. A life sentence in prison would be better than staying in this hot box and having to look at his smug face every day, knowing he got the best of me.
I take another swing. He catches the end and pulls me in. Twisted in his grasp, I drop my weapon. My arms and legs flail. “Calm the fuck down!”
He wraps himself around me, his arm locking behind my head. Unable to move, the humiliation washes away my rage. Tears plummet down my face as my body collapses in on itself.
“You done?” When I nod, he releases his grasp. “Good.”
With my head bowed, I wade through the rubble left by my tantrum. It’s easy to blame him, but the decision was mine. He gave me every opportunity to go. I didn’t take it. In the end, I did exactly what I swore I wouldn’t do. I let him break me.
Chapter fourteen
Troy:I know I screwed up, but can we please talk about this?
I swipe the text away and slide my phone into my back pocket. Troy must have tried to contact me at least thirty times over the past couple of days. Shutting him out is cowardly and immature, but I just can’t face him. Not while I still feel the phantom touch of Jace’s hands on my body. No matter how hard I try, I can’t wash it away. It’s embedded into my skin like a bruise that won’t heal. A physical pain deep in my heart, a constant reminder of how far I’ve fallen.
The upside to all of this is Cindy’s full recovery. She’s back to her old self, and I’m relieved to return to a normal life. Believe it or not, I’m almost happy to return to school tomorrow. Anything’s better than this. Trying to avoid Jace in a house this size is an exercise in futility. We used to take turns doing chores, but now we take turns leaving the house. I honestly don’t know what’s worse—his constant aggression or being ignored completely.
I gave him the only things I had left. My pride, my innocence, and my faith in humanity.
“Jeet yet?” Cindy stops in my doorway, her shoulder pressed to the once-white trim.
I smile at her Southern turn of phrase. “I’m not hungry.”
She steps into my room and sits on the corner of the bed. “Somethin’ going on with you and Jace?”
My heart skips a beat. Cindy can sniff out a problem like a bloodhound. “Why would you ask that?”
“I dunno. Y’all just seem quieter than usual.”
“I think we’re just tired from all this,” I say with a shrug.
She purses her lips with a slow nod. I can tell she’s not buying any of it, but she allows me to have my lie for now. “’Kay. Well, I’m here if you wanna talk about somethin’.”
“I appreciate that.”
I wonder what my mom would think of my situation? After all, she’s no stranger to getting caught up in lust. She had me with a man she barely knew. A one-night stand that resulted in a lifetime of motherhood. I don’t think she’d judge me for my hasty actions. At least, I’m going to keep telling myself that.
My hand naturally goes for my empty ring finger. After all this time, I still can’t admit it’s gone. That ring was my strength. It was my saving grace. Just knowing I had it made me feel powerful. Darla probably pawned it to buy another bottle of imposter perfume.
A sigh leaves my lips when I hear the rumble of the truck outside my window. I watch him from the crack in the curtains. He pushes damp locks of dark hair off his forehead, then uses the bottom hem of his T-shirt to wipe the sweat from his face. My stomach ripples. The taste of him still burns on my tongue. I hate myself for wanting him after what he’s done.
The minute he disappears from sight, I gather my things and prepare to leave. Once again, I find myself alone. Even Cindycan’t save me this time. I wasn’t burdened by events I couldn't control. This, I did to myself.
I step lightly, hoping not to be seen as I wheel my bike into the driveway. With the wind in my hair, I put it all past me. I slow my pace as I approach Boots n’ Bangles, then enter to the sound of the bell. Jolene looks up with a delighted grin. “Oh my stars, look who finally decided to grace us with her presence.”
“Hey, Jo,” I say with a wide smile. “You got my check?”
“Sure do, sugar.” She reaches under the counter and extracts a long white envelope. “You comin’ back to work?”
“Yes. I have those sketches you asked for, too.”
