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Steven takes a moment to reassess the situation, he’s not stupid, and turns on his heel then walks out the front door.
But before I lose sight of him, he turns back and points his finger at me, saying, “We’ll see how a judge takes my son living with you and two strange men in a two-bedroom apartment.” He glares at me as ice freezes in my veins.
Him threatening my son is crossing a line that I never considered. I can see just how low he’s willing to go to get me back under his control.
“Best you leave now,” Orin clips out, his jaw rigid with Steven standing next to him. Steven glares at him for a moment, but he turns and leaves. Orin closes and locks the door behind his retreating form then turns, coming our way.
The minute I lose sight of Steven, all the bravado and fight leaves me. I sink into the couch, that’s thankfully right behind me, and curl in on myself. Jonas gathers me into his lap, and I cling to his unspoken offer of safety.
“He can’t take my son from me. He’s the reason I’m doing this,” I whisper into his chest.
“He won’t. He just hung himself by entering after we repeatedly told him he wasn’t welcome,” Jonas says, explaining why they let him come inside in the first place.
10 Grill Out
Sunshine by OneRepublic
It’snotlongaftermy hospital stay that friends of Gemini’s invite us all over for a night of fun and a cookout. It just so happens to coincide with the weekend that Zander is going to Jaz’s boss’ parent's house.
Unsurprisingly, Steven made bail and is walking around, acting as if nothing has changed between us. He texts me every day, begging me to come back home but to the rest of the world, things are happening as usual. Like I never left, and he didn’t try to kill me.
So, to say I’m looking forward to hanging out with women who have been through similar situations and men who know how to help, is a massive understatement.
Turns out, Jaz is friends with the woman that helped with Zander while Gemini tended to me at the hospital. Nora is also dating five guys. I find this very intriguing. Since getting released, all three of the guys, Gem, Orin, and Jonas, have been helping me with Zander, and spending a lot of time here. I’m not sure if it’s hero’s syndrome or what, but I find myself doing more than just liking each one as a friend. I only hold back because it feels wrong. Plus, I don’t want to confuse Zander.
With Gemini helping me up the front cement steps, he rings the doorbell. Jonas and Orin are right behind us.
After being let in, Gem helps me over to the couch where I slowly sit down. I’ve been trying to go without any pain medication lately. I don’t want to become dependent on them. Let's just say, some days are easier than others. Today is a rough one. The guys don’t like it, but I don’t care. I don’t want to risk becoming addicted. If that’s how it works. I honestly don’t know but I’m not willing to chance it and risk Zander live with his dad full time.
Everyone is dressed in some form of black. Jaz told me they were having a memorial for one of her boss's dogs that was recently killed.
I’m in sweats and a baggy shirt. Something I’d never even be allowed to look at in a store, if I were still with Steven. I’m learning that I prefer comfort and freedom of movement over appearance in my clothes.
Jonas and Orin both give me looks or shoulder touches, checking in with me to be sure I’m okay before heading out back with several other men to grill. Gemini kisses me on the cheek before he leaves me to it. At least Jaz is here, I’m around mostly strangers. I only met Nora once, and I wasn’t exactly in the best state.
“Hi, I’m Sara, Heath’s sister,” a beautiful, red-headed woman holds out her hand to me, introducing herself.
“Heather,” I say meekly, taking her firm hand in mine. She smiles at me, but backs off, not pressuring me into striking up a conversation. The other three women chat and laugh about the happenings in their lives, letting me sit back and take everything in.
Then, all the men trudge back in with food, and we all sit down to eat with my guys on each side of me. I can tell that Nora’s men truly love her, and so does Sara’s husband.
It makes me a bit sad, knowing I’ve never had that. Not even in the beginning of my relationship with Steven. Not truly.
Used to watching what I eat so that I can keep the figure Steven wanted me to have, I only take small portions of protein and veggies. But Gemini and Jonas are having none of that and load my plate up with carbs and all the foods I usually deprive myself of. I even see Orin nod his approval out of the side of my eye.
We all eat, and the entire time I’m filled with longing and wishing that I belonged to people like the ones sitting at the table.
Throughout the meal, my three guys all give me little touches or looks that are beyond friendly, and border on intimacy. It has my body reacting in ways I was sure were no longer alive. I haven’t felt these things for a man since the beginning of my marriage with Steven.Until he killed them.
It has me questioning the way I view relationships. But seeing Nora and her five men, and how no one blinks twice at their situation, I see that it’s not so far-fetched.
We all finish up, and head back into the living room for a movie.
Steven would never let me do anything like this. I wasn’t allowed to have friends, except for Jaz, and that’s only because she was like a dog with a bone.
I’m grateful she did. She was the one thing, other than my son, that kept me sane and was the driving force in getting us out from under his tyranny.
Gemini helps me settle in on the couch and Jonas fits himself next to me while Orin sits on the floor in front of me. It’s like they’re trying to create a force field around me and keep me close.
