“Or what?” Caleb laughs. “You have no idea what I’ve done to your daughter—what we’ve done to each other.”
“Caleb.” I hiss, scowling at him from over my shoulder.
Is he trying to make this harder for me? I can see it on his face, the pleasure he gets from antagonizing my father. It’s sick.
A wicked grin pulls at Caleb’s lips and he takes a step closer. “Don’t be surprised if she drops a bastard grandchild on your doorstep.”
Dad gasps, turning his glare from Caleb and onto me. I hug myself.
“Relax.” I tell him, glancing over the parking lot. “I’ve taken precautions.”
Granted, I take it after the fact, but it’s better than nothing.
“Get in the car.”
I flinch at the cold, calm tone of Dad’s voice. I’ve never heard it sound so…dark. It’s painful to hear—painful to watch—but it’s the last push I need to completely detach myself. His life would be better without me in it. All of the stress he creates within himself…it’s not healthy. Leaving my parents will save their lives. It’d save my life. None of us can live like this. It’s time I sort my life out—have something for myself. Dipping my head, I walk towards Dad and step around him.
“Call me if you need me, Cass.” Caleb calls out and I stop. “I’ll come get you.”
I glance over my shoulder. Caleb’s stare doesn’t leave my father’s face.
“Get in the car!” Dad booms, shoving me.
I jolt forward and lower my head again.
“Relax, asshole.” Caleb snaps, but this time I don’t look back.
Angry tears prick at my eyes. I push my tongue against the roof of my mouth to stop them from falling. I know I bounce back and forth with my decisions. One second I’m all for leaving and then the next I’m sympathizing for my parents, but the penny has dropped. I can’t live like this. I’m turning twenty in a month.
Not two.
Not twelve.
Twenty.
I need space to experience life the way I want to experience it. They might have been able to keep me from Caleb before, but not now I’m in love with him. I would break their hearts over and over and over just to feel mine race the way it does when I’m with him.
I’ll go home with Dad now, but I’m not staying the night. I’ll grab my things and come back to the hospital. Fiona is leaving for New York in thirteen days. I have two more days to decide if I want to make the road trip with her and her buddy Lukkah. Maybe I can convince Caleb to come with us…I love him, but I can’t stay in Paradise Valley.
Not if I want to start fresh.
He’ll come with me.
I know he will.
* * * *
His rough hand connects with my face with a harsh burn and I’m tossed to the floor. I squeeze my eyes shut and clench my jaw as fire spreads underneath my skin.
“Marcus!” Mom shrieks, clasping her hands over her mouth.
What, did she expect him to smile and laugh? I told him to go fuck himself. Of course he’s going to smack me in the mouth. I open my eyes and glare at Mom. He hits me in the face and she still can’t bring herself to contest him. Weak.
“We’ve tried everything, Linda! Everything!” He shouts, shrugging out of his black suit jacket and tossing it to the floor. “She’s left me with no choice. Rules don’t work! We’re going to have to slap the slut out of her.”
I soothe my lip with the cool back of my hand. “Slap the slut out of me? Do you even hear yourself? You’re fucking insane!”
His nostrils flare, his eyes widening with rage. I clench my jaw, desperately trying to keep my lips from trembling. I don’t want to cry...
…and I won’t.
I breathe through my nose, quick and shallow. I hate him.
He lifts his large hand and I flinch.
“Mark…” Mom chokes out, pressing a tissue to her lips.
Dad swallows, his lips parting to bare his teeth. He’s disgusted with me. More disgusted than he has ever been.
“Go to your room.” He seethes, lowering his hand. “I don’t want to look at you. You make me sick.”
A whimper seeps out, despite my efforts to stop it and I scurry to my feet. Without a glance over my shoulder, I flee up the stairs. Tears fall as I run. They’re hot and angry on my cheeks. This is good, I think to myself. This makes it easier to let go.
I storm into my room and slam the door. Downstairs, Dad yells at Mom.
“I wanted one good night, Linda! One! It’s not a fucking crime to want to enjoy myself for once! For twenty years she has stressed me out!! Twenty! Children are supposed to bring you joy! They’re supposed to make you proud. What has our daughter achieved? Hm? All she does is spread her legs. That’s her great contribution to mankind!”
I grit my teeth in the silence. How can I contribute to mankind if I’m not even allowed to walk the block? In what universe does my father make any sense? I’ve been boxed in my entire life. How am I supposed to grow when my roots are bigger than my pot?
“If I’d known this is how our daughter would turn out…I would have forgone having children altogether.”
I wince. His slap to the face hurt less.
I push off my door and storm across the room. I cannot believe this is happening to me at twenty. I feel fifteen. I feel like a child, not a woman. I can’t have a computer? A phone? What kind of messed up shit is that? Bending low, I pull open my bedside table and grab my phone. The yelling downstairs continues, but it’s muffled as they move into the kitchen. Mom is probably making Dad a sandwich. Nothing calms him down like a ham, cheese, and pickle sandwich. Where the hell is my sandwich? Where’s a fucking icepack for my lip? I run my tongue over the lump that sits on the side of my mouth and wince as my saliva mixes with a small split in the skin. The coppery taste of blood spreads over my tongue. He split my lip? He actually split my lip…
I inhale and hold it as I scroll to Caleb’s name and hit the message icon. I don’t exhale until I’ve completed the text and sent it off.
Are you alone?
C.
He responds immediately.
Until morning.
Relief floods me. Nobody makes me feel normal quite like Caleb does. You see, things that I’d call a problem aren’t a problem at all for him. He takes a difficult, clouded situation and makes it transparent, allowing me to think clearly. I need that. I also need to fill my tank. Caleb gives me comfort…and I need that more than anything.
Can I see you?
C.
I tap my phone against my thigh, waiting for his response. Two minutes pass before my phone buzzes. To be honest, I’m surprised it’s only been two minutes. It felt like forever.
Like you have to ask. You need me to come get you?
As much as I’d love to see my parents face as I walk out the front door with a bag over my shoulder and climb into Caleb’s car, it’s not worth the headache. Instead, I’ll leave a note and climb down my balcony. The coward’s way out.
No. I could use the fresh air. See you soon. X
C.
I sit my beer down on my bathroom sink and stare at the shiny little blade next to my shaving gel. How many times have I used it? How many times have I stood here staring at it? Too many to count.
But this time is different.
This time fear swirls deep in my chest. Fear of pain. Fear of hurting Cassia. There’s a nagging in the back of my head, like the one that use to tell me I needed to smoke…I’m an addict. I know that now. I’m addicted to the slice of the razor and the burning sensation it brings. I’m addicted to the rush of emotions and the whirl of endorphins.
But I’m addicted to Cassia more. I don’t have to hurt my body for any of those things when I’m with her. She gives them to me freely. That’s what I need. I can’t survive on cutting. I just can’t.
I grab the razor, slip it inside a blue sponge to conceal it, and drop it into the bin. I went cold turkey with smoking, I can do it with this too. No more
.
Telling Cassia about Penelope and Mom was a factor in my decision too. Saying it aloud freed up a sliver of space inside me, allowing relief to pour in. I’ve spent so long shutting people out I didn’t consider how good it would feel to let someone in.
The world doesn’t seem so bad anymore…I feel like I have purpose. That I’m more than what I am.
My phone vibrates against the porcelain basin and I read it as it flickers across the screen
No. I could use the fresh air. See you soon. X
C.
Like hell she’s going to walk here at this time of night. It’ll take her at least an hour and a half to get here on foot. I ran it in forty minutes.
I grab my beer. I’ve had too many to drive now. I’ve downed five since I’ve been home and they’re starting to hit me.
Damn.
I tell her to text me every five minutes and to call if she needs it. I may be half drunk, but I’d still risk driving to get her if I have to.
The time passes quickly. I spend it tidying my pool house and straightening my bed. I find her black panties on the floor and hang them on the end of my bed. A noble trophy for a noble man. I snicker.
I down the last of my beer, toss it into the trashcan and drop against my bed. I tuck my hands behind my head and close my eyes.
Apparently, I fall asleep because when I open them. My shower is going and steam billows from the crack in the bathroom door. Squinting, I reach for my phone. Eight text messages, all from Cassia. The last one being:
I don’t know if u r awake…but I’m here.
C.
I flick my phone over my shoulder and sit up. As I rub sleep out of my eyes, the shower door opens and closes. Along the foggy glass, her silhouette takes shape and I can’t help but follow it from the gentle slope of her nose to the soft arc of her chin. My muscles tighten as I drag my gaze down her slender throat and over the curve of her generous breasts. To look as good as her…how’d she go so long without being touched? One person before me? Whoever has stumbled across her path has impeccable willpower. If I’m being honest, she had me on my knees the second I laid eyes on her. How’d I get so lucky?
I push myself to my feet and pull back the blankets. Despite my power nap, I could still sleep for days.
“Did I wake you?”
I whip my head over my shoulder and just about die when I see Cassia standing there in a white tank top and gray boyshorts. I sigh in relief. She’s here safe. Her hair is damp against her top, the wet fabric threatening to give me a peek of her nipple.
“Uh.” I shake my head. “Nah, I wasn’t very comfortable anyway.”
Her deep, blue stare rakes me from head to toe, taking in my dark, gray sweatpants and shirtless torso. I showered earlier…I wish I’d waited so I could’ve joined her.
I sit on the edge of the bed and rest my elbows on my thighs. She seems so nervous all the way over there. Am I making her nervous?
Cassia shuffles forward. “Can I turn out the light?”
I nod and wait as she crosses the room and switched out the light. In the darkness, I exhale. I like the dark. It’s almost…refreshing.
I slip under the covers as Cassia slides onto the bed and bounces into a comfortable position. One our backs, we lay a foot apart and stare up at a ceiling we can’t see.
“I want to get out of here early before your dad comes home…” She whispers, breaking the silence. “If you can take me to the hospital, I’d really appreciate it.”
Getting her out of here before Dad shows up is probably a good idea. He’s cancelled his trip because of my party and he is going to be pissed. I’d hate for him to shove the blame onto her when she had nothing to do with it.
I roll onto my side, facing her. “Of course.”
“And thank you for letting me stay the night.”
She brushes her fingertips along my stomach and the muscles clench in surprise. I shut my eyes. Her hands feel so amazing…so soft and comforting. My head spins with the essence of alcohol and I hate that it makes it slightly more difficult to focus on the moment.
She glides her fingers over my ribs and down my hip, rolling her body in my direction. Her slender nose brushes mine and I open my eyes. I can’t see her.
I wish I could…
I kiss her quickly and I swear I can hear her smile. I smile too. There’s a sharp pain in my chest, on that conjures the thought that I don’t deserve to be so happy…and maybe I don’t, but I’ll be damned if I’m not going to enjoy it while it lasts.
I kiss her again, catching her lip between my teeth. Hissing, she plants her hand on my chest and I release her. Instantly, I taste blood on my tongue.
“Shit.” I swear, pushing myself onto my elbow. “Did I cut you?”
“No.” She states, sitting up. “It wasn’t you.”
I sit up and bend forward, rubbing my hands over the blanket until I find my phone. I hit the lock key and light up the room. Cassia hides her mouth behind her hand.
I reach out. “Let me see.”
“It’s nothing.”
I grab her wrist and pull her hand away from her mouth. At the corner, there’s a little split. It’s red and swollen…and it’s definitely not from me. My heart stutters. Marcus?
I frown. “Did he hit you?”
She drops back against the pillow. “It’s a tiny cut. It’s no big deal.”
Rage builds. A different kind of rage than what I’ve felt up until this point in my life. It’s not a rage developed from grief. It’s a rage born of love. And it’s fucking terrifying. Kicking back the blanket, I throw my legs over the edge of the bed and jump to my feet. Cassia calls my name and I barely hear it over the blood pounding in my ears. I race to the light switch and flick it on.
“Caleb?”
I ignore her as I cross to my dresser and pull out a t-shirt.
“Where are you going?” Cassia demands, darting over to me.
I ignore her panicked voice. She doesn’t have to be scared. I’ll make it right.
“I’m talking to you!” She snaps, gripping my arm in her hand.
I look at her…and wince when I see the faint bruise forming on her cheek. Her beautiful face…and he thinks he can touch it? He thinks he can scar it? Her face? I’ll kill him.
“Where are you going?” She utters, tears welling in her eyes.
Like she even needs to ask me that question. Is it not obvious?
“I’m going to see that piece of shit.” I tell her, my voice dead calm.
I pull my shirt on over my head.
Her eyes widen. “You can’t.”
“Watch me.”
I reach for the keys to my truck, but she moves quickly and snatches them out from underneath my hand. I clench my jaw on and off, trying my hardest not to lose the plot at her. She wants to protect her father and I admire that, but he fucked up. I’ve let his abuse slide this whole time and look what happened. There are teachers and then there are educators. I will leave an impression so deep he’ll never raise his voice again.
I sneer. “You think I won’t run there?”
Cassia inches closer, desperation glowing in her eyes. “Caleb, please. He was mad and rightly so.”
I flinch in disgust. Rightly so? Rightly fucking so?
“And you think that is an excuse?”
She shakes her head and reaches out for me. “Absolutely not, but it is a reason.”
“A reason for what?”
She slides the palms of her hands over my chest and threads her fingers together behind my neck.
“I’m moving away.”
Is that supposed to relax me? I don’t understand. Her parents are going to have a rough time getting through me to make that happen.
“They can’t make you.” I tell her.
She shakes her head. “Not with my parents. With Fiona. I’m going with her to New York.”
Just like that, my rage disintegrates. New York? With Fiona? “What? Cass—”
“Come wi
th me, please.” She strokes my neck with her thumb. “I want you to be there with me.”
There’s a soft, sad curve to her blue eyes as they flicker between mine. “Come with you? To New York? That’s on the other side of the country.”
“It’s far away from my parents.”
Far away from me. I pull away from her as my ribs threaten to close in on my lungs. “What makes you think they won’t follow you there?”
She snorts. “New York is their Sodom. They won’t go anywhere near it.”
New York…I’ve wanted to get away from Paradise Valley for years. Maybe this is my shot to start over somewhere new, but Dad…I can’t leave him. He’ll be on his own. It’s because of me he doesn’t have anyone else.
“I don’t think I can…”
She reaches out for me again, this time gripping my shirt in her hands. “At least think about it. Promise me you’ll consider it?”
I rake my teeth over my bottom lip. Of course I’ll consider it. I’ll consider every option before allowing her to leave without me. I can’t go back to the way I was before I met her. I’m afraid if I revert back to that…it’ll be the end for me. I’m not strong enough to beat it…I’m not brave enough to tackle it head on.
“I promise.”
Cassia throws her arms around my neck and buries her face into my chest.
“Don’t go to my house. Stay.” She mutters, her voice muffled by my shirt. “Stay here with me.”
I stroke the palm of my hand down her hair and plant a kiss on the top of it. Marcus isn’t worth it. If Cassia now sees that she’s better than them what will my visit achieve?
She’s won. She beat them.
Cassia steps back and grips the hem of her shirt. My mouth runs dry as she lifts her arms and peels her tank top from her body, exposing her supple, full breasts.
Fuck.