Slowly, I turn to look at him.
Once upon a time, his green eyes and blond hair framed a face I loved with all my heart.
Now I’m facing a stranger who has no qualms about hurting others to get what he wants.
“You’re insane,” I whisper, so shocked that the tears can’t even fall.
“Whatever. But I mean it. You call the cops and they’ll lock you up.” He releases me and slumps back to the couch while I stand, frozen, in the doorway.
“I was justattacked. How can you say that? How do you not care?”
“Look, they’re just looking for a little money, that’s all. I’ll sort it. Stop being so dramatic.”
“A little money?” Moving closer, I stand between him and the TV he’s so desperate to watch. “How much?”
“Move.”
“Howmuch, Caleb?”
“I don’t know. A bunch. You kept nagging andnaggingme about rent, so I sorted it but to do that, I had to borrow some money.”
Realization dawns like the cold wind rattling the windows. “They were loan sharks?”
“Sure. If that’s what you want to call them.”
“Caleb, what did you do?”
“It doesn’t fucking matter and it’s none of your business! Now get the fuck out the way!” Anger suddenly surges in his eyes so I sidestep the TV, my body trembling of its own accord.
“Caleb, those kinds of people are dangerous, and in case you forgot, I still live here. It’s my business!”
“You’re welcome to leave,” Caleb snarls.
“You know I can’t afford to do that!”
“If you stopped saving for that stupid trip to go and see a family that doesn’t evenwantyou, then you’d be able to. Then both our problems would be solved.” There’s nothing but cold indifference in his voice, but just as it settles, there’s suddenly warmth, and he looks at me like how he used to each time he wanted to win any of our arguments. “I’ll sort it. You know me.”
I can’t fall for it again. “You’re an asshole.”
“I’m sorry.” He sighs. “Maybe that comment was uncalled for.”
“You think?” I snap heatedly as frustration builds to overflowing. “I haven’t seen my family in years. You used to support my trip to see them.”
“I do. But, like, they don’t come and see you, so really, is it even worth the effort or the stress of having all that cash sitting there and not touching it? And if you want to leave so bad, then I’m not going to stop you. The only person stopping you isyouso really, it’s your own fault you were even here today.”
How did I love this man?
How did I think he was my Prince Charming ready to give me the perfect life?
He’s a manipulative dick and he’ll hold his ground with his bullshit story if I do call the cops.
Unable to say another word to him, I storm off to my room and sink down onto the bed, fighting back tears.
Caleb getting in with loan sharks is definitely something he would do, but it’s unbelievable that he would hide in here while they were kicking down the door and leave me to deal with them.
I can’t stay here. I’ll suffocate.
A quick 911 text to the group chat with my girls gives me a solution.
