Rather than letting up, he presses his pelvis into mine and continues to run his hands along my body, “Don’t leave me.”
“I’ll be back,” I sigh.
“I need you, do you feel what you do to me?” He ruts himself against me again, and I attempt to push him away. He looks up at me first with shock that quickly morphs into rage. Before holding his body firmer against mine, my leg between hispresents the perfect opportunity. I swiftly lift my knee into his crotch, and he doubles over in pain, so I do it again, but to his nose. He falls to the ground.
“You fucking bitch.” He groans as I grab my purse, slam the door, and run down the hallway and then the stairs to my car. Panicked breaths heave in and out of my mouth. Tears stream down my face, but I don’t slow down until I’m pulled out of his apartment complex and speeding in the direction of the one person that I know can calm me down in this situation.
The door to Collins’ modest suburban home swings open. His brows raise in confusion and then dip in concern when he sees my state. I’m sure my makeup is running down my face, and my clothes are probably wrinkled. “Harley, are you okay?”
“No.” I gulp in a breath, the adrenaline beginning to wear off.
“What’s wrong?”
“I left.” I don’t have to tell him who I left, why I left, or what happened. Collins is the only person in my life who truly knows what I have been dealing with when it comes to Benji. Collins lifts me into his arms. Just like every other time I’ve shown up here in tears, he carries me to the couch, pulling me into his side, where I cry, then I speak. Recounting the entire situation to him through my tears, I notice as his free hand clenches into a fist and then unclenches repeatedly at his side. He's never liked Benji, yet he’s always been supportive when I need it.
“Aren't you supposed to be at the baby shower?” He asks rather than forcing me to talk more about what happened.
“Well, yes, but I can’t go in this condition. I’m unwell and Darcy probably already hates me.” A new ache in my chest forms where the adrenaline once was. My friends have done their best to support me, despite how I’ve abandoned them.
“I promise they’re just worried about you. I think they’d love to see you.” His voice is like a warm cup of chamomile tea; it calms me in ways I don’t understand.
“I’m late. Kodi tried to call me while I was on my way here, but I could barely breathe, let alone have a conversation with my best friends.” I argue. I know they’d love to see me, but then I’d have to rehash it again. I don’t think I’m ready for that.
“She’ll understand. I can follow you to the beach house if you want.” His strong hand that’s wrapped around my side runs softly up and down my arm.
“No, you have to get to Tate’s party,” I say, burrowing further into his side before we stand. He grabs the box of Huggies from beside the door, and we walk to our cars.
Collins always opens my car door for me, but before I slide in, he says, “Text me when you get there, and come back here if you don’t want to go home tonight. Either way, just let me know, okay?”
“Of course. Thank you, Collins,” I say, wrapping my arms around him before sliding into my car and heading toward Tatum’s beach bungalow. Watching the ocean crash against the bridge and the sunset along the horizon reminds me of something I often share with my clients at the Right Place, Right Time Center. A quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.”
Chapter 1
Earth to Harls
Harley || Present day
Since leaving Benji eleven months ago, he’s been texting and calling relentlessly, but I refuse to respond; luckily, he hasn’t shown up at my place or my job. Eleven months of actually being able to show up for my friends. Being able to heal and enjoy my life, post Benji or P.B., as we’ve been calling it. Being able to watch Bella, Kodi and Mav’s daughter, and Hayden, Darcy and Tate’s son grow up. I’m actually able to commit to traveling to the Smoky Mountains with my best friends for Christmas this year.
“Earth to Harls.” Kodi snaps her fingers at me across the fire pit on her back porch. It’s Tuesday, so I’m at Kodi and Mav’s for a family dinner—although they’re not family by blood, my friends are my family by choice. The guys from the team and my besties, including the newest member of the team Conrad Hoyer, his girlfriend Enid, and her younger brother, Mace are all here to prep for our upcoming trip.
“Huh? Yep. What’s up?” I stutter, hoping I wasn’t missing an important conversation.
“Your time off got approved, right?” Darcy asks from where she stands, bouncing Hayden to sleep.
“Yes! I’m so excited to spend Christmas with you all,” I beam at them.
Sin claps excitedly, “Yay! That means everyone’s going to come!”
“There’s an innuendo in there somewhere…” Darcy smirks, proud of herself.
“If you weren’t holding my nephew, I would throw a pillow at your head,” I laugh, and her grin widens.
“Speaking of coming, Harley and Sin, are you bringing anyone with you? We have to figure out sleeping arrangements. There’s a main cabin, a two-bedroom, and then a small A-frame big enough for two people,” Kodi prods.
“Absolutely not, I’m happy to spend the week with just you guys. No extra penises or vaginas necessary.” Sin sounds appalled, her face screwing up in disgust like the idea of having a partner at Christmas time is the worst thing in the world.
“Nope, just me this year.” I smile, but Kodi’s eyebrows furrow. I wouldn’t mind having someone to cuddle up next to the fire and watch all the classics with though. My brain betrays me when a certain, red-headed, left-winger runs by with Bella on his back. Her loud laugh fills the space, and his smile broadens.
