Beck
Way to break my heart. Poor girl must miss me so much.
It’s Monday, she’s not expecting to see you today.
Oh so it’s you that misses me?
Apparently so, and against my better judgment.
Semi-lazy day I guess. Found the tiniest bit of energy for you today.
Shame I’m missing it.
My thumbs dance over my screen but I ultimately lock my phone and slide it in my pocket. “Okay, girl, you ready?”
Dottie lets out a few barks as her response.
“Alright, let’s do it.”
I have a bit of a rough start, but by mile three I hit my high, and Dottie pushes me for another three. With our cool down walk back, Dottie practically prances, and as much as I didn’t want to do it, I feel so much better.
“You were right, this was a good idea.” I pat her head as we start back up the stairs, but my steps stall when I see Charlie waiting outside my door.
“Jensen,” he purrs as he pushes off the wall. “It’s about time. I’ve been waiting for twenty minutes.”
“What a creepy thing to say.” I stop a good five feet back. As much as I would like to think I could defend myself against him, I’m going to give myself any advantage I can get and distance is my best safety net. “Why are you waiting on me, Charlie?”
The smile that comes to his face turns my stomach in knots. “I got your rent check. Gotta say, I wasn’t expecting you to make that change. You know, without going back to work at Tally’s. I heard other shops weren’t exactly keen on hiring you.”
I hold my chin high. “Well, that shouldn’t exactly be surprising considering the lies Tally’s been spreading, but the first words you said were the most important. You got your rent, so again, why are you waiting on me?”
Charlie takes a small step forward and as much as I want to match his step back, I stand strong. “There’s been another policy change in the apartment complex.”
My grip tightens on Dottie’s leash and I grit out, “What now?”
It doesn’t take much for me to connect the dots when Charlie looks down at Dottie. I take a step back. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Sorry, Jennie, no more dogs.” The asshole’s smile grows. “I could reconsider for?—”
“Of course. Is this still about Tally’s? Or are you thinking you can get something out of me? What is you guys’ fucking obsession with me?” I take a step forward and meet Charlie head on. “Over my dead body will I get rid of my dog. You think you guys can bully me into doing whatever twisted shit you all want, but you’ll be sadly disappointed to know that I don’t have to put up with this bullshit.” I take another step and this time, Charlie retreats a step. “I won’t go back to Tally’s. I won’t get rid of my dog, and you all can just get used to the fact that the only fuck you’re going to get from me is my middle finger.”
Charlie’s nostrils flare with my final blow. His hand lashes out reaching for Dottie’s leash, but I’m faster. I jerk it back, and at that Dottie lets out a low growl. I’ve had her for two years and never once have I heard her do that, but right now I’m grateful for it.
“I wouldn’t suggest trying that again.” I slowly start my walk backward, keeping an eye on Charlie, but once I reach the stairs I turn and bolt down them. My heart is beating out of my chest, but when I look back and see Charlie didn’t follow, I let out a small breath.
I wait until I reach my car before I reach for my phone. My thumb hovers over Beck’s name before I ultimately switch it to call Lucie, knowing Stella’s off working with some new PR crisis in Dallas.
It takes two rings before she picks up. “Hey, babes.”
I’ve calmed down a bit, but the adrenaline is battling rage and fear all at the same time. “I need to come over…I have Dottie with me too.”
With my tone, Lucie doesn’t ask any further questions. “Okay, come on over. Callie and Will are here too, but I can ask them to leave if you need me to?”
“No, it’s fine. I just…” I let out a deep breath and start my car. “You know I hate asking for help, but I think I’ve reached my limit.”
“Jensen…” I feel all the concern in the way Lucie says my name.
“I’ll explain. I’ll be there soon.”
