I am SO SORRY! Yes! Everything is fine!
Elena texted back instantly:
How’d it go? He there or R U alone?
I’m alone but it went so good.
Too good, Rachael thought. But how could she tell Elena she didn’t want Jake to get any closer, that she wanted him to leave for his own good?
Her phone rang—Elena of course. Rachael hesitated. She and Elena were friends, but Rachael had always maintained a more professional relationship, mostly for the same reasons that she wanted Jake far away from her, to keep Elena safe. But in the weeks that Jake had been at the plant, she’d let Elena into her life just a little bit more. Was she making a mistake?People around me get hurt. But then she remembered what she’d told Elena about relying on friends.
Rachael pushed her doubts down and answered.
Elena started in immediately. “Sorry, I hate texting when talking is faster. If it went so well, why isn’t he there with you? Did he leave already?”
“No, he didn’t spend the night.” Tremors ran through her body as she remembered how he’d started carrying her to the house, his cock bulging against her dripping wet pussy. “I think he wanted to, but I sent him home.”
“Girl, why? He’s smoking hot, he’s good to you, he looks like he could kick serious ass, and let’s face it, you need that in your life.”
“I know, I know. I’m an idiot.” Rachael buried her face again. Why did that damn car have to drive by and shatter her sense of safety? Why couldn’t she be like anyone else, free to do what she wanted, love who she wanted?
Love? Did she love Jake? How could she, after such a short amount of time? After the lesson Hank taught her, echoing the one Daddy pounded into her throughout her life. Never love. Never trust.
“Don’t ever let me hear you call yourself an idiot again, Rachael. You are smart, you are kind, you are an angel. You deserve this.”
Rachael fought back tears. Elena wasn’t nearly old enough to be her mom, she was only in her early thirties, but she felt like one right now. Or maybe the perfect big sister. Rachael had no idea what it felt like to have one, but she definitely felt the love right now, and it threatened to break her heart open along the cracks Jake had already made.
“Thank you,” she whispered at first, not trusting her full voice. “I don’t know if I deserve anything good, but I know what I want.”
“Then go get him, girl. Far as I’m concerned, you deserve all the good things.”
“I—”
“Stop right there, because I can hear in your voice that you’re about to tell me some BS about who your daddy is, who you are, and whatever else you tell yourself that makes you think you’re bad. You aren’t. A bad person wouldn’t make sure my girl has her medication.” Now Elena sounded like she was in danger of crying. “So you go get him. Or I swear I will tell every telemarketer who calls the plant that you’re in charge of finances and send them through to your office.”
Rachael’s tension drained away as she burst into laughter. “Now that is truly evil.”
“The hand that rocks the phone cradle.”
“What’s a phone cradle?” Rachael kidded.
“Ai, kids these days.” Elena laughed. “You gonna go see Jake tonight?”
“You leave me no choice.”
“Good. You feeling better?”
“Much. Thank you, Elena. You’re my best friend.”
“And you’re mine.” Rachael heard Elena sniff. “One of us has to get out of here, at least. Jake might be your way.”
Can I take that chance? Rachael had been down that road, and it had gotten her nothing but bruises. “It’ll be you who gets out, Elena.”
“Not with all my debt. Besides, I wouldn’t leave my bestie. It’s not like I have family anywhere else.”
Rachael wiped her eyes. “I swear, we’re both gonna make it out. I’ll see to it.”
“You take care of you first, Rachael.”
