I nod. That’s true. My plate appears in front of me with some lasagna and a fresh salad. “Thank you,” I say to Rage.
“Drink?” he offers.
“Just water, thanks.”
I turn back to Zara. “He’s been really good to me. His presence makes me feel safe.”
Her shoulders relax. “I’m glad to hear it.”
I take a bite of my lasagna, and it’s burning hot, but it’s the best I’ve ever tasted.
“Have you thought about if you’re going to retrieve your things from the house and move in here?” Zara asks.
I flinch internally. Zara’s hitting me with some cold truths, as much as I’d rather not hear it. I want to be in my happy little bubble with Rage, but I do have to face Tyler at some point.
“I’m looking at moving some of my stuff out of that house soon.” It’s all just very confronting, and I don’t know how Tyler or Rage will react. And what if Tyler threatens him again or they end up in a fight? I close my eyes for a brief instant and put the fork down. Anxiety soars through me.
“Are you all right?” Rage asks as Zara puts a comforting hand over mine.
“Bomber and I can go with you if that puts you more at ease,” Zara offers gently.
I take a moment to think about it, but as much as I’m dreading it, I guess I need to see if Rage really does want to change and if he’s going to back up his words with actions. It’s a risk, but if Rage and I are going to be together, I need to trust him.
I give her a small smile. “Thanks so much, but it’s okay. Rage and I will go.”
She cringes. “Are you sure?”
“No.” I laugh.
A smile tugs at the corner of her lips. “Well, my offer is always there.”
My phone rings, and Tyler’s name flashes on the screen. Rage glances at it, his jaw tightening as his body tenses.
“I need to take this,” I say softly, already feeling the weight of the conversation ahead. “I’ll be up in your room. Can you put my plate in the fridge?”
He nods, his eyes lingering on me with quiet concern.
It’s an awkward feeling, but Zara’s made a good point. I need to deal with this—for my own sake. Rip the Band-Aid off and move on with my life. As I walk away from the table, I answer the call. “Can you hold on a moment?” I ask, my voice steady despite the nerves bubbling beneath the surface. I climb the stairs, step into Rage’s room, and close the door behind me.
“I’ve been trying to contact you for ages,” Tyler says, sounding exasperated when it’s probably the most he’s done in our whole relationship.
I could laugh, but I hold it in. “I’m grabbing all my things over the next few days,” I say firmly, cutting straight to the point. “I’ll leave the keys under the mat.”
My mom always drilled into me that I shouldn’t rely on a man, and she was adamant that I keep my own bank account. I’m lucky—I listened to my smart mother.
“So there’s no discussion. You’re not willing to hear me out or even listen to what I’ve got to say?” His voice rises, tinged in disbelief.
“That’s correct.” I’m blunt, but it is what it is. “I willneverforgive you. The way you betrayed me, then had the nerve to punch the wall by my face to scare me even after you had been screwing my best friend. I will never trust you again, and to be honest, I deserve much better.”
Silence stretches on the other end of the line. I’ve never spoken to him with such direct confidence before, and I imagine he’s stunned. But I’m done tiptoeing around his feelings. I’m growing stronger, and I’ll never settle for less than I deserve again.
“Are you there?” I ask. Have I lost him, or has he hung up?
He clears his throat. “Yeah, I guess I just saw this conversation going a very different way.”
I laugh. I can’t hold it in. He thought an apology was going to let him weasel his cowardly ass out of the trauma he caused me? I think not. He’s dreaming. The door opens and Rage walks in. I give him a small smile, showing that I’m okay. He stays standing, his concerned eyes on me.
“I’m doing much better without you, Tyler,” I say, my voice steady and resolute. “Our relationship was toxic. I’m thriving now, so no... me and you will never happen. We are done. I’ll call the letting office and take myself off the lease. I’ll message you as soon as I’m free to come and get my stuff. I’d appreciate you having enough respect to vacate the place while I do. I’m not asking for half the furniture and the appliances, which I have every right to because I paid for things too—all I want is a clean break. To never talk to you again. I want my life back.”
