“I’m sorry, Jack. I didn’t realize how bad things were.”
“JR, I know this might be hard to believe, but I don’t actuallyenjoybeing a criminal. If I thought I had other options, I’d have taken them.Bothtimes.”
“There’s always other options, Jack. We just gotta find ‘em. What about all the work you do for the county?”
Jack shook his head. “That’s only the mayor’s personal fleet, and a couple assistant vehicles. And we only have that because I went to high school with his wife.”
“It’s a place to start, at least. We could see if they have any leads. Maybe we could do some advertising, or asale?”
“JR,” he sighed, “we need to make up, like, $5,000 a month. Again, we were barely making it as it was. We’re gonna have to let Marty go, for sure.”
“No, I can find another job,” I protested. “There’s a ton of shops around the city. I’m sure at least one of ‘em needs help. Marty’s getting up there in years. It will be easier for me to find something else.”
“You’re a good dude, JR.”
I scoffed. “Tell that to my future employer when they submit my background check.”
Chapter Fourteen
Avery
David was already on shift when I got home, thankfully. I dropped my keys in the dish by the door and paused before continuing through the living room. I’d lived in the house for a couple of years, and had assumed I’d be living there for the rest of my life.
I used to actually think I was okay with that. I’m not sure where I had been more delusional. On the outside everything looked perfect. Young couple, nice home. David had a well-respected job and a nice salary to go along with it. He was objectively good-looking. He sure knew how to turn on the charm when it suitedhim. Just ask my father how he felt about him.
Meanwhile, I’d been in love with a man I’d never actually met, and delusional in thinking he’d stay tucked away in my fantasies, and never materialize to turn my world upside down.
Part of me had clung to the hope that he would.
And now, he had, and I was about to implode my entire life.
I took a few more steps and stopped again as I caught my reflection in the ornamental mirror hung above the mantle. “This is it,” I said to my reflection. “No more Sunday football barbecues. No more cozy home with my own space. No more officer’s spouse luncheons or fundraisers. No more family…” I took a deep breath and narrowed my eyes. “No more hoping he won’t scream at me when he gets home because he had a hard day and had to chase some fugitive down an alleyway.”
The next sentence came out with a little more confidence. “No more washing all of his ugly clothes and being called stupid because I didn’t have time to match all his socks up before work.”
I uncrossed my arms and took a small step closer to the mirror. “No more bruises on my arms from him shaking me when I accidentally drop something or make a mess in front of him. No more fear. I’m fucking tired of being afraid.”
I turned around in a slow circle, taking in everything in the room. Everything I laid eyes on washis.
Hispictures.
Hisdecorations.
Hiscouch.
Histelevision.
His…home.
I’d been staying there forever, but I’d never moved in. There was not a single thing in the entire living space that belonged to me, or even whispered the fact of my existence.
He’d picked out everything. Most of it, way before I’d moved in. We had gotten a new couch last year, but he’d gone and picked it out and brought it home one night after work. I hadn’t had anything to do with it. Honestly, I’d preferred the old couch with the soft cushions over this leather monstrosity that was cold to the touch.
“Cold to the touch” was a term that could be used to describe this entire house.
After grabbing a cloth grocery bag off the hook behind the kitchen door, I pulled open the top cupboard on the left. Standing on my tippytoes, I grabbed the three Starbucks tumblers off the top shelf. Tucking them into the bag, along with a bottle of water off the counter, I made my way back to the front door.
Keeping my attention focused on James, and the lifeI actually wanted to start living, I didn’t look back. I knew I’d have to come get my clothes at some point soon, but I needed to rip the band-aid off first.
