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Chapter 3
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Sharky's with Doug and Melissa started ok. We ordered and had had some drinks and appetizers when the beer started working on my bladder, and there was no ignoring it anymore. I had to visit the ladies' room. Rob stood up to let me slide out of the booth, but I tripped over his foot when I stood up. It scuffed my shoe, and I said, "Shoot! I love these shoes."
Rob looked down at my shoe and then looked at me with a mean look on his face, "Don't think that you're going to run out and buy a new pair tomorrow! You spend all of our money on clothes and shit while I work my ass off to keep a roof over our head. I can't even get your ass to go to work!"
I stood there in shock. I don't know why I was shocked. I should know that nothing is across the line for Rob, but somehow I still get shocked. I could feel my face turning a bright red, and sweat broke out on my neck. I had not bought myself anything new in a little over a year, but this was Rob's way. Make everyone think badly of me even though he wants them to admire my looks. Rob is seen as the good guy saddled with the pretty but lazy and spoiled bitch.
"No, of course not. I'm sure I can rub it out and make it look as good as new. I'll be back in a minute." So I took off the restroom, and I knew I couldn't hide in there because I would get into trouble for that, but I took a few minutes to get myself back together before going back to the table.
Our entrees had arrived when I made it back to our table. I answered questions, directed my way with a smile, and offered small joiners here and there, but I didn't try to offer much more engagement than that. I knew too little, and Rob would claim that I pouted and embarrassed him all night. Too much, and I might say something he doesn't like. I was so exhausted with dissecting every angle to make sure that I didn't screw up. It was easier just to put in enough and leave it at that.
Melissa complimented my outfit, and Rob put his arm around me. "I'm a lucky man. My wife is classy and beautiful." I wondered how his friends saw his behavior. Then I wondered if it was just me. Maybe I do deserve his hateful attitude. Then I thought to myself, no. No one deserves that. Not even me.
Rob seemed to be happy with the night, and unfortunately for me, he wanted to make love. I threw myself into it, but the only way I could was to pretend he was Brodie. I know how sick that is, but that's what I had to do. I think I hate Rob. I think every part of my being hates him.
The next morning Rob woke me by taking his foot and kicking me off the side of the bed. "You'll get up and take your ass to work today. I'm tired of this lazy shit you play. There's not a damn thing wrong with you." then he mimicked me in a high-pitched voice, "I'm sorry, Rob. I have a stomach bug." He rolled his eyes, "Bullshit! You had no problem going out last night and acting like a little bitch to my friends. That's the last time you embarrass me like that. Next time, I'll go out, and you can eat a bowl of cereal since you can't cook for shit."
I got up and started toward the shower.
"What? You don't have anything to say? Good! I'm not in the mood for your mouth this morning."
I closed and locked the bathroom door. Not that that would keep him out if he wanted in, but I locked it anyway. I sat on the commode and let the tears out for a few minutes. God, how much longer can I take this. I deep breathed and started the water for my shower. I stayed in the shower as long as I thought I could get away with—anything to escape him. I prayed to God to please let him be gone when I got out.
He wasn't. He was watching television in the living room, and I had a feeling he had quit another job. So I rushed through getting ready and practically ran out the door to go to work.
The text came at work.
I'm sorry, babe. I'm stressed out, and I shouldn't have been so hard on you. I just need you to grow up now that we have all of these responsibilities. I mean, I'd like to start a family soon, and you don't seem to know what it takes. You have to work hard to care for a family. Not just me but you too. That asshole Ben at work didn't like something I said yesterday; he doesn't even know what he's doing. He told me not to come back until next week. So I'm just going to find something else. I'm tired of his shit. I need you to have my back and do your part. I love you, babe.
I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. That text pissed me off so bad, and I wanted so bad to tell him the fuck off, and I would never have children with him. I knew better, though. I just didn't have it in me to respond to it right now. I needed to cool off first, so I got back to work.
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Brodie Seeing her after so many years was a shock to my system even though Wyatt had told me she was coming, and I knew she wouldn't be able to run and hide from me this time. I wasn't prepared for the enormity of the feelings it would stir up. We've got to have a talk and put it behind us, and that's going to happen before she leaves. We're family, and now that I'm living in the town, we need to hash it out, move on from the past. I'd fucked up. I knew it, but she's married now, and I can't turn back the wheels of time. Damn, she's still beautiful. She looks even better with age. She's twenty- eight now, and I'm thirty. It doesn't seem even seem possible. I walk out to her car with Wyatt to bring her bags in and see her purse and phone lying in the front passenger seat, so I open the driver's side and sit down to gather them up. I notice a pack of cigarettes and a lighter, and the car stinks of cigarettes. "Hey Wyatt, when d
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I had climbed into bed with momma, and we talked in whispers about Grams; then I had made her a plate, and she ate a little bit. She perked up a little seeing me again after two years, and that made me feel guilty that I had not done this sooner. I should have just left like I did today and came to see my family. I put on a set of joggers and a shirt and blow-dried my hair. Spending so much time thinking and fantasizing about Brodie is vastly different than having him here and all up in my space. Also, sleeping under the same roof. Nothing for it but to barrel through it. So left my room to meet Mr. Bossy on the porch. Brodie was on the porch swing again and patted the space beside him when I walked out on the porch. I ignored it and sat in one of the chairs instead. He smiled and shook his head, then twisted the top off a beer and handed it to me. "How have you been?" he asked conversationally. "Great, and you?" Lies, I'd probably be tell
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I woke up to the smell of bacon cooking, so I brushed my teeth and made my way to the kitchen. Momma was sitting at the island with Ms. Patty, and Brodie was at the stove making french toast and bacon. "Nova! It's so good you're home, dear. Your mom has missed you so." Ms.Patty hugged me and kissed my cheek. "So good to finally have you both home." "Yes, Brodie told me he moved back. That's wonderful." I smiled and kissed her cheek. Then made my way to momma and gave her a squeeze and kiss. "I told him I was perfectly capable of making breakfast in my kitchen, but he ordered me to sit like I'm one of his commandos." Momma shook her head and smiled. "Comando's?" I was puzzled. "Those handsome security men that work with him. If I were young again, I would snatch one up!" "Momma!" I busted out laughing. "You laugh but wait until you get a gander at one," she raised a brow then wiggled it. I h
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Nova I sat on the bench outside my room with my collection of drinks to stick in the little refrigerator inside my room lying beside me and lit another cigarette. I was a complete mess. I wanted to call and make sure Brodie was looking out for my family, but I didn't want to listen to my family try to talk me into coming back home. This was Brodie, though, so I knew he would make sure they were safe. I was pretty sure no one had followed me, or they would have caught me at a gas station when I stopped for gas, and I had been looking. Nothing suspicious jumped out at me. I was still scared, though. I didn't think I would be getting much, if any, sleep for a while. It was much easier to sleep when Brodie was right outside my bedroom door, taking up the entire couch. That had to have been uncomfortable. Now, thinking back on it, I knew why he did it. He knew about Rob. I sighed and put out my cigarette. I had thought I would give them up, but now isn't the time wi
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Nova I woke up with a throbbing head, but the rest of my body was supremely comfortable. I opened my eyes slowly and focused on a massive muscular chest. I took stock and realized I was all over Brodie. He was sleeping on his back, and I was almost entirely draped over him. My arm stretched over his abdomen, holding him to me and my leg draped over his upper thighs. My head was partly in his armpit and partly on his chest. He had the arm under my head curled around me and his hand on my shoulder. That hand moved then and sifted through my hair. "Good morning sunshine," his voice was raspy with sleep. I groaned and tried to move off of him, but his arm tightened, and he brought the other one around to grab my thigh, halting me. "Stay, this is nice," he rasped low in my ear. My head hurt so bad that I didn't feel like tugging free, so I relaxed back into him. "Morning," I whispered and pushed my forehead int
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