Page 23 of Rejected Plus-Size Mate

There were so many words I wanted to say. I wanted to scream at him, but I couldn't. I suddenly couldn't even think of what to say. I couldn't find my voice.

I swallowed, finally finding my voice, but a whisper came out. "Why are you calling? I told you I was leaving you."

"You think you're just going to leave, and that was it? You just wash your hands like I've not been the person taking care of you for the past few years. Like I haven't been slaving my ass off to provide for you? Who's been keeping a roof over your head? Who's been paying for your meals? Who paid for your car and all your bills over the years? Are you just forgetting about everything I gave you?"

I felt tears bloom, and I ground my teeth together to stop them.

This was Brad at his finest. He knew how to twist words and put them against you. He knew how to hurt me, how to getme to do what he wanted. He'd done it from the beginning and mastered his craft.

"You return home before I don't feel like forgiving you, Riley. I don't know what game you're playing, but I'm tired of it. You get your ass back here. I don't know why you're acting like a spoiled child."

I took a slow breath in. I had to remind myself that I was there. I was miles away from Brad. He couldn't touch me. He couldn't do anything to me. I could be free if I wanted to be.

After seeing Cayden and his friends and their close relationship, I had gained a little confidence. I was free. I was safe. I didn't have to flinch away or be a coward. I could tell him what I'd always held in.

"I am leaving you. Correction, I left you. I'm not coming back, and there is nothing you can say or do to change that. We are not together. We are done."

I ended the line before he could respond, and I felt like a weight had been lifted from my chest. I could feel my phone vibrating again, knowing it was Brad calling back. I ignored it and popped my phone back into my pocket.

I allowed the music to take over, then turned my attention back to the road and started again down it.

I wanted to feel empowered, but as I moved, I felt the questions hit me all at once. What was I going to do? Would I return home? And return home to what exactly? I wouldn't have a home. I wouldn't have a man.

Brad was right. He had taken care of everything. He'd paid for everything because I had no job. I didn't work because he wanted everything at home to be perfect, so I made sure of it. I ignored what I wanted for him, and I'd done it for years.

Could I stay in this town? And if I did, what would I do? I had put so much time and effort into our relationship that I set aside my own wants and needs. I had made myself small, trying to be what he wanted. I wanted to break free from that. I wanted just to be me again. And I could. I just had to work toward it.

Chapter 10 - Cayden

I stared at my phone, reading April's text message once more. I scowled at it, even more confused.

"God damn it, April." I hit the call button and listened to it ring a few times before she answered.

April answered the phone, sounding annoyed. "Why are you calling me?"

"What do you mean you aren't coming back yet?" I asked.

"I thought you understood English really well, but now I'm starting to question if you do or not."

I scowled. "I understood the sentence, April. I don't understand what you mean. I thought you said you had a few things to handle at home and that you'd be back. You've been gone more than a few days, and now you’re stuck there for a few more?"

She went quiet for a moment before she sighed. "This is taking longer than I thought it would. It's not that big of a deal. I'll be back in a few days."

I didn't know what was going on with her, but whatever it was, I was worried.

"April, would you tell me what's going on? Why aren't you down here on your so-called vacation with Riley."

"You do not get to ask questions and expect answers."

I growled. "Seeing as I'm the one looking after Riley now, I have a right to know what's going on!"

"Oh please, you think you being in her life for a total of a week makes you some big shot that gets to know everything? It doesn't! You weren't there. I've been the one with her."

I took a deep breath, knowing this was April being overprotective. The girls had always been like two peas in a pod. They had been close growing up, and it hadn't changed as they grew older. They were still close.

"You're right. You know her better than I do. Which is why I'm asking why you aren't here."

"Butt out of my business. You haven't been around for years, so you don't deserve to know."

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