Page 59 of Just Is Not Enough

“Tyler you have to stop. I don’t understand why you’re doing this. You left me. You didn’t want me.”

“Whether I wanted you or not I couldn’t have you. My father wouldn’t have let us happen. He made it very clear when he found out about us.”

Tyler’s words start to make sense for a change. Since the day we became friends he always said his father controlled everything he did, even choosing his career path.

“He doesn’t get to have you, Kaden. I won’t let him.”

“Tyler please just go home to your wife. This needs to end here.”

“Marissa said the same thing when she found out about us this morning. It’s over.”

The thought of his wife ending their marriage scares me as much as Tyler does right now. Having no reason to stop pursuing me, he will be more unpredictable than we thought.

Tyler’s eyes fill with determination as he charges at me, grabbing my arms. “C’mon we’re leaving.”

Knowing I can’t let him take me somewhere else I swing at him, my fist connecting with his cheekbone. His rage is evident as he recovers and grabs me by my throat holding me at arms distance. Tyler is squeezing hard enough to block my airway. I swing my fist at him but can’t quite reach him. I kick my leg up, thankfully hitting him directly in the balls. Tyler hunches over, letting go of my throat but quickly recovers, punching me in the face. I instantly taste the blood in the back of my throat as I stumble backwards falling on the floor. On the way down my head knicks the corner of end table next to the couch.

Everything turns fuzzy and I can’t make out the sudden loud noises in the room. I touch my temple, cringing at the pain and feel something wet on my skin. My hearing finally able to focus on the screaming in the room.

“Luke, stop. I got him. Go help Kaden.” I can’t tell whose voice that was, but I heard Luke’s name, and the sudden warmth of his skin is on me.

“Fuck, you’re bleeding.” I hear Luke’s voice over the yelling in the background.

“Luke?”

“I’m here. Just relax, everything is going to be okay now.” Luke sits on the floor and lifts my head and shoulders enough to rest on his lap.

I’m able to open my eyes and focus on those green soul stealers once again. Except this time, they’re laced with agony.

“Hi, Bug.”

“Hi, Angel.” That soft smile of his melts me every time. “I was so worried about you. The thought of losing you…” Luke clenches his eyes shut. “Losing you would break me, Kaden.”

“You aren’t going to lose me. You’re stuck with me, babe.” I give him a faint chuckle.

“Being stuck with someone has never sounded so good.”

“I’m sorry I wasn’t more caref…” I get cutoff by shouting behind us.

“Jackson get him the fuck out of here,” Luke yells across the room to where I see Tyler face up against a wall, Jackson detaining him in cuffs. Tyler is shouting at a woman standing behind Jackson. It takes me a second to realize it’s his wife.

What is she doing here?

Dakota comes rushing into the apartment with another officer in uniform just as Jackson is walking Tyler towards the door.

“Guys take him out of here. I need to stay with Luke and Kaden.” Jackson hands Tyler over to the officer.

Marissa walks over to Luke and me from the kitchen, while Jackson gives the others details. “Here’s a wet cloth to wipe up some of the blood.” She cautiously hands it to Luke.

“How did you all wind up here?” Confused how this all transpired, I stare at Marissa.

“I’ve known of you for a while, Kaden. I just didn’t know why or how much Tyler was obsessing over you until recently.” Marissa’s words leave me even more confused.

“I think you need to hear what she has to say Kaden.” Jackson joins us when the others leave.

Marissa moves to the chair next to us while Luke helps me sit up on the couch.

“We got married less 6 months from the day he proposed. Both our families pushed us to not have a long engagement since we’ve all known each other forever it seems like. A couple months after the wedding, I saw Tyler looking at one of your profiles on social media. I didn’t think anything of it.” Marissa’s solemn expression conveys more than you’d imagine.

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