Page 56 of Ordinary Secrets

“She’s not available right now. How ’bout you give me a message, and I’ll relay it to her?” Whoever this guy is, he must be drunk, because he’s slurring his words. My best guess is that this is the abusive ex. He’s the reason why Arella jolts whenever I touch her. The reason why she looks over her shoulder all the time. The reason why she’s so hesitant to move forward.

I despise him. Any man who makes a woman that fearful doesn’t deserve to breathe.

I’m about twenty minutes from Arella’s apartment. Fifteen if I don’t get stopped by any lights. Ten if I drive like a maniac. So I stomp my foot against the gas.

“Where is she?” I’m still flooring it as I weave around some cars that honk at me.

“She’s busy,” the asshole says.

“Doing what?”

“Suckin’ my dick.” The man laughs as if he’s just told the funniest joke in history.

I’m done being nice. “Tell her I’ll be there soon to save her from your pencil dick. I’ll bet yours resembles an overly sharpened pencil that’s more eraser than anything.”

His laughing stops. “The fuck did you just say?”

“I said give Arella her phone back, or I’ll come do it for you.” A truck angrily honks at me as I swerve around it. I don’t blame him. I’m going at least double the speed limit.

“You listen here, douchebag. If you think you can come here and kick my ass, then come. I’ll show you what I’m fuckin’ capable of.”

“Nathan! Stop!” Arella shouts in the background. I didn’t realize she was in the room with him.

My heart drops when I hear a smack and a scream.Arella’sscream.

Shit.Did he just hit her?

“Are you seein’ this Trey guy?” Nathan yells.

“Arella?” I say, as if it’ll help.

“Let go of me!” she shrieks.

Dammit.I pissed him off, and now he’s gonna take it out on her.

Cars honk at me left and right. I ignore them, focusing on the only goal I have: protecting Arella.

“What did I say about seeing other men? I’ll show you what happens when you disobey me.”

More shouting comes from Arella and her drunk ex. I put my phone on speaker, drop it into my lap, then grip the wheel with both hands. Only a few miles to go.

Every car on the road drives at a snail’s pace as Arella screams. Every yelp she makes tightens a knot in my chest.

“Shout all you want, Ari. I want him to hear you.”

Next comes some grunting and struggling, then something heavy topples to the floor. Nathan groans, yelling out swear words.

“Get out of my apartment!”

“You bitch! How dare you hit me again!”

Yes! She’s fighting back!

The line goes dead.No!

My wheels squeal as I whip around a turn. Going over sixty down a thirty is bound to get me arrested, but I don’t care.

Eventually, Arella’s apartment complex comes into sight. My tires squeal again as I jerk my car into park behind her car. I don’t even bother shutting my door as I bolt out.

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