Page 7 of Small Town Beast 2: Saverin's Duet

“I already told you what I want!” Lorrie screamed. He’d never seen her in such a rage, and the dark side of himself wanted to respond with equal force, subdue her, but she was right and he was wrong and there was no way around that.

“I told you a thousand times, and I told you a minute ago. Iwantto be with you. But maybe it’s too late. Living like this– I can’t do it any more. I thought I would be happy with just a little piece of you, but I’m not. This hurts, and I want more for myself,” Lorrie breathed. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Absalom. It just isn’t working any more. That’s what I really came up here to tell you.”

It was a struggle to speak. “Are you for real?”

She nodded. “Yes, I am.”

So this was how it ended.

Right here.

Right now.

“Lorrie,” he said, knowing a sudden terror, “Wait. Just hold on a minute.”

“It’s not complicated,” she said, sticking a finger in his face. “You married that woman because you couldn’t stand to be seen with me. Because of my race.”

“That’s a damned lie and you know it. Fuck, Lorrie, how could you say that? I don’t care about it none– I never have!”

“Really? For years I’ve been your secret. Your dirty,blacklittle secret.”

“To protect you. Fromthem. They’re my people and my family but they don’t think the way I do. I won’t have them treat you like dirt– it ain’t because I’m ashamed of you. It’s for your own good.”

“Then leave,” said Lorrie bluntly.

“I– I can’t.”

“Well, I don’t want to be nobody’s shameful little extra on the side. I want more for myself. I want to be loved the way I deserve. And youmarried somebody else.So why the hell am I still here wasting my time with a man who puts everybody elsebefore me?”

Absalom moved her finger out of his face. Anger slurred his words. He wanted to break something. “I starved myself so you could eat,” he growled. “I built your house with my own two hands. I gave you all the fuckin’ money I had in the world for your car, your house— to keep your lights on— anything you ever asked me, I gave it to you without question. Say I’m lying!”

“That’s true, but–”

“You say I don’t fuckin’ love you, you know that’s a goddamned lie and I won’t stand for it, Lorraine.”

“You’ll do anything except marry me,” Lorrie slung. “You strung me on for years, then turned around and wifed up some bitch that don’t even make you happy. You won’t even make l-love to me. I’m still a virgin after all these years because you’re afraid to touch me. At least Mike won’t beashamedof me! I can belong in his world better than yours!”

“Get this through your head, girl,” Absalom spat, grabbing her with more force than he intended. “You aren’t leaving me forMike, for nobody. Notever. Understand? And let me find out he’s been sticking you, I’ll kill him.”

Absalom couldn’t imagine a life without Lorrie any more than a life where she stood at his side as his wife and queen. But the former was worse. Infinitely worse. Life without Lorrie was worthless. She wasn’t going anywhere. Had she been screwing that bastard? Was that what this was all about?

“You don’t scare me,” Lorrie hissed. “I got money saved, Absalom. I have a job. I don’t need your handouts. So you cango to hell if you think I’m not good enough for your white trash ass!”

“Watch your mouth!” he roared.

She squirmed out of his grip and moved back to the bed. There she started putting on her clothes and fumbling around for her bag.

“Did you fuck him?” Absalom forced out, standing over her.

“How could I, when I’m this stuck on your fool ass?” Lorrie bit back without hesitation.

The pressure in his chest eased. He knelt and pried the tote bag from her hands. “You’re not goin’ anywhere tonight.”

“You don’t dare! Get your hands off me!”

“I swear to God you got me all the way fucked up tonight.”

“You wish I was white,” she said angrily. A damp patch spread where her cheek rested on his shirt. “If I was white, you would have married me. But I’ll never wish to be something I’m not. This is who I am, and you can take it or leave it.”

---