Page 25 of Tattered Souls
Buckle up, Tatum.
Because when I want something, I’m not afraid to fight dirty.
Tatum
I closed my eyes as the next song came on, and when it did, I had two thoughts.
One, I never wanted to be anywhere else, but right where I was.
And the second thought... if I could trust a man again, it would be this man.
However, those silly wants didn’t factor in for girls like me.
***
I stopped trying to count the ways that Lance had practically bitten down and kept me tethered to him.
Even going so far as to come over and leave some of his stuff at my house.
***
Tears pricked my eyes as the lawyer told me that Granger had left me everything.
“Will anyone be able to touch it if their name isn’t on it?” I asked him.
Thankfully, the lawyer didn’t bat an eye when I asked him that question.
He shook his head, “No. They won’t be able to.”
I couldn’t explain why I did what I did next, but I didn’t regret it. Not one single second.
I put the money Granger had left me into a savings account. One without a debit card at a different bank than the one I used.
The one that Lance knew about.
And when I got home that night, it was to see Lance standing there on my front porch with his arms crossed over his chest.
“You're late.” He said as he stalked toward me.
Thankfully, I had an alibi.
“There was a wreck on forty. It was backed up for miles. It was on the news.”
He nodded, then followed me inside.
After the day I had, I just didn’t have it in me to say anything to him.
I had just sat down and taken my heels off when he came storming from the bathroom.
“How many fucking times do I have to tell you to not let the fucking toilet paper roll go empty?” Lance asked in that tone that told me I wasn’t going to get off easily.
I had to force myself to bite off the words.Then you should have reached behind you, grabbed a new roll from the cabinet, and replaced it yourself.
But I didn’t say that.
I didn’t dare.
Because I knew what happened when I talked back.
