Page 32 of Soft Tissue Damage
I feel a spurt of disappointment. He called me babe, and he sounds bored with my idea. I toss and turn for several minutes, resenting that Leon didn’t send me a more thoughtful message, but I suppose Leon is mirroring thethoughtlessness I’ve shown him recently, and if I’m more considerate to him, he’ll show more consideration to me.
I send him a sweet and loving good night message, and finally drop off to sleep. Thankfully, I don’t have any nightmares.
The next morning, the first thing I do is send Leon a good morning message. I don’t lie in bed daydreaming about Mr. Grant kissing me, or how he would look cradling Rosie against his naked, tattooed chest.
When I leave the diner after my lunchtime shift, I pass a clinic offering same-day appointments, and I slow to a halt. An idea forms in my mind, which makes me a little uneasy, but it’s such a powerful opportunity. Do I want to be a good girlfriend and commit to Leon, or do I want to live in fear while I keep dirty secrets from him?
I turn toward the clinic and go inside.
7
Cullan
I’m packing up my truck after an installation job when I hear the ping of an entrance alert on my phone. The job ran late, nightfall was hours ago, and the sky is dark with heavy clouds. Thankfully, today is one of the four days a month that my ex has Rosie.
I open the app to check who entered my home. The motion sensor cameras show me Leon closing the front door, but he’s not alone. He’s holding Elena by the hand, and he’s leading her down the hallway.
I frown in displeasure. They’re not technically breaking my rules because Elena isn’t babysitting tonight, but this feels tactical on my son’s behalf. He knows I’m not home. I messaged him earlier to say I would be out late on a job.
I quickly pack the last of my gear into the back of my truck and slide into the driver’s seat, my eyes glued to the screen, so transfixed I can’t even start the engine. The hidden motion sensor cameras show them moving into the living room. Leon fetches two glasses of Coke, and they sit together on the sofa.
I put my phone down. I shouldn’t be watching this. I’m secretly intruding on my son and his girlfriend.
But what if something happened to Elena today? What if she needs me?
I pick my phone up again.
After a few minutes of conversation, Elena pulls a small box out of her bag and shows Leon. “Look what I got today.”
“What’s that?”
Elena gives him a nervous smile. “Contraceptive patches.”
I grip my leg so hard that I feel myself leaving bruises. No, no,no.
Leon’s mouth drops open in shock. His eyes shine with pleasure as he kisses her. “Are you for real? You want to sleep together?”
Elena nods, returning his smile. Then she adds hastily, “Not today. Not next week. But soon. I want us to have a proper relationship.”
Jealousy surges through me. Elena’s Catholic. She can’t be on birth control or want pre-marital sex. It was the one thought keeping me sane, that my son isn’t getting what I desperately want.
“Help me put the patch on?” she asks Leon.
I shouldn’t be watching this private, intimate moment, but I can’t look away from the screen. Elena pulls down the sleeve of her top and half turns away from him, and he sticks the patch to her shoulder blade.
Leon and Elena make out for several minutes, until he asks her, “Stay over tonight?”
Elena looks uncertain. “I can’t. Your father wouldn’t like that.”
No, he fucking wouldn’t. Good girl, Elena.
“Screw him. He won’t know you’re here. I’ll sneak you out in the morning.”
“Your dad works in security. He notices everything. Two dirty glasses in the dishwasher would probably be enough to tip him off that we’re breaking his rules. Look, I even left lipstick on mine.” She gestures at their glasses on the coffee table.
They argue for a few more minutes until Leon finally gives in. “Fine, whatever.”
They make out some more, and I can’t bear to watch. I feel sick with jealousy and resentment.
