Page 11 of Ruined
CHAPTER FIVE
Mouth agape, all I could do was stare at Eli’s retreating back. Over the past few months, there’d been times where I’d imagined seeing him again. Not once did my mind conjure up the scene that’d just played out.
My phone sounded again. With a huff, I moved out of the way before I went in search of the damn device again. I probably sounded like an angry old woman, muttering to myself while furiously digging through my handbag.
When my fingers finally curled around the thing, I pulled it out and immediately unlocked the screen.
Unknown Number:Your gallery looks nice painted in yellow and orange.
That message was followed by two more, a fire emoji the only content in each of them. The happy chattering that surrounded me faded away as a whooshing sound filled my ears. My heart slammed against my ribs for an entirely different reason than it had a few minutes ago. I hugged the phone to my chest, my eyes darting from one person to the next.
I knew there was no way for him to know where I was; I’d watched my rearview mirror like a hawk while driving here. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lizzy approaching.I can’t deal with her now. I rushed out of the diner, with my head bowed, I hurried to my car.
It was a good thing I could unlock it with the key fob; I was shaking so badly I doubted I’d be able to stick a key into its slot. Once I slid behind the wheel and closed the door, my breaths came hard and fast.
This had been going on for months. As much as I loved my gallery, I’d hoped that the loss of it meant the end to this damn ordeal. What more could he take from me? He’d taken my dignity and my identity. Taken what I loved… What else could he possibly destroy?
The moment that thought formed, I squashed it down. I’d learned long ago to never ask questions like that because life would find a way to show you how much more of you there was to ruin.
I was still picking up the pieces from years ago; I wouldn’t survive another blow.
With trembling fingers, I unlocked the screen again to scroll through my contacts. When I found the number I was searching for, I pressed the green button. Nothing but endless ringing filtered through the line. I checked my watch, my brows furrowing. It was unlikely that Kenzie was still sleeping; it was a workday after all.
I was still contemplating whether to call back immediately or wait it out a few more minutes when the device in my palm buzzed to life, Kenzie’s name flashing on the screen. I poked the green button and pressed the phone to my ear.
“Did you just call?” She sounded completely breathless.So, this is what it feels like when karma comes back around. I’d taken her call mid-tryst on more than one occasion.
“I did, but you sound a bit…busy.”
She giggled. “I was.” More giggling. “We’re done now, so…”
“I did not need to know that, Kenz.” Not even a minute into our conversation and I felt my anxiety dissipate.
“Oh please, how many times have I caught you in the same position? Besides, there is nothing wrong with being ravished by yourhusbandearly in the morning.”
Kenzie sounded so happy it made my heart beam. Their love story made me believe in fate and happily ever afters…Thenhehappened…a reminder that fairytales and love weren’t destined for a girl like me.
My smile faltered as I gripped the phone tighter. “Since the ravishing is done, can I come over now?”
Silence answered me. I pulled the device from my ear to check if the call was still connected. It was. I was in the process of bringing it back when squealing traveled through the speaker, making me wince. “Please tell me you’re not pulling my leg. You’re really in Willow Creek?”
“Sitting in a parking spot on Main Street as we speak.”
“Oh my gosh, Zoe, why didn’t you come straight to the cabin?”
“Because you were being ravished,” I deadpanned. This time I heard the embarrassment in her little laugh, I quickly added, “It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I didn’t want to show up unannounced.”
Kenzie was quiet for a second before she softly asked, “Are you okay? You sound weird.”
I squeezed my lids together, trying my best not to take a deep breath. That was how close our friendship was; it only took one word for the other person to know something wasn’t right. Lying to my best friend wasn’t something I liked doing. However, right now it was needed, “Only tired, Kenz.”
After we said our goodbyes, I pulled out of my spot and made the short drive to their cabin. It wasn’t hard to understand how she could swap her life in the city for one in Willow Creek so easily; the place was peacefully beautiful.
As I made my way down the dirt road that led to their home, I reveled in the calmness that washed over me. I finally understood why Adam had always said nature nurtured the soul. A sharp pang shot through my heart at the thought that my brother sat holed up in a room day in and day out.
I had a hard time understanding how life could be so kind to some and yet so cruel to others.
My lips lifted into a grin when I spotted Kenzie standing on her porch, wildly waving her arms. I’d barely had time to stop my car when she bolted down the steps and sprinted toward me. In the middle of unclipping my safety belt, my door got yanked open.
