Page 48 of Behind the Lyrics
“But you came with Terri, didn’t you?” I tried to grip her hands, but she pulled away, a tear pooling at the inner corner of her eye.
“Yes, but I can’t ride with you right now. I need space. I’ll call an Uber.”
She needed to get away. From me. I wanted a guitar to smash. Seriously. Instead, I dug deep, drawing on that inner core of will I’d sharpened over the past few years. “Fine, but I’ll take care of it. You can barely hold your fucking mobile.”
It was true. Her hands shook violently. With tenderness, I pulled the device from her clutching fingers and opened the app, ordering a ride to take her home.
To say I was pissed was an understatement, but my rage wasn’t at her. Again, I was furious with that twit ex-husband of hers, for all the horror and turmoil he’d put her through, what he’d done to her, what he wasstilldoing to her. At the first mention of love, she’d almost flown apart.
And she didn’t return the sentiment.Could there be more to it? Was it possible she didn’t love me in return? Mentally, I traced her face. I loved everything about her, from her attitude, to her strength, to her alluring body. Had I pushed too hard and turned whatever she’d felt into a cage?
Without a word, I ushered her to the door and into the hall, toward the back entrance, keeping my hands to myself.
I’d give her anything she needed, even if it wasn’t whatIneeded.
Chapter 41
Angela Morales
I ran away, and the next day, deep guilt ate at me for leaving Viktor that way. But his unexpected proposal had stolen my breath and backed me into a corner. He couldn’t just pop the question and expect me to be okay with it.
Unlocking my apartment door after a long day at work, I’d tried to pretend everything was normal. From dealing with listeners’ constant speculations about Viktor and me to working on more new commercials, all I’d really wanted to do was hide in my apartment and never come out again.
I didn’t text him, and he didn’t text me. Throughout the day, I’d almost given in, wondering what he was doing or if I’d scared him off, but I stopped myself. Shame covered my heart. He’d been so gentle and sweet, and for the first time in years, I wasn’t a damaged, broken woman. I’d been cherished, worshipped…andloved. So, why had I bolted at his confession and impromptu proposal?
Just the thought of marriage scared me. Look at how my last one turned out. I didn’t want to go through that again. Icouldn’t. Yet, without great risk, how would I find great love?
You can’t. Viktor’s the real deal. Sure, he’s not perfect, but he’s perfect for you, and you know he’s serious about staying clean. Hasn’t he already proven he’s capable of doing it before he even met you?I waved my annoying voice of conscience back into her box, not ready to listen to her know-it-all advice.
After shutting and locking the front door, I tossed my purse onto the couch and stumbled into the kitchen.
Marky rubbed against my feet. “Meow?” His bright, orange eyes followed me, and he seemed to be waiting for my answer.
“Yes.” I picked him up and gave him cuddles. His purring chest grew louder and more insistent. “I’ve got the good stuff right here.” After setting him down, I grabbed his favorite food, popped the top, and dumped the contents into his bowl.
Tail twitching, he went to work.
I dropped onto the couch, content to sit in the peace and too tired to move.
My purse buzzed, so I fished my phone from the side pocket.
Another unknown call, and I sent it straight to voicemail.I can’t deal with the credit card company right now.I’d sent them their money, so I didn’t understand why they kept calling. Ten unanswered voicemails flashed, and I tossed the phone to the coffee table.
Can’t squeeze blood from a turnipwas what myAbuelawould’ve said if she’d still been alive, and I had to agree with the old, quaint saying. They could squeeze me all they wanted, but until my raise kicked in, I was doing well to make minimum payments.
Bam-bam-bam.
The banging on my door shattered the quiet, and I clutched my chest, sitting forward. For a moment, crazy excitement raced through me, wondering if it was Viktor, then I squashed it down.
After the last time he’d barged in here, and how last night went, I had a hard time seeing him showing up unannounced.Wouldn’t be the first time, though.
The banging started over. I stood and tried to burn a hole through the door with my gaze. Whoever was on the other side wasn’t giving up.
“I know you’re in there.” The knob rattled. “We need to talk.”
That wasnotViktor’s voice. Cold dread settled over me like a plastic tarp, choking off my air supply.Jeff.His voice, mid-range with a slight nasal pitch, would always be one I’d recognize. How many times had I listened to him ranting after he’d knocked a few back?
Too many.
