Page 52 of Heart Me Up
“Quiet!” Ballcap Guy hissed. We all froze and waited.
After a minute the doorbell rang again, and we heard a fist pounding on the door. “Craig! I know you’re home. I can see your car. I just need two minutes and I’ll be gone forever, I promise!”
Fucking Drew. What the hell was he doing here? “That’s my ex.” I whispered loudly at Ballcap Guy. “I can get rid of him.”
“Craig! I can do this all day; you know I can!”
Ballcap Guy eyeballed me, Silvia and Corrie, probably trying to decide if he should have me bring Drew inside. But me plus two frail-looking women had to be different than me plus another able-bodied man.
“Fine. Get rid of him. No messages, no funny stuff.” I nodded and headed for the door. If I didn’t open it very wide Drew might be able to see Silvia and Corrie, but he wouldn’t see Malcolm or Ballcap Guy.
I opened the door a crack. On any other day my brain would’ve gone into a tailspin at the sight of Drew. Today, however, I was filled with the resolution that Drew might’ve done an awful thing when he’d kicked Lucy, but he didn’t deserve to get shot and possibly killed.
“What do you want, Drew?” I asked in an impatient tone.
“I wanted to give you—” He held out a typed document, a few pages stapled together.
Holy shit, I had an idea.
I held up a hand and stared hard into Drew’s eyes. “Drew, if I sign these divorce papers,” I said loudly enough for everyone inside to hear me, “Will you please go away and leave me alone?”
He gaped at me a second, then before he could say more than, “Uh,” I grabbed the paper from him and pulled one of the pens from my pocket.
“Great,” I said. “I trust you on the settlement.” I wroteCall 911on the first page, which appeared to be some sort of press release. I read the wordLucybut forced myself to ignore it. I flipped over to the last page, making sure to rattle the paper so it would sound as if it were a multi-page legal document, and I wroteGun. “There, all done. Your lawyer’s going to file, right?” I shoved the paper and my pen at Drew, who took them and stepped back, his mouth hanging open. “Remember, I don’t want to see you again. Ever.” I slammed the door and hoped he’d run like hell.
Shaking, I returned to the living room. I put my arms around my belly and checked to make sure Silvia, Corrie and Malcolm were all still okay.
Ballcap Guy was eyeing me like he suspected I’d written more than just my name. Silvia, bless her, said in a quavery voice, “Don’t worry, Craig, I’m sure you can get it nullified since you were under duress when you signed it.”
I snorted. “Whatever was on it, it’ll be worth it to get rid of Drew.”
“Can I have some water?” Corrie joined in to help distract Ballcap Guy.
I faked some concern. “Are you feeling nauseated?”
She shook her head, then nodded. “A little. I’m mostly thirsty.” She peeked warily at Ballcap Guy. “Is that okay? Can Craig get me some water?” Had Corrie seen me looking around for something to use as a weapon? Too bad I hadn’t found anything.
Ballcap Guy told her, “You get it. Craig? That’s your name, right? You come over here.” I went over and stood next to the kitchen table where he indicated. Corrie walked past me into the kitchen.
“Glasses are in the cabinet on the end,” I told her. I needed to distract Ballcap Guy in case Corrie had a plan. “Hey, do you want me to call the FBI? I can pretend to be interested in the car.” I cringed internally at how ridiculous that sounded. But Ballcap Guy’s eyes were on me and not on Corrie.
He’d just opened his mouth to respond when the sound of shattering glass came from the kitchen. Corrie cried out, “I’m sorry! I dropped the glass. I didn’t mean to, I’m just scared.”
Ignoring Ballcap Guy, I jogged over to give her a hug. “It’s okay. You’re fine. I’ll get the broom.”
“No!” Ballcap Guy yelled. “You get back over here.Shecan get the broom.”
I held my hands up and stepped away from Corrie before Ballcap Guy remembered he didn’t have to worry about broken glass if he was going to shoot us all anyway. Corrie nodded she was fine. “Okay. The broom is in the laundry room right there.” Along with a door to the carport.
But this wasn’t Ballcap Guy’s first rodeo. “You, stay in my sight at all times,” he told her. She nodded and stood mostly in the doorway to reach for the broom and the dustpan, which were hanging on the wall to her right.
I told her where to find the trash can under the sink and moved back to stand next to the kitchen table. Ballcap Guy stared me down while we listened to Corrie sweep up the broken glass. Then she washed her hands, and I heard her get another glass and fill it with water.
Corrie walked back through the breakfast room, but when she started to pass me she stumbled and said, “Oh,” as she fell against my body. My hands automatically came up to steady her around her waist.
“Are you okay?” I asked. “Dizzy?” Which is what you would ask a pregnant person, right?
“Sorry. I’m okay.” Corrie straightened, but behind her back she pressed a rolled-up length of leather into my hand. Lucy’s leash. Lucy’s leash which had been hanging beside the broom in the laundry room.
