Page 137 of The Rules Of Attraction
“How did you find me?” I knew Eilesh would never have told him.
I’d given my aunt and uncle my new address, but I doubted that they would have told him too because they were as disgusted as I was with him when they heard about all he’d done. I hadn’t meant to tell them but it came out one day when my aunt called me to see how I was doing.
There was no way either of them would have given him my details so how did he know where to come?
And, he had this tentative expression on his face, as if he was scared to reveal it.
“I hired a private investigator. Summer, I thought if you saw the lengths I took to find you, you’d see that I’m being serious.”
“No, I’m outraged. You were told to leave me alone.”
“By Alex, was that him?” He frowned.
“Yes, that was Alex.”
“Summer, look.” He took a step towards me and reached for me but I stepped back and held up my hands.
“No. Tom, please. Don’t touch me or anything.”
“Summer I really messed up.”
“You did mess up, but it wasn’t just what you did. You never loved me.”
“Yes I loved you always and clearly I still do,” he defended. “I was just foolish.”
“You don’t hurt people you love. You do everything, and anything to make them happy and take care of them. You didn’t do anything like that for me. I always had to constantly prove myself to you, and all that time you were with Becca and other women.”
“Summer please. I’m here. That has to count for something.”
“It counts for shit in my book. Tom this ends here. I don’t love you anymore. Please don’t look for me again.”
“That’s it, eleven years down the drain? You won’t give me a chance to make it up to you? To try.” His face turned red and his eyes widened.
“There’s no point. I don’t want the life I used to have with you. I wasn’t happy.”
“Is it him? Alex? You’ve known him for two seconds. We were together for a decade Summer. I’ve known you since you were seventeen.”
“What I have with Alex is none of your business. And the length of time that we’ve known each other is irrelevant. Means nothing.”
“You selfish bitch.” He retorted shaking his head. “I’m here, in Chicago. I did everything to find you. I have apologized repeatedly and you won’t even give me a chance.”
“You’re calling me selfish?” This was ridiculous. I knew it was, and I knew I should have walked away but I couldn’t. Disgust and rage coursed through my veins. “I’m not the one who cheated constantly.”
“How do I know? You were always away, you could have been fucking everyone for all I know.”
“I’m done here.” Best to walk away and not engage in this craziness. I attempted to move away but he caught my arm, tightening his grip on my wrists. “Let go of me.”
“No, you fucking selfish bitch. I’ve been through so much to find you, only to see you shacked up with that jerk. Whore!”
As soon as the words came out of his mouth a force moved him backwards with such power it moved me too because Tom was still holding on to my arm.
He released me and it was only then I saw the person who’d grabbed him.
Alex.
It was Alex, he hadn’t left and gone back to the apartment like I’d asked. But thank God he hadn’t.
A quick one two punch was landed in Tom’s face which sent him whirling.
