by Ashley Munoz
“Shit.” I pressed my hand to my heart.
Dark hair matted over a set of icy blue eyes met me. I swallowed down my confusion and opened the door.
“What are you doing here?”
“Well what a nice greeting. Is that how rich people say thank you?” Jace crossed his arms over his chest and turned that sexy grin on me.
The rain had lightened, but it was still sprinkling. I swiped at my face and tried to ignore his lingering stare on my white shirt. “It’s just that I didn’t call your shop…I was expecting a different towing service to come.”
Jace let out a sigh and dropped his gaze. “I have an arrangement with a few of the other companies for any tows if their roster is filled up or there’s bad weather.”
I darted my gaze to his tow truck, which was parked behind me, and let out a small sigh. “Okay, looks like you get to tow me home then.” I opened my door and pulled out my jacket and purse.
“Spose so, unless you’d prefer I just leave you here?” Jace opened his arms and began walking in front of my car. “Wanna pop it open?” he yelled right as the sky opened up again.
I brought my purse up to cover my head while Jace tipped his face back and blinked at the sky.
“Never mind, let’s get out of here. Go ahead and jump into the truck,” he shouted over the rain as he began getting my car hooked up to the tow chain. I ran forward, jumped into the cab like he suggested, and tried to stop the chills running down my arms. Trevor was sitting in the middle of the bench, and instead of the frenzied greeting I usually received, he merely nudged my arm with his nose and then settled his face into my lap. Feeling the extra weight in the back of the truck shift and move the cab around had me looking in the rear-view mirror.
Jace’s biceps tensed under his white mechanic shirt. His hair was in his eyes with little drops of water falling from each strand. My heart was riotous in my chest as I watched him work. So often I would let my mind wander to what it would have been like if Jace and I hadn’t been interrupted. If he’d have proposed and married me, if he would have dreamt up this life he was living, my dreams blossoming alongside his. If we were together each day, beginning them together, ending them together…
Jace’s door opened, and he briskly slid into his seat and slammed his door. I cleared my throat and buckled up, jostling Trevor until he rose, spun in a circle, and readjusted his body to lean against mine. I wrapped my arm around him and patted his side until he closed his eyes.
“This storm was supposed to clear up by now,” Jace muttered, putting the truck into gear and pulling us forward. I didn’t reply to his sentiment, too caught up in the past. His scent overwhelmed me, drowning me in memories, demanding that I stop and pay attention to the fact that Jace hadn’t moved on. Whatever his reasons were for leaving me, after all these years, he was still single. Something odd and exciting was churning in my gut as we made our way down Bentley Road.
“How long were you waitin?” Jace’s Southern accent peeked through his question, and it made me smile.
“I’m not even sure, got caught up in reading over some papers.” I tucked a few wet strands of hair behind my ears and watched Jace’s forearms flex as he gripped the wheel.
“Why didn’t you call my shop?” His gruff question made me squirm. I liked that he cared whether I called him or not, but I didn’t want him to know that.
“Why would I?” I looked over and raised an eyebrow at him.
I watched as he kept his gaze focused on the road, not sure if he’d respond. Silence hung between us as he turned onto my parents’ road.
“You know I would have helped you…I wouldn’t have charged you or whatever.” He put his blinker on to turn into my parents’ drive. “I want you to know you can call me…if you’re stranded and shit…I don’t want that.”
I watched my lap as a small smile crept across my lips.
“I think maybe we need to talk,” I confessed, hoping he wouldn’t turn me down. He’d confessed something to me the other day, and I hadn’t stopped thinking about it; we needed to talk. There was just too much history between us that didn’t add up.
“Looks like no one’s home,” Jace lightly quipped, ignoring my request. He pulled around the gravel circle and put his truck in park.
I tangled my fingers together in apprehension. “Want to come in for a few minutes to dry off?” I offered.
He didn’t look at me, but quietly said, “Wouldn’t hurt to get warmed up a bit, I guess.”
I gave him a half-smile as we both exited the truck, the rain lightly pelting us.
I watched as Jace let my car down and unhooked it from his truck, setting it down carefully. Once he was finished adjusting everything, he brought his hands to his hips and stared me down. Is he going to change his mind?
The icy rain hit us at an angle as he waited one second…two…then his steps started toward me and I didn’t wait. I walked ahead of him, listening for his steps behind me.
Once we made it to the door, I felt his body heat directly behind me as his fingers dug into my hip. My breathing came out in harsh and heavy breaths, eager for his touch to settle my nerves.
I opened the door, walked in, and turned. Jace shut the door behind him and pressed his back against the polished oak. His blue eyes searched my face and tracked my movements as I stepped forward.
I tipped my chin up and approached until my toes met his. His chest was heaving, like mine.
My lips were traveling slowly to meet his as he carefully grabbed my jaw and splayed his fingers into my hair. Maybe we didn’t need words. Maybe we just needed to speak the other language our souls were versed in, the one where our fingers danced along each other’s skin, and when our lips met, our strangled gasps would heal and mend whatever we’d broken.
Our breathing mingled for only a second before we were interrupted by the sound of my name being called.
“Faith, baby, is that you?” Bryan’s sickly-sweet Tennessee drawl carried from the living room.
No.
Steps echoed on my parents’ old floors as the boards bore his weight. I smelled his overpriced Creed Aventus cologne before he even made an appearance. It had always smothered me, even before my bruises carried the scent. I turned my whole body toward the sound, taking a step back toward Jace.
Bryan’s tall frame filled the arch in the foyer, his slate grey suit perfectly tailored and without a single wrinkle. His clean-shaven face revealed a firm jaw, and light eyebrows framed warm blue eyes—deceiving eyes that covered up the monster lurking beneath.
“Bryan…what are you—”
He cut me off, flicking a quick look at Jace then back at me. “I’m here for you, babe.”
He leaned in, grabbing my waist with force. He pulled me away from Jace and planted a firm kiss on my lips. It was quick, too quick for me to even push him away. I ducked my head and tried to push the bile down.
“Your parents went into town to run a quick errand, wanted you to be surprised for dinner. I didn’t want them to tell you I was coming.” He smiled brightly, showing those gorgeous teeth of his.
His gaze landed back on the man behind me, the one I was desperate to reach for.
“Oh, was there trouble with Faith’s car?” His eyes narrowed on Jace’s shop logo, near the breast pocket of his shirt. “What do I owe you?” He reached into his back pocket to grab his wallet.
“No, this is my—” I tried to explain, but Jace cut me off.
“$130 even, for the tow.”
I turned to see the expression on his face.
“Jace…” I pleaded—for what, I wasn’t sure. His lips were thinned into a firm line, his glacier stare glued to my husband, who was digging through the sea of green in his wallet.
Bryan placed a few bills in Jace’s ready palm. “Thanks for getting my girl here safe.”
Jace let out a scoff, “My pleasure. Glad I could get her where she belongs.”
I swallowed, wanting to scream. Why was Jace so willing to l
eave me here?
“Jace, wait—it’s not—this isn’t…” I tried again, but he locked his jaw, giving me a death glare. It made me falter a step.
Jace turned without saying goodbye, leaving me alone with my husband, my abuser.
I shut my eyes tightly when the door clicked shut, but as much as I needed to let him go and walk away, I couldn’t.
“I need to grab something from his truck,” I muttered to Bryan then ran after Jace, shutting the door behind me.
Jace was already to his door, opening it with force. I ran to it and held it with my hand. “Jace…can you let me explain?”
“What’s the fucking point?” He turned away from his truck and brought his hand to his hair. I hated the look on his face; it matched the look he’d given me at the barbeque when he was angry with me. “You know…I actually believed that little segment about you getting a divorce.” He laughed, shaking his head.
Rain hit my face like little pellets from an airsoft gun. “Let me explain. I wasn’t—”
“Get back inside, Faith. Your husband is waiting for you.” He ended our conversation, moving his body to get back into the truck, which put me slightly off balance.
“Jace, please…just listen,” I begged again as he slammed the door shut. I hated how those words sounded coming out of me. They sounded so similar to when I’d begged him not to dump me, begged him not to end us. He’d left anyway, just like he was now. I swallowed the thick lump of fear in my throat and let out a shuddering breath as I watched the tail lights of his truck disappear.
My car didn’t work, so I couldn’t just drive away. There was no other car available, and the rain was still pouring, so I walked back inside.
Bryan was back in the living room, nursing a small glass of amber liquid in his left hand, his cell in his right. I had no idea how long he’d been drinking. He was high functioning but still liked to get mean whenever any amount of alcohol was involved.
He looked up at me and smiled, like he hadn’t driven me away from our marriage with a hospital visit.
“No kiss for me?” Bryan asked, patting the seat next to him.
“We’re technically separated right now, Bryan. Do my parents even know you’re here?” I peeled my coat off, taking the farthest seat across from him.
“The fuck we are.” He laughed, taking a sip. “And yes, they do…in a way.” He tossed his head as though considering the question. “Now come over here and give your husband a proper greeting.”
I didn’t move, just crossed my arms protectively.
“I’ve missed you, babe. But you know, based on that interview, it almost seems like you’ve missed me more. What was it you said?” He leaned forward. His blond hair was a little longer on top, so pieces of it fell across his brow. I hated how handsome he was, because it covered up how ugly he could be. “I still love my husband, and a part of me will always love him,” he mimicked.
“But we’re over,” I said, finishing the sentence he was trying to use against me.
“Of course, now that I’ve given you the time you asked for…it’s time to come home.”
I kept my gaze on the floor, unwilling to engage with him.
“Baby, what’s going on? You were so sweet in that interview, so sweet it won’t be hard to convince people we decided to work it out.” He got up and stalked toward me. My heart thrashed violently in my chest. “Get up,” he demanded.
I breathed through my nose. The urge to comply to avoid pain was right there on the edge of my movements, but my desire to make things difficult for him was stronger.
Cold fingers wrapped around my left bicep, yanking me to my feet. I let out a pained sound as he seethed in front of me.
“I said to fucking get up.”
“Bryan, please—”
His lips landed on mine, harsh and demanding. His other hand gripped my chin, pinning it in place as his lips moved over mine and his tongue invaded my mouth. Whiskey assaulted my taste buds, warming my mouth, drowning me.
“I gave you everything, Faith,” he rasped, breaking the kiss. “You were nothing when I met you—fucking no one. You will not make a fool of me.” His grip on my arm intensified as his voice escalated in volume. “Do I need to remind you who I am?” he whispered harshly near my ear, biting the sensitive flesh there.
I let out a whimper, terrified of where this was headed. Bryan had never raped me before, but I had no idea what he was capable of. My insides began to shrivel up in fear just as the front door jingled and the sound of keys interrupted my husband’s tirade. He let me go and sat down, pulling me to his side and sweetly kissing the top of my head right as my parents sauntered in.
“Faith?” my father asked, stopping dead when he saw Bryan. “What are you doing in here? I told you we would call you.” His angry tenor shook the room.
My eyes watered as I fought back the emotions clawing at my insides. My mother gawked, pushing forward. I got up immediately and went to her side. Bryan’s jaw ticked as he watched.
“Clark, nice to see you. Julia.” Bryan canted his head as he stood, buttoning his jacket.
My father’s face was blotchy. “We agreed to arrange this meeting, not have you here when we weren’t.” He turned, inspecting me. “Faith, are you okay?”
“Of course she’s okay—I’m her husband,” Bryan boomed, shoving his hands in his pockets.
There was an awkward silence hanging in the air, but I refused to speak until he was gone. My father seemed to be trying to regain his composure; my mother lightly held my wrist.
“Just the same, I think it would be a good idea for you to go. This wasn’t a good idea,” my father declared, gently dropping his brown paper bag. I could see green veggies and a carton of cookies sticking out.
Bryan looked down, clicked his tongue, and went to retrieve his long jacket. “There’s more to the story. I wish you’d let me explain, but I can understand where you stand. I’ll go, but I’m not leaving town yet. I would like the opportunity to treat everyone to dinner if that’s okay?” His blue eyes were deceptive and cunning. They pleaded and begged with my parents, who I could see visibly soften.
“We’ll be in touch after we get a chance to settle this evening,” my mother said, surprising me. I whipped my head around to see her expression, because surely a body snatcher must have stepped in. There was no need to touch base or settle. This was an open-and-shut case. He hit me. I was done. We were getting divorced. End of story.
Bryan tipped his head to the side, gazing at me with a pathetic lilt in his tone. “I love you, Faith. I’ll call tomorrow. Just, please…please come back to me.” Tears actually welled in his eyes as he departed. It took all of my strength not to start clapping at his performance, but based off my parents’ red, watery eyes, his presentation was utter perfection. I swallowed thickly and softly padded upstairs to pack a bag for Gemma’s. I wouldn’t risk them letting him back in, thinking they were helping in some way.
Five years earlier: January
The light on my phone blinked, indicating that I had another new message. Pushing the device under the sweatshirt balled up in the passenger seat of my old Honda Accord, I flicked my gaze back to my windshield. I was spying, like a creeper, but in all fairness, I couldn’t exactly move. Another ping reverberated from under the sweatshirt, reminding me that I shouldn’t be staring at the couple across the street. I continued to ignore it, though, like I had the other few text messages from Bryan, because I was surely in shock.
Jace stood, tall and rigid in his dark jeans, black hoodie zipped up to his throat, his snapback covering his dark hair, leaving little pieces sticking out on the sides. Dipping his head, he whispered something into Jessica James’ ear, causing her to laugh. They huddled under the covered station near her fancy Audi, which was white, the color of the gum she’d spit in my hair in the tenth grade. My teeth clicked together on instinct as I remembered how she had flirted with Jace, slipping her hand up his shirt while he was distracted and then feigning innoce
nce.
Her thin frame was angled toward Jace as she turned her phone toward him, laughing and touching his arm. Then he ran his arm up along her side, touching the skin under her shirt.
Tears swam in sync with the drizzle hitting my window. Childish assumptions swirled inside me, making me feel foolish and starry-eyed. When Jace had let me go, I’d truly believed he’d never move on, unless it was coming back to me. I had thought he’d take the time he needed for his family, for his mother, sort it out, and then he’d be mine again. My heart wouldn’t even consider the idea of him moving on, but now under the fluorescent glow of the gas station lights, I could see how horrifically wrong I was.
Without thinking, I swiped at my face and reached for my door handle, shoving it open. Questions about why he’d left me scratched at my throat, begging me to run over there and demand his attention. He’d been completely silent since we broke up, no accidental texts, no friendly check-ins, nothing. He had just evaporated into thin air, like Edward did to Bella. Fucking men.
I wanted to make him see me, and since I couldn’t go to his parents’ house and bother his mama, now was my chance. I stood, letting the rain pour over me, running into my shirt, soaking it through, along with my thin Keds and jeans.
Jace dipped his head down, close to her ear, and from the angle I had, it looked like they kissed. I couldn’t tell from this far away, but my stomach tilted with anxiety and shock just the same. He was moving on. Without me.
Clinging to my survival instincts, I got back in my car and peeled away from the lot, not caring if he noticed I’d been sitting there, watching. I drove for thirty minutes until I was standing dripping wet in the lobby of a five-star hotel in Memphis. I waited as Bryan ran down to meet me. We’d only been on four dates, and I’d been distant after our last one because he had told me he was already falling for me and was already picturing a future with me.
