“Argh!” I growled, squishing my fingertips against the jelly-plastic cover on my smartphone.
I swiped the screen again and pressed Sue Ann’s name. I’d had it sitting lit up and onscreen for the last five minutes but had refused to dial for fear of interrupting my bestie when she had her yoga pants down. My current crisis just so happened to be one of the soul. I didn’t want to be in anything long-term with a man that waffled back and forth about what he truly wanted.
“Argh,” I grunted again, giving in.
I pressed the green icon and put my phone to my ear.
It rang, again and again. Finally, Sue picked up. “Hey, sorry this is taking so long. I couldn’t find my favorite Lululemon. I should be free in a few, and then I’m on my way. Hope you saved some of that wine, you little hog.”
“Heather was at the game,” I said, blurting it out because it was all I could manage just to wait until Sue Ann had finished talking. “You didn’t see any of it, did you?”
“What? No, I didn’t, hun, I’ve been rummaging around here, so I never turned on the tube. Okay, so break it down for me. What happened with Heather?” Sue Ann sounded slightly out of breath. “Sorry,” she said, “on my way out to the car finally. I can have as many chips as I want tonight since my ass is now sufficiently compressed.”
I gave a low chuckle. “Yeah, so the Caribou won three-nothing. Adam scored the game winner. And this reporter was interviewing him after the game, and she just pops up out of nowhere. Right into the screen view.”
“Oh my god, you’re kidding?” Sue Ann’s gasp ripped through the connection.
“I wish,” I said, then steadied my wine glass. I was a little tipsy, and I’d already spilled enough of it for one night. I needed the rest to numb my overloaded senses.
“What did she do?” Sue prodded.
“She wrapped her arms around him and started talking about their engagement.”
“What?!” Sue Ann yelled. “I’m stuck in traffic. But seriously, repeat that. She talked about their engagement?”
“Yeah, and how they want the wedding to be real soon,” I wailed. “All the while flashing her huge diamond ring right in front of the camera. You should have seen her, Sue. She looked like a supermodel. Everything that I’m not.”
“No!”
“Yes.”
“No,” Sue Ann repeated, “Adam obviously set her straight. That must’ve been embarrassing. Maybe this is just what Heather needs to straighten up and fly right. Get her own life and stay the hell out of everyone else’s.”
“Except he didn’t,” I replied, gulping repetitively to get rid of my throat lump. It didn’t go away. The pain of seeing Adam just standing there, with Heather latched onto him like a common leech was too much.
The man I loved. The man I’d always loved and still did in spite of everything that had passed between us. I wanted to evict him from my heart and soul, but for some reason, he’d taken up residence and refused to leave. All I wanted was for him to step up and fight for us.
Well, if he wouldn’t. I would.
“That’s unbelievable. Why wouldn’t he set her straight? I mean, she’s the reason all this bad shit’s been going down and –”
“Exactly. I don’t know, Sue, but I’m not standing for it. I know you keep saying give him the benefit of the doubt, but this is too much. Will Heather always be around, messing with our relationship? When is this going to end?” I sighed and sucked down some more wine. I enjoyed the numbing sensation as it traveled down the back of my hoarse throat.
“I don’t know. Just don’t make any rash decisions until I get there, okay? I’m on my way.”
“Okay,” I replied, nodding. I already felt better after my little rant. Sue Ann had that effect on me.
“See you in five,” Sue said, then hung up.
I lowered the phone from my ear and shut my eyes. I could wait five minutes. Sue would help me get through this; we’d brainstorm the problem.
“Shit,” I said, snapping my eyes open. Somehow, I felt like I was taking advantage of Sue’s shoulder to cry on. I’d make it up to her somehow. Twenty wine nights in a row with chick flicks, and maybe a few spa treatments. Cheesecake.
Yeah, cheesecake’s always the ticket.
My phone buzzed in my lap. I frowned and answered without checking the caller ID.
“Sue?”
“Is this Miss Wales?”
“Uh, who is this?” I asked, leaning forward and placing my wine glass on the coffee table.
“Miss Wales, what are your comments about the events this evening?”
“Huh?” I frowned, scratching my forehead with my pinky.
“Adam Spencer –” the reporter began.
“No comment,” I snapped through my tipsy wine haze. I wasn’t much of a drinker at the best of times, and wine went straight to my head.
“Heather McNeal said –”
“I said, no comment!” I hung up right away, then put my phone on silent. What the hell? It wasn’t like Adam, or anyone else had brought me up in that interview. Why the hell would they contact me now?
Unless I’d missed something.
My phone lit up, and another unknown number flashed on the screen, as well as hundreds of notifications from Facebook and Instagram. A minute passed, and the caller gave up. But the phone lit up again, and again. Too many calls and messages to count.
My eyebrows climbed, and I reached for the remote to turn on the TV. The doorbell rang, and I stopped mid-click. Thank God, Sue was here. We could find out what happened together. I tossed my phone and the remote on the sofa before launching myself up and making for my front door. I padded down the hall, and the doorbell rang again.
“I’m coming, hold your horses, girl,” I replied, using one hand on the latch, and the other to keep my wine steady.
Finally, I got it open. The door swung inwards.
“Hello, gorgeous,” Carter Jenkins said, then stepped inside. “I believe we have some unfinished business.”
Chapter 41
Julia
“What are you doing here?” I stammered, blinking up at him. I never would have opened the door to him and I chastised myself for just assuming Sue had arrived.
Carter paused, glanced behind him as if to check for Adam, and then kicked the door closed. “I came to see you, obviously. Aren’t you happy about that?”
“Happy? How about nauseous?” I stumbled back a step, then bolstered my ego and leaned forward. “Get off my property or I’ll call the police. You’re not welcome here.”
“I see you started the party without me,” Carter said, eyeing my wine glass. He plucked it from my grasp with an evil grin, then drank the contents, draining it. “I guess you didn’t spike it, right?” He laughed, a sick wet chuckle that made my skin crawl. “Even though I’m the star of your most depraved fantasies, you weren’t expecting me tonight. That’s what makes our interlude even more special.”
“No, spiking a drink is in your arsenal of weaponry, not mine,” I volleyed back, my bravado a futile attempt to quiet the pounding of my heart. In fear. And disgust.
“Oooo, feisty. Have I told you how much I love feisty women? When my dick finally finds your wet heat, you better scream. At the top of your lungs.”
“You’d better get out of here,” I gasped, pointing at the front door. I used all my strength to keep my hand steady. Carter couldn’t know how terrified I was right now. That would give him the upper hand. And he’d exploit that. “My friend is on the way. The minute she sees your car outside, she’ll call the cops.”
“Adam can’t save you this time. I know he had a game tonight, and he can’t leave the arena and get here that fast. But it appeared from the post-game interview that he’s done with you anyway. Me on the other hand, I’m not done yet.” Carter paused and studied me from head to toe. His lascivious gaze lingered on my breasts beneath the Caribou hockey jersey I’d thrown on for the game. “I haven’t even gotten started.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “You need to leave. Now.”
He laughed. “I don’t believe you about your friend,” he said, meeting my gaze at last. “You women are known for your selfish lies. Besides, your tits are too delicious to pass up a second time round. You’ll wear my black and blue marks proudly for days.” He stepped toward me and I fought not to take a step back. “You might want to wet your lips. You’ll be using them.”
I concentrated on steadying my breathing. If I didn’t, I’d hyperventilate from fear. Or pass out. Which was even more frightening. I had no doubt Carter would continue with his plan to sexually assault me, even if I was unconscious. He might like it better that way. Depraved bastard. I glanced around, considering everything I could use as a weapon.
Finding nothing substantial enough to knock him out, I realized I was at a disadvantage against this maniac, even in my own home. He was stronger, I was tipsy and half his size. He crept closer, like a slithering snake, muscles rippling underneath his cotton shirt. I shivered.
Adam, where are you? I need you right now.
But the Caribou all-star wouldn’t materialize out of the night to save me from Carter this time. I was on my own.
“Jesus, I bet that pussy is so tight. I can’t wait to fuck you raw. That’s all you need, a good fucking. Then you’ll stop acting like such a self-righteous bitch.” Carter reached out to touch my hair. I jerked back from him. “Does the carpet match the drapes, babe? You got a ginger rug for me to finger?”
“You’re repulsive.”
“Fuck you, you stupid cunt,” Carter growled. “You know the only reason I want to do this is because of Adam, don’t you? I don’t normally get turned on by cows. But, you’re his possession and I’ll have what’s his. Especially, since he imploded my one chance to get on TV, and get out of this godforsaken hick town.”
I let him keep talking, let his overinflated ego keep the minutes ticking by. Damn, did Heather promise everyone in Duluth a spot on her reality show?
“Upstart bastard always did think he was better than everyone,” he went on, jealousy snarling his face into a grimace. “I ever tell you that back in high school we played together. I was being scouted too. Then, that thing happened with that cunt Estelle Reichert and all the colleges withdrew their offers.”
He dug a hand through his hair, pulling it as he paced. “Adam’s life!” he screamed, turning back to me. “It’s supposed to be my life. He has what’s mine, and I’m taking it back. I had his sweet blonde pussy Heather, and now I’ll have your dark one, too. I bet yours is better. Juicier.” Carter narrowed his eyes and licked his lips.
“Estelle?” My fear was overwhelmed by outrage. “She ended up under psychiatric care. What did you do to her, you crazy bastard?” I raised my finger and poked Carter in the chest, trying to drill it into his heart. “Did you rape her like you’re trying to do to me? She had to leave college, and she never finished her degree. Last I heard, she was waitressing at a truck stop. You tell me what you did to her!”
“It’s none of your fucking business what I did to her. She’s not worthy of the dog shit on my shoe. Neither are you. You’re a woman. Women are always somebody’s possession. You love being a little slut for a man. Taking dick in all your holes.”
Fury made me reckless. “Get out! Get out! Get out!” I raised my arms and formed an X with them, ramming him in the chest. He actually stumbled back and hit the front door. Air whooshed out of his mouth in an “oof.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Bad move, bitch.” He threw the wine glass and it struck the mirror hanging on the wall opposite. Glass cracked, and shards showered my bare feet.
“Fuck you,” I said, gaining strength and courage with every word. If I died, I’d go down fighting.
Carter pushed off from the door. “That’s precisely what I plan on doing.” He charged at me with the strength of a Spanish bull.
I darted sideways, back into the living room, circling the sofa. He crashed in after me, bumped his knees against the coffee table, then grasped the arm of my couch, ruining the chintz fabric I’d picked out myself.
“What’s wrong, honey?” Carter questioned with a pant. “Nowhere to run? No big, stupid ape to save you from getting what you deserve? You thought you could press charges against me, huh? No one fucks with the Jenkins family and comes out alive.”
I didn’t grace him with a reply. My gaze darted from the entrance to the room to the doorway that led into the kitchen. If I could distract him, I might have a shot at getting out through the back door.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought. Let’s face it. When it comes down to pure facts, men are better than women, and that’s why you’ll never escape me.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I snapped. Keep him talking, I reminded myself. That way he’d be distracted when I made my break for it. If I really riled him up, he’d get careless.
“I’m stronger than you, because of this,” Carter said, grabbing his crotch and wiggling it. “I’m faster. I’m the top of the food chain. The sooner women realize that, the better.”
“I wonder what Heather thinks about all this?” I asked. “Does she know you go around raping other women whatever chance you get? Is she in on it?”
A thin sheen of sweat broke out on his forehead. “Fuck McNeal, she’s a tool. She’s my woman and she has no say in what I do and who I do it with.” His face was an ugly mask, the antithesis of the man I’d met in the bar. It was like he’d morphed into a non-human life form.
My first impression of him hadn’t been great, and then I’d been disgusted, but this person… this wasn’t even the weak Carter Jenkins, who drugged and raped women. This was worse. It was like he’d been stripped of fear and shame, and all that was left was a hollow human. A shell of loathing. He hated me. Everyone.
I could tell from the sweat on his brow, the whiteness around his knuckles as he gripped my sofa. The tension in every cell. He truly despised me. And he’d make sure I knew it if I didn’t figure out a way to get out of the house. But it was worse than that. He didn’t hate me because I was Julia Wales. He hated me because I had breasts. Because I had a vagina. I was a sum of those parts to him and nothing more.
“Heather loves you, though,” I said. That was a total stretch, but what else could I do? It was my best attempt at keeping Carter distracted.
“Loves me?” Carter laughed, three distinct ha’s. “Heather doesn’t love anyone but herself and her fledgling fame. Not Mark, not Adam, not any of the other guys she’s fucking. She pushed me too hard, that woman. Now, she’ll pay. Just like you’re going to pay. An eye for an eye. You don’t fuck with Carter Jenkins.”
“What?”
“She pushed me to this. Pushed me away. Mark, he was into her, too. She’s a trap.”
Carter didn’t make any sense. None of this made sense, but at least he was talking, not attacking me.
His beady eyes snapped to my face. “And now I’m gonna trap you.”
“Carter, you need to chill. You’re upset. It’s going to be okay,” I said, rambled more like. I was out of topics. I raised my hands in supplication.
His gaze flashed triumph.
Carter dove across the sofa and tackled me to the floor.
Chapter 42
Adam
I thundered up the stairs and skidded to a halt on the front porch. I pounded my fists on Julia’s door, my heart slamming against the inside of my ribcage. Hopefully, she’d seen what’d happened to Heather as well. I pictured our reunion where we fell into each other’s waiting arms. She’d be so proud of me. With Jessie’s unexpected alliance, we’d put Heather in her rightful place.
She couldn’t be mad. I’d told Duluth how I felt about her. I’d told Heather too, so she couldn’t be mad.
She didn’t come to the door.
I stopped banging and shouted, “Julia? It’s Adam!”
No answer.
I froze, hearing something. A small noise that sounded a lot like Julia.
A noise I didn’t like.
A woman’s whimper reached my ears.
My insides turned to molten lava. I lifted my foot and rammed it into the door. It splintered in the center and exploded backwards, slamming against the wall.
“Julia!” I screamed.
“Help,” she replied in a strangled squeak followed by grunting. Gagging noises, a curse word from a man.
I sprinted right and stormed into the living room, then pulled up short. White hot rage coursed behind my eyes, spreading fingers across the surface of my brain. Hooks of anger that pulled the strings attached to my muscles.
Carter was on top of Julia. Hurting her.
He had his hand wrapped around her throat, was reaching between her legs, trying to pull down her jeans with the other.
I let out a wordless roar and dove, crash landing next to the two of them. I grasped Carter by the back of the neck and wrenched him off the woman I loved. The other man broke free with a strangled yell.
“You motherfucker!” I shook him around in mid-air, walked to the wall and rammed him against it, face first. “I told you before what would happen if you ever touched her again. I’ll fucking kill you!”
“Don’t,” Julia croaked behind me.
Ignoring her, I grabbed Carter’s wrists and locked them together behind his back, pulled him away from the wall, and rammed him into it again. Then I leaned on the creep and held him there.
“Don’t you stop me this time, Julia. He’ll die for this. Scum like him needs to be taken off the fucking streets!”
Julia coughed behind me, clearing her damaged throat. “It’s not worth it to go to jail again,” she croaked.
Carter whimpered, his shoulders shaking.
“Are you crying, you pussy? Big enough to try rape a woman, right? But you can’t handle it when someone puts hands on you. You little fucker. Jesus.” I shook all over, so disgusted with the man I wanted to spit in his face. The pressure of restraint became too much.
I’ll break every bone in your body. Then I’ll dislocate every joint, cut your cowardly balls off and shove them in your filthy mouth.
Benched Page 23
