Turning off her own lights, Angel walked into her bedroom, then the bathroom, to turn the shower on. So much for being better; her first urge was to take a shower; not to remove the chlorine from the pool but to wash away the smell of her own fear. Sighing, Angel stepped under the hot water, closing her eyes as the water relaxed her. She’d just have to wait and see. There was no reason to panic. Yet.
The next morning Angel woke up early, put her contacts in, had a light breakfast, and took up a post at her window, staring through the curtain at the door to the other apartment. She munched on some granola she’d put in a bowl and watched. She quickly grew bored when nothing happened. The man didn’t leave, didn’t open the door, and didn’t come out with a big sign that announced his name in block letters. Growing frustrated, Angel went to grab a banana but thought better of it. Eating her way through the stress was not going to work.
As Angel eased back over to her perch by the window and settled herself onto the bar stool she’d placed there, she saw the other door open and the man came out into the light. With her contacts in, she saw that the man was completely different. Much taller than Michael, with a darker hair color, this man was very different from Michael. Michael wouldn’t have worn shorts like those either, he was strictly a pants kind of man. This man was much more muscular and tanned as well. Actually, he was pretty damn hot, Angel, thought, but not for me. Nope.
Her fear and curiosity relieved, Angel started to move but stopped as the man went out to the pool and took his shirt off. Oh, definitely much more muscular than Michael, there wasn’t an ounce of fat on this man, just brawn and muscle. Certainly out of her league, in any case. Angel finally tore herself away from the window when the man disappeared under the water, determined to get back to her painting.
As she painted, she told herself dozens of reasons why she should stay away from men, why she didn’t want another relationship; even if it was only sex. Sure the guy was hot, but was it worth more pain? She’d had enough of that to last a lifetime and Angel told herself she wasn’t ready for any of it, even after two years. She just wasn’t ready yet. Then Angel lost herself in her work and forgot about the world outside of her tiny little studio.
She watched the man for a month, noting that he also had no visitors, rarely left the complex, and spent most of his time either in the pool or in his home. He was also a quiet man, Angel never heard him moving around the apartment, never heard noise coming from the place, and never heard him on the phone; something easily done with walls as thin as theirs were. She considered speaking to him, to see if he was alright, running from the law, anything to have a conversation with him. He seemed lonely and Angel was lonely too, maybe they could just be friends? Friends wasn’t hard to do. She hadn’t had a friend in a long time, but she remembered that it wasn’t too hard to be friends with people.
Stepping out onto her upstairs patio, she looked out towards the cactus grove when she heard strange noises coming from that direction. The wind was blowing and it carried the sound with it. A snuffling sound, with the occasional crash as something large moved through the underbrush. Angel moved closer to the ledge, looking down as the animal moved out into the light.
A bear! What was a bear doing out here? Angel didn’t even think Mexico had bears but maybe they did, after all, there was one downstairs now. What could she do to get rid of it? She didn’t see any lights on at the neighbor’s place so she couldn’t call out to him and she had no other way to contact him. She looked around and saw a wine bottle she’d left out from dinner and thought maybe she could scare it off by throwing the bottle at it. She’d have to go down and clean up the glass but…
Her thoughts broke off as the bear started to take on the shape of a man, a very naked man, and the wine bottle slipped from her hand. It shattered as it hit the ground below and the man looked up to see her. It was the neighbor! Holy cow, erm, bear! The neighbor was some kind of werewolf, werebear! Holy cow! Angel’s mind spun in circles as she tried to decide what to do. Staring right into his eyes, Angel panicked and did the only thing she knew how to do as a wide smile spread across his face, and that was to run. She ran straight into the apartment and did not look back. She closed all of her curtains, locked the door, turned the television up loud and hid in her bed for the rest of the night, wondering if she was going crazy or if she’d really seen what she knew good and well she’d seen.
Angel spent the next few days convincing herself she had not actually seen the neighbor go from bear to super-stud. It was a trick of the moonlight that was all, just a trick of the light. She kept telling herself that but still avoided him when she saw he was outside. She almost managed to convince herself of that until three days later when she bumped into him as she was running out of her door to go to the store before it closed.
Angel ran straight into his chest and was shocked when she suddenly came to a complete stop. Looking up, she wasn’t sure whether to laugh, faint, or run back into the safety of her apartment as the man grinned down at her and growled, opening his eyes wide playfully.
“Don’t eat me,” was all she managed to get out before she actually, really truly fainted. Like some sappy heroine from an old movie, she just sagged against the man as her mind simply refused to take any more in. Luckily he caught her before she fell.
Chapter Two
Angel’s eyes fluttered as she became aware of a voice singing sweetly not far away from her. The song came from a male voice, deep and stirring, the sweet mournful sound made her want to comfort the singer, to take away the sadness in that voice. Opening her eyes, Angel looked up to see her neighbor was the singer, singing an old song about a man losing the love of his life and desperately wanting her back. She smiled at the man, but the smile turned into a flush as she realized she’d fainted and he’d caught her. Her cheeks flamed deeper as she remembered why she’d fainted. Shifting quickly, she pulled her legs under her, preparing to run out of the place at the first sign of danger.
Looking around she realized she must be in his home, dark masculine colors and dark leather furniture dominated the room, which was shaped exactly as her own was. Angel had decorated her side with pastel, light colors that inspired a coolness that was necessary in the heat out here. She liked his place though, but that didn’t stop her from being terrified of him. She met his eyes again, unasked questions obvious in her dark eyes.
“I’m not going to hurt you, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m sorry I frightened you. I guess my attempt at being funny fell flat. Would you like a drink?” Oh he did have a beautiful voice, Angel thought.
“Um, no. I’m fine, what time is it? I was rushing out to meet the train, I need more art supplies. I guess I’ve missed it for the day now. I’ll just try tomorrow I guess, um, please excuse me; I’ll get out of your place now. Thank you very much.” Angel stood, preparing to leave when the man held his hand out, hoping to stop her.
“If you need to get somewhere maybe I can take you? I have a vehicle, it wouldn’t be a problem, and I’m not doing anything today. I’d be glad to get out actually.”
“Oh no, I wouldn’t want to be a bother, I’ll just go tomorrow. It’s really no big deal.” Angel said, trying to walk away again, as her resolve began to dissolve. She steeled herself, however, he was male after all.
“Aw, it wouldn’t be no problem, ma’am, it’d be a break for me, really. Also, I’m sorry I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Felix Waters. As I said, I wouldn’t mind getting out of here for a little while and maybe you can show me around a little bit?”
Her knees practically melted as his southern accent somehow increased. She wanted to listen to him read books, newspapers, cereal boxes, anything just to keep him talking. Down girl, she told herself, you’ve been alone a long time but still, think of your safety. Although going to town in a car would take a lot less time than taking the train, going in, then coming back on the train.
“Well then, Felix, I’m Angel. Nice to meet you. If you’re sure it’s
no problem?”
“Not a problem at all. Shall we head out now? Are you feeling better?” He asked with concern.
“Oh sure, I’m fine. Just got a little worked up I guess. I do apologize for that. You must think I’m an idiot!”
“Not at all,” Felix said as they walked towards his truck. “It was thoughtless of me and I do apologize again. My mother would beat me silly if she knew I’d done that.”
“Oh, I’m sure that smile of yours would get you out of it!” Angel said with a laugh, then blushed as she realized what she’d said. She looked away, rolling her eyes at herself. Sheesh Angel, dork much?
“It would if she hadn’t passed away recently. Her and my father are both gone now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Mine are both gone too. I miss them dearly.”
“We have something in common then. We’re both orphans.” Felix smiled at her reassuringly with sympathy.
“There is that.” Angel said back, looking away as she wondered if he really had turned into a bear or not. Surely she’d just dreamed it, or hallucinated, maybe Michael had damaged her brain? He didn’t seem to have any bear qualities, he didn’t even have hair on the back of his hands, or long teeth, or anything. Just a normal, if rather tall, man who also happened to be very fit.
Felix drove Angel to the shop for her art supplies, asking about her line of work, and she told him about her painting. She wasn’t really selling any of it right now but she hoped to one day. Felix told her about his information technology career, a job where he could pick up freelance work online and still travel as he chose. Angel went on to show him other shops he may be interested in and then they stopped at a café for some coffee and a light dinner.
Over the next few weeks, Angel didn’t learn anything about how old Felix was, but she guessed in his 30s, but she did learn that he was 6 foot 5 inches tall. Practically a foot and a half taller than she was! It made walking around awkward sometimes, people would stare at them, but she enjoyed his company. They spent their days by the pool, relaxing and talking about their work, and during the nights; one would cook or they’d go out together to one of the local eateries. Sometimes one of them would be working on something and they’d stay in their homes but the other one would always go in to check on the other.
Angel felt like she was really building a friendship with Felix, one built on mutual respect, caring, and kindness. Felix had never tried to kiss her or take their relationship in another direction, and she was grateful for that but at the same time, she was starting to have feelings for him. She had nobody but him to talk to; she’d lost contact with all of her friends over the years because of Michael, and any family she might have left was lost to the winds.
After her life with Michael, Angel wasn’t sure how to approach Felix, or if she even should. Michael had made her feel useless, as though she’d been a terrible housewife, an even worse person, and unworthy of love. So many times Michael wouldn’t be able to perform in the bedroom and he’d tell her it was her fault, she wasn’t exciting enough or sexy enough but if she tried to dress in a provocative way he just called her a whore. Michael also hit her more when he couldn’t perform and that combined with how perfunctory he was at it, giving her no pleasure at all, it made Angel cringe at the idea of changing her relationship with Felix.
She now knew most of the problem had actually been with Michael, not anything she’d ever done wrong, but still, there were little niggling doubts that she couldn’t get rid of. Angel wished she could because Felix was a wonderful man; generous, sweet, funny, and he was just generally a really great guy. He helped clean up and never complained about anything, he’d even stopped to help a family stuck on the side of the road when their car broke down, ferrying them all into town in his truck with them. She was just too frightened to open up that much again.
Michael had been sweet and funny when they first got together and he’d learned that she came from a family with money. He’d take her out, buy her things, and ply her with wine and roses. He completely changed on their wedding night and it had just grown worse over time, until she was completely isolated and alone. Angel didn’t think she could get through that again. At the same time, she was starting to see that not all men were like Michael. Not all relationships were the same, so maybe in time she could thaw out a little and take a chance. For now she was happy having a friend.
Angel had even opened up a little bit to Felix about Michael, not going into detail about it but she let him know it hadn’t been a happy marriage and that it was part of the reason she was in Mexico now. Felix told her he’d never been married, too consumed in his work to even date most of the time. He’d miss dates, special events, and women just didn’t like that. He’d come to Mexico to have some time to himself, he’d made enough money to live comfortably off of now, after selling some kind of software and he just wanted to work on projects that needed help such as nonprofits that were building webpages and such. Peace and quiet, they decided, was what they were both after, even though they were rarely quiet when together. That lack of quiet suited them just fine though as the days passed and their friendship grew.
Angel smiled as she saw Felix heading to her place with the post as she looked up from the dishes she was doing, to look out of the window. Her smile slipped as he stared at one of the envelopes. For some reason Felix looked upset, and she wondered if he’d received some bad news. She hoped not, and dried her hands as she left the dishes in the sink.
She heard him calling for her as he came in her front door, not even bothering to knock anymore, which brought the smile back, but it quickly disappeared again as he found her in the hallway walking into the living room. Concern etched lines into her face as she walked up to him, a question forming on her lips.
“What’s wrong Felix? Have you had bad news?” She asked.
“No, it seems you have. I debated giving this to you but I can’t keep it from you. It’s your business,” he said after taking a deep breath.
Angel’s heart rate increased as he spoke, wondering, almost knowing who the letter was from before she saw it. Taking the envelope with trembling hands, Angel looked up at Felix, her fear evident. She didn’t want to take the envelope from him. She could almost feel the evil it contained and she didn’t have to look long to know it was from Michael. Felix said it all with his expression; with his words. Her slice of heaven had been discovered.
Angel finally dragged her eyes down, looking at the return address. She stumbled back; actually falling but Felix was there to catch her. He pulled her up in his arms and carried her to her bedroom, sitting her down, and disappeared for a moment as he went for a glass of water. He knelt in front of her once she took the glass and spoke to her gently.
“Angel, whatever it says, whatever that jackass has to say to you, I am here for you and I will protect you. Do you understand me? This changes nothing. You’re still my little buddy and Michael will never hurt you again. I know I don’t know exactly what happened with him but I saw the pain when you spoke about him, I noticed the unspoken words, and the way your voice shook when you talked about him, and he will never, ever hurt you again, do you hear me? I swear that to you!”
Angel could only look at Felix. She didn’t want to open the envelope but knowing she had a friend that cared, that promised to be there with her gave her courage. She tore the seal, pulled out the one piece of paper inside of it, and let the letter flutter open onto her bed. As soon as Felix saw the words he snatched the paper off of the bed and crumpled it up, but Angel had already seen what it said.
In large block letters Michael had typed the words: “I know where you are. Payback time.”
Chapter Three
“I’ll be here, Angel.”
Angel remembered the words as she watched her door shatter, as Michael kicked it down two nights later. She’d spent those two days preparing a bag in case she needed to run, getting everything ready in case she needed to leave, and had her passports and other papers in a pouch under
her shirt. The words Felix had spoken replayed through her mind as Angel ran to her bedroom, hoping to climb through her bedroom window if she could just get the door shut in time and locked. It seemed she was alone again, running from Michael’s violence.
He’d shown up finally; banging on the door, and screaming insults at her. Words like whore, die, and words that were just too ugly to think about but were far too familiar the rage was too familiar and instead of waiting on anyone to save her, she ran. She made it to the bedroom but Michael came raging through it. He pulled her under him then threw her on the bed.
“Oh you are going to pay, bitch. A year locked up, a year of my life gone for your pitiful trifling ass. You think the last time was bad; you may not make it out of here alive this time. You weren’t supposed to the last time either, but oh no, always fucking up my plans aren’t you, Angel. You don’t live up to your name very well. I’ve watched you now, with your boyfriend across the way there. Already whoring it up aren’t you? I knew you couldn’t keep those legs of yours closed. Now, where do I st…” Michael’s stream of vicious words were cut off as he seemed to magically fly backwards through the air, and a terrible roar filled the air.
Angel sat up, eyes going wide as she saw Felix kick Michael across the room. She huddled on the bed as fists met flesh, as Michael screamed in pain, and she hid her eyes in a pillow, not wanting to see any more violence. She heard the grunts, the growls Felix released with each connection his fists made, and tried to block even that out. The aggression and the violence were horrifying and she just wanted to be away from it all.
Finally, the noises stopped and she heard Felix telling Michael to get out and not to come back because Felix wouldn’t let him live the next time he came near Angel. Words so similar to Michael’s, it made Angel tremble even more. She heard Michael pick himself up and stumble out of the door.
Lifting her head, Angel looked at Felix with miserable eyes. He was breathing heavily and stumbled a bit as he walked to Angel, a question in his eyes. Her face was red and puffy from crying, her breath hitching in her throat as she sobbed. She couldn’t answer; she only hid her face in the pillows again, trying not to scream.
Jocked Up: Sports Romance (A Secret Baby Second Chance Romance) Page 46
