Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
I immediately see why Bradley sounds different.
Because it isn’t Bradley standing six feet away while I’m naked in the shower.
It’s Neil.
“What are you doing here?” I yell, waving him backwards. “Go away!”
He looks hurt and angry, but goes around the side of the house. I cover myself with my towel, then gather my clothes from the steps and quickly change. When I go inside, Neil is sitting on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor, fists clenched.
“You need to leave,” I say.
“What’s his name?”
“How did you find me?” My voice is shaking. It takes everything in me not to scream and run away, though I know if I did, he’d chase me. He wouldn’t let me go. It can’t have been easy to find me, and he’s not about to leave without a fight.
“It didn’t take long, did it?”
“I’m not doing this with you,” I reply, trying to keep my voice even. “It’s over. We’re over.”
“Is that why you blocked me?” I think about explaining that Grace took my phone, but it would be a lie. I did block Neil’s number, and it’s better if he knows. “So you can cheat on me?”
“We’re not together anymore.”
“How many guys has it been since you left?” He stands up and rolls his shoulders. I’ve never thought of Neil as a violent person, but there’s something charged about his body language. I can feel the pent-up anger and humiliation looking for an outlet.
“You were doing this the whole time, weren’t you, you little slut?”
I go back towards the door, but he cuts off the angle, and I find myself in the corner of the room, around the side of the bed.
“Please, Neil!” I feel tears in my eyes. “It’s not like that.”
He makes a clicking noise with his tongue. “This place gives me the willies. It’s falling to pieces. It’s a real shithole. You must have really hated me to move in here.”
“I never hated you,” I whisper.
“What’s that?” He puts on his booming lawyer’s voice. “Speak up!”
“I don’t hate you.”
“Funny way of showing it. Hope these people are paying you well. This place needs demolition. No power, no natural light, the trees. Brie. This place is a crime scene.” He taps the cracked window. “Past or future. Maybe both.”
He’s on the bed, effectively blocking me in the corner of the room. But then, to my relief, he begins to cry.
“Neil—”
“Who are you fucking?”
“None of your business.”
“How is it not my business?”
“Because I’m not your business. You don’t get to be jealous. You don’t get to be here. It’s over.”
“Don’t you love me?”
The emotional blackmail is so intense, I want to scream.
“You need to move on,” I say quietly. “And you need to get out. ”
“No,” he says. “I won’t give up on you.”
I wonder if he can see the goosebumps on my arms, or hear the deafening thump in my chest.
“You’re sleeping with the husband, aren’t you? This is Grace Frost’s house. You’re breaking up her marriage.”
“No—”
“Liar!” He shakes his head like a disappointed father. “Come home. You have to. Or—”
From behind Neil comes another voice, loud and confident.
“Or you’ll what, exactly?”
Neil jumps like a startled deer as Bradley strides across the room and places himself between me and Neil. He’s freshly shaved in a neat white button-down and slacks. A single lock of wet hair curls across his forehead.
“Brie, are you OK?”
“She’s fine.”
“I’m not talking to you. Brie? Who is this?”
“My ex,” I say.
“Ah, the ex. What are you doing here, ex?”
“Neil. Neil Rotman.” It’s remarkable how quickly he’s established his composure. He extends his hand. “Pleased to meet you.”
Bradley squints at him like he’s poison, then turns back to me. “What should I do?”
“I want to make sure she’s safe,” Neil says.
“She’s safe here,” Bradley replies quickly. “At least, I think so. Brie, are you safe?”
“Yes,” I say.
“I’m here to take her home,” Neil says. “We have a life together.”
“Is that right, Brie?”
“Of course—” Neil says.
“I’m not talking to you. I won’t say it again.”
I open my mouth to explain, but I can’t. Not when he’s so close. “I want him to leave.”
Bradley looks at me for a moment, then turns back to Neil. “Time to go.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I do.” Bradley gives Neil a shove, causing him to stumble towards the door. “You know the way out.”
Neil regains his footing and gives Bradley a mirthless smile. He’s slightly taller than Bradley, but much more out of shape. “Do you know who I am?”
“I’m getting a fair idea.” He takes another step, and Neil instinctively moves backwards. Despite his best efforts to hide it, I can see fear in his eyes. “If I see you on the property again, I’ll call the police. Out!”
Bradley walks across the room, and Neil retreats outside and down the path.
“I’ll be back,” he shouts. “I’m not giving up on you, Brie!”