Chapter 37
Chapter thirty-seven
Anna
“S
pill,” Amanda demands.
She had brought me to her home after calling Camden like Keaton had requested. I assumed I was no longer welcome at Keaton’s place, and even if I were, I didn’t have a way to get there since I rode with him, and he had the keys.
“When I was between jobs, my dad recommended that I go to work for his best friend, Daniel. I was his executive assistant and for the first few weeks or so things were going really well. Then he started sending me texts. Nothing inappropriate, not yet anyway, but little messages here and there. Things like ‘I miss you’ and ‘You look so pretty today,’ but it was almost every single day. I told myself it was in my head. I said, he’s just being friendly.
But then they became even more frequent.
And that’s when they became more suggestive.
“Soon after the messages started, he began finding little ways to touch me in the office. A hand on my hip. Brushing an imaginary piece of fuzz off my shoulder. Swiping away an eyelash from my cheek. Again, I just thought maybe he was a touchy-feely kinda guy, and I tried not to read into things. He has been involved with my family for so long, and he had always hugged me before, so I thought I was making a big deal out of nothing. He wasn’t making advances. He was just comfortable.
“But then one day the messages turned from fairly innocent to downright obscene. His touches became more frequent and migrated to areas he had no business venturing toward. One day he cornered me in the workroom and implied that I had been teasing him and wanted what he was trying to give me. Then the day before I left for Cheatham.” I sob, and my sweet friend reaches out to hold my hand, “The day before I left, he called me into his office. He locked the door and then,” my sobs grow heavier.
“He touched me. He touched me, Amanda, and I tried to fight. I tried to push him away, but he had me pinned and I couldn’t stop him. It was just his fingers, but…”
“‘Just’ nothing, Anna. That is still crossing the line. Hell, touching you in the first place was crossing the line. I am so sorry, sweetie. Please tell me you told someone about this. Your parents?”
I shake my head. “You’re the only person who knows. I haven’t told anyone about what he did. I was about to start this new life in a new place, and I just wanted to forget everything that happened. Besides,” I sniff, “I didn’t think anyone would believe me.”
“I believe you. And Keaton will believe you.” Her words feel like a fist squeezing my heart and I sob a little harder.
“Speaking of Keaton. Do you care to explain the whole ‘wife’ situation?” Her lips tip up in a smirk and I can’t help but let out a small laugh. I tell her about the drunken wedding that took place with Keaton, the plane rides, the reconciliation, and how fucking in love I am with my husband.
“You have to tell him, Anna. You have to make him listen.”
I groan, “What if he doesn’t believe me? He hates me.”
“He does not hate you. That man loves you more than life itself.” She scoffs, “He would do anything for you. He’s just hurt and confused right now. Once he learns the truth, he will be kicking himself for all the hurt he’s caused you.”
I hope she’s right. I hope Keaton will believe me and help me fight Daniel. Maybe not in a way that lands him in jail this time. But I know he needs some time. So, I wait. I wait for him to want me back.
“Hey Anna,” Camden says in a tone that holds so much pity it has me wanting to find a shovel and bury my own grave.
“How is he, Cam?”
“He’s in a rough place right now,” Camden admits.
I can hear guitars and fiddles in the background, the loud voices, and the clanging of glasses.
Knowing he’s at Kalli’s, a part of me is crushed that I’ve driven him to drink the pain away.
Another part of me is terrified that he might find someone there to help him forget all about me.
I can’t help but sob into the phone, and the bleeding heart of the three brothers continues, “He just needs time, Anna. I have no doubt the two of you will work it all out. You’re meant to be together.
But for now, well, it may not be the worst idea to give him some space.
I called the local bed and breakfast, and they have a vacancy.
I’ve booked you a room there for the week. ”
I gulped. A whole week? A week away from Keaton? A week of him thinking the worst of me?
“Oh, okay. I understand. But all my things are at his place.”
“I know, and I can’t guarantee I can get everything, but I will get as much as I can and bring it to you as soon as I’m able. It may not be tonight though, so maybe you could stop at the dollar store and grab a few things? I can cover the cost.”
“You don’t need to do that, Cam. I got myself into this mess.”
“Anna, I highly suggest you let me start on the papers to file for a protective order. Keaton told us awhile back about the messages and the creepy ass gift. Then, with him showing up like he did at your place of employment, well, it should be enough for the judge to grant.”
I never imagined I would ever be in such a mess. In need of a lawyer. Filing a restraining order. Losing the love of my life.
“That sounds good, Camden. Thank you. For everything.”
“Hang in there, Anna.”
I’m curled up under the covers of my bed in the dark at Sheets & Sweets Bed and Breakfast. It really is the cutest little place and while I’d much rather be at home tucked into Keaton’s arms, I can’t help but be grateful Camden booked me a room here.
The cozy bed and breakfast has a total of four rooms, not including the owner’s suite, and the older woman I met when I checked in told me her boyfriend owns the place and makes the best breakfast spread across five counties.
While the grief has taken away my appetite, I smiled at her and promised to be down in the morning.
It took going to both the Dollar General stores in town to find an outfit in my size, along with the basics I needed until Cam could bring me some of my things.
Amanda was kind enough to haul me around and then drop me off here, making sure I made it to my room alright and giving me the hugest hug and prayer of hope before she headed home.
Her generosity and love made me realize how much I truly love it here in Cheatham and that just makes me hurt so much more. If I lose Keaton, I lose everything. My home. My job. My new friends. And the stranger I met who became the man I love.
My phone flashes, the only light illuminating the surprisingly spacious room, and I pick it up to see it’s just the people I needed.
Jasmine
Anna, we haven’t heard from you in a while. You alive?
Skyla
If not, I hear death by dick is a good way to go.
Anna
I fucked up, guys.
My phone rings immediately, “Hey, Sky.”
“What’s going on?”
The sobs start again, and I find it hard to breathe. I can’t seem to gain control of myself to calm down. “He…hates…me…”
“Who hates you?”
“Keaton.” I can’t control the tears any longer. Huge drops fall on my phone, my lap, and the beautiful handmade quilt on the bed.
“There’s no way,” Skyla insists. “I haven’t even met the man and know he is head over heels for you. What in the world could have happened for you to think he hates you?”
“Daniel showed up.”
“Shit. I’m on my way.” The call ends, and I glance back at my phone.
Jasmine
Seems unlikely. But how?
Penny
Are you okay, Sweetie?
Jasmine
Anna? Where did you go?
Anna
Sorry guys. Sky called.
Skyla
I sure did. I will land in Kentucky soon enough and together we’re going to tackle whatever the hell is going on. Mama Sky is on the way.
Jasmine
Mama Sky?
Skyla
Don’t hate on my nickname.
Penny
Literally nobody calls you that.
Skyla
Well they really should start.
Penny
How bad is it? Do we need to book flights, too?
Jasmine
If you need me there, Anna, you know I’ll be there. But I have a big contract I’m doing stuff for and it’s going to be difficult for me to miss. But I can. You let me know.
Anna
I’m going to be okay. Don’t worry about me. And Penny, you have to be there for your first grade babies, so you stay put, too. Honestly Sky, I’ll be alright. Nobody needs to make a special trip just for me.
Skyla
Who says this trip is just for you? I just read me a small town romance where the main male character had a pierced peen and I can’t wait to get to Kentucky and find myself one of those. Plus, I just so happen to love special trips.
Jasmine
You’re ridiculous.
Penny
But I need the title of that book.
Skyla
What do you know? I’m already headed to the airport now. See you soon, Anna Banana!
The first smile in hours starts to spread across my face.
Everything is going to be okay. My friend is going to be here soon to help make me feel better.
Camden is going to help me with my whole former boss situation.
And I’m going to find a chance to talk to my husband so that he can still love me.
My phone flashes in the dark and when I see Keaton’s name on the screen, butterflies begin to flutter in my chest. But those butterflies quickly become boulders as his drunken words weigh down my heart.
Keaton
you are so preety
Keaton
i love you so flucking much
Keaton
but nknowing that he know you that way hurts
Keaton
and i dont think i wanna love you nymore