Chapter 6 - Hazel
I left the house early in the morning, not wanting to run into Asher. I was still pissed about the dinner. I couldn’t believe how his father spoke and how Asher just seemed to ignore it. He didn’t even defend me, and that was what pissed me off the most.
I know that our marriage was fake and he had no real reason to stand up for me. But I figured he would. Everyone always said he stood up for them, that he was always there when they needed him.
I parked at the grocery store, deciding some time alone and out of the house was the best idea. It was that or smash some of his framed pictures, but I thought that was a low blow.
I grabbed a shopping cart and headed inside. The double doors swung open, and I took in the quiet space. The store was always calm early in the morning. You had the other early birds who shopped, and the employees who were also in a good mood.
I went into the fresh produce section and took my time looking through the fruit. I grabbed some apples and a package of berries. I made my way to the wall of fresh vegetables and grabbed carrots and celery. I listened to the soft music that played and hummed along as I walked.
I pushed my cart down the aisle and went to the bread. I grabbed some buns and noticed they had fresh cookies out. I knew that I was going to stop at Gabriella’s place, and she absolutely loved the monster cookies they made here. I’d seen her eat an entire package in one sitting.
I smiled, fiddling with which one I wanted. I then heard my phone vibrate, and I pulled it free. I smirked, answering it. “It’s like you knew I was holding monster cookies in my hand.”
Gabriella laughed on the other end. “Are you at the grocery store? Do they have those cookies I like?”
“I am.” I placed a package into my cart. “I decided we needed groceries.”
“I’m glad I called then. Would you mind picking some stuff up for Westley and me? I forgot I was supposed to bring lunches for the guys today. And I can’t let Westley know I forgot, so I’m in a pickle.”
I chuckled, knowing that she had a lot on her plate. “What were you wanting me to pick up?”
“Stuff to make sandwiches, chips, cookies, and something to drink. I’ll take whatever you grab.”
“Yeah, I can do that.” I grabbed three more containers of cookies and placed them into the cart. “Anything else?”
“No. That should be enough for them to eat. Speaking of food, are we still on for dinner tonight? I was so excited about dinner that I forgot about lunch.”
“Oh yeah, I’m still doing dinner.”
I pushed the cart down the next aisle and headed toward the meat in the back. Gabriella went on about how busy she and the others were with keeping the barrier up.
A spark of jealousy bloomed every time she spoke about it. I ached to have that feeling, to be able to use magic again. I missed the way it warmed me, and the way I could twirl it around my fingers. It felt right.
“Well, I have to go,” I said, getting to the meat department. “I’ll chat with you tonight.” I hung up before she could say anything and stuffed my phone into my purse. I went for the sliced meat, deciding to get them some turkey and rye.
I noticed two people standing to pick up their meat. My entire body froze as I realized it was Jasmine and Rachael. Jasmine was a stay-at-home mom who used her free time to make me feel less. Rachael was a realtor who made it impossible for Gabriella and me to get anywhere.
We met Rachael when Jade was helping us move in. She had seemed nice at first, telling us she was here for anything we needed and to let her know. We did. We thought we could trust her because Jade seemed to like her.
But we were wrong. It became very clear she wasn’t there to help us. She was just there to make it seem like she cared.
“So, have you heard about Hazel and Asher?” Jasmine turned to Rachael, her eyes sparkling with glee.
“I did. I pity him.” Rachael shook her head. “He deserves so much better than that woman.”
“Rumor is he was forced to marry her.” Jasmine made a snarky face, a giggle in her voice. “Must be true because they did it at the courthouse. They didn’t even have a real wedding. It was just a couple of people who watched. His parents did not look pleased.”
Rachael shook her head. “He was asking about purchasing a house just last week. I felt a little back because he was renting this beautiful two-bedroom loft with tons of space, and he gave it up for this crummy little house.” Rachael leaned closer, dropping her voice.
“I think he was smart to buy the small place. I don’t think he wanted her to fight when they get divorced, and somehow get her hands on it.
I give it a few months before he moves back into his loft. ”
Jasmine clicked her tongue. “Pity. What house did he buy?”
Rachael scrunched up her nose. “That little house on East Fern. It’s nothing special. He was actually the one who brought up looking at it. He didn’t seem to want anything big or fancy. Which is why I think he did it on purpose.”
Jasmine laughed. “I’m sure it’s nicer than anything she could afford.”
Rachael nodded in agreement. “I’m sure it’s all because of her sister.
How else would he have married her? We know it’s not because of looks.
Have you seen her? And the clothes she wears?
For someone as big as she is, she should be covering up more, not wearing clothes like a stripper.
I’ve seen her working at the bar, and let me tell you, there was no modesty to her. ”
It was like someone was taking a knife and stabbing it into my heart over and over again.
I stood just a few feet behind them, listening as they went on about us.
Anger burned in the back of my throat, thinking of all the times Rachael gave us that fake smile and told us something better would come along.
It never did. And when we wanted to look at something nicer, it was conveniently already purchased.
I could still remember that one day, I had had enough and snapped.
I told her she either showed us the house we wanted to see or we would find someone else more willing.
That was when the mask slipped, and she smirked that little vixen smirk.
“You don’t get it. I’m the only one who’s willing to work with you.
You can try to find someone else, but no one will help you because you’re less.
You’re no one, and the sooner you realize that and accept what I’m giving you, the less of my time you’ll waste. ”
We stopped looking. Gabriella and I stopped trying to find anything better after that. We just accepted it.
I cleared my throat, and both of them turned. But they didn’t look shocked to see me or embarrassed that I might have heard them. They just smiled. “Morning, Hazel. I didn’t realize you shopped early like this.”
I bit hard on my tongue. “It’s quiet this time of day.”
“It is,” Jasmine said, looking at the person handing her cut meat. She turned and placed her meat in her cart, but not before looking into mine. I knew right away she was eyeing up the cookies and looked at Rachael for a split second before looking back at me.
“Well, I have to run.” Jasmine started leaving, pushing her cart. Rachael gave me another fake smile.
“How have you been? How is married life?”
“It’s fine,” I said, not giving her any details she could use against me. “You don’t need to act nice. I know the type of person you are.”
Rachael’s smile slipped. I watched her fingers tighten on the cart before she smirked. “You really don’t get it, do you? You’re getting things that you just don’t deserve.”
I felt my face growing hot as she pulled her hands free, taking a few steps toward me.
“You and your sister both are just leeches that are sucking off Belrose and the people in it. You can try and act as if you belong, wear these slutty clothes, but deep down…” She stopped in front of me. “You know where you belong.”
I felt a hand wrap around my waist, and Rachael stepped back, slamming into her cart. The cart moved back, the corner hitting the glass display case. The sound was loud, and she went red with embarrassment. “Asher.”
I looked up, realizing he had wrapped his arm around me, his face calm and collected. I wonder if he heard anything she said, but there was no way he hadn’t.
“Rachael.”
She tried to collect herself, smacking a smile onto her face. “How have you been? Are you loving the house? Is it everything you wanted?”
Asher’s face remained the same, and I suddenly could see just how much he looked like his father in that moment. You couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but it wasn’t good. I could see the anger building in his eyes.
“Did I just hear you threatening my wife?” His voice came out low, almost a whisper.
Rachael shook her head and started to sputter. “No, no. You didn’t. No, I…I..I wasn’t threatening her.”
“Then what were you doing?” He asked, his head tilted slightly to the right now. His eyes narrowed on her.
“I was just…” She didn’t know how to finish the sentence because, in the end, she would be lying. “I was just saying she knows where she belongs. She belongs here. In this pack.”
Asher’s fingers tighten on my side, and he clicks his tongue.
“That is exactly right. She belongs in this pack, and if I catch word that you’re bothering her again, trying to tell her otherwise, I’ll be sure to slip this tidbit of information to Jade.
I’m sure she could find a realtor who is eager to step into your shoes. ”
Rachael’s face went red, and she grabbed her cart, pushing it away. I took a breath in, feeling his hand slide free. He stepped out of my space and sighed. “Well, I have great timing.”
I frowned, angry now. I had so many questions. “Why are you here?”
He frowned. “Westley called me and asked if I could grab lunches for him. He said he was pretty sure Gabriella forgot and figured he would bring them himself.”
“I was getting the lunches for her, and I had everything under control.”
He frowned. “Why are you getting short with me?”
“Because you don’t know how to stay out of my business,” I snapped.
He looked confused now. “I don’t understand. Because yesterday, I was a coward and an asshole because I didn’t stick up for you, and now that I have, I don’t know how to stay out of your business. Which is it, Hazel?”
I curled my hands around the cart. “Leave me alone, Asher!”
I pushed the cart away, feeling angry at the world. But I could hear his footsteps following me.
“Hazel, you are not going just to storm off every time we have a conversation.”
I ignored him and headed to the checkout. I hated how he followed me by just a step behind. I checked out, moving as quickly as I could. I glared at him every few items, waiting for him to give up and go away. But he didn’t. He just stood there and watched.
He grabbed the bags before I could, and I curled my hands into fists. “Would you just leave?”
“No.”
I turned and marched out, him following just behind me. I wished I hadn’t walked to the grocery store once outside. I headed down the sidewalk.
I stopped after a few yards and turned to him. “Why? Why are you doing this?” I threw my arms out. “What exactly are you getting out of this?”
“I’m being nice.”
I laughed. “Oh yeah. You’re so nice in front of everyone else, but when it matters the most, you decide to just let shit happen.”
“That is not true.”
“Oh, but it is.” I moved closer to him. “You said nothing while at dinner with your parents, but you had to appear caring in front of the girls. You don’t actually care about me or what goes on in my life.”
“Jesus, do you have to think everyone is out to get you? You can’t accept that maybe there are people in this world who actually care?”
I stared at him, aching to hit him. I turned and continued to march down the sidewalk. His footsteps followed.
“I understand you have it rough, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get along. I’m not out to hurt you or to make your life harder. I want to help, believe it or not.”
“You’re only doing all of this because you were asked!” I snapped and turned back to him. “We shouldn’t have even gotten married. None of this should be happening.”
His face fell, and he frowned. He seemed to freeze on what to say before he shrugged. “Well, there is no point in dwelling on the past. We can’t change it. So, might as well move forward. You might as well accept that I’m here to stay.”
I hated how easily he said it, as if it were just another thing. But it wasn’t that simple.
I turned and continued to walk. I didn’t want to fight with him because I felt like I’d been fighting forever.