Chapter 24 #2
“Just don’t ruin this for your sister,” he said with a disappointed huff. “Keep your bullshit in the background while you’re here, then take it with you when you leave.”
Someone approached, slapping him hard on the back—our old neighbor, maybe—yanking his glare off me. He should win a damn Oscar for how fast his face morphed into a wide, easygoing smile as he greeted the man with a laugh and hug.
Thankful for the interruption, I mumbled an excuse and bolted.
With no destination in mind, I wove through the familiar faces eyeing me with disgust and pity, anxious for a reprieve.
It was too much, the boisterous voices, bursts of laughter, plus the slightly too loud background music.
The combination grated on my nerves, making me desperate for a quiet moment, any space to fucking breathe and get my emotions back under control.
Hair shifting side to side from my frantic search, I swallowed a whimper when I caught the glowing red Exit sign in the back.
Already moving, I beelined toward the restaurant’s back door.
Not breaking stride, I slapped both palms to the metal release bar and shoved, sending the door flying open.
The cool evening air brushed against my heated cheeks, instantly soothing the fire burning beneath my skin.
After making sure I was alone, I staggered to the side and slumped back against the brick building, almost too exhausted to keep standing.
I was so mad at myself, so angry that I allowed his words to hit the way he intended. The last few months, I thought I’d grown stronger, healed in ways I’d never imagined, and then bam, he said a few lies and it was like I was still that same, small woman they’d turned me into.
At least now I knew they were lies, but the words zeroed in on my vulnerabilities and struck deep all the same.
Me being introverted and slightly socially awkward was an easy defect of mine for them to target.
They made me feel unlovable and weird because of it.
So what if I wasn’t the social party girl who everyone loved instantly?
Was that so fucking terrible? Did being reserved and needing quiet space to recharge make me boring and undesirable?
My hair snagged on the rough brick as I rolled the back of my head to stare up into the cloudy sky.
Why in the hell did I feel the need to come tonight, or even tomorrow? I’d done so much healing, and now it felt minuscule compared to how far I still had to go. Maybe this thing with Langston and West was too soon. I needed to figure my shit out on my own before I could be what they needed.
I wanted them, yes, but was I ready to be in a relationship?
“What are you doing out here?”
I startled at the voice, too lost in thought to hear the door crack open.
A concerned-looking Eric stepped out into the alley, carefully shutting the door behind him with a soft click.
Brows pinched tight, lips in a thin line, he actually seemed worried about me.
But the moment his blue eyes locked with mine, I saw the show for what it was.
“What are you doing out here?” he repeated. “I didn’t see you inside and got worried.”
Defenses up, I dipped my chin in a slow nod as I pushed off the brick and started inching toward the door, hoping to make a quick exit.
“One second you were talking to your dad—”
“Stepdad,” I grumbled.
His head tilted to the side. “The only dad you’ve ever known, right? Don’t be too hard on him. He’s a man who tried to be a good dad. He didn’t know how to relate to girls.”
My nose wrinkled at that. What the fuck is that bullshit about?
“But yeah, he can be a bit of a hard-ass,” he said with a chuckle.
I swallowed a curse when he leaned a shoulder against the wall, placing himself between me and the door.
Both hands shoved into the pockets of his pressed slacks, he gave me a slow once-over.
“I guess I understand you needing a break from all this. I’m sure being here, seeing me and Steph, is hard for you.
I know it is for me.” When I didn’t respond to his ridiculous assumption, he continued on.
“You’re different, you know. From when you left me. ”
“How?” I asked, very curious to hear his observations. It would probably end up being hilarious.
Again, he slowly slid his assessing gaze up and down.
A repulsed shiver raced up my spine at the desire that flamed in his gaze when he met mine.
“Well, your figure is back, that’s for sure.
” Leaning forward, he brushed a single digit along my thigh, but it was there and gone before I could say anything.
“And I have to guess if you’re keeping two guys happy, then you’ve realized what men need from their girlfriends.
That was always such a hard spot for us.
” I pressed my lips shut before a frustrated scream escaped.
“You just never wanted me like I needed; it was hard getting rejected all the time by you. That’s why I cheated, to finally be with someone who was as into me as I was her. ”
“You’re blaming me,” I deadpanned. “For you cheating on me.”
He sighed and reached out to touch my cheek, but I jerked away.
Lips in a tight line, he scanned my face.
“Well, yeah. If I would’ve been taken care of by the woman I was engaged to, then I wouldn’t have needed to find release somewhere else.
Men need sex, and you just didn’t want to be who I wanted you to be.
And of course, there’s the whole….” He winced.
“No one really likes you. They think you’re cold and not fun, which was hard to be around when everyone loves me. ”
My jaw went slack.
He had to be kidding right now.
Pushing off the wall, he came to stand directly in front of me, his loafers touching the toes of my wedge boots. “But I think you see the error, how you needed to change to be better. You understand what it means to be good in your role.”
“My role,” I whispered, barely able to get the words out around the angry tears that clogged my throat.
“Yeah, as a girlfriend, fiancée, wife. Which is why I wanted you to know I’d do it.”
“Do what?”
His condescending smile made my stomach churn. “Take you back.”
“You’re getting married tomorrow.” The disbelief in my tone could’ve been heard three towns over.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still see each other. I love you, Juno, but you just weren’t who I needed you to be. But now maybe you could be. Can’t you see what I’m doing here?”
“Talking nonsense?”
He pressed his hands to the brick on either side of my head. My heart leapt into my throat, feeling caged in. Panic filled my veins, making sweat slick the back of my neck, the need for escape clawing at me from the inside.
“I need you to step back,” I rasped. Palms to his chest, I shoved, but he barely shifted.
“I’m giving you another chance.” Inch by inch, he leaned closer. My spine sealed to the wall in my desperate attempt to put more distance between me and his approaching lips. “You should be grateful.”
I froze.
Grateful?
He wanted me to be grateful to be his sidepiece while he was married to my sister?
I’ll give him something to be grateful for.
All those self-defense training sessions had my body moving like it was second nature. Hands to his shoulders, I sidestepped just enough to get the right angle and sent my knee straight to his balls. His eyes went wide, mouth open on a silent yell as he stumbled back, clutching his crushed manhood.
I didn’t give him a second to recover, just like Oliver taught me. I cocked my fist back and swung it straight at his nose. The crunch of bone and gush of blood had an evil smile pulling at my lips before it turned into a wince at the pain.
Damn, that fucking hurt.
Cursing under my breath, I shook out my hand but kept my guard up in case he recovered and came after me. But before that could happen, the metal door swung open, allowing the noise from inside to pour out into the alley.
“What are you two doing out here?” Stephanie’s accusing tone echoed around us.
With a gasp, she rushed to Eric’s side. He was still bent over with one hand clutching his balls and the other around his nose to stop the blood from streaming out. Stroking a comforting hand up and down his spine, Stephanie turned a hateful glare on me. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Me?” I pointed at myself, shocked at the disdain dripping from her tone. “He’s the one who—”
“I don’t want to hear it, Juno. I don’t want to hear your lies,” she shouted.
Face flushed, eyes a little wild, she stepped toward me, making me flinch back.
Crazy Stephanie was slightly scary. “I should’ve known that you’d ruin this for me, for me and Eric.
” She pushed my shoulder hard, sending me stumbling backward.
My back collided with the brick, making me wince from the hard impact. “I cannot believe you.”
“Steph,” I rasped. “It’s not what you think.”
“You want to know what I think? I think you saw how happy I was and just couldn’t take it, so you lured him out here to try to get him back.”
My mouth hung open. “That is 100 percent not the case. I came out here to get some air—”
“I just wanted to make sure she was okay,” Eric said, words muffled. You know, from his probably broken nose. I smothered a grin knowing I did that. “And then she attacked me.”
“What the fuck?” I screeched. “You lying motherfucker. You offered for me to be your sidepiece.” I raised both brows at Stephanie while pointing at Eric. “He said—”
“Juno, I know there is no way he said that, because I know what he likes and needs, and you’re not that. He told me what a prude you are, so really, Juno, can you blame him for cheating on you?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Thankfully, the back door swung open once again, and this time it was a face I wanted to see.
Langston took in the scene before stepping to my side and pulling me against him. I buried my face in his chest while his hand cupped the back of my head, holding me gently.
“Did you do that damage, shortcake?”
My lips rubbed against his shirt as my smile grew. “I did.”
“Such a good girl.” His deep voice vibrated in his chest, helping soothe some of the pressure in mine.
“If he touched you, I’ll finish the job.
” Shifting back, I tilted my face up to his, finding green eyes focused only on me.
“You just say the word. It’s why I made sure my knife was in perfect condition today. ”
“You’re a psychopath,” Stephanie breathed. “Juno, you’re not safe with him.” The door opened again, and West stepped out. “Neither of them.”
Turning, I leaned back against Langston and shook my head.
“No, Stephanie, I’m not safe here. And you know what?
That’s okay, because I have no plans to ever return.
I wanted to warn you about the miserable life you’re signing yourself up for, to offer a way out, but you know what?
” I looked between her and Eric, sadness welling in my heart.
“You two deserve each other. Good luck with all that, and do not ever contact me again.”
Stepping out of Langston’s hold, I flipped them both the bird and stormed down the alley, headed toward the street.
It was time to leave Banks and never return.