9. Lilly
Lilly
FEB. 13TH - THURSDAY
“ O h shoot! I forgot my coffee in the car. I'll be right back!"
Lie. I didn't forget anything. I just needed an escape. The entire drive to Aaron's office, I made a plan to get myself out of there before Brett could turn up again.
The coffee shop Caleb stopped at for me made for the perfect excuse. Plus, sitting in the backseat, neither of the twins would really notice if I left my cup, or if they did, they probably assumed I finished it.
Nope. That beautiful ice-cold cup of caramel iced coffee is my escape plan.
Dean frowns slightly, but I kiss the lines away and wiggle my fingers at Aaron and Caleb. Not before I have to show them I have my phone on me still, though. They don't like me veering off alone, especially in downtown Minneapolis. It's mid-day on a Thursday, not much might happen. But Caleb parked us in the parking garage and well, we've all seen scary movies.
"Call me when you get down there, okay?"
I roll my eyes at Aaron. "Yes, daddy." He grumbles and I giggle my way out of his office.
Sadness descends on my shoulders as soon as I'm out of their presence. Women and men alike smile at me in the halls and hold doors open for me as I make my way to the garage. If it weren't for one person, I would be absolutely thrilled to come visit my partner at work all the time.
Giving a strained smile to the last woman to leave the elevator, I slump immediately after the doors closes. Alone in this place makes my thoughts swirl with horrific what-ifs that I just can't seem to shake. Like what if ? —
The doors open to the concrete garage and with the slight anxiety of being a woman alone in a basement, comes the last voice I ever want to hear. "Lilly. What are you doing down here?" I stiffen, despising the way he makes me feel dirty with my mom jeans and puffy jacket. "Alone..."
I gulp, my palms turning sticky with sweat. There's nowhere for me to go. I'm stuck in the elevator, and Brett's holding the door open. When he steps inside, my knees lock and my neck cramps with the tension zapping through my body.
"Did you corner me here just to tease me?"
What?! My eyes, that I didn't know dropped, snap up to meet his. "N-No. I forgot so?—"
"Of course you did," he cuts me off with a sympathetic smile. One foot steps over the threshold of the elevator, then the other. I can't breathe. "Why are you doing this, Lilly?"
"What?" I croak, eyeing the space between us and the doors snapping closed behind him. He doesn't press a button to get us moving, and I can't reach them without passing him. I'm stuck. Stuck with a fucking crazy man.
"You know..." he drawls, encroaching on my space. Two feet separate us, but it might as well be centimeters for how terrified I am. "This little act is going to get you into trouble."
"What?" I repeat like a damn broken record.
His sleazy gaze hardens, making my stomach squeamish. "Trouble, Lilly." The elevator starts to ascend, making me gasp in relief. "If you don't stop teasing me, I'm gonna have to act on it."
I—what?!
Brett sighs like I'm a petulant child. "You're playing with fire, and don't think for one second you aren't gonna get my brand."
With those parting threats, Brett saunters out of the elevator. It's not even his office floor, but he's gone, and I'm left with an overwhelming stench of someone’s lunch entering the small box and avoidant looks.
I don't even know where I am or what I should do.
There's no way I've been teasing Brett intentionally. People always say women ask for it and I've never once believed that to be true. But… is it? Did I actually fucking cause this unwanted attention? How do I make him stop without it seeming like I want more attention?
Oh god . Do my guys see it too? Am I being too much? Showing too much? Trying too hard? I was alone. I didn't think it would be considered an invitation.
Fuck. Is that why Dean was frowning at me?
The shrill sound of my phone ringing startles me so much I run out of the elevator doors, only to find myself back in the garage.
With shaky hands, I answer the call while studying my surroundings. "H-hello?"
"Lilly?" Aaron's voice sounds alarmed, but it has nothing on my own terror and shame. "You didn't call? Where are you? Are you okay?"
Does he not trust me?
"I-I don't feel good." It's not necessarily a lie because I could totally throw up. "I'm just gonna sit in the car until D and Caleb are ready to go."
"Oh, my love..." he coos and tears prick my eyes.
I apologize, the wobble of my voice only serving to make me feel worse. "I can come back—" Caleb's car comes into view so I fish the key fob out of my jacket and unlock the doors.
"No, Lilly. They're coming to take you home. You rest. Do you want me to come home?"
The reception in the garage is spotty, but I catch enough to understand what he's saying. More guilt makes my stomach churn. "No. Goodness no. I'm sorry Aaron. You work. Have a good day and by the time you get home tonight, I'll be all better."
"Lilly..." He sighs as I curl onto my side in the back seat and lock the doors again. "I love you."
A tear slips past my eyelashes. "I love you too."
"I'll see you at home," he murmurs, sounding a little pained.
My jaw works, and my throat convulses around the sob in my throat. "Have a good day. See you at home."
He will have a good day without me there.