Chapter Twenty-Six #2
Iwas so happy last night, even with some conflicted thoughts about Rocket.
What was more perfect than being in his arms?
Nothing. Why did it feel so right? Caroline’s comment was bugging me still.
We might complete each other? What if this is just a rebound?
What if it feels so perfect right now because I’m coming from a place of misery and heartbreak?
What if what we’re feeling right now implodes dramatically, and leaves us both even more broken than we were before?
What if this is all like a false start, because we’re both so desperate for something real, and we’re forcing it into a slot, without conscious thought about whether we’re right for each other, or even compatible?
I was torn up inside, wanting to run back to Rocket, and tell him I was falling for him too, but what if those feelings changed in a week or so, and if we’d just stayed quiet about them, it wouldn’t hurt so much?
Probably ridiculous, right? Of course it’ll hurt like hell.
I could see myself being with him, like long term, maybe even for life, but what if he was the kind of guy to fall in and out of love easily?
He’d said his last relationship went badly, but I didn’t know the details.
What if he’d fallen out of love, and it had blown up in his face?
My phone was buzzing in my pocket again, and I ignored it, because it was one of three people, and I had no idea what to say to any of them.
For Rocket, I didn’t know how not to hurt him further, while I sorted through my feelings.
For Caroline, I was mad at her, which was totally unfair to her, because she didn’t mean to put this pressure on us.
She was being sweet. She was being Caroline.
Supporting me when I needed it, and maybe when I didn’t.
The third person it could be, the most likely, the most unwanted, was that asshole Ted, who’d tried phoning me five times now today. It was the worst time for him to suddenly start badgering me, because my feelings were all over the place, and he was complicating everything.
A text message pinged, and I groaned, digging the phone out.
Asshole: Please, V. We need to talk. I made a mistake.
Jesus fuck, was he really going to try and talk me around, like he thought I’d suddenly forgive his cheating and betrayal?
Me: Get fucked. I should have blocked you long ago. Today’s that day.
I blocked his number, already feeling a sense of peace washing over me at the decision I should have made long ago. Why didn’t I? Did I really think there was any possible outcome other than it being over?
I morosely dealt with several walk ins, even having to treat one myself; a sweet little kitten who had a cut paw, but none of it busied my mind enough.
When I stepped back into the reception to relieve the practice nurse, who’d covered for a few minutes before leaving, I was horrified to see a familiar figure standing in the waiting room. How the fuck did he find me here?
Ted turned, pushing his floppy dark hair out of his eyes, and smiling at me, like he had a right to even fucking breathe in my presence.
“I said stay away from me.”
He tucked his hands in his pockets, moving closer to me, even though I was desperate to keep him away.
It wasn’t because I thought I’d let him in, or forgive him.
It was because I’d probably re-insert his balls inside him, and that’d probably get me arrested.
Who knows, maybe it would be worth it either way.
“Why are you coming closer? That way lies incredible pain for you, Ted.”
Gina waved at me from the reception desk, pointing at her watch to remind me she was fifteen minutes late leaving.
“Sorry. Don’t suppose you want to take out the trash, do you?”
She laughed, grabbing her bag and disappearing while she could, and I retook my seat at the reception, glaring at Ted and pointing aggressively at the door.
“The door’s thataway, Ted, so fuck off through it.”
“You were always a little acidic, Victoria. Maybe that’s why I felt the need to look elsewhere for love and affection.” My god! Was he really here just to retrieve the knife he left in my back, after he twisted it a few more times?
“Leave. I don’t want you here. I don’t want you.”
He leaned on the counter, reaching for my hand, but I pulled it back, out of his way.
“Baby, we were good together. I’m trying here, but you have to meet me halfway. This could be something special. You, me, and the baby we’ll make. Together.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Gee, when you put it like that, why wouldn’t I get back with you? You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”
I’d missed the sound of heavy boots coming in the door, but the stricken look on Rocket’s face would haunt me for the rest of my fucking life. He spun on his heel, and walked back out, not even giving me a chance to point out that I was being sarcastic, and had been trying to get rid of Ted.
“FUCK! I need to go after him!” I grabbed the phone to let Carly, the boss, know that I had to close up for five minutes, but Ted stopped me, his hand on mine making my flesh crawl.
“Who’s he? Some bit of rough you’ve been whoring yourself out to?”
I slammed the phone back down and did my best impression of Rocket, slamming my fist right into Ted’s smug face. My fingers erupted in agony and I stepped back, cradling them in my uninjured hand, as pain had me gasping in short breaths.
Ted rubbed his hand over his jaw, checking his lips for blood.
“Knew you were a fucking bitch. I was right to look elsewhere. I was going to give you a chance to make up for everything, and be with me again.”
I blinked back the burning tears as I heard Rocket’s motorcycle roar away, even though I’d missed hearing it arrive. I should be running after him, but I’d already missed my chance, and this fucker was still here.
“GET OUT! Leave me ALONE!” I screamed at Ted, which brought Carly running.
“Okay, whoever you are, get out before I call the police. Oh god, V, what did he do to you?”
Ted tried getting close again.
“Baby, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Let me take you to get that checked out.” He was giving me whiplash here. Being an asshole one second, and turning on the charm in the next.
“Go away,” I gasped out, letting the tears loose at last, because my hand was throbbing like it was on fire. I’d never punched a person like that before, but clearly I didn’t get it right.
He’d hurt Rocket though, and for that, I’d break every last part of him.
“I will kick your balls right back up inside you!” I sobbed out, as Carly turned my hand over with a light touch, shaking her head.
“Please, baby. I was wrong. It’s you and me. It’s always been you and me!”
“Please,” I sobbed to Carly, “make him leave.”
“I need to get you to the hospital, V. I think something’s broken, but I’m too wary of manipulating the joints.”
She pressed on something, probably with the force of a butterfly wing, and I yelped, wrenching my hand back.
“Go back to your bitch… and your baby!”
Ted shook his head. “It… it’s not my baby, she’s a fucking whore. You were the right one all along, baby, I was just too blind to see it.”
Carly nudged me back into my seat, and turned to glare at Ted, and although she was about a foot and a half shorter than him, she was in her early fifties, and had that schoolteacher voice that made people crap themselves.
“I’ll count to three, and if you’re still here, I’m detaining you until the police arrive!”