Chapter 20
JOSIE
Kevin sees me from across the room as soon as he enters, and I instantly realize the most horrible thing...
He knew I would be in here even before he entered.
He came into The Oak for me.
Holy crap.
My heart immediately starts to beat wildly out of control. I feel adrenaline coursing through me as the man tilts his head in my direction.
I want to flee. I want to run far, far away from my ex.
But instead of doing any of that, I stand up from my table, my half-eaten croissant remaining on the table behind, and the leather briefcase containing Victor’s agreement perched on the seat beside me.
“What are you doing here, Kevin?” I ask my ex from across the room. It’s past midday, so there aren’t many customers in the coffee shop. I’m not making a scene, but I am making a point. I want him to know he can’t do this. He can’t rock up here and expect to intimidate me with his presence.
I’m stronger than that. I know I am, despite all the shit thrown at me.
To be honest, I’ve been expecting something like this to happen. Crystal River is a small town – you’re bound to run into everyone at some point.
I just never thought Kevin would actually try to hunt me down.
He approaches...
Kevin is a tall man. He always has been. His green eyes are unblinkingly staring at me. He’s wearing a stained t-shirt and jeans combo – probably the only clothing he has left. His brown, straight hair is in desperate need of a cut.
There are bags under his eyes. He’s clearly still spending sleepless nights behind his computer, stuck on some online gambling site pouring away the little money he has scraped together.
I was so, so foolish that I didn’t see his unhealthy obsession until it was too late...
“I want you back, Josie.”
His voice is a raspy whisper. He still hasn’t blinked. He’s stepping closer to me.
I take a step back.
“You don’t want me,” I reply, my voice a whisper too. “You need help, Kevin.”
“I don’t need help. I need you.”
I’m getting scared now. I look toward the counter. Amanda is nowhere to be seen. None of the other customers seem to have a clue as to what is going on. They can’t see the gravity of two lives being destroyed in front of them.
“You spent all our life savings,” I mutter. Tears are forming. I’ve been waiting to say that simple fact to him for a very long time. “You spent it all without telling me.”
And Kevin? What does he say to that?
He simply shrugs.
That’s all. That’s his big explanation. That’s all he can give me.
“I can win it all back,” he says. He’s pleading with me.
I shake my head. I’m feeling overwhelmed.
“Where did you go?” I ask him. “Where is the boy I fell in love with? Where did he disappear to? Where’s my Kevin?”
And he shrugs again.
“Are you ever going to repay me?” I ask feebly.
Kevin answers back at incredible speed.
“No. Never.”
And something starts to burn within me. A fire sparks inside my chest.
“I’m going to drag your ass through court,” I say. This time I am not whispering. This time I am not feeble.
And before my ex can answer or shrug at me, I walk away. I go straight past the counter and out the back – all the way to that same comforting alleyway where I hid Victor and where Kevin can’t follow.
I leave behind my half-eaten almond croissant.
But I don’t care.
I lean against the wall and silently pray that Kevin just... goes away.
I don’t know how long I lean there. Minutes, at least.
And finally, Amanda appears. She stands in the doorway leading back inside the coffee shop, a hand on her hip. I’m assuming Kevin has gone.
Amanda knows something’s up.
“What’s wrong?” she asks me.
“I can’t do this, Amanda,” I reply softly and slowly.
And then I finally start to cry.