22 The Test #2
So Jack had changed. For me. Maybe. Or maybe I had just been the catalyst and there were lots of other factors.
But what did it matter? The important thing was that he’d tried to change.
And I had dillydallied for so long, unable to decide between him and Monty.
I felt like a fool. Of course, he was the one I wanted to be with. I needed to make it up to him somehow.
When I got home, I felt a timid smile on my face as I found Mike, looking a little less depressed, sitting in the armchair and watching TV with Sue. Naya and Will were curled up together, and Jack was alone on the other couch.
“Back after a long, hard day at the grindstone?” Jack asked.
I dropped my bag, and even though Jack had scooted over to make room beside him, I sat down in his lap.
He raised his eyebrows, and I surprised him even more when I touched his cheek and kissed him on the lips.
I wasn’t used to showing my feelings in public, but that was going to change, I told myself.
Because I knew he liked it. And I think I did, too; it was just that it embarrassed me.
I would get used to it, I told myself. I would do it for him.
“I guess you missed me?” he asked.
“Something like that,” I responded.
Everyone around us pretended they weren’t paying attention except for Sue, who made a throwing-up gesture, and Mike, who was laughing. Jack was obviously happy with all the attention, but after a third peck, he looked confused and asked me, “Jen, are you all right?”
I nodded and said, “Yeah. I was wondering if you could come help me pick out some pajamas, though.”
“I’ll give it a try,” he responded with a grin. “But who knows if I’ll be able to find them.”
Looking him in the eye, I reached out a hand and he grabbed it, seeming to finally understand. He smiled and sprang off the couch. And once we were in the hallway, he rested a hand on the small of my back as he guided me back to his room.
When we returned an hour later to have dinner with the rest of the group, Will asked mockingly whether I’d found my pajamas.
I blushed. Obviously everyone was perfectly aware of what we’d just been doing.
They had ordered delivery, and as I sank my teeth into my burger, I realized how hungry I’d been.
Naya’s home renovation show was on and I watched, engrossed.
I’m sad to say I’d gotten addicted to it.
My phone buzzed now and then as my sister sent me photos of Owen and asked how I was doing.
I wrote her back, curled up under Jack’s arm.
I felt an electric charge as he casually caressed my shoulder.
Monty’s face reappeared on my phone screen, I sent it to voicemail, and he called again. Jack’s hand stopped moving, and when I looked up, I saw he’d noticed.
“Is he still bothering you?” he asked.
Fortunately no one else seemed to have heard him. I was grateful that he could be so respectful in these moments.
“A little,” I admitted. “But don’t worry. I can handle it.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure you can,” he said. “There are some people who can’t be handled. I know you’re a tough girl, but this isn’t your responsibility. You should get in touch with the police.”
“I don’t want him to be arrested, though.”
“Then let me do something,” he said.
“I didn’t realize you were a bodyguard for hire,” I joked. But since he didn’t think it was funny, I tried to reassure him, “He’ll get over it. He’ll find some other girl to bother and he’ll leave me in peace.”
Almost offended, Ross shook his head and said, “Jen, you’re not the kind of girl someone can just forget.”
I was surprised by how frankly he’d come out with that. He went on. “If you ever, ever feel unsafe, promise me you’ll let me know. And call the police.”
“I will.”
“Promise me, Jen.”
“I promise.”
“Good. OK. Good.”
The next morning, I was studying like crazy for a test. I even skipped my usual run. I felt bad about it because it was part of my routine now, and I missed it. How proud Spencer would have been if he’d known.
Jack and Will had said they were going to get me a cake to celebrate my good grade.
I wasn’t so confident. I read and reread my underlines in my book and seemed immediately to forget them.
But when I sat down for the exam, it all came back to me, and I aced it!
When I walked out the door of the department, I found them there waiting for me.
I had intentionally pretended to be upset to get Jack to come over and console me.
When they saw me, Will nudged him and he came over and wrapped me in a bear hug, saying, “If you want, we’ll go up there and threaten your professor until he changes your grade. ”
“No need,” I said, laughing. “I aced it! I just wanted to see how you’d act. Congratulations, you passed the test!”
On the way home, I told them to drop me off at the supermarket so I could buy some beers. I was in such a good mood as I walked there that I didn’t notice a car I knew very well in the lot in front of the store. At least not until Monty grabbed my arm, stopping me in my tracks.
“Surprise, surprise,” he said in a nasty tone. “I see you’re still alive.”
Oh no. Not again. Please, no.
I tried to tell myself this was a nightmare. That I could blink and open my eyes and he’d be gone. But he was real. He was back, with no warning. And I was scared. My ribs stung, as if remembering the time he’d battered them.
“I’m going to call the police,” I warned him, but when I felt my pocket, my phone wasn’t there.
It must have slipped out in the car. Looking over at the door to the supermarket, I told myself I couldn’t run there in time.
I’d have to hold him off until somebody walked past and I could ask for help.
The streets were empty, though. Please, God, someone come help me!
Monty grabbed my shoulder, digging his finger into my collarbone. “What are you going to tell the police?” he asked. “That I came to see my girlfriend because I was worried about her, because she wouldn’t answer my calls or messages? That’s not a crime, Jenna.”
“I’ve got a restraining order, Monty. You’re breaking the law right now. This isn’t a game anymore.”
“You think I give a shit about a restraining order? Besides, it doesn’t matter. If you’ll just listen to me and see how I feel about you, I know you’ll come back with me.”
“I’m never getting back with you, Monty, and there’s nothing to talk about. And if you don’t let me go, I’m calling the cops.”
He started tugging me off toward his car, and as I shouted for him to let me go, he told me, “Screw that. You’re going to get in my car, you and I are going to finally fuck again, like we should have when all the trouble first started, and you’re going to forget all this bullshit.”
“Monty, I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last man on earth. You’re not my boyfriend. You’re nobody to me. Let me go right now!”
“No! You listen, bitch! I told you to get in the damn car!”
“I’m not getting in the car, I don’t want to talk to you, and I don’t want you to ever come near me again!
” I shouted. Trying to get hold of myself, I went on.
“How many times do I have to tell you to leave me the hell alone? Is a restraining order not enough for you to get it through that thick head of yours? What else do you want?”
My heart was racing from the fear. I prayed for someone, anyone, to come rescue me. I looked at him and wondered what I would do if he tried to get me in his car. Punch him in the throat? Kick him in the balls? But I didn’t want it to come to that. And what would I do if I missed?
He wrapped both his arms around me and lifted me up, carrying me toward his car.
I thought that would be enough for someone to jump in, but the one or two people who walked by just pretended we weren’t there.
A switch flipped in me, and I stomped on his foot as hard as I could.
When he stumbled, I broke away. He yelped and leaned back against his car.
“Who in the hell do you think you…?”
“You listen here, you moron. You will not touch me again. You will not hit me again. And if you even try, there’ll be hell to pay.” I spoke so angrily I surprised even myself. Monty needed a few seconds to recover from the shock.
“I barely hit you, you bitch. And trust me, that was nothing compared to the emotional damage you’ve done to me.”
Almost crying, I shouted, “How in the hell could I have wasted four months of my life with you?”
“I was the best thing that ever happened to you,” he said. “And you’re going to learn to appreciate me. I’ll be damned if I’m going to let you keep treating me like trash after all I’ve done for you.”
I stumbled backward and felt a pair of arms holding me.
Jack. He’d appeared from out of nowhere.
He pushed past me and grabbed Monty by the neck, slamming him against his car like he’d done it a thousand times.
He didn’t even break a sweat. Monty’s aggression had turned into panic. “Let me go,” he shouted, “or I’ll…”
“Get her out of here and call the cops,” Jack said. I didn’t understand what he meant until I realized Will was there, too. He put a hand on my shoulder gently and told me to go with him.
But I was reluctant to turn away. I was still scared of what Monty might do.
Ignoring me, Jack said, “Will, please,” and Will threw me over his shoulder and took off toward the apartment.
I couldn’t see a thing, and I kicked and screamed trying to get down.
He didn’t stop till we’d reached the elevator in the lobby.
“Dammit, Will, go back there now!” I shouted. “You just left your best friend with a maniac! Are you not scared?”
“Not in the least,” he said calmly. “Ross knows exactly what he’s doing.”
Sue and Mike looked surprised when we entered. Will shoved me into the apartment, then shut the door behind me. I was trembling from head to toe.