Chapter 42
FORTY-TWO
My feet moved as fast as possible as I rushed through the parking garage, desperate to get to the stadium. Now that I’d decided to tell Damien I wanted to be with him, I wasn’t about to waste a single moment. We’d already missed out on too much time because of my stubbornness.
As I pulled my keys out of my purse, I ran my shaking hands down the lines of Damien’s jersey, hopeful he’d still want to see me in it.
The last time I’d worn it, it was before his injury, and I hadn’t touched it since.
Ollie tried to loan me one of her sleek designer dresses, but this seemed the most fitting thing to wear when I admitted I loved him.
Even if Damien never wore his jersey again, I wanted to stand by his side, to be the one to make him smile.
He’d spent so much time proving his love to me, and now, it was my turn.
He’d gone through so much, but his love for me never wavered, and he’d spent all his free time showing me how much he cared.
If it took the rest of my life, I’d make it up to him, prove I loved him just as much.
As I walked up to my car, I unlocked the doors.
But before I could climb in, my name echoed across the parking garage.
Turning around, I frowned, finding Todd walking toward me.
Despite his immaculate tuxedo, his demeanor seemed off.
His dark blond hair was disheveled, his eyes bloodshot and rimmed red.
Concern made my stomach drop as I walked closer to him.
“Todd?” I asked, my voice echoing off the concrete walls. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong?” He scoffed, swaying a little on his feet. When he came closer, the heavy scent of tequila clogged my senses, making my eyes water. “Everything, Bri.”
I stepped back, holding out my hands to keep the distance between us.
Todd wasn’t like this. He’d drink socially when we were together, but he seldom drank at home and never to this level.
It made anxiety twist through my gut, and I glanced over my shoulder, hoping to see anyone else around.
But it was a Friday night, and most people were out or already tucked away at home. We were the only ones around.
I shook my head. “You should go, Todd. Get cleaned up. You’re getting married in an hour.”
He chuckled, but the sound held little humor. “No, I’m not. The wedding is off.”
“What are you talking about?”
He stepped closer and tried to place his hands on my neck, but I stepped back, glad I’d exchanged my heels for sneakers.
Being around Todd right now was like being trapped with a stranger, one who reeked of anger and despair.
His eyes narrowed at me. “I called the fucking wedding off, Bri. Because of you.”
“Me?” I sucked in a labored breath. “What does any of this have to do with me?”
Todd shook his head. “I fucked up, Bri. Our marriage—you—were perfect. And then I got bored and thought Emily was better for me.” He leaned down, flicking my hair over my shoulder. “But she could never be you.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Why not?” Todd hissed. “You and I both know we belong together. Fuck, even your family knows. Why do you think your mother kept inviting me around? It was only a matter of time.”
I shook my head and took a large step away from him.
My back collided with the trunk of my car, and panic made my heart jump.
I tucked the keys into my hand, wishing I’d gotten out here a few minutes earlier.
I should have been with Damien, safely tucked against his chest. Instead, I was stuck here, trying to get away from my drunk ex-husband while he waxed on about our ‘perfect’ marriage.
When Todd tried to touch me again, I slapped his hand away. “Don’t. We’re done, our marriage is over. If there’s anyone you should talk to, it’s Emily, not me.”
“Don’t say that,” he whined. “It’s you and me, Bri. Always and forever.”
He leaned forward and took my hips in his hands, dragging me against his wobbling frame. Nausea rushed through me, and I fought back, pushing and shoving to get away.
“Is that how you like it?” he whispered in my ear. “You want to fight me? Want me to work for it? I’ll do it—I’ll do anything to have you again.”
“Todd, stop,” I shrieked, trying to get his hands off me. Every place he touched stung, and I twisted, trying to get away, but he dug in harder, to the point of pain. I clawed at him. “Get off me.”
“Not until you admit it. Not until you say you want me back. We both know you do. You’re mine, Brianna. My wife.”
“No,” I cried out, pushing him away with all my might. Todd stumbled back, anger replacing the sadness in his eyes. My chest pounded with fear, hating the unease that slithered through me under his glare. I fought past it, steadying my breath. “We’re done, Todd. You need to move on.”
“Like you did?” He menacingly inched forward. “Yeah, I heard all about you and Damien Ramos.” Todd’s hand snapped out, gripping my chin between his fingers. “Did you fuck him, Bri? Did you let him touch you?”
“That’s none of your business,” I bit back, baring my teeth. After everything Todd put me through, he had the nerve to question me? That made the fear sharpen into anger, something darker and more dangerous rushing through my system.
But Todd’s gaze held the same fury. “You are my fucking business.”
“Not anymore.”
A shout came from the other side of the lot, and Todd turned, loosening his grip enough for me to shift slightly.
I twisted quickly, lifting my knee so it collided with his balls.
Todd let out a pained groan as his hands fell away, clutching himself as he crumpled to the ground.
A security guard from the building rushed over, holding out his flashlight.
He walked over to me first, checking me over. “Ma’am, are you alright?”
“No,” I wheezed. “That’s my ex-husband, and he attacked me. Please call someone for help.”
He muttered something into his radio, and I turned back toward my car.
I’d probably need to talk to someone about what happened, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it right now, not when I could still feel Todd’s fingers digging into my flesh.
I didn’t spare him a second glance as I darted around my car and wrenched the door open.
Once I got inside, I glanced at the rearview mirror, checking to make sure Todd was out of my way before shifting the car into reverse and speeding out of the lot.
It took five blocks for my breathing to level out, for my heart to stop hammering in my chest. Flashing blue and red lights passed me, and I had to wonder if they were going after Todd. My hands shook on the steering wheel, but I kept moving, not wanting to see my ex-husband ever again.
As I rushed through the city, my phone rang through the car’s radio, and Ollie’s name flashed across the dashboard.
My fingers shook as I pressed answer. My best friend’s voice instantly rushed out, “Brianna, tell me you’re okay.
The security guard just called, said there was an issue in the parking lot. ”
“I’m okay,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Todd came to talk to me, and it didn’t go well. He tried to grab me—”
“That motherfucker,” she hissed. “I hope you knocked him on his ass.”
“I did,” I answered. “The last I saw, he was rolling around the ground, clutching his pathetic balls.”
“That’s my girl,” Ollie said. “The guard said they were calling the police to take care of the situation, but just in case, find somewhere else to stay tonight.”
“Already on it.” I sighed. “I’m heading to Damien’s. He…” I exhaled slowly, letting the thought of him soothe me. “He makes me feel safe, Ol.”
“Then that’s where you should go. I’m going to call Hadley and Cam. Emilia’s with her mom this weekend, so maybe I can crash in her room.”
For a moment, I wondered why she wasn’t going to Parker’s house, especially when she usually spent a couple of nights with him each week. Lately, it had seemed like they’d been spending more time apart than together. I made a mental note to ask about it once the dust settled after Todd’s visit.
Right now, all I could think about was Damien and how much I wanted to be with him. Not just for the night, but forever.
Just a few minutes in Todd’s presence made me realize how much I’d changed since our divorce. While he’d stewed on his regrets and mistakes, I’d carved a better path for myself, one filled with good friends and a lot of love.
Something I never would have experienced without Damien.
And it was time I told him as much.