Chapter 6
WREN
It was already dark by the time I got home. I took my meds, grabbed my migraine cap from the freezer and then rested on the couch for a little bit.
When I’m starting to feel a little better, I get up and drag myself to the shower, peeling off my workout clothes, that never saw a workout today, and turning the water on until it steams.
I step under the spray and let the water cascade over my head. It’s something that always makes me feel better after a migraine. It makes me feel human again.
I stay in the shower until the water runs cold and then I force myself out. I dry off and wrap a towel around my hair as I apply lotion to my body and put on some pajamas. I brush out my hair and apply product to it, combing it through before blow drying it and then putting on my skincare.
I walk back into my living room and take a look at my entry table. I was expecting a letter from the bank I financed my car through, I recently paid it off and should have received my title by now.
I walk over to the table and grab my keys, walking out the door and locking it behind me before walking to the mailboxes and checking mine. Inside are a few letters, including the one from my bank that has the title. I smile and shuffle back towards the door.
It’s getting a little cold for the pajamas I’m wearing, so I make a mental note to switch to warmer ones as I walk back. I’m looking through my mail as I step up to my door and stop in my tracks when I feel someone watching me, letting loose a small gasp when I see someone standing there.
“You’re a hard woman to find,” Dylan murmurs as he steps into the light.
I went on a few dates with Dylan, but he just wasn’t my type. He seemed a little too controlling for me, which apparently, I was right, since he’s standing at my door right now.
“Oh,” I laugh nervously. “What are you doing here, Dylan?” I ask as I wrap my arms around myself and look around. No one is outside and my hackles immediately rise.
“Why haven’t you returned my phone calls?” He asks, ignoring my question.
“Uh, I told you that I thought it was best we didn’t see each other,” I say with a grimace. I don’t like ending things with guys, it’s always awkward and uncomfortable. I don’t like letting people down. I was clear with him, though.
He shakes his head and tsks, stepping forward. I instantly step back and reach for my keys in my shorts pocket.
“You’re such a fucking tease,” he mutters. “You showed up in all those slutty outfits and then didn’t even bother putting out.”
What the fuck? My breathing accelerates and my heart pounds in my chest.
He moves forward quickly and grabs my arm, twisting it behind my back until I gasp from the pain, and stepping behind me until his body is flush with mine. “I don’t like teases,” he growls.
I don’t even think, I just thrust my head back into his face, he releases me when his nose cracks and I turn around, kneeing him in the balls before rushing to my door and unlocking it, making sure to slam it and lock it after me.
My breathing is ragged as I slump against the door. What the fuck just happened?
I didn’t want to date Dylan, but I didn’t think he was this kind of man. The kind that expects you to put out when you go on a date.
Banging from the other side of the door has me jumping to my feet and moving away from it.
I look around, unsure of what to do. I know that I could call the club and they would show up right away, but I don’t want them to judge me for Dylan.
Maybe that sounds stupid, but I already feel like most of the guys don’t take me seriously, and I don’t want to give them any more ammunition.
I wait a few minutes and check my doorbell camera to see if he’s gone. I don’t see him anywhere, so I slump against my couch and sigh. Hopefully, his pride is wounded, and he won’t show up again.
I check the time and see it’s still early, so I dial Sophie’s number, hoping to catch her awake and willing to talk.
“Hey girl,” she answers after the second ring.
“Hey,” I rasp. “Can we talk?”
She’s silent for a moment. “Of course, is everything okay?”
“Uh, no,” I admit. “Just don’t say anything to Gray, okay?”
“What happened?” She asks, skipping over me asking her to keep this from her husband.
“Do you remember that guy Dylan that I went on a few dates with and ended things?”
“Yes.”
I take a deep breath and release it. “I went to check on my mail and when I came back to my apartment, he was waiting for me outside. He called me a tease and wanted to know why I didn’t return his calls,” I tell her as I look down at the bruises already forming on my arm from where he grabbed me.
I leave that part out because she would rush to my side right away if she knew.
“What the fuck?” She gasps. “Are you okay? Do you need to come stay with us? We’re home from the hospital.”
“I’m okay,” I lie. “I don’t want to come intrude when you guys just brought Lily home. It’s hard enough to adjust to that and to help Asher adjust. I’ll be fine here.”
“Are you sure? Because it’s really no trouble,” she tells me.
I know that she’s not lying. That’s just the type of person Sophie is. It’s why she’s my best friend. She’s the best person I know.
“I’m sure,” I tell her. “I feel better just from talking about it. How are things with Lily?” I ask.
“Changing the subject, huh?” She chuckles. “Lily is fine, and Asher loves her. Grayson hardly ever puts her down and she’s going to be such a clingy baby because of it. I don’t have the heart to tell him to stop, though.”
I chuckle. “I wouldn’t either. He’s just scared to miss something.”
“I know,” she murmurs softly, probably thinking of all that Grayson missed out on with Asher.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m good,” she replies wistfully. “I wish things were like this with Asher, but I have a feeling it was meant to be this way.”
My heart aches with how happy she is. It’s not that I’m jealous.
Okay, maybe I am. It’s just because I want someone to love me as much as Grayson loves my best friend.
I want to settle down and have babies. I want a man who is so obsessed with our babies that he doesn’t want to set them down. I want to be happy.
“You deserve everything good in this world, Sophie.”
“Don’t make me cry, bitch,” she mutters, her voice tight.
I burst out laughing. “Thanks, I needed that.”
“You’re sure you’re okay?” She asks.
“I’m sure,” I tell her, thankful to have a friend who cares so much. “I’ll let you go, and we can talk tomorrow.”
“Okay, love you.”
“Love you,” I reply before hanging up.
I pull up my doorbell app and check the cameras again, finding no one there. I double check my doors and windows and then lay down in bed. It’s only when I close my eyes that I realize I never told Dylan where I live.