TEN
Tequila
Ever experience a vivid dream? It creates an immersive encounter, as if you were there in person. This is one of those dreams.
The constant pounding and knocking makes it impossible for me to tell if I'm awake or not.
What the hell is happening?
Another loud bang startles me, echoing outside my door like a gunshot. Yeah, this is definitely not a dream, and I am for sure not sleeping.
I switch on the floral lamp I bought at a flea market last summer and glance at my phone. One forty-five. Who is knocking so late? Although, the possibilities are endless living where I do. Drug dealers. Drunks looking for more booze. Or creepy men with nothing else to do than target young women who are by themselves. Me being said woman living by herself.
I stare at my ceiling with the crushing invisible weight on my chest, waiting for another loud noise. When silence fills the air, I shut my eyes, wishing they would give up and leave.
Quiet.
I wait in anticipation. But then more knocking.
I slip into my robe and drape it over me before approaching my apartment door. Naturally, it’s locked. I would need to lack common sense to forget to lock it. I bought one of those door wedges designed for apartments. Can’t be too safe.
As I rise on my tiptoes, I touch the chilly wood with my palms and peer through the small opening.
No drug dealer. No drunken creep. Much worse.
Jasper.
He looks high. Redness conceals the whites of his eyes. It's noticeable even from the other side.
A shiver runs up my back as he grins at the peephole. “Come on, babe. Let me in.” His words are fast, yet tired. “I know you’re watching me.”
His fist collides with the door, causing me to jolt once more.
“What are you doing, Jasper? It’s the middle of the night and if you don’t leave, I’m going to call the cops.”
“I ain’t doing nothing wrong, sweetheart. You should open up so we can talk.”
Yeah, over my dead body.
“Go away. I’m dialing right now,” I bluff, clutching my phone in my hand because I know better. If I call the police on him, it will just escalate things for me. They’ll give him a slap on the wrist.
I'm not counting on any of my neighbors to save me. Most of them are his groupies. Too scared or too inebriated.
I stay silent, attempting to listen for any sign of his absence. I take another glance out and I can breathe again when I don’t see him.
Tears burn. I detest this—detest it greatly.
I lock myself in my bedroom and curl up under my covers, wishing the monsters to disappear. Jasper is an example of that, and others like him. And as long as I live here, they will remain under my bed.
“You look like hell,” Jules tells me as she rubs her growing belly.
Do I? Guess that’s what happens when a sociopath knocks on your door in the middle of the night, and you cannot fall back asleep.
My shift will be pure agony.
“I’m already showing. By the time of this wedding, I'll resemble a stranded whale.”
“You’re beautiful. You will not look like a whale. A beach ball maybe,” I joke.
“Funny. But I’m for sure carrying Charger’s son. I was not this big with Chloe. The little guy is going to pop out with muscles and tattoos. Waiting until the baby is born before having the wedding could be a good idea.”
I lazily set the liquor bottle down I was pouring. “You’ve been wanting and planning this marriage forever. If you wait until after the baby is here, you’ll be too exhausted with a newborn to even care about it and I’m pretty sure you both have been waiting since you were seventeen to spend the rest of your lives together married.”
I know she’ll regret it. For the past two months, all she talks about is marrying Charger and her pregnancy.
“Yeah, you’re right. I just wish…”
Sensing her unspoken thoughts, I touch her hand. “He’ll be there. In spirit.” My heart breaks for her knowing what she went through in losing her twin Garrett in that car accident.
Time alone cannot heal the pain she endured as a teenager.
“Sometimes I get a sense that he’s still alive somewhere,” she says with a smile and a nod, suppressing tears. “Anyway, are you going to tell me why you appear as though you were dragged to hell and back?”
I try to clear my throat, hoping to revive my energy. “It was just one of those nights. Couldn’t sleep.”
“Chloe is with my parents, Lucy’s in charge at The Fallen Star, and Charger is busy with club matters. Hang out with me, please!”
“You and Angel should find different ways to keep yourselves entertained.” I chuckle.
“I’m not taking no for an answer. As my free time diminishes, I cannot allow you to rob me of this opportunity.”
With a smile, I roll my eyes. A distraction might be helpful right now. Not to mention, I would experience too much guilt for saying no.
Sleep will need to be postponed for now.