“Yeah, but he’s not an idiot. He knows he can’t barge into their home.”
Marcel sighs. “I’ll be comin’ first thing in the mornin’. ‘Round six or seven. Understand?”
“Seven is good.”
“Good.”
“I’ll see you then.”
“All right, Gabby.” He pauses. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
I end the call then go back inside. I walk into the kitchen, placing the phone on the island counter.
Meredith and Bill are sitting at a four-top table with mugs of tea in hand. I see a third mug, and Meredith smiles, patting the chair to her left.
I sit with them and sip my drink as I take a look around. Meredith’s kitchen is just as stunning as her living room. White counters and a peach backsplash.
I look down, focusing on my cup.
“I’m so ashamed right now,” I blurt out, stirring honey into my tea.
“Don’t be. Seriously.” Meredith places her purple mug down.
Bill sighs and pushes out of his chair. “I’m going to let you girls chit-chat. Give my name a shout if you need me.”
“Okay, honey.” Meredith smiles up at Bill. He kisses her on the way out, and I love how icky-sweet the gesture is.
“How long have you and Bill been married?” I ask when he’s up the stairs.
“Fourteen years.”
“Wow. That’s a long time.”
“Yeah.” She smiles dreamily. “I met him when I was about your age—twenty-four. He used to work at a car dealership, and I had saved up enough money to finally get my first car. I was going to community college on top of a part-time job that felt like a full-time one. Hardly ever slept. He offered to help me out by cutting the price, if and only if, I went out to lunch with him the same day.”
I grin. “And you took him up on it?”
“Of course not!” she laughs. “He was so much older than me, and I felt way out of his league. But I told him I would so that I could get a good price cut. But as soon as he handed me those keys, I told him I had to work. Me, being the silly person I am, had completely forgotten that I’d mentioned where I worked, so color me surprised when he showed up at my job the following day and reminded me that I owed him. He told me he wouldn’t stop coming to the job until I went out with him. It wasn’t too forward though. More like the movies, where the guy really wants to take the girl on a date. I thought it was cute that he remembered where I worked.” She sighs and continues a smile. “So, I agreed, of course, but I really didn’t want to. I’d just gotten out of a bad relationship and another relationship was the last thing on my mind. He came at the right time, though.”
“I get that.”
Meredith sweeps her eyes all over me. “It’s good you got out of there, Gabby. The man I was with before Bill was just like Kyle, in a sense. He was abusive. He hurt me in so many ways. Some days I’d have to miss work if he hit me in the face, or wear my hair down because a bruise was on the back of my neck.” She looks off absently then releases a ragged breath, as if she’s reliving the horrors of that time.
“I’m so sorry to hear that, Meredith.”
She waves a dismissive hand. “It was years ago. I guess I realized I deserved better than him. It’s hard to see it that way at first, especially for us women. We think we don’t deserve more, or that we have to put ourselves last. Being with men like them either makes you open your eyes or makes you turn a blind eye. I’m glad you opened yours.”
I nod then sip my tea.
“What made him break?” she asks, and I look up to meet her eyes. “With guys like them, there is always something that sets them off. They’re like ticking bombs, you know? Pull the wrong move and they explode.”
“Oh.” I take another sip of tea. “Well, I’m not exactly innocent when it comes to him doing what he did.”
“There’s never any reason for a man to put his hands on a woman that way, even if she isn’t innocent. Doesn’t matter what she does, there’s no reason. Walk away, yell about it, break it off or get drunk and break something, but there’s no reason for a man to hit a woman. Ever.”
A tear skids down my cheek as I tuck my hands between my thighs. I’m almost ashamed to confess, but I was even more ashamed to come here with this bruise on my face, yet I did it. Why stop now?
“It was…well…I had an affair…with Marcel.”
Her eyebrows nearly stitch together. “From Ward Landscaping?”
“Yeah.”
Her eyes expand as she asks, “You slept with him?” Then she grins. “Oh my goodness! I knew it!” She claps her hands together and tosses her head back, like she’s just solved the world’s hardest question. “I knew I wasn’t crazy! That man was looking at you all night during the housewarming! I kept thinking the only explanation for a man looking at a woman that way is if he really wants her!”
“Seriously?” I fight a smile. “My best friend said something similar.”
“It’s true. I kept thinking it, but I figured maybe I was just assuming things.” She fights a grin. “How was he, anyway?”
“Meredith!” I laugh. “That is so inappropriate right now.”
“What? I’m just wondering!” she shrugs. “I see that man, and he makes parts of me tingle that shouldn’t be tingling for other men, girl. Don’t tell my husband that, though, or he’ll never hire him again.”
I giggle as she winks at me.
“Listen, I don’t judge you at all for what you did, honey. If Kyle has hit you before now, which I’m assuming he has, then I can understand why this sort of thing happened with Marcel. Not saying this is justification for cheating—cheating is still wrong—but… well, I suppose if I were in a situation like yours, where you’ve just gotten married and a new house and all, I’d feel a bit confused too.” She looks me over, but I drop my eyes, focusing on the rim of my mug instead. “You stopped loving Kyle when you met Marcel.” It’s a statement. A solid one that punches me right in the gut as I think about it.
I have to mull it over for a while. “I wouldn’t say I stopped loving him…but I definitely noticed how different he was compared to Marcel. I noticed way too many differences. Marcel would never hurt a woman, I’m sure, but Kyle does it so ruthlessly that I started to feel like it was normal. I found comfort in Marcel. He was kind, and respectful, and honest, even when it was hard to hear.”
Meredith nods, like she completely understands.
“You’re right, though. I fell out of love with him the moment he laid his hands on me…and that was nearly six months ago. Right after we got married.”
“He is ridiculous.” Meredith pushes out of her chair, taking her mug to the sink and dumping the rest of her tea out. “Is he the one you called out there? Marcel?”
“Yeah.” Just the thought of him makes my heart beat faster. “He’s coming to get me soon.”
“Good. At least you know you’ll be safer with him.”
“Yeah.” I lower my gaze. “I actually think I’m going to text him, tell him to get me now before Kyle notices. I don’t want him giving you guys too much trouble later.”
“Sure, sweetie. Go right ahead.”
I stand up and grab her phone off the counter again. When she tells me the passcode, I send Marcel a text, and there’s a reply in seconds.
Marcel: Already in the neighborhood
“What?” I place the phone down and walk to the window in the living room, peering out. Sure enough, Marcel’s black Ford rolls up to the curb of Meredith’s house, his headlights shutting off.
“He’s here that fast?” Meredith asks behind me.
“He was already on the way.” I go for my suitcase as Meredith opens the door.
“Man, he wasn’t kidding,” she laughs.
Marcel is already making his way up the driveway. I walk out to meet him, and he collects me into his arms without warning.
I sigh as he holds me tightly, then close my eyes for just a second, relishing in the comfor
t of his hug. He smells so good—fresh, like he’s showered recently.
“There was no way in hell I was goin’ back to sleep after you called. Would’ve parked in front of this house all night and waited for you if I had to.”
“I’m glad you came now.” I look toward the driveway of my house across the street. “We should go before he notices I’m gone.”
“Yeah.” Marcel grabs my suitcase and takes it to his truck.
As he tosses it in the bed of the truck, I turn toward Meredith and give her a hug.
“Thank you,” I sigh over her shoulder.
“Always, sweetheart. Even if you don’t come back to this neighborhood, I’d still like us to keep in touch.”
“As soon as I get another phone, I’ll have Marcel give me your number so I can text you.” I pull back, gripping her shoulder caps.
“That sounds good. You be safe, okay?”
“I will.” I turn away, walking across the grass to meet Marcel at his truck. He opens the passenger door for me, and I climb inside, but as I do, I hear someone yelling my name.
And the person sounds pissed.
Chapter Seven
Gabby
“Gabby!” Kyle roars.
I gasp as I look toward my house. Kyle is standing in front of the driveway, eyes wide and jaw clenched.
“Close the door and buckle up,” Marcel demands hurriedly. He shuts my door, but before he can get to the other side of the truck, Kyle has already crossed the street.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Kyle barks in Marcel’s face.
Marcel folds his arms. “What the hell does it look like? I’m takin’ Gabby with me.”
Kyle looks past Marcel and right at me. “Gabby, you can’t be serious. Did I not tell you what would happen if you tried to leave?”
My heart thunders in my chest. I look away, spotting Meredith on her porch with her phone in hand. She’ll probably call the cops if this gets crazy. Good. I want her to, so she can back me up on this. Two witnesses are better than one.
“You will lose everything! Do you not get that?” Kyle takes another step forward. “Your family will have absolutely nothing!”
“Just back the hell up, all right?” Marcel warns. “It’s over. She’s comin’ with me.”
“Like hell she is!” Kyle spits at him, and he shoves Marcel against the chest. Marcel stumbles backward a bit, caught off guard by the shove, which gives Kyle enough leeway to rush around him and get to the passenger door.
I scream as he snatches my door open and seizes my arm, wrenching me out of the truck.
“Get your ass back in the house and stop being a dumb cunt!” Kyle shouts.
“Let me go!” I scream. I try snatching my arm away, but he won’t let up.
Marcel appears with a growl and shoves Kyle twice as hard as Kyle shoved him, which causes both me and Kyle to hit the pavement.
He then grabs Kyle by the collar of his shirt, panting like a bull, as he picks him up and tosses him right on Meredith’s lawn. Kyle hits the ground with a loud thud and a groan.
“Touch her like that again, and I will fuckin’ kill you!” Marcel roars. I can tell he wants to rip Kyle apart. He even takes a step toward him, but I hop up and rush for him.
“No—Marcel, let’s go! He’s not worth going to jail over!”
He’s still seething. I tug on his hand, pleading, and he finally looks down at me.
“It’s okay. Let’s go,” I whisper.
Backing away, Marcel turns to help me get in the truck again, and I’m so glad he listens. After shutting my door, he turns back to Kyle.
Kyle is pushing to a stand now, but he doesn’t attack. He knows just as well as anyone that Marcel would beat him to a pulp. Marcel has more mass. Anyone can see that.
“Stay the fuck away from her, or I swear I’ll fuck you up,” Marcel snarls at him.
“You’re making a huge mistake, Gabs!” Kyle yells. Marcel walks around the truck, opens his door, and then climbs behind the wheel.
He starts the ignition, but before he can put it in drive, Kyle appears at the passenger window, slamming his palms into the glass just inches from my face. I let out another yelp, and Marcel presses his foot on the gas, peeling off.
I’m shaking like a leaf, my pulse thundering in my ears. I take a look over my shoulder, through the rear window.
Kyle is standing in the middle of the street with his fists clenched. Meredith has gone back into her house and has shut her porch lights off.
When he’s out of sight, I turn back around, slouching in my seat and closing my eyes. That doesn’t stop my tears from falling.
“You okay?” Marcel asks as we speed out of the neighborhood.
I shake my head. It’s all I can do.
He grabs my hand and squeezes it. “He won’t hurt you like that again. I promise you.”
Yeah.
I wish I could believe that.
Chapter Eight
Marcel
She doesn’t say much during the ride, not that I expect her to after all that just happened.
I steal glances of her as I drive, while she stares blankly out of the window. Every time a street light flashes across her face, it’s a clear reminder of what her husband’s done to her. That bruise will take at least two weeks to heal.
I still can’t believe he did it. I will never understand how any man can lay his hands on a woman like that. How do they live with themselves? When I saw him grab her and yell in her face, I almost lost it.
I was about to beat his ass, but I had to remember where I was and what I was doing. I wouldn’t have been any help to Gabby if I was sitting in jail. Plus, he hit me first. Shoving him back and tossing his ass was self-defense. There are witnesses around to prove he touched me first, too.
I finally pull into the driveway of my house and Gabby sits up higher in her seat. She looks all around, almost like she’s surprised by her surroundings.
“This is your place?” she asks with a quiet voice.
“Yeah.”
“Wow.” She looks around again. “It’s nice.”
“It’s a quiet neighborhood. Don’t have much to look at inside, but hopefully it’s comfortable enough for you.” I unlock the doors and push out of my truck.
Gabby steps out as I get to the passenger side. She slides out of the way so I can grab her suitcase from the back, then follows me to the front door.
As soon as I unlock and open the door, there’s barking, and Callie is right there waiting.
“Oh my gosh! My sweet girl!” Gabby squeals and bends down to pick Callie up, hugging her to her chest as she enters the house.
I shut the door behind her, putting on a small smile as I place her suitcase down.
“I missed you so much, even if it was only for a few hours,” Gabby murmurs, nuzzling her nose on the top of Callie’s head. Her eyes pop open again, and as if she realizes she’s in a place she’s never been before, she places Callie back on the floor and takes a hard look around.
“Like I said, not much to look at,” I mumble with a shrug.
“No, stop it. I like your house. It’s cozy.” She gives me a faint smile.
I shrug, looking from the brown leather sofa and matching recliner to the four-top dining table behind her. It’s a simple home. A two-bedroom house with a moderate kitchen and two bathrooms.
“I always assumed you lived in an apartment or something like that.” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
When she tucks her hair behind her ears, I ask, “How did you get away from him after all that?” It’s clear she’s trying to avoid the topic right now. I won’t have it.
She shifts on her feet. “He fell asleep and I snuck out. Went to Meredith’s and called you first thing.”
“But what about all that talk with your family? You’re not worried about that? The things he’ll do?”
“I am…but if I can get to them first, then perhaps they can work something out before thing
s get too bad.” She shrugs, her eyes becoming misty. “I’ll figure something out for them. I put them in this mess, and I’ll get them out. I don’t care if I have to work two or three jobs, I’ll do it as long as it means I don’t have to go back to him.” She drops her eyes, and I notice her step sideways, almost stumbling.
I rush her way, hooking an arm around her waist and bringing her to the sofa. “You’re never goin’ back to him. That’s not even an option.” I sit her on the couch then take the spot next to her. Lifting a hand, I tip her chin, forcing her damp green eyes on mine. “We’ll work it out, Gabby. I promise you. It may seem like all hope is lost, but it isn’t. I’m here to help you however I can.” I pull my hand away to scratch the back of my head. “Still can’t help thinkin’ this is my fault. Had I not met you, I’m sure you’d be fine—”
“No, Marcel. I told you, had I not met you, I would have been stuck with him. I never would have left him, no matter how bad things had gotten.”
“But maybe things wouldn’t have gotten so bad at all if it weren’t for me.”
“Stop,” she demands softly, closing her eyes. “Just stop, okay? It happened for a reason, and I’m here now for a reason.”
I sigh, then nod.
She sits back, running her hands over her face and making an exasperated sound. “I never thought I’d be in a situation like this. I mean, I thought I could handle the shit Kyle put me through. Him going away to work helped some, but not much.”
“It’s better that you walked away, Gabby. Don’t feel embarrassed or guilty about any of that. What he was doin’ to you was wrong, and you can’t let it happen again, no matter how tough shit gets, or how much he claims to have against you.”
She meets my eyes. “I won’t go back.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Good.” I grab her hand, stroking the soft flesh on the back of it with the pad of my thumb. “You can stay here for as long as you want, but if you think you’ll feel comfortable elsewhere, I completely understand.”
“No.” She looks around again then focuses on Callie who is laying on her dog bed by the kitchen. “I think I’ll stay here for a while.”
The Man I Need Page 6