After attaching Greta’s leash to her collar, I helped her out of the car and we walked around the edges of the park. When she stopped to explore a particularly interesting bush, I pulled out my cell phone and called information to get the number for Rob’s Auto Body shop. The operator gave me the number and asked if I wanted to be connected. I said yes and listened to the phone ring. After several rings a recording came on and said the number had been disconnected.
Wow, I thought. I guess they’ve gone out of business. This information added a new twist to my plans. If Trevor no longer worked there, where did he work? And if he was unemployed, had an arrest hanging over him and was most likely broke, how would he feel if he saw me? Would he blame me for all of his problems? Would he get violent?
Chapter Twelve
I drove toward my old apartment with caution. Even as I approached the place where I used to live, I could easily see Trevor’s blue Camaro parked at the curb. I knew if he were to see my Honda he would recognize it. Pulling to the side of the road half a dozen houses away, I hoped that from this distance he wouldn’t notice me.
After half an hour with nothing happening, I started thinking about ways to draw Trevor away from the apartment. Then it came to me. I could call him and ask him to meet me somewhere. Somewhere far enough away to give me time to go in, get my stuff, and get out. And I had to have enough time to do this before he realized I was a no show.
As I contemplated speaking to him, I could feel myself getting shaky. I was afraid how he would respond to me calling him and I wasn’t so sure he’d even be interested or willing to meet me. I thought about the emails he’d sent and how he’d threatened me.
Is this really worth it? Just to get back some ornaments? It seemed silly as I thought about it, but deep down I felt like I needed to prove to myself that I could take control of my life and that I had every right to retrieve my personal belongings.
Taking a deep breath, I first pressed star sixty-seven so that my number would be hidden from Trevor’s caller ID. Then I punched in his number from memory. I listened as it rang once, twice, then I heard his familiar voice.
“Hello?”
My heart raced and I felt my hands go clammy.
“Hello?” he asked again.
My lips moved, but no sound came out.
“I can hear you breathing.” He paused, then demanded, “Who is this?”
“Trevor?” It came out as a whisper and I had to clear my throat. “Trevor,” I said more loudly.
He was silent, then said, “Lily? Is that you?”
I could picture the look of uncertainty on his face. “Yes.” I said it with more confidence than I felt.
“Where are you?”
My eyes were glued to the apartment, half-expecting him to come running out and see me. I realized I had one hand poised above the key in the ignition, ready to bolt at the slightest movement. I heard Greta panting next to me and somehow looking at her gave me courage. “I’m here. In Reno.”
I could hear him gasp.
“Where exactly? Can I see you?”
I hadn’t expected him to take the bait quite so easily and I found myself smiling. This is going to be easier than I thought. I decided to play it coy. “I would like to meet with you, but I’m scared.”
“You don’t need to be scared, Lily. I won’t do anything to hurt you. I promise.” He paused. “I love you.”
His voice cracked and I thought he might be crying. I started to feel guilty for tricking him. He would be excited to see me and then I wouldn’t show up. Imagining how I would feel in his place, I felt my resolve slipping. I took a deep breath, trying to harden my determination. “Okay,” I said. “Go to Circus Circus and wait by the midway. I’ll be watching for you.”
“Okay. What’s your phone number? In case I need to call you.”
“Trevor, I don’t feel comfortable giving that to you yet. Let’s see how our meeting goes first.”
“Fine,” he said, obviously unhappy.
I noticed his tears seemed to have stopped. Testing him I murmured, “Maybe we shouldn’t do this.”
“Please, Lily. I really want to see you,” he rushed to assure me.
Acting like he had persuaded me I said, “All right. I’ll see you when you get here.”
“I love you,” he said before hanging up.
I closed my phone and stared in the direction of the apartment. It only took moments before he appeared. As I watched him walk away from the apartment and toward his car, I felt my heart pound. That man was my husband. We were in love only a few months ago. We’ve created the child growing in my belly. What happened to kill that love? And was it really dead?
I felt my hand reaching toward the door, ready to open it. I could feel his strong arms around me and re-experienced the happy memories we had shared. I suddenly wanted that again. I wanted it so bad that I could almost taste it. The scent of Trevor’s cologne seemed to fill my nostrils and I felt such an overwhelming longing that I almost couldn’t stand it.
I pulled on the door handle and the door swung open. My feet touched the pavement and I pulled myself to a standing position. I opened my mouth.
“Trevor!”
A figure approached Trevor from the direction of the apartment.
“Trevor!” the voice called again.
He turned toward the person calling out to him. I squinted, trying to identify the person who was now handing him something. I watched as Trevor leaned toward the person, then put his arms around her - I was certain now that it was a woman - and pulled her against him. It felt like someone had knocked the wind out of me. Then, when he pressed his mouth to hers, I heard myself actually cry out. I whipped my head back and forth to see if anyone had heard me, but it hadn’t been as loud as I’d thought.
I sunk back into the car and closed the door, my eyes riveted to Trevor and the woman. They pulled apart and a memory filled my mind.
I felt myself transported back to my sociology class. Jealousy stung my heart as I watched Trevor and a beautiful auburn-haired girl flirting.
The girl kissing Trevor was that girl. It was Amanda.
Chapter Thirteen
Why would Trevor tell me he loves me and in the next moment be kissing Amanda? Did he say “I love you” in front of her? My earlier guilt at tricking him vanished. Instead it was replaced by fury. He was the one tricking me! He didn’t love me. Why would he even want to meet with me? What was his motive?
Putting that aside for the moment, I focused on my current obstacle. Trevor was pulling away from the curb, which gave me about forty minutes, but Amanda was now in the apartment. I couldn’t very well go over there and barge in and demand my stuff back.
My shoulders slumped as I realized my plan had failed. It was unlikely that Trevor would fall for my ploy again. “I guess I’ll just have to forget about my stuff,” I said to Greta. She barked in response.
But as I thought about Trevor and Amanda living in the apartment I had leased, using my things, I felt enraged. I stared at the place where only moments before Trevor and Amanda had embraced. I was hurt that Trevor had moved on so quickly. But if he had moved on, why was he so anxious to see me? What did he want from me? Did he think he was going to take my money again? Or worse yet, did he think he was going to take my baby?
Automatically, my hands went to my abdomen in a gesture of protection. There was no way I would let that happens.
I glanced at my watch. The clock was ticking. Five minutes had passed and I had accomplished nothing. Should I confront Amanda or should I just drive away and forget the whole thing? Uncertain what to do, I looked at Greta. “What should I do, girl?” She just smiled at me with her sweet doggie smile. I reached over and pet her, then looked back toward the apartment.
My hand froze in mid-scratch as I watched Amanda walk across the grass and toward a car parked on the street. She climbed into the driver’s side and a moment later she drove away. I couldn’t believe it - my opportunity had come.
I left my purse in the car and just brought my car key and the key I had kept from the apartment. Locking my car, I raced to the apartment door and inserted the key into the lock. It worked. Grinning in relief, I pushed the door open. Memories assaulted me - both good and bad. Yes, things had gone sour with Trevor at the end, but before that we’d shared good times.
My gaze darted around the room and I saw that the place looked pretty much the same. Amanda, if she was living there, kept the place tidy. Leaving the front door open, I went into the bedroom and then stopped. The bed was unmade and I couldn’t help but wonder if Trevor was sleeping with Amanda. The thought of him with another woman hurt. Even though I’d left him, we were still married. I wondered if that meant anything to him.
Pushing those troubling thoughts aside, I went to the closet and slid open the door. To my surprise, my boxes of Christmas decoration were untouched. I pulled them out and quickly carried them out to my car, placing them in the trunk. I closed the trunk and went back inside.
I looked around to see if there was anything else of mine that I wanted to take. First I searched the bedroom but nothing else of mine was there. I also noticed that none of the clothes in the closet and dresser belonged to a woman. Somehow I felt better in knowing that Trevor appeared to live there alone.
The only other room that might contain items I’d want to take was the kitchen. I had brought a number of kitchen implements, like small appliances and mixing bowls, from Dad’s house after I’d first moved in. Quickly going through the cupboards, it didn’t take long for me to gather the things I wanted to take. Things like my Dad’s toaster, blender and can opener as well as mixing bowls and utensils. I could use those things at my new place in California. And, after all, they were mine. There was no reason I should have to go out and buy new things when I had these.
Glancing at my watch, I knew Trevor had been gone about twenty minutes and Amanda about fifteen. Time was getting short, but I thought I could get it done. When I had looked in the closet earlier, I had noticed a plastic tub that I could use to carry things out to my car.
Dashing to the closet, I dumped out the contents of the tub, which looked like some gaming equipment of Trevor’s. Then I took the tub to the kitchen and set as much as I could fit into it, then carried the tub to my car. I opened the door behind the driver’s and moved the items from the tub to the floor of the car. Greta watched my every move, but stayed in her seat, restrained by her seatbelt.
I went back into the apartment for another trip. After another trip I came back inside once more and was able to fit the remaining items, including the silverware, into the tub. I looked through the cupboards and drawers one last time to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. Satisfied that I’d gotten everything that belonged to me, I took the last load out to the car and unloaded it all into the back seat.
After locking the car, I took the empty tub back into the bedroom. I was putting Trevor’s gaming stuff back into the tub when an angry voice filled the room.
“What the hell are you doing?”
My head whipped up to see Amanda standing in the doorway. I sincerely hoped Trevor wasn’t with her. I looked at my watch and knew I had only minutes until he would be back. I had to get out of there. I jumped up, the tub forgotten. “I was just leaving.”
“How did you get in here?”
Angry to be questioned by this girl who was in my apartment, I said, “Not that it’s any of your business, but this is my apartment. The lease is in my name.”
Clearly not convinced, Amanda shook her head. “But you don’t live here anymore.”
“Do you?” I shot back.
“Not yet,” she said, a mean glint in her eye.
“Well, I hope you and Trevor will be very happy together.” I paused. “Has he hit you yet or is he still playing the part of Prince Charming?”
She shook her head. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I knew I needed to get out of there but she stood between me and the exit. I watched as she pulled out her cell phone and pressed two buttons.
“Trevor doesn’t love you anymore, Lily. You just need to get over it.” Then she put the phone to her ear.
Her words sank into my heart and I felt hot tears welling up in my eyes. Even though I’d left him, I still loved him in a way and it cut me deeply to think he didn’t love me at all.
“She’s here,” Amanda said into the phone. Then, “Okay.” And she hung up. “Trevor wants to talk to you.”
My mind spun as I focused on what Amanda had said. Trevor was on his way. He knew I was here. I had to get away. Gathering my wits, I shook my head. “I have nothing to say to him.” Then I walked toward her. She didn’t move. “Get out of my way,” I demanded.
“No. Trevor told me to keep you here until he gets back.”
I tried to push past her but she wrapped her arms around me. It was just like Steve, my self-defense instructor, had done. For a full second I was immobilized as I tried to recall the moves I’d practiced. Then in a rush, they came to my mind and I executed the moves exactly as Steve had taught me. Amanda cried out as I bent her finger back as hard as I could. A moment later I was free. Momentarily stunned to discover the moves really worked, it took me half a second to react. Then I raced out the door, unlocked my car with shaky hands, started the engine and drove away.
Just as I began turning the corner, I looked in my rear view mirror and saw Trevor’s Camaro entering the street at the other end. I drove as fast as I dared, the adrenaline pulsing through my veins. Soon I was back on I-80 and heading west.
“Woo hoo!” I shouted, startling Greta. “I did it!” Giddy with relief, I laughed as I pictured Trevor and Amanda’s faces when they realized I had cleaned out the kitchen cupboards. I hadn’t taken anything that belonged to Trevor and felt no remorse for what I’d done.
As I replayed the encounter with Amanda, I felt elated. I had broken out of her grip and I had gotten away. As I continued heading west I kept a close eye on my mirrors, watching for Trevor’s Camaro. As I reached Sacramento I felt safe.
I had done it.
Chapter Fourteen
Within a few hours I pulled into my driveway, exhausted. It had been quite a day. I let Greta out of the car and she stayed near me as I walked to the front door and unlocked it. The sun was starting to set and I wanted to get everything into the house before it was full dark.
There were no street lamps on my street and the porch light wouldn’t penetrate the darkness near my car. I carried in the boxes with the Christmas decorations first, stacking them in the living room, then I went back out the door to get another load. As I stepped off the porch, I saw a tall man jogging toward me up the gravel drive. There was just enough light for me to recognize my neighbor, Marcus.
“Hi, Kate,” he said when he reached me.
I noticed he was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. “Hi,” I said, wondering why he’d come over.
“I was coming back from my run and saw you carrying things in. Do you need any help?”
I was so exhausted that I was happy to have the help. “Sure. That would be nice.” I had left the trunk open and pointed in that direction. “If you can get the things in the trunk, that would really help.” I watched him lift my suitcase from the trunk, as well as Greta’s food and then carry them into the house. I opened the door to the backseat and grabbed as many items as I could hold, and carried them into the kitchen.
“Where do you want me to put these?” he asked.
“Just on the floor in the living room is fine.”
It didn’t take long for him to bring in everything from the trunk. When he brought in his first load from the backseat and set the items on the dining room table he asked, “Where did you get all t
his stuff?”
The question caught me off guard. I didn’t want to tell him that I’d tricked my estranged husband into leaving so that I could get into my old apartment and “steal” back my stuff. “Garage sales,” I said instead, smiling.
He believed me without question and helped me bring it all in. When we’d finished, we stood in the kitchen and in the bright light I got a good look at him. In his running shorts and snug fitting t-shirt I couldn’t help but notice what good shape he was in. He was all male and his nearness made my pulse quicken. But I had zero desire to get involved with anyone.
Besides, I thought, what makes you think he’d want to get involved with you? You’re married and pregnant.
“Thanks for your help, Marcus.”
“Anytime.” He paused. “If you want, I can put that crib together.”
I felt my face redden, like I had done something wrong. “What makes you think it’s for me?”
The question seemed to embarrass him. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business.”
Now I felt bad. “No, it’s okay. Did your mom tell you I’m pregnant?”
He seemed uncomfortable. “Well, yeah. That’s what Mary told her. I should know better than to listen to old woman’s gossip.”
I laughed, trying to ease his discomfort. “It’s actually true. And I would appreciate it if you could put the crib together.”
“Great. Would tomorrow be okay?”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
“Okay then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I walked him to the door and locked it behind him, then went into the kitchen and began putting everything away. As I placed each item in the cupboard, I smiled, pleased with myself for getting everything back without getting caught by Trevor.
I wondered how he had reacted when Amanda had told him I’d been inside the apartment and then when he had discovered I’d taken all my kitchen things. I pictured him going into the kitchen to make dinner, opening the cupboard to take out a pan or a casserole dish or a utensil and finding the cupboard bare. I smiled as I imagined him yanking open all the cupboards and drawers and finding them empty. He would kick himself for leaving to meet me. He would probably change the locks now too.
Don't Look Back: sequel to He Loves Me Not (Lily's Story, Book 2) Page 6