“Sugar, you owe me nothing. I do these things because I love you. That’s all. Not for something. Don’t know who made you think that way, but stop. I just want your love.” He holds my gaze for a second.
I don’t want to tell him that I’ve always been like this, and I don’t know how to break it. When you had a father who only showed love when it was to get himself something or to get him out of something, you question everyone’s intentions. Even though I’ve grown up with a normal family that never asked for repayment of love, I still gave it to them. I don’t know how to break the cycle, but for Owen, I need to learn. “Okay?”
I nod. “Okay. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. We’re growing—together,” he says it so simply, with so much sweetness.
My face hurts, I’m smiling so hard. “Owen.”
He stops, looking at me through the open truck windows.
“I do. I love you. Very much.”
“I know.” He winks, and as he drives away, my heart soars.
With a little added pep in my step, I head into the house through the side door that leads into the kitchen. I kick the door shut and set my plants on the counter so I can put the cupcake I brought back into the fridge. After I place it on the top shelf, I reach for a bottle of water and down it before grabbing another one to take to my room. I need to go to the store and get refills for my room, but I haven’t had the time. I move toward my plants and put my phone back in my purse before tucking the bag under my arm. Just as I’m reaching for my plants, a voice I’d rather not hear fills the kitchen.
“Um, your ass is falling out of your skirt.”
Damn it. And I’d thought Elli Adler would be the only one with the potential to ruin tonight.
I pull the back of my skirt down and glare at Leroy. “Fuck off.”
His eyes are dark, beady as he glares back at me. “Ew. Jesus, you left the house in that? All your fat is hanging out.”
“What is wrong with you?” I sneer at him. “Are you obsessed with me?”
“Me obsessed with a cow? I like beef but not your kind.”
God, he is such a dick! “For real, go fuck yourself and leave me alone.”
“I wouldn’t have to say or do anything if you didn’t offend me with all that skin. No one wants to see that. You think he does? He’s only using you for easy sex. I bet you’re so disgusted with yourself, you fuck anyone who would give you the time of day.”
Seconds pass as I glare at him, so upset I don’t trust myself to speak or to move. Finally, with all the control I can muster, I step toward him, anger vibrating in me. But I refuse to allow it out, and I sneer, “Anyone but you, fucker.”
His laughter is threatening. “You wish—”
Before he can finish, London appears. “What is going on?” she asks loudly with wide eyes as she looks between us. “Why are you calling my boyfriend a fucker?”
I point to Leroy, unable to control my tears. I hate when I get so upset I start to cry. The tears fall in rivers as my hand shakes. “He came at me, London. He called me fat, called me a cow, and all kinds of shit. I don’t know what his deal is, but I refuse to be treated like this!”
Leroy denies it all, pushing off the wall and yelling back at me. “I would never say those things to you! Why are you making stuff up?”
“Oh my God! London, why would I lie about this? I’ve told you and asked for your help, and you’ve done nothing.”
“Because he wouldn’t do that!”
I stare at her, but then Leroy says, “No, I would never disrespect a woman.”
I laugh through my sob. “Are you serious, you fucking psycho? You have been coming at me since I moved in! I swear, London. Please. It’s like he is obsessed with me or something!”
London throws up her hands. “Hardly.” I know in this moment, this is not the place for me. I meant what I said in a “he wants to tear me down” way, but by the look on London’s face, the disgusted look, I know she thinks I mean that he wants me. This woman is supposed to be my friend. “I will not allow you to speak to the man I love like that.”
My heart shatters in my chest, and I know I’ve gotta get out of here. “And I wouldn’t if he didn’t talk to me like that. I have taken enough. I refuse—”
“You know what, I think it’s time you found another place to stay.”
I snap my mouth shut, and when the bastard starts to grin, my heart kicks up in speed. I want to scream, I want to cuss, and if Owen hadn’t spent so much on my plant, I’d chuck it at him. I look away, shaking my head. I don’t know how I stay calm or even stop crying, but I do. I close my eyes and say, “Rent has been paid for this month, and per our agreement, you or I have to give the other forty-five-days’ notice.”
“Then mark this as your forty-five-days’ notice. Half the rent will be expected if you aren’t gone by the first of the month after next.”
I can’t look up. I don’t want to lose my mind any more than I already have. I can fight her on the rent shit and I almost want to, but I know I need to get the hell out of here. I don’t trust him or her—or hell, myself. I need out of this fucking house. I turn and grab my plants since I will not leave these here. I almost want to go save all my babies, but again, I don’t trust myself to do so right now. I head to the side door and slam it shut, the house vibrating from the force.
It was childish and didn’t make me look good, but it was better than catching a charge for taking Leroy out.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Angie
* * *
I hate the tears that fall down my face as I buckle my plants into my car. I throw my purse down on the floorboard as a draft runs up the back of my dress. I consider going back to get another outfit, but I don’t want to face them. I walk around the car and remember I don’t have my scrubs or my shoes for tomorrow. Fuck me. Super frustrated, I grab my phone and head inside quickly. Thankfully, I don’t see London or Leroy as I go to my room and gather my things for tomorrow. A day away will give London and me time to calm down. If I don’t feel good about this when I come back tomorrow after work, I’ll stay at the hotel I plan to go to now. I glance at the phone and check the time, knowing I can’t call my mom. It’s too late.
I gather a bag with all the things I need and lock my door on the way out. I’m glad I listened to my dad when he told me to install a deadbolt on my room. I walk through the kitchen to the side door, without any run-ins with them, before heading back to my car. I throw my bag in the back and then get in, locking the doors behind me. I take my phone from my pocket and text my mom.
Me: Some shit went down with my roommate. Don’t send me any money for rent, and I may need to use my credit card again for upcoming stays at a hotel. Not sure yet.
I consider calling Owen, but he’s probably sleeping by now. I put the key in the ignition, but before I can start the car, my phone is ringing. It’s my mom.
“Are you okay?”
I hold back my sob. “I’m so pissed.”
“What happened?”
“My roommate’s boyfriend is awful to me, always calling me names. And after I confronted London about it, she brushed me off. So I stood up for myself tonight when he called me a cow—”