“What do you want, Logan?” The burning sensation searing her throat made it painful to get the hoarse words out. Unable to look at Alicia, she buried her face in her hands. Silence. Just his troubled breathing. “Well?”
The coldness in her heart, made her shiver.
“I wasn't going to kill you, Krissy, you just wouldn't stop screaming, I just needed you to listen! Please, please, I need you to believe me, I couldn't...” he whimpered.
“No, you could and you almost did, Logan. Why didn't you just let me leave? I can't believe I ever trusted you. I must be a freaking idiot.”
“Don't say that, you know I love you! You know I always loved you. I just lost it, the thought of not having you, I lost it. I'm sorry, you don't understand—I thought you loved me!”
Hang up, get it over with, never, ever speak to him again! Alicia is right.
Tears stung her eyes. “Logan. You know I do, I hate myself for it. But, I can't take it anymore, we can't be together. We've hurt each other way too many times. It's a miracle that it took this long for you to do this to me.” She began to weep, violent tremors wracking her body.
My baby is alone, waiting for me, and I’m sitting here crying, regretful that the man who almost killed me is hurting! What kind of woman have I become?
She dropped her head deeper into her arms, wanting to vanish.
Alicia tapped on the window, apparently tired of waiting in the steamy garage. “Let's go!”
Kristen hid under the false security of her hair, peeking out at her. Alicia pulled the door open, plopping down beside her and touched her arm gently. The misery etched in Kristen's face was heartbreaking. She sighed and leaned back.
Kristen sniffled. “I have to go, Logan. I’ll try to forgive you someday.” She heard Alicia’s disgusted groan. “But it's over…for good this time. I have a family now. I'm with a man who won't hurt me like you do.”
Timid and weak, but a start. Alicia's eyes widened with interest.
The dead silence at the other end of the phone prompted Kristen to turn to Alicia for reassurance. With a slow nod and an embrace, she gave her the courage she needed.
There was nothing left to say. Her hands shook as she clicked the end call button. Alicia hugged her close, kissing her hair softly. Kristen clung to her until the weeping eventually subsided.
“Let's go to my baby,” she whispered, brushing hair out of her face.
JAKE
When Jake finally woke up he was alone. Jerking upright, he called out to her. Where is she? Anxious, he checked his phone. No messages. He bounced out of bed, in a hurry to shower and dress, keeping his phone nearby in case she called. She didn't. Then he remembered how late he got home, how wasted he was. I can’t handle another argument. Not now. The warning played over and over in his head. He called her anyway.
“Where are you?” He continued getting ready to leave.
“At the hospital with the baby. We're leaving now.”
She didn't sound mad, just breathless. The blare of the intercom in the background distracted him.
Okay, it is the hospital.
“Who's we? Why didn't you wake me?”
“How could I? You were out cold. I'm with Alicia.”
He breathed a sigh of relief, trying to analyze the tone of her voice. “You should've tried at least... I'm sorry about last night. We were celebrating the deal. It's gonna be amazing!” A pause. “How's my boy?” He couldn't stop smiling at the idea. His boy!
“He's great. Maybe later you can come back with me.”
It never ceased to amaze him how the sweet quality of her voice always had a soothing effect, fueling him with renewed energy.
She blocked out everything else he said, too mentally exhausted to fight. “He can't leave until Sunday night or Monday now. They want to be sure.”
“That sucks! It's a fucking racket to make more money!” He raised his voice, overcome with grief. Then it dawned on him and his eyes saddened.
She wasn’t talking about last night, but something told him she hadn’t forgotten, and it wasn’t over.
As soon as Alicia returned from the bathroom, Kristen couldn’t take the anxiety provoked by speaking to Jake any longer and hung up. Added to the mental anguish from Logan’s actions, now she had to worry about a confrontation with Jake. But that battle would have to wait.
I’ll ask him who he screwed last night in person. The knots in her stomach were wound too tightly to even consider anything else.
When Alicia mentioned her new job, Kristen realized she’d made the right decision taking it shortly after Jake’s arrival. Unfortunately, the likelihood of the nanny job for Alex with money tight, was slim.
They were parked in front of Alicia’s building.
“Cheer up, Kris. I still have to tell you about my aunt’s guest house. I’m sure she’ll rent it to you guys for a really reasonable rent. I’ll text you the details.” With a quick kiss, she turned and ran into her building.
Perhaps the situation wouldn’t be that bleak after all. Filled with hope, Kristen’s face lit up, her eyes following her. Just as suddenly the happiness faded.
I can’t handle this right now!
Blinking her eyes to push away the image of the unusual glint in Alicia’s eyes when she kissed her, she propelled the car into the street. She still had Jake to contend with.
Jake took her in his arms as soon as she entered. “Are you mad about last night?” Needing to get it out in the open regardless of what it stirred up, he searched her eyes. There was something very curious about them. Holding her back a little, he dug deeper. “Are you okay? Your eyes are so red.”
Taken off guard, she fidgeted, unable to meet his gaze, “Yeah. Just tired.” Her shoulders and back were on fire. She cleared her throat. It still ached. Her voice choked up, exactly like the times she had laryngitis as a little girl.
She massaged her neck. He didn’t blink.
The tension thickened. He was having a hard time ignoring all the unanswered questions swirling through his mind as he continued to watch her. She sensed it.
“I think I'm coming down with something. I shouldn't have gone in the hot tub yesterday,” she blurted out, rushing away to the refrigerator for orange juice. Until she checked her image in the mirror, she couldn't get close enough for him to inspect her. It was too risky.
Jake's eyes narrowed. When she turned around, it startled her. He stood right behind her.
“When were you in the hot tub?”
How well I know that tone. Why am I suddenly in the hot seat? “When you were at your little party.” She wanted to yell, but her voice was too hoarse and sore. His tight scrutiny flared her up even more. “Why are you looking at me like that? I was here. I have the right to do what I want. You did! What was that perfume stink anyway? You think I didn't notice because you thought I was sleeping when you finally got home?”
“Wait a minute! I was at a business deal. What the hell are you accusing me of?” Unsettled, he moved closer.
She flinched, her hands instinctively shielding her throat. With a sudden flash of recognition in her eyes, she dropped her hands to the security of her lap.