“No, no, you don’t understand.” He sighs and steps back, running his hand through his hair. “That was a mistake, okay? I’ve apologised.” He turns, his eyes wild, his hair sticking up. I swallow in trepidation. Something isn’t right… Has he been drinking?
“You need to fucking listen to me!” he screams, and his fist flies past me. I fall to the side as he punches my mirror. Turning in horror, I look at the cracked glass and then back to him. I step back with the comb clutched in my hand and point it at him.
“You need to get out! Now!” I almost scream, but my finger trembles as he steps closer, lowering his chin.
“Or what, Lexi?” He grabs me and throws me into a dressing table, his hand going to my throat. “You want to fight? Is that it? Is this some kind of sick game you’re getting off on?”
“No,” I snap, kicking out at him and pushing him back. “I can’t be any clearer, but I’ll try one more fucking time, so listen up.” I step closer, pressing the sharp edge of the comb to his throat, making him still this time, not me. I’m sick of men thinking they own me just because they’ve stuck their dick in me. They never have the right to touch me unless I say they do, and they need to realise that, because I’m tired of just accepting it. “I don’t want to fuck you, touch you, or be in a relationship with you. I want you to stop calling and texting. I want you to leave me the fuck alone.”
“You liked the flowers, didn’t you?” he interjects with a smirk.
The flowers… Fuck, they were from him?
“They were from you?” I sigh. “Justin—”
“Wait, you thought they were from someone else? Who the fuck are you screwing?” he demands, pressing into the comb, and I gasp and yank it back, but it’s too late. A drop of blood forms on his neck where he accidentally nicked himself.
He starts backing me up as he talks. “Lexi, who the fuck are you screwing?”
“None of your goddamn business!” I yell into his face. “Leave me alone, you fucking stalker! It is over. Over! Do you understand that? You were a mistake from the start, now let me get on with my life, or I swear—”
“What?” He laughs. “You’ll do what? Stab me with your little comb?”
I smirk then, refusing to be intimidated by this asshole. “Yes, and then I’ll toss your ass out of here. Leave me alone.”
He watches me, clearly debating my words. His shoulders slump as he scrubs at his face. “I just wanted to talk—”
“So you show up at my work? Drunk, nonetheless, and break my property?” I look at my mirror. “Good going, now get the fuck out.”
Sighing loudly, he backs away. “I’m sorry, Lexi, please—just think about what I said?” he implores almost hopefully.
“Are you kidding me?” I hiss. “No, it’s a no, it’s always going to be a no, and this shit is one of the reasons why.” Just then, we hear the footsteps of the girls coming down the stairs from the stage. They stop when they spot us. Their laughter and voices cut off as they take in my expression, the broken mirror, and Justin.
“Get out, or I’ll kick your ass, perv,” Allegra snarls as another girl goes to get security.
“Out before I gut you like the cunt you are,” Blair snaps, and even produces a blade from somewhere.
With one more look at me, he disappears, and I slump. They all rush over and start asking questions. “I’m okay, I swear I’m okay.” I sigh.
Security turns up, and I assure them I’m okay but ask them not to let Justin in anymore. After I wipe my face clean, I grab my bag and they walk me to the front door to make sure I get home okay. But once the door opens, all my anxiety and fear morphs to relief and happiness.
Tyler.
When I spot Tyler waiting outside, everything else fades away. Justin, the terror, nothing else matters but him. I rush into his arms, and he wraps them around me before pulling back and kissing me solidly.
I know I should tell him, but that can wait until later. Right now, I just want to be with my man.
He cups my cheeks and grins. “I’ve been thinking, there’s a family meal at my house on Saturday, come?”
“But—” He covers my lips and narrows his eyes in warning, making me shiver.
“You don’t have to say you’re with me. Justin won’t be there, but they all love you, so they won’t even question it… Come, Angel, please? Make it bearable?” he pleads.
“Will you at least promise to feel me up under the table?” I grumble, unable to say no to him.
“I’ll do you one better, I’ll fuck you while they’re downstairs eating,” he teases, grinning. I lean up and kiss him.
“Fine, you owe me orgasms for having to put up with Flo’s constant questions about babies though.”
“Deal,” he murmurs against my lips. “Now let’s get you home so I can rip off your clothes and start in on those orgasms.”
But in the back of mind, guilt takes root. I need to tell him about Justin… Will he understand?
Lying in his arms later that night, I finally tell him. “Tyler?”
“Hmm, Angel?” he murmurs, pulling me closer.
“Justin showed up at my work today.” I feel him lift his head and look at me, so I raise my eyebrows. “He was drunk, screaming about me taking him back. He even snuck into the dressing rooms and cornered me in there. He punched out my mirror and threatened me… He scared me.”
He frowns. “Are you serious?”
I nod. “I didn’t want to tell you, I just—” I sigh. “He really freaked me out. He left before security got there, but I had to threaten him with a comb. He wouldn’t take no for an answer, and even tried to—” I hesitate then.
“To what?” Tyler demands.
I lick my lips, and he grips my chin before tilting it back, making me meet those dark eyes.
“To what? Tell me now.”
“I don’t know, like to get it on with me,” I answer lamely.
His eyes flare, his body bunching. “Are you okay?”
I nod. “I was just scared.”
He leans in and kisses me. “I’m so sorry. Make sure security is always at the door now. I can talk to them if need be, that shouldn’t have happened. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, I just thought you should know,” I murmur.
“You should have told me earlier, Angel, but I get it.” He kisses me again, softly, lovingly, and then slips from the bed.
“Tyler?” I ask, sitting up as he grabs his jeans and starts to get dressed. “Wait, where are you going?”
“To beat up my dipshit son,” he snarls, turning towards me with his jeans unbuttoned, showing off his V and the bare skin leading to his cock.
“No.” Crawling to the edge, I grab his hips and look up at him. “He was drunk and being an idiot. I think he got the message. Don’t ruin your relationship because of me, okay?”
“Angel,” he snarls, reaching down and grabbing my chin. “He not only scared you but threatened and touched you. He’s a dead man walking. Son or no son.”