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Phillip grabs my other arm when Jamie moves to stand in front of me. I know he’s trying to block my view, but I can still see them rolling around on the ground in a flurry of fists.
“Wesley is perfectly capable of handling himself, and even if he’s not, you’re the last person who should be helping him.”
“He’s my ex. I need to fix it.”
“I have no doubt that you’re a strong and capable woman, but there is a significant chance that one or both of them may end up hitting you.”
“I don’t care. I don’t want him to get hurt.”
“And what about the baby? Is that a risk you want to take?” he asks softly.
The baby.
Our baby.
Amid all the drama, I had completely forgotten about the baby.
“Please let me handle this. I’m nearly a foot taller than Wesley, and I routinely beat him when we box. If I can handle Wesley in the ring, then Kyle isn’t going to be able to dish out anything I can’t handle.
“I’m the safest choice to break them up, but I can’t get involved if I’m too worried about you rushing in and getting hurt as soon as I turn my back to you. Please promise me you’ll stay put with Phillip and let me handle this.”
“Why can’t you both go?”
“I need someone with you who can protect you if he decides to come after you and manages to get past us. I’d never forgive myself if I couldn’t keep you safe.”
“I’ll stay here. I promise.”
Jamie rushes off to break them up, leaving me with an unobstructed view of Wesley and Kyle.
I’m left feeling horrified and disgusted. It’s clear that Wesley is only trying to defend himself and finish the fight. Every time he manages to knock Kyle off him, he takes a step back, giving Kyle plenty of opportunity to walk away.
Kyle never takes it. He rushes in with yet another dirty trick, screaming about how I belong to him and they need to back off his property.
I knew by the way he treated me that he felt that way about me, but hearing it out loud is an entirely different kind of pain.
It only highlights the difference between him and my men. They treat me like I’m a person rather than a thing. They value me for who I am and respect my boundaries.
Sure, they challenge me and call me out on the unhealthy patterns that I’m trying to unlearn, but it’s for the betterment of me as a person. Those gentle suggestions have helped me grow rather than squash me down and make me feel worthless.
Even if I had been unsure about them—which I wasn’t—today would have been enough to convince me of the quality of their character.
They silently supported me in the background, empowering me when I confronted Kyle. They helped me get the closure I didn’t realize I needed, and they only stepped in when I needed protecting.
I don’t like violence. It’s one of the few things guaranteed to send me into an instant panic attack, but seeing Wesley protecting me makes me feel safe and valued. He’s always so afraid of this side of himself, but to me, he’s an avenging angel.
After a few moments, Jamie manages to catch Kyle under the arms. He struggles and swears a blue streak, but he can’t break free of his hold.
I take a few cautious steps forward until I’m able to hear Jamie and Wesley’s voices instead of just Kyle’s howling. Phillip follows closely behind me with his phone back in hand, so I assume he’s back to recording again.
“I will let you go as soon as you calm down,” Jamie says firmly. “I’m not letting you go just so you can hit my friend again.”
Kyle continues to squirm but falls silent.
The neighbors who have been watching from their balconies retreat back inside now that the show appears to be over.
Assholes.
“The second you give me a guarantee that you’re going to leave both the parking lot and our lives, I will let you go. Until then, consider yourself in time out.”
