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You’re nervous. That’s okay. How about on the count of three?
I lower my heels so my feet are flat on the floor.
One.
I take a deep breath.
Two.
I stuff down the tendrils of panic writhing inside me.
Three.
I race through the living room so fast everything seems to blur. I grab my purse and open the front door in one fluid motion.
Their shouts of concern follow me out the door and down the street as I run. A glance back over my shoulder tells me they’re at the doorway now.
“Avery, what are you doing?”
“Come back here. We need to talk.”
Their voices keep getting closer.
Damn it.
I hadn’t counted on them chasing after me. I’d assumed they wouldn’t want to make a scene. Both of them are bigger than me and probably faster. They could catch me easily.
Maybe I’m a coward, but I have no plans to sit in that living room and be told to my face that I’m trash and they never want to see me again.
Where is that car? It’s supposed to be here by now.
Miracles do happen after all because as soon as that thought pops in my brain, my taxi rounds the corner of the street.
I chance a glance back. I’ve got about half a block on them but they’re closing that distance fast.
Anxiety gives me the kick of speed I need. I race toward the taxi, flailing my arms and praying that it stops.
The driver slows to a crawl and rolls down his window.
“Can I help you?” he asks warily.
“I’m Avery. I ordered the taxi. I need to get out of here. Right now.”
I glance over my shoulder at the men who are getting closer every second. He follows my gaze, and his brows knit with concern when he sees Phillip and Jamie.
“Get in.”
I dive into the backseat. Before I can even get my seatbelt on, he pulls a U turn so fast the tires squeal. We’re out of that cul-de-sac in record time.
He’s quiet for the first chunk of the trip, but once my breathing goes back to normal, he breaks the silence.
“Miss, are you okay? Do you need me to call the police or take you to the station instead of going home?”
His words squeeze my heart.
Too many people in my life had seen the bruises and said nothing. Out of all the people I’d been around back then, only three of them cared enough to try and help me.
To say that soured my view of humanity would be a gross understatement.
