Page 28 of Stanton Unconditional

“Where to?” he asks.

I look at him in the rearview mirror and my eyes fill with tears again. Where to? I don’t even fucking know. Away from him…and his… deceit.

Shit. I don’t have my purse. I quickly feel my pockets. I have twenty dollars coffee change from this morning.

My eyes dart around. “How far is the closest McDonalds?” “Two blocks around the corner,” he says flatly with his wrist draped over the steering wheel.

I nod nervously. “Take me there.”

He nods, puts on the blinker and pulls into the traffic and moments later we arrive at my safe haven. I look around frantically as I walk in and my phone rings and I jump.

Joshua… his name lights up the screen. My heart sinks and I start to sob uncontrollably. Everything I thought I knew is a lie. It’s not real. I run to the bathroom and put my phone on silent. It rings again. Oh shit… stop fucking calling me, I sob again. I burst into the cubicle and throw the lid down. I sit and put my head into my hands. My foot taps double time as I think. The phone rings again. I press reject. Fuck, what am I going to do? My passport and bag are back in the room. My phone rings again. I instantly reject it. I stand, turn and vomit into the toilet. The phone rings again. I press reject instantly. It beeps a text.

Baby. Where are you? It’s not how it looks.

Please. You are not safe alone

I sob into my hands. Not safe, what does that mean?

Nobody could hurt me as much as you have.

Natasha, please.

You have no money.

My lip quivers as I realize the sick truth: he is right. But if I go back, he is going to feed me some bullshit story. Lie some more. Amelie can fucking have him, they deserve each other.

Please, Natasha. I’m frantic.

I love you more than anything

I stand and start to shake my hands. Should I go back? Maybe I should just listen to him? It was just once. I cry out loud as the pain lances through my chest. Once is one too many times, asshole.

Natasha, please tell me you are alright.

Where are you?

I pull my feet up into a fetal position. My phone beeps a message. I look at the screen. It’s Max.

Natasha, it’s me.

Let me come get you

Can I trust him? I put my hand over my mouth as I think.

He texts again.

Where are you?

I will not tell him.

I stand as I exit the stall and start to pace. I catch sight of myself in the mirror. Bloody hell, I look like something from a Halloween movie. Makeup is smeared all over my face.

Natasha, trust me.

You have my word.

Fucking hell. What am I going to do? My hands shake as I put them over my mouth to think. My phone beeps again. Joshua.