Page 70 of Hate It with You

He shakes his head, taking a few steps toward the kitchen counter. “I don’t understand, Beth. Is this really⁠—”

He stops when he spots the note. The one that, in my tiredness, I forgot to hide before opening the door.

“No, Alex, don’t.” I try to stop him before he can get his hands on it, but I’m too late. By the time I’m close enough, he’s already reading it.

I set my teacup on the counter, watching him read the note, a million expressions running through his face before he lands on one I can’t discern.

He looks at me. “Is this why?” I look away from him, pressure building behind my sinuses, my vision beginning to blur.

“Beth, look at me.” His tone is firm enough that I do as he says. “Is this why?”

I turn away from him, taking a few steps to put some distance between us. “It’s not the only reason, I just…” I can’t find the words to continue as my voice cracks under the tears pooling in my eyes.

“Beth, you need to tell me what’s going on. I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me. I’m not afraid of these threats. Besides, I’d happily die for you if it meant keeping you safe.”

Whipping around, I throw my arms up at him, tears slipping past my defenses. “That’s what I’m afraid of.” My voice rises, everything I keep buried down boiling to the surface.

“Beth, who is he? Tell me, and I’ll fix this.”

When Alex walks toward me, I take a step back. “It’s my stepdad. He was released from prison shortly after I moved here.” My voice cracks, the truth finally being set free. “He’ll kill you, Alex. He’s assaulted people who have gotten close to me before. I can’t let that happen to you. I refuse to let that happen.” Tears flow freely down my cheeks. Alex reaches up to wipe them away, but I move my head, avoiding his touch at all costs.

The pain it would cause knowing it’s the last time he can ever touch me is too torturous to bear.

Wiping away my tears, I look away. “Just go…please. I’m not worth the trouble.” I’m quiet, too exhausted to project my voice for much longer.

“What in the world would make you think that?” His voice is pained, but when he takes a small step toward me, I lean back, doing my best to keep the distance between us.

“Push me away all you want, but I’m not going anywhere.” He turns to grab the note from the kitchen counter before making his way to the door. “I’m going to find a way to fix this. Until then, I’m not taking my eye off these cameras. All you have to do is yell my name, and I’ll be there in an instant. Okay?”

I’m too shaken up to respond, but I nod my head, knowing he won’t leave until I do. Once the door clicks behind him, I collapse onto the floor in a pool of my own tears.

30

BETH

Unfortunately, Alex has been doing exactly what he said he would do, and that’s trying to find a solution to this mess. That also means that I haven’t seen him in a week. On the plus side, no further notes have been left for me, and at least with Alex keeping his distance, I know he’s safe.

The only reason I know he’s still trying to find a solution is that Sienna texted me to let me know that Alex was digging. She didn’t give him the gory details, but she tried to visit me a few days ago. I made up a lame excuse about having inventory to get through and that I’d be too busy to hang out. Pushing Sienna away has hurt the most.

But there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to keep those in my life safe.

Benny still doesn’t know anything about what’s been going on, and I intend to keep it that way. I know Alex is trying to help, but I’ll find a solution myself. I know I will.

I’m currently closing out the till at the end of a Saturday, looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow. With so little business, I know I need to find a way to drive more traffic through the doors, and soon, but it’s been the last thing on my mind as of late.

With such a rainy day today, I found some relief as a few customers waltzed inside to seek shelter. The few sales I made today keep me hanging on to hope for the future. That is until I remember I can’t stay here.

The sun is setting fast outside as I finish up closing procedures and rearrange the books on my new releases table. I pull out my phone to check for a text message from Alex, but once again, I come up empty. My chest tightens at the lack of text notifications on my screen, but it’s for the best. It’s what will keep him safe.

I’m still staring at my phone when the bells on the door chime. The only person who visits me at such late hours is Alex. A smile begins to spread across my face, at war with my feelings when I look up, expecting to see Alex standing in the doorway.

My smile is soon replaced by a wave of nausea rolling through my stomach when my eyes land on the man who’s decided to pay me a visit.

Frank.

I’m frozen. Unable to move or speak, my freeze response renders me motionless in the presence of my abusive stepfather.

He looks worse than I last saw him. His hair has grown out, still greasy as ever, the thin strands framing his wrinkled face as he glares at me, his eyes glazed over from the half-drunk whiskey bottle in his hand. His skin has paled, and his muscles withered. He looks moments from death.