Page 22 of Tension

Probably the past two years.

None of this was because of Vel.

I walked straight to the fridge and opened it, pretending I needed something, hoping the cold air would calm the heat rising in my chest.

He followed me. “That’s what this is? You giving up on us over him?”

I turned around and lied, just to see what he would do. “Yes.”

He blinked, confused.

“Yes, Brian. I’ve been sleeping with him.”

That part was true. It just wasn’t the reason I was leaving.

He stood there for a second, then laughed. “Wow. So you proud of that shit? After everything I’ve done for you?”

“Like what?” I asked, staring at him like he had lost his mind. “You stayed in my house too long. Smoked out my apartment. Ran up my bills. Made everything about you. What exactly am I supposed to be thankful for?”

His voice dropped, soft in a way that felt fake.

“Aight, look. We both said things. Did shit. But maybe we can start over. Let it go. Just don’t leave me.”

He stepped closer, hands out like we were still something. I backed up.

“No. I’m done. This is over.”

His face changed so fast it scared me. He grabbed my wrist before I could move.

“Stop doing this shit. You ain’t going nowhere.”

“Bitch, let me go!” I shouted, yanking my arm.

He pulled harder. I shoved him back with everything I had.

Then he snapped.

The world tilted, and the sickening thud of my skull hitting the drywall drowned out his yelling. Pain shot down my arm where he had grabbed me. A sharp sting flared near my eye as the picture frame shattered against the floor.

I didn’t think.

I ran to my room for my gun.

By the time I came back, Brian was leaving. He slammed the door so hard the frame rattled.

I slid down the wall and sat on the floor.

My wrist throbbed.

My cheek pulsed.

Everything in me wanted to cry, but I did not. I just breathed. Slow. Shaky.

A knock came a few minutes later. When I opened the door, two officers stood there with my landlord.

“Ma’am, we had a call. Is everything alright here?”

I nodded. “The problem’s gone. He’s not coming back. I promise.”