AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 5
Red.
Cornell saw red. Not fire engine red. Not straight out of hell red. No. Graham Jones had provided Cornell with a new shade of red—somehow both deep and bright, maroon and flaming all in one. When Cornell saw Graham in Ali’s office, he saw what rage looked like. It was blinding.
Driving home, Cornell kept both hands tight on the wheel. He didn’t reach over and grab Ali’s leg like he always did in the car, didn’t squeeze her hand, breathe a sigh of relief that nothing happened to her. Part of him wanted to run his hands from top to bottom, looking for the smallest, light brown hair out of place.
All I need is the smallest fucking reason to beat that kid to a pulp.
“Go ahead and say it.” Came Ali’s voice from the passenger seat, her arms folded across her chest. “You told me so.”
Cornell shook his head and stayed silent as he pulled into the driveway. Ali quickly got out of the car, Mowgli following, but Cornell stayed in his seat after turning off the engine, watching them walk through the front door. The lamps in the living room glowed through the curtains, and he heard Mowgli bark when Ali was getting his food.
That’s my whole world in there, Cornell thought as the sea of “what-if’s” began to swirl around in his head, gaining the momentum of waves. His mouth twisted at each of them. What if he hit her? Touched her? His stomach churned, cranking out more anger. I was just a building away, and that could’ve happened.
When he entered the house, he could hear the shower running. Mowgli was licking his bowl, and Cornell walked over to the small bar cart next to the television, grabbing the bottle of Jack Daniels. Never more than a beer guy, he frowned at the taste as it seared the back of his throat. But Cornell welcomed the seemingly quick release of the hard liquor, sting and all.
He brought Mowgli out back. “You deserve a real walk. I’m sorry. I don’t want to leave mama alone right now,” he admitted to the dog who sauntered into the darkening backyard.
And then Cornell’s own words hit him back in the face. I didn’t even make sure she was fucking okay. Mowgli returned to the patio and walked back into the house. Cornell quickly followed. He grabbed another glass, filling both of them, and walked into the bedroom where Ali had changed into pajamas and was rubbing a towel through her hair.
“Are you alright?” he asked quietly, holding out the glass to her.
Ali looked between Cornell and the glass before taking it out of his hand. “I’m just trying to gauge exactly how angry you are with me.”
“With you?” Cornell asked, taken back. “Why would I be angry at you?”
I mean, I am. A little bit.He sighed inwardly, not wanting to admit it, knowing she had been through more than enough. But Cornell let himself think it anyway. You knew this guy was bad news. And you just shut the door. You should’ve called me the second he walked in. Or the police. This guy is a rapist. He’s violent. He was totally unstable right in front of your eyes just a few days ago. And you want to play the hero.
Cornell took a drink, letting the whiskey burn while he swished it around his mouth before swallowing. He pulled his top lip down between his teeth, gnawing at it.
Okay, maybe I’m a little more than angry.
“I know when you’re lying,” Ali said, reaching for her brush on the dresser. “You do that thing with your lip.”
Instantly, Cornell relaxed his mouth and sighed. “Alright, I’m mad. Because you never should’ve let him into your office.”
“I didn’t let him in. He barged in,” she corrected him firmly.
“Beth said you closed the door.”
“I thought it was better not to make a scene.”
Cornell widened his eyes. “Better for who exactly?” Ali went to speak, but Cornell continued. “You thought it was better to be in a closed room with Graham after seeing what he did on Friday?” What the hell do you owe this guy to not make a scene, Cornell wanted to scream. He took a deep breath to try and steady his rageful nerves.
“I don’t expect you to understand.”
“Then help me, Ali. Because I can’t quite understand why you would think that was a good idea.” Cornell shook his head angrily. “He could’ve hurt you.”
“He didn’t.”
“He could’ve,” Cornell repeated. “You’ve got to stop thinking about everyone else and put yourself fucking first for once in your life. This would’ve been a good time to start.”
Ali sipped her drink and said nothing.
“Fine. Think about me,” Cornell said, challenging her even though the selfish comment felt wrong coming from his mouth after the evening’s events. But he needed Ali to understand. “If I got to your office and saw that he hurt you—”
“He didn’t!”
