Page 31 of The Book of Wrath

“I think your sister and Ethan were here cleaning up for you the day after everything happened,” he took my house key from me and let himself in. “Sit on the couch and don’t move until I check the entire house.”

I listen, closing and locking the door behind me. I don’t want any unsuspected surprises, so I take a seat on the couch, staring around the room. The tv remote is exactly where I left it on the table, my latest book that I’ve lost myself in is still sitting on the table next to it. I can’t help but wonder what life would be like it I never met Ryan, if Matt was still alive. What would it be like if I met Max before Ryan? All the questions circle in my head that I don’t notice Roark coming back into the room.

“Something off?” He asks while waiting for my invitation to take a seat. I wave him over to the couch, but he takes a seat on the loveseat.

“No, everything that I can see is right where I left it. I just have a lot on my mind,” I confess, leaning my head back on my couch.

“That’s to be expected, your last few weeks haven’t been normal to say the least,” Roark confirms, as if I forgot the hell that was my life.

“Can I ask you a question and you be completely honest with me? No bullshit,” I say, head still resting on the back of the couch.

“Go for it, as long as it’s not anything I wouldn’t want to picture. Like what size Max’s dick is or anything like that,” Roark bantered off like that was where my brain was going. I don’t have the guts to tell him that I already have a good idea what is dick size is, at least through pants.

“Nothing like that, I was wondering if you find it too quick for me and Max to be dating,” I try to say is so casually, but it’s been weighing in my mind. I could only think about him once I laid eyes on him.

“I’m not one to make judgement on how others live their lives. If I was Max and laid eyes on you like he did, I probably would be the same way with you. Just make sure your heart is in the right place. If you two just want to fuck and mess around, then do that. I know Max, he’s not that kind of guy though. If he is all in, then that’s what you’re getting. Fuck what people might think,” Roark’s words struck a cord with me. I was worried about what people would say. Most people didn’t even realize Ryan and I were no longer a thing.

“Thank you,” I say and get up from the couch. “Feel free to get something to drink. Warning about the tea, Max says it’s too sweet. Diabetes in a cup.”

I hear him laugh as he walks into the kitchen, I head upstairs not wanting to go back into my bedroom, but he was right. It was as if nothing had happened here. I think I was happier this way. Not having to clean the mess up myself this time. I grab out my suitcase from under the bed, I don’t know when Max will let me come back here so I decide to grab the essentials, clothing for at least a week, toiletries that I just replaced, my makeup bag with a few extra things, and all the electronics I knew I would need while I was staying there.

I’m treating this like I’m going on vacation, but I don’t know how long it will be before Max thinks it’s safe for me to be here alone. Hell, I don’t know when I will be able to sleep here. This house was supposed to be my sanctuary, my haven. Now it feels like a prison I can’t wait to escape.

I close my bedroom door and head downstairs; I don’t bother looking through any of the other rooms once I get what I need. Ryan’s brother was supposed to come pick up Ryan’s things, and I’m guessing he did. He probably did it while I was in the hospital. I’ll have to ask Alice later. I knew she had work tonight at the bar.

“Do you think Max will ever let me come back here by myself?” I ask as my feet hit the hardwood floor. Roark was just standing there, looking out my back door like something was off.

“Not anytime soon. Megan, be honest with me. Who has access to your shed?” Roark asks, his hand slowly reaching into the back of his shirt, pulling out a gun.

“Me, Ryan and my neighbor. Ryan’s key was supposed to be returned after his brother got his stuff,” I say, trying to move toward Roark. He puts his hand up and points to the living room.

“Get in the living room, do not move until I call you. I’m locking the backdoor,” He was blunt, opening the door, flicking the lock, but quietly closing it behind him as if he was trying not to startle someone.

I do as he says and head to the living room with my bag, phone in my hand ready to call 9-1-1. I swear they probably have my number saved at this point.

Hell Hath NO Fury

Chapter 26

Megan

It has been a magnificent past three weeks. I was able to return to work and save Melissa the stress of dealing with Ally messing things up. I didn’t realize how much work didn’t get done while I was in the hospital. Not a single peep from Ryan, thank the gods for that. I know there is a hearing coming up soon about the charges being pressed against him. My lawyer is saying that it’s looking good that he will be seeing the inside of a jail cell for at least twenty years. It helps that I wasn’t the first and I’m not the only one willing to talk.

Ally and Tony have been seeing each other in a friend with benefits kind of way. I think he might actually be able to tame the wildfire that is her heart. I don’t think he would ever try to control her, but I do think he is doing her some good. Her wandering spirit seems content to stay here as long as he’s in her life.

Things with Max have been really good. Dinners and movie dates, we even have plans to go axe throwing with the boys this weekend. I have even made plans with my cousin Lexi to have a damn spa day. It’s been so long since I’ve had that kind of freedom, that I didn’t realize what I was missing.

My shift was almost over, I was stacking books back on the return cart to check them back into the system when the devil herself walks in and heads straight for me.

“Where the fuck is my son?” Mrs. Rebecca Paxley, mother of hell spawn Ryan Paxley comes at me like somehow this is all my fault.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I have a restraining order on him since the bullshit he pulled months ago. He’s not allowed to contact me or come anywhere near me. So, pardon me I have work to do,” I politely excuse myself from this wretched woman.

“He was at your house a month ago looking for you! He hung up saying you had just gotten home,” She snarls, reaching for my arm.

“He was not at my house. If he was he was trespassing, and my neighbors would’ve called the cops. I have been staying with friends. My sister met with Alan to get Ryans shit out of my house and that’s the last I know of anything. He lied to you. Get over it. I am not his keeper,” I pull my arm away from her.

“You better wat—” She stops herself from speaking as someone approaches from behind me. I recognize the steps instantly.

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