Page 52 of Bone Dust

“You’re a strong woman.”

“I don’t feel that way. I mean, I know those are heavy topics, but I don’t feel stronger or weaker. I just feel I’ve grown.”

“I get it, but I want you to know you can talk to me. There isn’t much that shocks me and I’ve got time to listen anytime you want to talk.” He glances at me with the sweetest sincere expression. “I’m a pretty good listener.”

As I turn and gaze out the window, it’s dark memories I see. Scenes like in a movie play through my head and there’s one whose stain I’d like to bleach from existence and, maybe, if I bring it up, the stain will clear a little bit more.

“I didn’t really know Drake until college. My father ran a large branch of a major commercial real estate business. Drake’s dad owns several businesses; the biggest one is a sanitation company. Drake’s an only child, isn’t bad-looking, and never skimped on dates. He did much to impress me and I fell for it. When he no longer felt he had to impress me his true colors came through. He’s spoiled and he has a temper. He’s cruel with words and deeds. I couldn’t imagine a future with someone so narcissistic.”

“A guy like me. All the perks. No personality.”

His words hit like a douse of cold water. “I don’t believe that about you. I would think some ego goes along with the territory where you’re concerned and, from what you told me, you didn’t get much good as a kid. I’m sure whatever attention you got with the band felt good. I mean, did you ever set out to purposefully hurt someone?”

I pause. A slight shake tells me I’ve made my point.

“Drake did. I told him I didn’t want to see him anymore and he insisted we talk. Foolishly, I thought that’s all it would be, but he wanted to make me pay for rejecting him. And he did.” I take a deep breath then look down. My knotted hands show white knuckles. “It was a mistake to let my guard down. Such a mistake …” My voice withers.

“I don’t need to hear more.”

His gentle tone is a hug to my wounded heart. “I want to finish. I have to stop hiding behind shame I never caused. To stop beating myself up for things I should or shouldn’t have done.”

He glances at me wearing a weak smile, then nods.

“Drake showed up at a restaurant where I was having dinner with friends. He made a scene, but I was the one embarrassed. I got him to go to the parking lot. He said he’d have a rational conversation if I got in the car. He drove and we talked. The next thing I knew we were at his condo and things got ugly. He called me a little bitch. Said I embarrassed him. Slapped me and told me we were not breaking up and he would decide if, and when, we were over. He pinned me …”

“Stop! Jesus.” A mix of anger and disgust sour his expression.

“The look you’re wearing right now is why I didn’t tell my father. He would have killed Drake.”

“And he would have deserved it.”

The adrenaline rush that hit as the words flowed, falls, and I feel like I’ve hit a wall of exhaustion. “I’m glad I didn’t tell my dad. Drake’s father knows a lot of bad people.”

“You were afraid for him?”

“I don’t know. It seems kind of pointless to speculate now,” I reason. Silence hangs in the air between us.

“How does Drake know about Gigi?”

The question strikes like a thunderbolt, splitting me with terror. “I don’t know. He called. When he mentioned her, I hung up on him.”

“He called?” Anger fills his tone as surprise jerks his gaze in my direction. “When?”

“Recently. Just like tonight, he tried to intimidate me. It isn’t working. Honestly, I’m more angry than scared. I need to talk to the police. There is a restraining order. I don’t know how that works across states.”

Ian digests the tale I’ve purged in silence, which is fine because I’m weary of this trip down memory lane.

“Savi?”

“Hmm?”

“Go out with me.”

“What?” I smile as the out-of-the-blue question completely wrecks my train of thought.

“Seriously. Go out with me. You need a break. I’ll take you to dinner. I’ll even pay for Cora’s babysitting fee.”

“Why?” Befuddled, I float the question.

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