Page 51 of Cuts Like an Angel: Part 2

The sound of doubt and hope rang equally in his voice. “Well, not physical, but blackmail and manipulation. I told them fine; I’ll come back home, but let me go say goodbye and tie up all my loose ends with my job, right?” she hurried in a whisper. “I was going to tell you but I wasn’t sure how or when, you know? I didn’t know how to exactly tell you that I lied straight to my parent’s face, how to tell you what kind of horrible people I have for a mother and father and sister. It’s shameful what they’re doing, it’s shameful that I lied the way I did. I didn’t know what you’d think about all of that.” And the other things she told him. “Now my mother is calling, and she’s threatening to tell you all my dirty secrets, all the things I hate about myself, but I told her William,” she sobbed quietly into the phone, “I told her you won’t be able to because I’ve told him already,” she gasped, fighting to keep her sobs under control. “And you love me and no matter what my secrets are, you’ll love me. Am I right, William? You do love me no matter my past, no matter the mistakes I’ve made?”

“Rosie,” he croaked into the phone, his breaths thick. “Do you really have to ask that? Do you really not know that there is nothing in this world that could keep me from loving you?”

“I do know,” she shuddered, steadying her breaths. “I just …” she put the heel of her hand on her eye. “I’m scared. To lose you?”

“Oh God, Rosie,” he whispered. “You lied to them? To your parents? To be with me?”

“Yes!” she said, nodding that he was finally getting the message. “I would do much more than that too. I will, if they fuck with you or me and what we share.”

“Come get me, Rosie.”

Rosie released several breaths. “I’m on my way! I’m …” she looked around and ran to the dresser. “I’m coming right now. I’ve got the keys and I’m running down the stairs.”

“Slow down sweet Rosie,” he whispered, sounding tired. “I need you here in one piece. Carly will give you directions.”

“Okay, yes. Rest till I get there. Are you okay? You sound …”

“Drunk,” he mumbled with a deep sigh. “Sorry,” he said quietly.

“Don’t you dare apologize,” she whispered softly. “Let me talk to Carly. Rest for now.”

“You’ll come now?” he asked.

“Yes, right now,” she assured at hearing his worry. “I’ll put the address in the GPS and call you when I get there.”

“I miss you Rosie,” he whispered.

Joy surged in her chest and she clenched her eyes tight. “I miss you more, William.”

She was already in the car when he gave the phone back to Carly and she got the address. Entering it into the GPS she started the car and tore out of the driveway.

He was only five miles off. Not so far from the hospital even. Ten minutes later and she pulled up at a nice home in a pretty nice neighbourhood.

Her phone rang, and she gasped at seeing William’s number. “You made it?” he said when she answered.

She looked at the windows, trying to see him. She glimpsed a woman and her gut tensed with nerves. “Of course, I did.”

“You okay?”

“Now I am. What should I do?”

“Ah, well … I was hoping you’d meet Carly.”

The first name basis poked her jealousy monster in the eye. “Of course. Can’t wait to meet my saviour.”

“Your saviour?”

“Well, anybody who saves you, saves me, William,” she said, tears surging again. “I look like hell; I should warn you.”

“Why would you think that?”

She climbed out the car and shut the door. “I’ve been cleaning ... and crying,” she admitted with a light laugh, fighting embarrassment.

“Sweet Rosie,” he mumbled. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“Please don’t apologize,” she begged hurrying up the sidewalk. “I would have done the exact same in your shoes. I’m at the door now. I’ll see you in a second.”

“Okay.”

---