Page 54 of Shattered

Deciding it was best for me to finally leave, I escaped into her bedroom to get dressed.When I was finished, I brushed past her and swiped my wallet and keys from the countertop.I was almost to the door when her hands were on me, tugging my arm back toward her.

I shrugged her off me.

“I can’t do this right now.I have to leave before I say something I can’t take back.”I struggled with leaving her, but I needed some time to cool down.

“Okay, whatever you need.”

“Nowyou’re agreeable?”Right after the words left my lips, I shook my head and turned the knob on the front door.Before pulling it open, I offered, “I’ll talk to you later, Sara.”

The door remained open as she watched me walk away.I knew her eyes were on me with every step I took, but thankfully, she didn’t try to call me back.

~29~

Sara

Half of the day went by, and I still hadn’t heard from Alek.No quick phone call or text.Nothing.I decided I would busy myself with some Netflix selections to pass the time.I was halfway through a horror flick when Alexa came strolling through the door.Looking as if she had been about to cry, I patted the seat next to me, hoping she would tell me what was wrong.

Thankfully, she did.“Are you all right, Lex?”

She threw her bag on the ground and slumped back against the couch.“I don’t know.I mean, I know what the problem is, but I’m not sure if I know how to fix it.And if I can’t fix it, then I don’t know how or if I can stay with him.”She stood up and wandered into the kitchen.She was searching for wine and thankfully, I only had one glass the night before.Pouring herself some, she tipped the bottle toward me, silently asking whether or not I wanted some.

“Why not?” I still had my own issues I was dealing with.

Once we had the soothing concoction in our hands and were snugly seated back on the couch, we broached the subjects which were plaguing our ever-busy minds.

We both said, “What’s the problem with you?” at the same time.After we were done laughing, I urged her to spill the beans first.I need something to take my mind off my fight with Alek, and her story just might do the trick.

“You go first, Lex.What’s going on with you?Obviously, it was something to do with Braden, so what happened?”Alexa had started seeing him months earlier and everything was going well, so I was surprised to hear something was amiss.

Without any hesitation, she delved right in to what had happened. I’d met Braden quite a few times and while he always seemed nice, he was also a pretty intense guy.But I had one of those of my own, so I could definitely relate.

They proved to be quite challenging, in more ways than one.

“Well, Braden and I got into an argument earlier because he has to go away on business and he wants me to accompany him.But as much as I would love to go, I can’t up and take off work for that long.”

“Isn’t he the CEO of your company?”I was a bit confused. I mean, it wasn’t like her boss wouldn’t give her the time off, seeing as how Braden was in charge of the whole place.

“Yes, he is, and it makes it all the more reason why I can’t just up and leave whenever he wants me to.I have a job I was hired for, and I don’t want to be known asthatgirl.You know, the one who’s dating the big boss and therefore can do whatever she likes,” she said, waving her hands all around.“No one likesthatgirl.Idon’t like that girl, so I won’t become her.”

“Okay, yeah, I see what you mean now.”She drank the rest of her wine and poured another, surely trying to wash away her aggravation.“Merely out of curiosity, does he want you to come with him to help with work, or simply because he wants to spend some time with you?”

“He said, quote, ‘I want you to go with me so I can keep an eye on you,’ end quote.” Her temper was taking hold again, simply from re-telling the story.The statement didn’t sit well with her, and I completely understood.Alexa was as independent and stubborn as I was; therefore, I was able to put myself in her shoes.I would be reacting the same exact way if Alek had pulled that shit with me.

But just so I had the full story, I needed her clarification.While Braden came across intense, he didn’t seem like the macho, pig-headed type.

“Why does he want to keep an eye on you?What exactly does he mean?Did you ask him?”

“Of course I asked him and he said he didn’t mean it the way I took it.”Her voice dipped, almost as if she was trying to imitate him.“But what other way is there to take it?When I pressed him further, he said he only meant he didn’t like to be so far away from me.He felt like he couldn’t reach me fast enough in case I needed him.What I wouldneedhim for is beyond me.Never mind the fact he’s acting all possessive over me recently.And while I find it flattering sometimes, he’s getting a little out of hand with the whole fucking caveman attitude.”

Alexa almost choked on her drink because of the unexpected noise I made.

“Sorry.” I laughed.“It’s just I deal with the same thing from Alek.He hovers over me a little too much sometimes, and it really grates on my nerves.I know he’s worried about me, but he goes a bit overboard.”

“So, how do you deal with Alek when he acts all crazy?”

“I speak my mind and go on about my business.But I’m going to be honest with you, Lex. Even though I speak my mind, we still end up in arguments over whatever he’s acting irrational about.But it’s the way he is, and if I want to be with him, which I honestly do, then I have to take him as he is.I’ll continue to try to make him to see my side of the situation, and if that doesn’t work, I withhold sex.”Alexa wasn’t used to me talking in such a way, having been a virgin before Alek.“Sadly, it doesn’t really work so much, because one touch from him and I’m putty in his hands and we both know it.”

I hoped my advice helped her, because honestly, it was all I had to offer in the way of dealing with possessive, domineering and stubborn men.

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