Page 16 of Muddy Messy Love

Stumbling forward with a tight smile, I rescue the door from her grip and step into the foyer to face a barricade of armed security and metal detectors. My eyes flicker to the guards, and my cheeks heat. I’ve never so much as touched a gun, yet the paranoia one somehow crept into my borrowed handbag is real. Alarms will scream, and I’ll have no choice but to lunge for my weapon, shoot my way to freedom, and achieve nothing but what I fear most.

Captivity.

Abuse while in captivity.

I’d rather be dead.

I inhale through my nose and avert my gaze. Why the hell does my brain do this? As I step through, no sirens sound, but I power forward in case they change their mind.

Random suits stride with purpose across the shiny floor, and police officers exit the concrete staircase, chatting and smiling as if it’s just another day—as if my world isn’t about to end. Waves of gleaming steel form bench seating too beautiful for bottoms, but I choose one that circles a square column and take a seat regardless. My phone vibrates in my blazer pocket, so I slide it out.

Jen:

Happy birthday, bitch. Welcome to adulthood. Now let’s end this shit-fuckery.

I gasp, and my thumbs fly over the keyboard.

Me:

Since when are you such a hardcore potty mouth?

Jen:

I’m trying to empower you in a way you understand. Since when do you say potty mouth? What have they done to you?

A smile tugs at my lips. There isn’t a situation in the world Jen couldn’t lighten.

Me:

Nothing yet. Waiting for my lawyer.

Jen:

You’ll be fine. Say it.

Me:

You’ll be fine. Happy?

Jen:

You’re infuriating, you know that? Lucky I still love you. See you soon. Bitch.

I shake my head, smile lingering, and my phone lights up again.

Beth:

Breathe, okay?

In, two, three, four.

Out, two, three, four.

Then repeat.

I follow her words while cursing the court case that’s kept her away. Lawyers can’t simply skip hearings, even if they are representing schmucks. I guess that’s good news for me, at least.

Me:

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