Page 3 of And Then Came You

I duck into a quiet alcove, watching as a myriad of messages appear on my screen. Twenty-five, to be exact.

Wonderful.

The phone rings in my hand, and I jump, dropping it to the ground. When I read the caller ID, I release a groan. Game time. “Hi, Carl.”

“Don’t hi me, you fucking bitch,” he snarls, his voice thick with disgust. I form a mental image of the man clutching the phone, droplets of spit flying from his mouth in tandem with the obscenities he’s lobbing in my direction. “You stormed out without leaving me any cash.”

Stay calm, Lexi. Just breathe.

I’m loath to admit how often I repeat that mantra regarding Carl.

“I’m not giving you any more money. You’ll only spend it on women and booze.”

“I need to eat.”

“I went shopping the other day. There is a ton of food in the condo.”

“Bitch, if you don’t transfer some money to my account, I’ll drive to the city and force the card from your hands.”

“Here’s an idea. Get a job, Carl.”

“Here’s a better idea,” he seethes. “If you don’t send me some money, I’ll take my fair share of shit from your condo. Hawk it at the pawn store.”

I want to present a strong front, but I’m also over two hours from my home in East Hampton, and I’ve no doubt that he will make good on his threat. Even worse, he’ll aim for the pieces that carry sentimental and monetary value just to drive home his point.

What is his point? That I’m a coward, obviously. A coward who doesn’t want her home destroyed at the hands of a sociopath. I’ve lost count of how many times I demanded Carl leave, but every time he threatened me until I cracked from the strain.

What a guy.

Pulling the phone from my ear, I fumble to open my banking app. Maybe if I send him a small penance, he’ll leave me be for the weekend, and I can deal with his crap come Monday. “I’ll transfer fifty dollars to your account.”

“That’s not enough, and you know it. Send me five hundred.”

A surprised huff flies from my lips. “I’m not giving you five hundred dollars for two days. How about you get the hell out of my house? Get the hell out of my life.”

“You fucking cunt. I swear to God—”

Enough of this garbage. Looks like I’ll be leaving early, just to deal with this maniac. I fumble to end the call, but my trembling fingers hit the wrong button. Suddenly, Carl’s malicious diatribe is blasting out on speakerphone for the world to hear.

“I will wrap my hands around your fucking neck and choke you until you turn blue, you ungrateful whore.”

I jerk around as someone snatches the phone from my hand, staring into that same chiseled face from earlier. Only this time, instead of a teasing smirk, his mouth is a thin line of anger. “What’s his name?” Samuel gestures toward the phone, his gaze intent on me.

“Carl.”

He presses off the speakerphone, bringing the phone to his ear. “Carl, change of plans. Here’s what you’re going to do. Hey, I’m speaking. You’re going to pack your shit and leave…”

His eyes seek mine, and I realize Sam has no idea what my name is. “Lexi.”

“Leave Lexi’s house immediately. She’s not sending you a dime, you pathetic excuse for a human being. I heard the way you spoke to her. You never speak to a woman in that manner.Ever. You want to threaten me? Come on down, Carl. I’ll take immense pleasure in beating the shit out of you.” He releases a harsh laugh, tinged with fury. “Go ahead and try me. If you’re not out of her place by the end of the day, me and my boys will pay you a little visit. Trust me, you don’t want that.”

He ends the call and hands me the phone, those green eyes flashing with intensity. “Charming guy, you’ve got there.”

I slide the phone into my pocket, my gaze on the carpet. “He’s a real winner.”

“Why are you with someone like that?” Before I can answer, he holds up his hand. “Don’t tell me it’s because he used to be nice, but now he’s changed, or he’s not normally this bad. Trust me, I’ve heard all the excuses, and they’re all bullshit. So, what’s yours?”

Although Samuel hits the nail on the head, naming off a few of my more readily used reasons, my anger raises at his pointed questions. Who is this stranger to call me out, even if every word he says is the truth? Lifting my chin, I shoot him a defiant look. “I’m an asshole, I guess. Isn’t that what I’m supposed to say?”

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