Page 66 of When Our Stars Aligned

“You made her feel unsafe in her own home. Why?”

“I was just tryin’ to send a message. She shoulda just moved in with me when I told her to, but she loved that piece of shit little house.”

My hands begin to shake with anger. While I’ve never seen her house in person, she’s shown me pictures. Aly took pride in her home; it was special to her, and he ruined her sense of security.

“Let me get this straight.” I try to push down the rage rising within me. “You thought you’d scare her out of her own home, so she would come running back to you?”

“She had nowhere else to go…or so I thought. I never figured she’d pack up and move.”

“What choice did she have?!” At that moment, a strange feeling of gratitude comes over me. Aly told me that had it not been for Trent’s harassment, she wouldn’t have taken the job out here. In a weird way, I’m grateful that this asshole drove her straight out of Georgia and right to me.

“There you are!” Alex appears from around the corner with a slight limp. “Peanut is crazy tonight!” He shakes his head then freezes when he sees I’m not alone. “Shit—is this…?”

“Yup,” I reply, not taking my eyes off Trent.

“Who are you?” Trent spits.

“A credible witness,” Alex replies as he moves to stand beside me.

Trent is quiet as he sizes up both Alex and me. I try to fight back a smile. It’s easy to see he’s had other people do his fighting for him. But out here, with no support, he’s silently shitting his pants trying to figure out his next move.

The sound of footsteps has us all turning our heads as Gabby and Aly round the corner. Aly stops and stiffens; the color drains from her face. Trent’s posture changes as soon as he spots his ex-fiancée, and I fight a primal urge inside of me to not kill this fucker right on the spot.

36

Aly

Only a few minutes passed, but it felt like hours since Jax went outside to check on everything. Alex followed a little bit later and Carter was too preoccupied with calming down Michelle. I had to see what was going on, so Gabby offered to come with me. I didn’t expect to see Jax and Trent squaring off in the parking lot. I knew there was a possibility Trent could be here, but my self-doubt told me I was overreacting.

“Aly,” Trent breathily calls my name. He gives me his signature puppy dog eyes. “I missed you so much, Aly Cat. Please come home.”

I look between both men. Trent, the one who has manipulated me so many times by pulling on my heartstrings, and Jax, the stoic one who has never once questioned me for who I am.Without saying a word, I run towards Jax’s side and he pulls me into the safety of his arms.

“So, is this the rebound?” Trent spits.

“Rebound? Trent, we spent six months on and off and then you spent a year tormenting me. Add in the time I’ve been here and that’s nearly two years since we were together. I don’t know what qualifies as a rebound, but I think the statute of limitations is over.”

“Come on, Aly Cat,” Trent says, completely ignoring my words. “I know you got cold feet and all, but enough is enough. You’ve had your fun. Now, it’s time to come home.”

“Aly Cat?” Alex asks.

“He said I was a stray when he found me.” I roll my eyes and Jax grinds his teeth. I conveniently met Trent soon after Jess moved away and while Jacob was traveling the world. I still had other friends and acquaintances, but I realize now that without my core support system, I was much more willing to accept Trent into my life. Later on, I learned that isolation is a major red flag of controlling relationships.

“Didn’t think you had it in you to move across the country,” Trent continues. “I was searching up north. Figured you moved in with Jess. Good thing you got that speeding ticket. It helped me narrow down the search.”

“I see your brother is still helping you with your dirty work.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Bros before hoes.” Trent shrugs, and with that, Jax moves away from me and jumps off the curb with a fist aiming for Trent.

“He’s not worth it!” Alex yells and pulls him back just in the nick of time.

“He’s right, Jax,” I say, gaining a little more confidence. “I don’t want you to hurt him.”

“See, it’s ’cause she still has feelings for me.” Trent gives an arrogant smile pointed at Jax.

“No, I don’t want Jax to go to jail for assault. I don’t think I could survive on conjugal visits.” I can’t help it. I look over at Jax and give him a wink.

Alex lets out a whoop. Trent stands in shock with his mouth gaping. He’s never heard me this outspoken. Even when I broke up with him, I was still meek because I was afraid to hurthisfeelings. Now that I’ve removed myself from the situation, I realize how much of a manipulator Trent really was. He may have tried to break me down, but Jax has built me up. I’m stronger than I’ve ever been before.

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