Page 12 of Unravel Me

Because if I face it?

It will surely break me.

Needing to get out of Zoe’s apartment, I decide to walk around downtown and get a coffee. I thrived working the long hours that were required of me as a bartender, and then a chef. It kept my thoughts muted while I functioned in the hustle and bustle. Having nothing to keep me busy has given space to the unwanted thoughts that plague me.

I walk into the busy coffee shop and get in line. Even though I’ve lived in Seattle for the last six years, the city is suffocating. Compared to the open spaces, country dirt roads, and mountain air of Aspen Ridge, Seattle feels like a concrete wasteland that’s slowly caving in on me. It has its perks, sure. There’s always some place open to grab a bite to eat, coffee shops on every corner, vibrant culture, beautiful parks, buildings, and museums. But the past week, everything around me is getting louder and louder and I find myself craving the comfort of my old home.

I’m jerked from my thoughts when a firm hand slides around my waist and pulls me flush against a hard body.

“Don’t make a scene.” Brooks’ voice rings through my ears as he leans down and rubs his face into my hair. I cringe and do my best to step out of his space, but his hold around my waist is brutally tight. Alarm bells go off in my head.

“Let me go, Brooks,” I say through gritted teeth. I try to elbow him in the side as discreetly as possible.

“I told you already, my darling, never. Now let’s get some coffee and go home.”

“I’m not leaving with you, Brooks. Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me.” I enunciate every word as I do my best to squirm from his hold, but it only seems to strengthen him.

I start to panic and frantically look around the busy store. Everyone is looking down at their fucking phones, too busy wrapped up on their devices to notice that I’m right here being strongarmed into leaving with my possessive ex. Do I yell? Scream? What the fuck do I do?

The line moves forward and Brooks shuffles us ahead. I use his movement to my advantage and step down hard on his foot. His grip around my waist loosens just enough that I lurch myself forward into the customer ahead of me. We stumble a few paces and it gets me just far enough away from Brooks that he would have to forcibly remove me at this point. I’m not going to make this easy on him.

“I’m so sorry! I wasn’t paying attention and the man behind me bumped into me. I have a thing about men in my personal space and I pulled away too abruptly. Are you alright?” I say, my voice dripping with sweetness but laced with a twinge of fear.

The woman I bumped into looks old enough to be my mother. She scowls at Brooks before turning back to face me.

“It happens and I completely understand. Why don’t you go ahead of me and order and then we’ll sit together until you feel comfortable to leave.”

My face beams with gratitude. Thank you to the powers that be that this woman would understand. I chance a look back at Brooks and there is no hiding the furious look on his face. Fuck. I may have just pissed off the devil in disguise. Who is this man? When we were together he didn’t give off these psycho possessive vibes. I continue to be shocked that I was so blinded.

I order my coffee and offer to purchase my savior’s as well. I watch as Brooks leaves the shop and climbs into his car before speeding off.

As I’m waiting for our coffee order, my phone vibrates in my purse. I pull it out to more texts from Brooks.

Unknown: You’ll pay for that little stunt Ivy

Unknown: Think about embarrassing me again and I’ll make sure you regret it

Unknown: Come home.

The woman next to me lightly touches my arm to get my attention and I startle slightly, still shaken up.

“What’s your name, honey?” she asks me.

“Ivy.”

“Beautiful name for a beautiful girl. I’m Mabel. He wasn’t a stranger was he?”

We find our seats by a window looking out at the busy Seattle streets. I place my coffee down on the table before wringing my hands together in my lap nervously.

“No, ma’am. He’s my ex. I left him after he cheated on me and he is not happy, nor is he ready to let me go.”

“You did the right thing. Are you alright now? Do you need help or have someplace safe to go?”

Her words slice me open. Someplace safe to go. God, I’ve been holding it together for so long that I don’t know what that truly feels like anymore. The first thing that comes to mind is Aspen Ridge.

The next is Sawyer.

I have Zoe and I’m always welcome at her apartment, but I don’t want to make her uncomfortable or put her in an unsafeposition. And I can’t stay there much longer, sleeping on her couch and taking over her space.

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