Page 13 of Unravel Me

Someplacesafe.

“Yes. I do. I’m spending the night with a friend tonight and tomorrow I am heading home. I’m safe there.”

“Good. Remember that you’re stronger than him. Women always are. We’re underestimated, but that just gives us an edge.”

Decision made, I thank her and go back to Zoe’s to break the news to my best friend that we’ll be spending some time apart while I go hide out in Aspen Ridge, lick my wounds in the fresh mountain air, and hopefully change my circumstances.

I just hope that I survive returning home.

Chapter 6

BROOKS

Isit in my car and watch Ivy through the window of Zoe’s first-floor apartment. Even though I’m angry with her after the stunt she pulled at the coffee shop earlier, I know I have to make her come home. I will make it better. She’ll see.

From the moment I saw her I knew she was perfect for me. She’s everything I want in a wife. Gorgeous, stopping every man in their tracks when she walks into a room. Quiet, doesn’t ask questions, and a pussy I love to fuck. And she’s all mine. No one else can fucking touch her.

I convinced my parents to hire her, I didn’t give a fuck if she burnt toast or was a Michelin Star chef. She was going to be my wife, and after I married her, she wouldn’t be working anyway.

The next step was a cakewalk. It wasn’t difficult to convince my grandfather to purchase the building she lived in with those losers she called roommates. She belonged at my condo with me. I gave her a week to stay with her friend before I swooped in and saved the day. She agreed to move in with me over a few glasses of wine and some slices of cheesecake. Fucking child’s play.

If she had waited just a moment longer before she busted into our bedroom, it would have looked like I was fucking Zoe. It was my one fuckup. I shouldn’t have had her bent over facing the door.

Fucking idiot!

I smack myself in the head with my palm until I feel a dull ache.

It took me fucking weeks to find someone who looked just like her best friend. I would have played the victim. Coming up with a story about how Zoe had been trying to hookup with me for months, seduced me, and fucked everything up. I’d beg for her forgiveness, but that friendship would be ruined.

She’d be all fucking mine.

I’ll fix it. I’m coming for her.

She’ll come back to me even if I have to lock her up and throw away the key.

She’s all mine.

Chapter 7

SAWYER

Monday came hard and fast and I was desperate for more caffeine if I was going to survive the day. Last night was our weekly family dinner at my parents’ house and it went much later than I wanted it to. Since the clouds promised rain, I took my truck and pulled up in front of Bean Haven for a cup of coffee before heading into the office. Hopping out of my truck, I round the front and spot Ms. Nettie sitting outside with her tiny dog in her lap, as usual.

Nettie Haven is an older woman in her seventies who owns the only coffee shop and bakery in town. She opened it with her husband forty-something years ago and it’s been a town stapleever since. Her granddaughter, Hannah, has been taking things over and has worked hard to liven the place up. Ms. Nettie is a busybody through and through and she has been sitting outside watching the comings and goings of the town on Main Street for as long as I can remember.

As I get closer, the dog jumps out of her lap and runs up to my ankles, yapping and growling the entire way. It looks more like a rat than a dog. This is the last thing I want to deal with this morning. Hate me all you want, but I can’t stand tiny dogs. They’re ballsy little shits with bad attitudes.

“Good morning, Ms. Nettie,” I greet her, irritation leaking into my tone. “You really need to put your ankle biter on a leash so she doesn’t run away from you.” I swoop up the pup by her stomach and drop it back in Ms. Nettie’s lap as it rears back and attempts to bite at my hands, making vicious sounds and baring her teeth. Jesus. This is normal behavior for this little pest. I’ve never seen a large dog act this way unless provoked.

“Morning, Sawyer. Winnie doesn’t like a leash, it irritates her skin.”

“Ahh. Yes. I remember now. Hannah inside?”

“Who else would be in there runnin’ the place if I’m out here?”

“Alright. Thanks, Ms. Nettie. Nice chat.”

I open the shop door and the bell chimes above my head. A few people are having coffee and pastries at the tables that line the wall across from the display case. Hannah leans over the counter as she chats up my brother, Liam. The two of them have been best friends since grade school and are still inseparable. The entire town always thought they’d end up together, but three years ago Hannah got pregnant and has been trying to work things out with her daughter’s father since. Even though the asshole is never around. He’s my age and the two of us never got along. He bailed on Hannah the moment she found out she was expecting, and he’s been in and out since. Liam never left herside and has been in Charlotte’s life since the day she was born. Still leaves me wondering, but I’m not one to push.

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