Page 14 of Burly and Possessive

Andrea goes to get more candy, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The music has stopped, but the energy lingers, buzzing in the air like static.

“Alright,” Andrea says, reappearing with a phone and a portable charger in hand. “Time to rejoin the land of the living.”

I frown. “What?”

“Your phone,” she says, waving it like a trophy. “It’s charged. Now you can call your people and let them know you’re alive.”

I hesitate, a knot tightening in my stomach. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

“Leesa.” Andrea’s voice is gentle but firm. She sits beside me again, meeting my eyes. “I get it. You needed space. But avoiding them forever isn’t the answer. They’re probably worried sick, and honestly, you’ll feel better once you check in. Trust me.”

I stare at the phone, the weight of it suddenly too much. She’s right, of course, but the thought of facing the outside world—even through a phone call—is daunting.

Andrea nudges me. “You’ve already done the hard part. You walked away from something that wasn’t right for you. Now you have to let the people who love you know you’re okay.”

Her words chip away at my resistance. I wish I had as much confidence as Andrea and her brother. With a sigh, I take the phone.

Andrea smiles. “Go on, I’ll keep an eye on everything.”

I walk to the far end of the parking lot, shivering in the cool evening air and staring at my phone like it might bite me. I have so many texts and voicemails that it makes me sick to my stomach. I clear them all without even looking at any of them or listening to the voicemails.

My mom answers on the second ring. “Leesa? Where have you been? Derek has been out of his mind over what you did.” I cringe at the sharp tone of her voice. Of course it’s my fault. Though it will be a cold day in hell if Derek willingly admits to my mother what really happened. I’ve surely been painted as the flighty, out-of-her-mind runaway bride.

Guilt clenches in my chest. “Hi, Mom. I’m okay. Thanks for asking.”

“Oh, thank God.” There’s a pause, and her tone softens. “Where are you? Are you safe?”

I kick the ground with my shoe. “I’m…staying with a friend. Do you want to know what happened?”

“What happened?” she huffs, “is that you insulted the best prospect you’ve ever had. You need to get back here ASAP. It’s shocking how you embarrassed Derek like that! It’s a wonder he’s giving you another chance, but he says he will if you show up.”

Her words hit me harder than I expected. It’s never been easy not being the thin, willowy daughter she wanted, but it’s hitting me how little she thinks of me. I blink back tears, managing a shaky, “I have to go.”

The mere thought of going back to Derek nauseates me. How come she didn’t want to know what happened? Doesn’t she realize that if I left my own wedding, there was a damn good reason? I’m not known for being flighty or impulsive. Does she honestly believe that Derek is the best I can do for a husband? To be fair, until the morning of my wedding, I thought he was.

Now, I know how wrong I was.

My next call is to Clara.

“Leesa!” my best friend shouts. “Oh my God! Where the hell have you been? I was about to put your face on a milk carton!”

“Sorry,” I say, cringing. “My phone died and I didn’t have my purse or charger. It was…it was easier to just go off-grid for a while. I swear to you I’ve been fine. I have people looking out for me.”

“Well,” she sniffs dramatically, but I know she understands. “I hope you’re doing okay. You haven’t given in and talked to Derek, have you? I know you know I don’t like him, but what he did—on your wedding day—was beyond the pale,” she says. “Seriously, Leesa, good riddance to that asshole. You deserve so much better.”

“I know,” I say, and for the first time, I actually believe it. I also think I’ve found a man who would truly love me as I am. For the first time, I know that I don’t need to settle for a man who doesn’t completely and passionately love me.

“Damn right, you do. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

When she asks me when I’m coming home, I find I don’t have an answer. I know it’ll have to be sooner than later because I have a job, but despite it sometimes being awkward with Jax, I don’twantto go home. I want to stay here.

“Tell me where you are, and I’ll come get you,” Clara insists. “I’ll bring your purse and anything else you need. Do you have any money or anything?”

“I don’t, no. I met someone who took me in and has been helping me. No.” I chuckle, anticipating her next question. “I won’t go into details. But I’m safe and being cared for.”

In fact, I feel better than I have in a long time, thanks to Jax.

It doesn’t make sense that someone I met less than a week ago could be the perfect man for me, but… Jax sure looks a lot like what I want and need in a man.

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