Page 73 of Pretty Cruel Love

“I showed it to my lawyer,” I whisper. “And he still didn’t believe me.”

“Hmmm.” Ethan doesn't speak right away. Instead, he lets his hand gently roam over the mark like he’s trying to erase it.

“It’s okay,” he murmurs, his voice low and raw.

“I was willing to let the first rape go…” My throat tightens. “I really was…”

“I know,” he says, pulling me closer. “I know...”

He presses his lips to the top of my head, then my temple, wrapping both arms around me like he’s trying to shield me from everything—past, present, storm.

His hand moves in soft circles on my back.

And slowly, under the rhythm of his touch, I fall asleep in his arms.

33

SADIE

Back then…

The bloom nursery on Forest Avenue has become my refuge, my escape from thoughts of my rape.

Two years later and it still has a hold on me. I still can’t shake it.

Even on the days when I’m not scheduled to work, I walk through its rose-trellis aisles, inhaling the scent of the blooms and carefully plucking new stems to craft a fresh bouquet.

I also come here on my worst days, like today.

I woke up crying in the middle of the night and no matter what I did, I couldn’t stop. I figured it’s nothing that a handful of fresh lilies couldn’t fix.

As I’m browsing the daily deal rack, Jonathan Baylor steps inside the store.

Swallowing, I keep my head down and hope he’ll walk past me.

“Good win this weekend, Jonathan!” the store owner calls out to him. “Feeling hopeful about the team for the first time in forever!”

“Hoping to keep putting wins up this season,” he says. “Thank you.”

“Since we’re closing soon, the daily deal rack is an additional sixty percent off,” the owner says. “Sadie over there is the best at arranging flowers if you need help.”

Fuck…

I move to the other side of the display, and within seconds Jonathan is directly in front of me.

“Hey there.” He smiles. “Been a long time since we’ve seen each other, huh?”

I keep my gaze focused on the flowers.

“Oh, what?” There’s a sick smile in his voice. “You don’t want to give me the satisfaction of acknowledging my fame?”

I pluck a rose and place it into my vase. Then I head down another aisle.

“I’m talking to you, Sadie.” Jonathan follows. “I know you can hear me.”

I stop walking and turn around to face him. Even after all the years that have passed between us, I still feel fear.

“You tell any of your little coworkers here that you went to high school with the number one draft pick and star quarterback for the Falcons?”

---