Page 32 of Broken Clocks
I slapped the hell out of him. His face registered shock, but his grip tightened.
"Let me go," I choked out, swinging again.
"Hit me again and I'll snap your fucking neck." He meant it.
I let my fist drop.
Seconds passed. Hours disguised as seconds.
"I know you ain't fucking ol' dude at the restaurant. I saw him leave you there." He shook me a little. "That's what your ass get. What I want to know is if you fucking that nigga Jalen?" he finally asked. "You left with him that night. He put the battery in your back that got you acting like this?"
"No," I said truthfully, even though I regretted not fucking Jalen. It would've hurt him so bad.
He searched my eyes, then released me and folded his arms.
I rubbed my sore neck, trying not to cry.
"Fix your fucking face," he said. "You know what you said about my momma was uncalled for."
"Whatever, Donte."
"You hungry? I brought crab legs. They're in the refrigerator." He said it like he hadn't just choked me.
I walked to the kitchen. Not for the crab legs. I didn't want him to see me break.
He followed anyway.
I burst out crying. My grip on the kitchen table was the only thing keeping me upright.
He came up behind me. "Stop, please, Eshe. You know I hate when you cry. I'm sorry for putting my hands on you. I've been losing my mind ever since I saw you smiling at that nigga like you used to smile at me."
I stayed silent.
"I'm sorry. Forgive me." He buried his face in my neck.
When I tried to pull away, he held me tighter.
"Please, Eshe," he whispered. "Please don't give up on us."
"I already have," I whispered back.
"Don't say that. I know it's fucked up, but—"
"But nothing." I cut him off.
He backed me up against the table and lifted me onto it, still talking.
"But you're supposed to make it to the end with me. The white picket fence. The two kids. Yoga before homeschooling. Everything you want, Eshe—I got you."
"This isn't a fucking fairytale, Donte."
He kissed me so sweetly I almost forgave him.
Almost.
"It can be real," he said, nibbling at my collarbone, massaging my breast.
I froze, and my mind started flashing red.
