Page 56 of Saving Me
“Bye, sweet Lyla.” I wink at her before going back inside, wishing it was her lying on my table waiting for me. Maybe it’s time I started sketching what my fingers are aching to do. She said she wanted a tattoo, and I can’t think of a better way to start your new life than a permanent reminder giving you the strength to move forward.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
LYLA
Ifinish setting the table and run my hands down the front of my cutoff shorts. I’ve changed my outfit at least four times since I got out of the shower. I don’t have much of a wardrobe to begin with, so my options are limited.
When I saw his t-shirt on my bed, I couldn’t help but put it on. It reminded me of the first night we met. Even with tying it in the front, it’s still big on me, but as soon as his smell surrounded me, I felt comforted and didn’t want to take it off.
My stomach is filled with excitement and nerves, and I’m not sure which one is winning at the moment. After last night and today, I’m not sure what to expect.
I know he’s nothing like Tim, but part of me is worried that if we go any further, it’s going to bring up bad memories that I’ve stuffed down deep inside. I’ve only ever had sex one way, and there was nothing nice or loving about it. I’m not sure how to please a man any other way.
I jump when Miles comes in from the garage, pulling me from my thoughts. “God, you scared me,” I say, placing a hand on my heart.
“Why? Did something happen? Are you okay?” He quickly scans the room before rushing over.
“I’m fine. I was just deep in thought and didn’t hear you come in.” I peer at him and see the concern in his eyes. “Jake told you,” I sigh.
He pulls his bottom lip in, catching his ring. Sighing, he rubs the back of his neck with a guilty look on his face.
“Don’t be mad at him, okay? He’s just worried about you and wanted his brothers to know so we could keep an extra eye on you and watch for the bastard in case he decides to show up in town.”
My eyes go wide. “All of you know?” He nods his head briefly. “Whatdoyou know exactly?” I feel the embarrassment creep in as I remember everything I told Jake in private.
“He didn’t tell us any details. Only that your ass of a husband was abusive, and we are to keep an eye on you because he might come after you if he finds out where you are.”
I breathe a sigh of relief when I realize he didn’t share the intimate parts of our conversation.
“So you know I’m married,” I say slowly. “I don’t want this getting back to your parents. They would think I’m a horrible person to drag your brother into this mess. I tried to tell him that I’d handle it on my own, but he wouldn’t listen to me.”
“Of course he wouldn’t. If it were my girl, I wouldn’t listen either. As far as being married, it’s just a piece of paper with a dickhead like him. He’s never been a husband to you, and once you guys talk to a lawyer, you will no longer have ties to him. My parents would one hundred percent agree and back you up.”
“I need a drink.” I walk over to the counter, where I have margaritas set up for tonight to go with the enchiladas. “Want one?” I ask over my shoulder.
“Sure,” he says carefully. I feel his eyes on me as I grab thebottle. “So, you’re not mad, right? At Jake?” I pour us a shot of tequila first and hand him one.
“No, I’m not mad. How can I be mad at someone who’s just trying to help me? Lord knows I’ve been praying for someone to give a shit about me since I was ten. I can’t be mad when I finally get what I’ve been asking for.” I clink my shot glass to his and down the amber liquid.
He watches me cautiously before shooting his back.
“I promise,” I say, when he still looks doubtful. “I’m not mad. It’s embarrassing that I was so stupid to marry him in the first place, but I’m not mad.”
“You were what? Eighteen? And he was older…late twenties…early thirties? You have nothing to be embarrassed about. He manipulated you when you were vulnerable. He’s the one in the wrong and should be embarrassed, not you.”
“Try forty,” I reply, squeezing the fresh lime into the margaritas.
“Fuck. Now I really want to hunt the fucker down.”
“Join the club.” I give him a sad smile and hand him his margarita.
“It’s all going to be okay, you know. None of us are going to let him get near you.”
“That’s what worries me the most. He wasn’t in the best state when I left. There’s no telling what he will do if he finds out about Jake.”
“Jake can hold his own. Trust me.”
I shake my head to clear it. “Let’s not talk about sad things anymore tonight. Tell me all about your next show while I finish up here with dinner.”
