Page 3 of Something Tangled Something True
I’veofficiallymade my decision.
Chapter Two
COMIN’ HOME
SUNDAY, APRIL 20
The sun pokesout from the horizon, illuminating the small BnB as we drag ourselves through the entrance.
I make my way to the shower, stripping as I wait for the water to heat. Once inside, a heavy sigh leaves my lungs at the warm water running over my aching muscles. I take far longer than necessary, doing my best to escape the thoughts dogpiling me.
If I leave him, how will I afford to live?
Will I ever dance again?
How would Karmella and Yanet feel about me leaving the studio?
Will I be letting them down after they took a chance on me?
Where will I go?
My muscles are still too tense by the time I climb out of the shower. My aching joints make it difficult to get over the lip of the tall tub, but I manage to grip the porcelain tight, swinging one leg over at a time.
After wrapping a towel around my waist, I glance around the tiny bubblegum-pink bathroom, and sag into myself. Damnit, I forgot achange of clothes.
I poke my head into the hall. “Could someone bring me something to change into?”
“One sec!” Mayte shouts, running to me ten seconds later with an oversized band-tee and black leggings in hand.
I don’t bother asking how she grabbed them so quickly. I thank her and slip out of the bathroom with a heavy heart and anxiety rumbling in my gut.
The bathroom is at the end of the hall, and I pass the three empty bedrooms, my brows pinched as I listen for my usually rowdy friends, but I come up empty.
The five women are seated on the couch and loveseat, unspeaking as they stare at their phones, pick at their nails, and, in Ewelina’s case, toss back another shot of vodka. I slump into the only open seat between Karmella and Mayte, clearing my throat loudly.
Their heads snap up, everyone’s wide gazes set on me.
I can’t keep my mouth shut any longer.
“I can’t do this.”
The room remains dead silent for an uncomfortable beat and, as Karmella would say, you could hear a cockroach fart.
“Can’t do what?” Mayte asks, her words slow and hesitant.
“I can’t marry him,” I whisper, my lips trembling, hot tears flooding my vision. “It doesn’t feel right. The pressure to go through with it has been suffocating, but I just can’t,” I admit, throwing my hands up in frustration. “He’s made me feel like shit for longer than I realized, and every time I considered leaving him, he held it over my head that I need health insurance. But that’s not a good enough reason to marry someone,” I choke out, my tear-soaked lashes blurring my vision.
Mayte shakes her head emphatically. “No, that’s not a good enough reason, especially if you don’t love him. We’ll find another way.”
Johanna's eyes swing to me as she pins me to my seat with her wide stare. “As long as you’re sure,” she states.
Karmella blows out a long breath, clapping her hands onher thighs. “Of course she’s fucking sure! Have you met thatpendejo? Yeah,me neither!Because he’s been isolating her from anyone who could help her pull her head out of her ass.Gracias a Dios! Let’s get the fuck out of here.” She stands abruptly, my jaw hanging open at her statement.She’s right.Russ never wanted my friends around, getting pissed when Mayte planned this bachelorette weekend without his approval. We certainly couldn’t have anyone thinking he’s an asshole,now, could we?
Karmella stomps through the living room, dragging the suitcases from the bedrooms, sweat beading on her forehead.
My head flinches back slightly. “What’s going on here? How is everything already packed?”
“You really thought we were going to let you make the biggest mistake of your life by marrying a man who can’t be bothered to meet your friends?” Yanet asks me.
