Page 43 of Girl, We Go Together
The room went quiet for a second, but the space surrounding us was thick with rage. I turned to the bitch who was still standing idly by.
“Bitch, didn’t he say leave? Get the fuck out!”
She looked to him like she was waiting for confirmation.
“Get the fuck out!” I repeated, this time a bit louder.
When he didn’t back me up, I knew it was over.
“Cool, you won’t make her leave, then I will. Orion, you’re a bitch!”
I could see the veins in his neck pulsating. His fists flexed at his sides like I was pushing him over the edge, but I didn’t give a fuck. For the first time, I wasn’t scared. I was past scared. I was done. There was a silence between us, but I saw it in his eyes. A switch had happened. That rage he always swore he had under control was coming out.
“You don’t know when to shut the fuck up, Cayla,” he growled as he stepped closer with his chest puffed like he had something to prove.
I stood my ground, even though my knees were trembling.
“What are you gonna do, Orion? Put your hands on the mother of your child? Go ahead. Show me exactly the type of man you are.”
His jaw clenched, and before I could blink, he grabbed my arm hard enough to make me wince.
“Stop talking to me crazy,” he barked, shaking me like he was tryna rattle the fight out of me.
Pain shot through my arm, so I shoved him back with my free hand.
“Get the fuck off me!” My voice cracked as tears spilled down my cheeks. “You’re a bitch ass nigga,” I let fly out of my mouth before he slapped the shit out of me.
The girl gasped like this wasn’t the part of the story that she had signed up for.
“I don’t want any part in this—” she mumbled, sliding toward the door.
“Na, stay so he can put his hands on you too!” I screamed as I glared at her back, which was heading out the front door. I rubbed the side of my face with my free hand.
Orion’s grip loosened, but he didn’t back down. His face twisted with anger and shame, like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to hit me again or hug me.
“You are ungrateful as hell, Cayla. I break my back out here, and you talk to me like I’m not shit.”
I shoved him again, this time with all my strength behind it.
“You ain’t shit. You don’t know how to love anyone. You don’t deserve me, and you damn sure don’t deserve this baby.”
For a second, I thought he was gonna swing. His fist was balled up and hovered in the air like he was about to use it. But then his eyes flicked down to my stomach, and he froze. I guess he was just now taking in the fact that I was pregnant, but the damage was already done. I stood there, shaking. My arm was throbbing where he grabbed me, my face was stinging where he slapped me, and my heart was broken in pieces.
“You’ll never touch me again, Orion. Not like that. Not ever.”
And for once, I meant it. I couldn’t take it anymore. My chest hurt, my arm and face stung, and my spirit felt shattered. I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and looked him dead in the eyes.
“You’ll never put your hands on me again,” I repeated, my voice low but steady. “I’m done. You hear me, Orion? Done.”
He opened his mouth to speak, but I didn’t give him the chance. I stormed toward the door. My heart was pounding so loud it drowned out his voice calling after me. The night air hit my face like another damn slap, but this one was cold and sharp. I stumbled down the front steps, breathing hard. Every nerve in my body was on edge. And then… it happened. A sudden warmth rushed down my legs, soaking through my jeans. I froze, staring in shock at the wetness pooled at my feet. My water. My damn water just broke.
Panic shot through me. My hands went straight to my belly as the first cramp seized me. It was deep and sharp.
“No, no, no…” I whispered, shaking my head. “Not like this. Not tonight.”
Behind me, I heard the door swing open.
“Cayla!” Orion’s voice boomed, filled with what sounded like fear.
