Page 13 of Dark Torment

Dang, I’m such a sap for people who want to help animals.

“What type of dog are you looking for?” I ask him, my fear replaced with the excitement of finding another fur-baby a forever home. “Will your wife or girlfriend be home with them during the day? Or are you looking for a more self-sufficient dog?” I literally want to bang my head against the wall as he chuckles.

Why did I even ask him that? It was so not subtle.

“No girlfriend or wife, but I like the blush you’ve got going on.” He winks at me, and I can feel that very blush heating my cheeks. “I’m actually taking an extended leave from work, so it will just be me and him… or her,” he explains, and something inside me settles.

I don’t know why the idea of him being with someone else bothers me. He’s a complete stranger, and just by looking at him, I can tell he’s quite a bit older than I am.

The buzz of my phone in my pocket distracts me. “Just a moment,” I tell him, smiling apologetically as I pull my phone out. My heart drops when I see Ben’s name.

Why is my brother texting me? And in the middle of the day like this?

I put my phone back in my pocket, refusing to read his message right now, but it doesn’t stop the barrage of memories my brain throws at me.

It’s all the reminder I need that a man such as this one could never want someone like me. He’s just being flirty to be nice. No one would ever be interested in the fat girl.

You’re a fat cow.

You’re disgusting and need to lose weight.

No man will ever want you when you look like this, sis.

Why can’t you take care of yourself and put our family before your stomach? You’re a disgrace, Olivia. A fucking disgrace.

The words roll over me like a tidal wave and I take a deep breath, curling into myself before I can get hurt by another stranger.

“Um, that’s great. Really!” I put more cheer into my voice than I feel as I try to keep the tears inside.

I’m happy he’s going to help re-home a dog in need. I am. But now, I just want to be alone, close up, and go home so I can cry in bed while I try to escape the horrible words I’ve spent my whole life hearing.

“Liv?” I hear Shelbs before I see her, and the moment she comes to the front, I sigh in relief.

“Hey. Can you do me a favour and help this gentleman go through the list of dogs we know of that need a new home?” I ask her quietly, and she eyes me a moment before nodding and turning to face the guy.

I watch as her eyes widen before looking between us.

“Sure. You alright?” she asks me with concern.

“Just not feeling very well. Ben just messaged me,” I explain, keeping my words vague, but the darkness that comes over her is clear.

“What did that son of a bitch want?” she sneers, and I close my eyes in defeat.

“I don’t know, but it can’t be good.” I steal a look at the man on the other side of the counter before turning back to her. “I just need to be anywhere but here when I read it.” I swallow, and she nods.

“It’s okay. I will close up when we’re done here.” She smiles at me, and it’s all I need before moving to the back and getting everything to head home.

* * *

By the timeI get home and settled, I’m shaking.

I don’t want to know what my brother has to say, because he hasn’t been the brother I love in a long time. He’s distant and cold.

Our father has taken over his personality, and I’m no longer the little sister he used to love and care for or want to protect, and that guts me.

I’m not sure I have it in me to handle his cutting words right now, either. Usually, I would feel the sting and then brush it off, because I know who he is. But I’m in a dark place in my own mind right now. Maybe he even knows that and wants to prey on me.

Steeling my spine, I open the messaging app and still when I see his text.

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