Page 86 of A Naked Beauty

I go into my bedroom and text a message to Mick.

I know you didn’t mean the things you said. You’re hurting too. Please don’t let whatever it is make you start drinking again. You have worked too long and hard on your sobriety to give it up for anything or anyone. I love you. Always.

I power off the phone and toss it onto the dresser. Otherwise, I’ll check it every minute awaiting a response that isn’t about to come. I change into pajama bottoms and one of his shirts. I’ll have to stop doing that—eventually. After I wash my face, I go back into the kitchen and take a seat across the table from Jordyn.

“So, what happened tonight?” she asks as I nestle the warm mug between my palms. “You said the neighbor was there. What did she want?”

“Mick,” I say wryly. “She pretended to be embarrassed for me while she eagerly confided to having sex with him.”

Jordyn’s eyes round. “Did you believe her?”

“No. I mean, yes, for one brief moment after I got inside. There were two glasses on the counter and an empty bottle of whiskey in the trash. Mick’s clothes were on the floor outside the bathroom. His shirt had a red stain that looked like lipstick and he was in the shower.”

“Holy shit! I would have struck first and asked questions later.”

“I might have too. But I jumped to conclusions when I saw Mick with a girl all those years ago. That had devastating consequences. I wasn’t going to do that again, no matter how damning the picture appeared. I just couldn’t see Mick doing that. I had to give him an opportunity to explain.”

“Sure, I get that. What did he say?”

“Nothing.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“I laid it all out and his only response was that it wasn’t my concern.”

“Was he drunk?”

“Not from what I could tell.”

“Maybe Mick is good at covering up the signs.”

“Anything’s possible, but I’m 99.9% sure Mick hadn’t been drinking.”

“Well, I doubt that Lisa woman could drink off a bottle of whiskey by herself and still be standing.”

“I don’t think Lisa ever got inside. Someone else was there before I arrived. A kitchen stool was knocked over and what I first thought was lipstick on Mick’s shirt turned out to be blood. Not Mick’s. I got a good look at him, only his knuckles were scuffed up.”

“Mick punched somebodyagain?”

“He’s not violent, Jord.” I leap to his defense. “I’ve only known Mick to ever use his fists twice. Once on my high school bully and his minions, and the other was that aggressive tabloid reporter.”

“And tonight,” she points out.

“Yes, and tonight, which must mean whoever was there was a threat to someone he cares about.”

“Which by his recent behavior we can assume must be you.”

“It would seem that way. He couldn’t get me out of his place fast enough. He was hurtful and insulting, when he is neither of those things. Whatever’s going on, he doesn’t want me anywhere near it.”

“That might be good advice for your own safety.”

“I’m not in danger, Jord. I have bodyguards.”

“Exactly.” She makes a face.

“Well, I’m protected then. I’m more worried for Mick than for myself. I can’t let him handle this alone.” The way he has been doing since he was a child. “Whatever it is, I’m going to find a way to be there for him.”

“Look, I know I encouraged you not to let him shut you out. But Mick seems adamant.”

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