“How old? It’s not Todd is it?”
Hearing his name, my mind flashes to him pinning me down on the floor in this same room. Midchew my stomach rolls in the worst way. I drop the slice and cover my mouth, running for the bathroom.
“Alexa what’s wrong?” Rochelle yells after me as I drop to my knees and pray to the porcelain throne.
All the food and soda I consumed comes rushing up so fast it shoots out my nose.
“Can I do anything?” I shake my head, but she gathers my hair and pulls it back. “Want me to get my mom?”
“No. I felt a little off earlier.” I wipe my mouth with a tissue and flush it with my dinner.
Rochelle steps out in the hall and I clean up.
“I think I’m going to take a nap.”
“Fine, but I want to know who this new guy is.”
“New guy? Who has a new guy?” Ruthie questions, coming down the hall with a laundry basket pressed to her hip.
Her mom would kill me, Rochelle too, if they knew that James is my guy. I’m his dirty little secret. His girl on the side. The other woman. I should feel guilty, but I don’t. I love him so much it physically hurts when we aren’t together.
“I’ve just been talking to someone in an online chat. He’s in college,” I mumble.
“Well be careful you never know if you’re talking to a real person or not.”
“Of course.”
“What are you two doing just standing in the hall?”
“She threw-up,” Rochelle volunteers.
“Are you okay? Need me to get you anything?”
“No. I think the pizza was just too greasy or something.” I can’t say being in this house is hard. That one of the worst experiences I’ve ever endured began in the living room and sometimes I experience flashbacks of that night.
“I’m having dinner with some friends tonight, but if you need me to stay home I can.”
“I’ll be fine. Ro will look after me.”
“All right. I’m leaving in about an hour and won’t be back till late. You girls behave yourselves.”
“We will, Mom.”
I go into Rochelle’s room and flop on the twin bed her mom had James set up for me until I find something more permanent. My staying here is temporary. Ruthie says I can stay as long as I want, but I know she’d change her tune in a heartbeat if she knew the truth.
That I’ve been fucking her husband behind her back.
James has been gone for a few weeks now. Gone on what Rochelle called a run for the club. I wanted to ask her more about it but didn’t want to seem too interested in her dad. I only stay here to be close to him and he’s not even here.
I miss him. I wish I knew when he was coming home.
Rochelle keeps staring at her phone and giggling. Part of me is jealous. Her and Colter don’t have to hide their relationship. He can take her on a date and not have to worry who might see them together.
The bedroom door opens, and Ruthie lets us know she’s leaving. The minute she’s gone Rochelle jumps up and slides her shoes on. “Colter’s picking me up. Do you wanna go or stay here?”
My stomach is all gross still, and I’m not in the mood to watch them sucking face all night. “I think I’ll hang here. You go. Have fun. You don’t need me tagging along every time the two of you go out.”
“I don’t mind. Colter doesn’t either. He could invite Tanner.”
“I’m afraid I’m coming down with a stomach flu or something. I wouldn’t be any fun. And I don’t want Tanner getting the idea I like him or something.”
“Okay...but if you change your mind call me and we’ll come back for you.”
“I’ll probably sleep.”
“Fine.” she huffs. “See you later.”
“Bye.”
With everyone gone I realize this is the first time I’ve been alone in the house since that night. Panic bubbles in my chest, flooding my veins with anxiety. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I know Todd can’t hurt me anymore. I’m being silly. I can’t finish the pizza but that doesn’t mean I can’t continue the movie Rochelle and I had started.
I’m about halfway through the movie when I hear a motorcycle pull up. My pulse races. James must be home, and it will be the first real moment I will get him to myself since I started staying here. I dash to the bathroom to make sure I look halfway decent considering I threw up earlier. Fingers slipping through my hair to undo the knots, I gaze at my pale appearance, and pray he’s as excited to see me as I am him.
The movie still plays from the living room, the Tv casting a soft glow on the walls of the dark room. A man sits in the recliner with his face shielded to me. A lighter flicks, and the moment I catch a whiff of the minty smoke, I gasp.
I slap a palm to my lips immediately but it’s too late. He sees me, and I see the face of the devil when he glances in my direction. “I’m surprised to see you here. I guess the last time wasn’t enough. Come back for more?” he stands as I shrink back at the recognition I have of the sound of his voice washing over me like my worst dream come true.
My head screams for my feet to move but they are rooted in place.
“I..I don’t want any trouble.”
A deep but hoarse chuckle rips from his throat. A sinister sound that is a warning that my body recognizes. Goosebumps pebble across my skin. The room seems to drop in temperature. I’m chilled to the bone. “No one’s going to save you now. I should’ve known I couldn’t count on Todd to finish the job. This time I won’t make any mistakes.” He takes a drag off his cigarette. His lips pucker to blow out a smoke ring and my skin
