My hands ball into fists. “He has nothing to worry about. I’m sure it’s because of what happened Saturday night. He nearly dragged her out of the place after she spoke up for me when he ran his mouth about why I was in prison.”
“He’s jealous and intimidated, so he gave her an ultimatum. She’s pretty upset about all of it.”
“And she has every right to be. She deserves better than him,” I whisper-hiss. Men like Robert think they can buy anything they want and treat women like property.
When the bathroom door opens, I get up and walk to my room. Gemma passes me in the hallway, and we briefly make eye contact. Before she gets too far, I gently grab her elbow, and she looks up at me. Her chest rises and falls with shallow breaths.
“You okay?” I ask, keeping my tone soft even though I’m seething inside.
She nods. “I’ll be fine,” she claims, her voice just above a whisper.
I drop my hand, and we share a moment before she walks away. Her silence speaks louder than her words could as I stared at her. Gemma’s been crying, and she’s not herself. Once in my room, I sit on the edge of my bed and brush my hands over my face.
Maybe coming back home was a mistake after all. The last thing I ever wanted to do was affect Gemma’s relationship or screw things up for her. It’s one reason I’ve kept my distance. While I want to tune out everything they’re saying, I can’t. They continue talking about the fight, and this time, they are loud enough that I can hear every word. It’s so hard for me to keep my opinions to myself, but I’m going to try really fucking hard because this isn’t my business.
Robert acts like I’m trying to swoop in and steal his woman, but there’s nothing between us except our past.
When I hear Gemma talk about her dad and what Robert said, I’m half-tempted to tell her to call him so we can fight this out like men. Jerry’s kindhearted and doesn’t deserve the belittling. He knows the truth about me and so does Gemma.
Fuck Robert. When I first met him, I got a bad vibe. Now, I know it was warranted.
I shouldn’t be listening.
I should leave, go for a walk, try to blow off the steam that’s somehow returned, but I don’t.
“Let me see,” Everleigh says. “Wow, he grabbed you hard.”
What the fuck?He touched her.
I stand and pace the room. It’s not my place to get involved, but if he lays a hand on her again, I will break every one of his fingers. Maybe Gemma isn’t mine, but I won’t allow Robert—oranyone—to hurt her.
“You should stay over tonight,” Everleigh suggests. “There’s no reason to be alone, plus you’ve been drinking. Just get up a little early and run home for a shower before work.”
“That’s a good idea. Might as well fill my glass to the top then.” Gemma laughs.
I hear Everleigh’s feet pad against the floor. A cabinet opens and closes, then moments later, the blender starts. After a few minutes, it’s silent, and I imagine them on the couch with strong margaritas so they can continue their conversation.
What I appreciate about Everleigh is she asks the right questions, the ones that make you think past your own biases so you can figure shit out for yourself—even to her closest friends.
I lie down with my arms crossed behind my head and stare at the ceiling for over thirty minutes. When my stomach growls, I decide to make myself something to eat since I haven’t eaten dinner.
As soon as my door opens, their conversation stops, which I’m grateful for. Too much anger streamed through me as I listened to how Robert treated Gemma.
“You two hungry?” I ask, glancing at the clock and noticing it’s almost nine.
Everleigh laughs. “I’m always hungry if you’re cooking.”
I look at Gemma. “How about you?”
Her cup is empty, and her cheeks are a rosy red. “Sure. I mean, I already ate earlier, but…”
Everleigh elbows her. “He doesn’t care about that. I always eat twice when Tyler offers to make something.”
“Seriously?” I laugh at her confession. I had no idea, though I shouldn’t be that surprised.
“Well, yeah. It’s the only reason I agreed to let you live here rent-free. Your food is like Grandma’s, and I could eat it every single day.”
That has me chuckling. I plan to prepare extra so she has some to take to work tomorrow. “What are you in the mood for? Wait, let me guess…pasta.”