pinball machine until they finally landed on furious; furious that he had no respect to call me and inform me he was going to stay. How could he not think that I wouldn’t be worried about him? Maybe he knew I would, but just didn’t care.
With a heavy sigh, I get out of bed and head to the bathroom. I need some therapy. Retail therapy. The mall doesn’t open until ten, but I need to get out of this house. I take a quick shower, throw my hair in a messy ponytail, and put on just a tad of makeup. Top it off with a tank top, pair of capris and a cute pair of heels and I’m out the door within twenty minutes.
I stop off at Starbucks first to grab a black cup of coffee. The tanning salon is right next door to Starbucks, so I sit in my car and drink my coffee while waiting for it to open.
*****
After the coffee and tanning, I feel more awake, even though I only got four hours of sleep last night.
I wasn’t at the mall fifteen minutes when Holly calls me. “Hey, what’s up, Holls?” I ask as I walk into Buckle.
“Not much, girl. What are you up to? Did you ever get a hold of Jax last night?”
“Yeah, Slade found him passed out in one of his rooms.” I try to sound like it is no big deal so she will drop it. My voice sounds like it doesn’t bother me, but inside there is a storm building. Thankfully she gets the hint.
“That’s good. Glad he is okay.” Is that sarcasm? “So, Micah wants to take me out for dinner tonight. I was able to put together a cute outfit from my closet, but I was wondering if I could borrow a pair of red heels?”
“Of course. I’m at the mall right now. When do you want to come over?” I ask as I examine a cute pair of Miss Me jeans.
“Well how long will you be at the mall?” I can practically hear her biting on her nails.
“I can leave now if you need me to. I’m just looking around.” I walk out of Buckle as I check my watch. It is a little past ten and I still haven’t heard from Jax.
“That would be awesome. Thanks, Sam. You’re the best. I’ll head your way.” I can hear her keys rattling as she shuts her front door which makes me laugh.
“Okay, I’m on my way as well. Bye.”
I go to put my phone in my purse, I notice I have a new text message. I walk through the glass doors to the outside parking lot and open it up. It’s from Jax.
Finally.
Jax: Where you at?
Really? He couldn’t say, hi! I’m alive. Sorry I missed all your calls and text last night, I passed out. How courteous of him to wonder where I’m at. Not!
I hit reply and type one word.
Me: Mall!
I toss my phone in my purse, and start digging out my keys while I walk in the direction I parked my car. When I see my 370Z, a smile appears on my face. She always makes me feel better. I bought her last summer when I was feeling down and needed a pick-me up.
I pop the trunk and throw my bag from MAC in the back before I climb in the driver’s seat. The bright red color of my car reminds me of a coveted ruby. A precious gem, yet she can get me where I need to be in a hurry.
I sink down into the black leather as I turn the ignition, then squeal out of the parking lot with my stereo blaring Taylor Swift’s new album Red all the way home.
As soon as I open the door to our house, I know something is wrong because that black tank top on the floor does not belong to me. I can hear a woman’s voice muttering ‘baby’ from our bedroom. My heart is pounding so hard that I’m having problems breathing. I’m not nervous about what I will find in there.
I’m pissed.
Pissed beyond words because I know exactly what I am going to find behind that door. That’s why he wanted to know where I was? So he could bring some woman back to our house to have sex?
I stop at the bedroom door with my heart beating wildly, and take a deep breath. I rest my hands down to my side and give them a shake, not knowing what the hell I’m about to do. Before I let myself think too much, I reach out and shove