working. You can’t enjoy sleeping on an air mattress. I know you don’t like Hallie crying when you’re trying to focus on a game. You hate it when we come home at the end of the day and wake you up—”
“It would work a hell of a lot better if I was in your bed, which I will be tonight. If I’m stuck here, it’s past time for you to put out.”
“You’re not stuck. I just told you to go.”
“But you’re here,” he grated out as if she’d missed the obvious point. “And Hallie is, too. So I’m staying until I’m ready to leave.”
Nothing Cash said made sense. “Why?”
“I don’t owe you a fucking explanation. Get my shit off the porch—now.” He whipped a finger in the direction of the front door. “And move it into your bedroom, where it belongs. If you don’t, you’ll be sorry.”
Her dread turned to terror and her eyes stung as she teared up. How had she ever been stupid and lonely enough to get tangled up with someone as despicable as Cash?
“Now!” he growled through gritted teeth. “Or I swear to God, I’ll fucking kill you.”
Sober Cash wouldn’t have the balls to threaten her, much less follow through. Drunk Cash? She believed him.
“O-okay,” she placated, holding up her hands to ward him off. “Give me a minute. And some space.” Hallie chose that moment to wail. “I’ll do it as soon as I tend to her.”
“Don’t take too long.” Cash drilled her with a contemptuous glower. “Or I’ll make you sorry.”
With her heart racing, Tessa ditched into Hallie’s bedroom, picked up the stuffed bear the baby had tossed on the floor, and tucked it in her crib as she lifted her daughter, praying she wasn’t making a critical mistake. Then she anchored the baby on her hip, sidestepped a still-scowling Cash in the kitchen. Her keys were too far away, or she’d just drive the hell off. Instead, she hauled ass to the front door and left. She was safer outside, right?
As soon as the portal shut behind her, Tessa dashed into the night, putting distance between her and her ex. She scrolled through her contacts until she found Zy’s number. She had no idea what he’d be doing at nearly ten o’clock on a Friday night, especially if he was out on a double date. For all she knew, they could be wrapping up a late dinner, in the middle of a movie, or…busy.
Praying he’d answer, she dialed her phone with trembling fingers, cuddling her daughter as she waited.
But he answered immediately, as if he already sensed something was wrong. “Tessa?”
“Zy?” Her voice shook. “Please come. I need you. I’m afraid. The police won’t help, and Cash is threatening to kill me.”
He cursed. “Are you home?”
“Yes. I-in the front yard. I tried to throw him out, but he told me to bring his stuff back in the house or he’d make me sorry.”
“That motherfucking son of a bitch,” he cursed as she heard his feet pounding against the pavement. “I’m fifteen minutes away. Can you go anywhere?”
Not without her keys, and the one neighbor she was friends with was on another business trip. Her kids were home with their grandmother, but she didn’t dare risk them.
She needed a Plan B.
“Maybe. Let me find somewhere. I’ll call you back.” She didn’t wait to hang up. Every moment counted.
The evening was on the chilly side, and she hated that Hallie wasn’t wearing shoes or a coat, but she was still safer being cold than anywhere near Cash. So Tessa jogged toward the center of the neighborhood, dipping around bushes and picking up speed when she heard him shouting for her.
He was coming after her?
Her heart thudded and her head raced as she huddled in a corner of the neighborhood gazebo, and she reached for her phone again, trying to keep herself together.
“Tessa!” she heard Cash shout again. His voice was still far away…but closing in.
She shut her eyes and tried not to panic as Zy picked up on the first ring again. “You okay? Find a place?”
“I’m hiding in the park. But he’s coming after me.”
“Fuck. I’m still ten away. I’m driving as fast as I can…”
“I know.” And she did. Through the phone, she could hear him gunning his engine. “What do I do? It’s too far to walk to the store or anywhere public.” Especially at ten o’clock at night. “I can’t just hide. Hallie is getting fussy, and I’m alone out here.