Bereft (Seven Year Itch #2)(20)

I never would have expected to see her standing there, hands on her hips, like she owned the place. “We need to talk,” Kyla addressed while barging in.

I slammed the door shut, forgetting I already had company. She gave him a curious look before continuing into the living room. “Where do you think you’re going, Kyla. You’re not welcome here.”

“I don’t give a shit what you say to me. You need to know I’m not giving up on him. I love him, and I know he loves me too. He’s wanted me for years. When he came onto me I didn’t stop him. I loved every moment of it. We f*cked in every single room of this house. He’s mine, Rachel. He doesn’t want you anymore, so stop trying to convince him otherwise. He’s moved on.”

Was she serious? Had she come into my home to threaten me?

“You need to get out, before I make you leave.” I wasn’t about to cry in front of her. She didn’t deserve the energy. “If you and Grayson want each other so be it. I’m not trying to get him back. I don’t want anything to do with either of you. You both used me and lied. I’ll never forgive you. Now, if you don’t leave right now, I will be forced to remove you from my home with force. I can promise you, it won’t be pretty. You see, I’ve got nothing left to lose, so I don’t care if I have to spend time in prison. I’d sit in that cell with a smile on my face knowing what I did to get you to leave.”

She huffed and puffed, and finally stood to exit. “Who are you?” She asked Chad? “Is he your pool boy? Have you moved on so soon? Wait until Grayson hears his precious wife is f*cking around with someone else.”

“Screw you, little bitch!” I said while clenching my fists. In all my life, I’d never harmed another human being. I was a lover, not a fighter, but this bitch had pushed me to my limit.

“Bitch, get the f*ck out of my face. Who I am is none of your damn business. You heard the lady, get the hell out,” Chad responded adamantly. His eyes were stricken with rage, and I couldn’t remember ever seeing him so offended. Maybe the idea of being with someone like me was repulsive to him. I didn’t even mind, because he was giving her hell, and I liked hearing it.

“Fuck you both! He’s mine, bitch. Just remember that.” Kyla announced as she slammed the door behind her.

In that moment of despair I simply lost it. I collapsed down on the floor and began to sob uncontrollably. I didn’t give a shit who was still in my house. I didn’t care if he thought I was an ugly hag and wanted to run far away from my madness. I just didn’t care about anything.

Chad surprisingly made his way over to where I was. He lifted me up and carried me over to the couch. Once I was situated, he sat down beside me. The two glasses from our bourbon were still there. “Where’s the liquor cabinet?” He asked.

I pointed without speaking, then watched him get up and retrieve a bottle of something. I didn’t care if it was special to Grayson. As far as I was concerned, Grayson could choke on his own tears and die. He’d destroyed me. Everything about my life was a mess. I was tired of crying, being fragile, and feeling as if I had nothing left to lose. I was exhausted, ready to give up.

Chad handed me a glass. “Drink it.”

“What is it?”

“It doesn’t matter. You need it.” He downed his own glass. “Jesus Christ this is f*cked up. So that’s her?”

“Yep. That’s her.”

Chad patted on my knee. “She’s a piece of shit. You should have kicked her ass.”

“I’m sure you would have liked the show.”

“No. Actually, I wouldn’t have let you go after her. She’s not worth it. Chicks like that aren’t worth the energy. If your husband thinks she’s an improvement he needs a reality check. She’s trash, Rach. She’ll never be as good as you are. You have to know that. She disgraced herself. It’s obvious she’s insecure. He probably told her to get lost and this is her last attempt at destroying everything he cares about. I’ve dealt with broads like that bitch. I know it hurts, but you can’t let her get to you. She’s beneath you.”

“Who are you and what have you done to the little prick I can’t stand?” I don’t know why I said it, especially after he’d been so kind to me.

He chuckled at my comment. “It’s me. Sometimes what you see isn’t what you get. I was raised to respect people. You’re a brilliant, sophisticated woman. You deserve to be treated like one.”

“Thank you,” I said with trembling lips. He made me feel like I had a reason to hope. “You don’t have to stick around. I know I’ve ruined your night. I’ll be fine. I’ll lock the doors and probably pass out.”

He looked around the living room and into the open kitchen. “If it’s okay with you, I think I’ll stick around. If that bitch comes back you don’t need to get involved. We’ll call the police and let them handle it.”

“I can’t ask you to do that. I’m sure you have other places to be.”

“We need to be friends, Rach. A prick would walk out on a woman when she’s hurting. I’m trying to prove I’m not that guy.”

“I have nothing to offer you, Chad. Nothing.”

“I didn’t ask you for anything.”

“I’m sorry she assumed you were my lover.” Just saying it made me embarrassed. He must have thought I was a crazy person. I was almost old enough to be his mother. There was at least twelve years between us in age.