Love's Suicide (Love's Suicide #1)(70)

I knew he was disappointed.

“Man, I got off early in hopes to spend extra time there.” He paused. “It’s cool. I’ll figure out something else to do. I guess I can always start looking for places. My roommate in the barracks isn’t going to want me bringing a kid to spend the night.”

“I’m sorry, Brooks. I don’t want you to feel like I’m keeping her from you. I’d never do that.”

“It’s fine. I know you wouldn’t keep her from me.”

“So, I better get going. It’s early and I need to get B ready for Sunday school.”

“Can you take a picture and send it to this number? I’d love to be able to show the guys.”

My heart started to patter, feeling his love and excitement for her. I closed my eyes and tried to not get emotional. “Sure.”

“So, I guess I need to hang up now?”

I sat down in the kitchen chair, not ready end our conversation. “What do you do on your days off?”

“I hook up with random chicks that love a man in a uniform.”

Before I could freak out, he started laughing. “I’m kidding, Kat. Although, there are women that would pretty much do anything for a man in fatigues, I only have eyes for one girl.”

“Stop it, Brooks. Today is not a good day to joke around.” He felt comfortable around me again and it made me happy, but I couldn’t let statements like that get to me.

“Sorry. Are you alright? You seem kind of snappy. Did your being with me last night cause problems with you and your husband? Was it what you said last night?”

I was quiet, contemplating on what I should tell Brooks.

“Talk to me. Am I overstepping? If I’m causing you problems, we can make other arrangements. I mean, I’ll miss being able to see you, but I understand.”

“I’m fine.”

“I know it’s been a while, but I’m pretty sure there’s something you’re not telling me.”

I wanted to tell Brooks the truth. Lying to him hurt me, because it reminded me of the pain that I’d caused him.

“Would it be okay if we just talked tomorrow? I’ve got to go get ready for church.”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll call you in the morning.”

After we hung up I looked over at the clock. Even though I had plenty of time, I knew I wasn’t going to leave the house. The last thing I wanted was to have to explain to my pastor that I walked into a door. He’d know the truth and it would cause even more problems with Bobby and me. I didn’t see my husband for another couple of hours. He showed up at the house around eleven with a bouquet of flowers and a card. When he came in he handed it to me and kissed me on the head, as if I would have instantly forgiven him. “Sorry I lost my temper last night, Katy. You need to understand what it’s like to watch you with him.” He sat down at the table across from me. “I don’t want you hangin’ out with him anymore.”

“He’s my oldest friend,” I argued.

“I don’t give a shit. I don’t want you alone with him, ever. Do you understand me?”

I stood up and walked over to the sink. “You can’t ask me to stay away from Brooks. That’s not fair.”

Bobby came up behind me and pulled my hair back so he could shove his face in mine. He’d been drinking again, already this morning. I could smell it on his breath. “I wasn’t askin’. He stays away, or I’ll make damn sure he doesn’t get near that little girl again.”

His threat rubbed me the wrong way. I swung around while my hair was still in his hand. My shove didn’t do much except get him even angrier. He pushed me hard against counter. “Bobby, please. You don’t want to do this. Let’s just sit down and talk.”

My pleas meant nothing. He took his hand and shoved it against my throat, staring me right in the face. As he talked, I could feel his spit hitting me. I tried to squirm free, so I could grab something to defend myself with. “Keep fightin’ me, Katy. You’re goin’ to be sorry.”

I finally got free and ran towards the table. The only thing I could grab was the bouquet of roses. I took ahold of the petals and swung the thorny sides at his face. When he tried to pull away, I shoved them in harder, drawing blood.

He grabbed a paper towel to assess the damage that I’d done to his face and I hauled ass into B’s room. Once inside I locked the door and leaned over to catch my breath. He immediately started beating on the other side. “Let me in, dammit.”

B stood up and started crying in her bed. Bobby was scaring her and I didn’t know what to do. Thankfully, I still had my phone in my pajama pants pocket. I was digging my own grave, albeit desperate to get away from him before he could hurt me.

“Sergeant Valentine.”

I was crying. “Brooks.”

“Kat? What’s wrong?”

I looked toward the door and saw it starting to burst. I knew he couldn’t get to me in time, so I closed my eyes and prepared for what was coming next. “If something happens to me I want you to take her far away from here.”

“What are you talking about?”

Bobby busted through the door and seeing me on the phone made him even more angry. “Is that him? You think he can save you?”

I took the phone and put it back in my pocket, shielding myself with my arms, hoping Brooks could hear and that he’d save me before something terrible happened. “Please don’t hurt me.”