07

Who the fuck are you texting Neil angrily grabbed my phone. He scrolled through the screen.

Who the fuck is Jason He flashed the phone in front of my face, darkness taking over his iris. My heart thumped against my chest, instinctively bringing my hands up.

He's part of my study group. We are setting up one last session before finals?! I swallowed hard. His tongue made a dance inside his mouth, as it combed across his top teeth. And he dropped the phone in my lap.

I don't want you talking to him again. He demanded.

What It's innocent. We are study.

He's a man?! He only wants one thing from you. And you're mine?! You got that

Watching him possessively stomp around the alley screaming my name. Made all the memories play like a broken record. I had been so blind, thinking his macho man routine was normal.

Healthy

He was anything but. He was possessive and if I hadn't caught him red-handed cheating on me. I would have been so brainwashed and hopeless?; I would have married him. He tried though. Tried to gaslight me into thinking it was my fault and he loved me, hell, I even played into it for a few days. He bought me flowers, candies, anything he could think of to make me think he had changed or felt bad.

But Neil never felt bad, never showed an ounce of remorse. And the proof was in Tiffany's stomach. I tried to warn her. I tried to give her a small clue that Neil was scum and she needed to run, but she never did. And in all honesty, he blinded her with his charm.

A few empty bottles of beer smashed in the distance. Followed by Neil's shrill cries, hollering my name.

Mercccccyyyyy?!!! You bitch?! My body trembled at the name he used. Flooding memories into my brain. More nightmares I tried to push to the back of my mind. I'd gotten rid of him six months ago. I'm done with being called a bitch or a whore or accused of things I didn't do. And here he was saying again. My eyes clamped shut at the thoughts and hot tears threatened to spill over.

Second time I've saved you today, princess. C.J. gruffly said, his body still hovering over mine protectively. His body blocking my view and hopefully, Neil's too.

I swallowed hard, despite what you've seen, I'm not a damsel in distress. I can take care of myself??. My voice shattered, spitting those words out. I wasn't a damsel, I had come too far to be a damsel.

He scoffed at my words, puffing in a long drag of his cigarette. I don't know what I ever saw in him. I let my head rest against the brick wall almost surprised C.J. hadn't removed himself from me yet.

He angled the cigarette towards me and I took a drag. You're not a damsel, you were quick enough to get away from that. He pointed down the alley. Where Neil was still shouting and his voice was getting closer again, echoing off the walls. His threats became more heinous with every drunken step he took.

I took a few long drags before handing the cigarette back to him and just shook my head.

Yeah-he's a ray of sunshine. I muttered, rolling my eyes. Swallowing the burning lump in my throat, as his voice got closer and closer again. His feet dragging against the concrete in his drunken stooper. I retracted a little hearing his feet stop in the alleyway's opening we were hiding in.

You?! Neil shouted in a slur. I looked up at C.J. in a panic my body trembling more, vibrating in fear at Neil's rage.

I knew C.J. could probably beat Neil to a pulp, probably send him to his grave in one punch. That'd be nice. But I feared what Neil would do. Here I was pressed up against C.J.'s body and Neil was crazy. Fucking crazy. And belligerently drunk. For some odd reason, infatuated with me. Still. Even after six months of not dating.

It's you?! Neil said again pointing at us. His feet dragged a few steps. Swaying with every step he took, looking like a leaning tower ready to topple over with one push. My nerves were dying inside of me, an angry rant ready to drip off my tongue watching him. He seemed so infantile in his drunken state. And me I'm tired of him. Bored with his unhealthy obsession with me and I needed to be brave. I told him off before, but he needed a not so gentle reminder. Maybe a punch to the face too.

Fuck off, Neil?! My tongue finally worked again. I told you to leave me alone, you obsessive asshole?! What part of no or leave me alone don't you understand Or are you too stupid to understand!?! I shouted.

The veins in my neck spiked out in my rage. My body lunged toward him wanting to tear him apart. I was ready to pounce, ready to sink my claws into him and kill him. That'd make him leave me alone. But C J. had other plans for me and held me back. He put his arm across my body as his fingers dug into my hip. My bravery was reaching new heights, and I liked it.

Neil frowned staring between the two of us, his stupid brain processing the situation. Misunderstanding what was happening between the two of us and at this point. I didn't give a flying fuck. I had walked on eggshells around him for too long . Trying to protect myself and I couldn't pretend I cared anymore. What more damage could he do

Neil scoffed, I knew you were a dirty little whore the moment I met you. He seethed with anger now, but he had no right.

I hadn't been with him in six months and in the entirety of our year-long relationship. I could count his infidelities on both hands and feet. Why I had stayed, I didn't know.

OK, God, I throw in the towel. I'm done. I just can't anymore.

Oh? Oh? Dirty little whore I'll fucking show you, dirty little whore?! I shouted and promptly turned my face towards C.J.'s. My brain fogged over with a rage I couldn't explain.

I'm sorry, I whispered wholeheartedly and smashed my half-drunken lips into his. I didn't expect the softness that met my lips. The gentle flesh against mine, gently caressing against my lips.

I expected a protest of some sort, but to my surprise, he cupped my face and held his lips against mine. Pressing his body harder against me with need, feeling his muscles ripple with every movement. He ran his tongue along my bottom lip, parting them, gliding his nicotine flavored tongue over mine. Turning my brain to mush, forgetting the world around me?; evaporating from the very spot I stood.

If I thought my need was strong when I had entered the bar, it tripled now. No---quadrupled----quintupled even. The heat in my abdomen rose, spreading want through my veins like a virus. Fogging my brain with nothing but desire, erasing the rage that had brought me to this moment. I couldn't think straight, I barely heard Neil scoff more and stumble away, calling me names under his breath. Swearing he'd get me back, some way, somehow. He'd get his revenge. It wasn't until C.J. tangled his fingers in my hair, forcefully pulling my lips away from his that I could even open my eyes.

Or breathe.

Or think.

My body trembled, breathes shakily falling from my parted lips. My legs wobbling as if I was standing in a pool of jello in the middle of an earthquake. The only force keeping me upright---was him.

His hands.

That was bold, his voice sunk low and raspy. His thumb traced the side of my jaw, running across my bottom lip, dragging it against his thumb. His hungry eyes devoured me where I stood. Making me feel like a delicious piece of meat he should partake in.