Page 19 of Finding Redemption

I brush past him with a bad taste in my mouth. As if I need another reason to dislike myself, I don’t need him around to remind me. I grab my purse, hauling ass out the back door. I’m not waiting for an escort tonight. I need to get away from him. The faster, the better.

“Reese!” I hear Walker call my name, but there’s no way in hell I’m turning around. “Reese!” he calls again as I toss my bag in and slam my Jeep door.

Driving from the parking lot, I glance in my rearview mirror to see him standing, hands in his pockets, glaring at me as I drive away. “That’s it, girl. Keep driving.”

I fight tears as I turn the corner and hit Highway Seventeen. I’m not sure why I do this to myself. Guys like that are not into girls like me. The short ride to my apartment helps me not to dwell on Walker. I pull in my designated spot.

Buzz. Buzz.

“Shit!” I jump. Dragging my phone from my purse, I can see it’s her. “Hey, Mom. You scared the shit outta me.”

“Language. You’ll never find a decent man with a mouth like that, Destiny Reese,” my mother scolds me. Little does she know, I’d prefer my hair pulled, not my door opened.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Are you just getting in? It’s so late. Were you working?”

Geez. Let me get a word in. “Walking through my door as we speak. Late night at work.” I kick my shoes off and lock the door before, falling into my chair.

“You know you need at least eight hours of sleep or you’ll get bags,” she admonishes me. “And please remember, no eating after six. You put weight on so easily.”

Yep, I’m over today. “Okay, thanks. I need to run. Literally, I’m going to hit the treadmill to burn off today’s stress.”

“Oh, good.” She hesitates. “Before I let you go, have you spoken to him?”

“Who?” I’m too fried to play.

“Gary.” The word leaves her mouth like venom. I can’t say I blame her on this one.

“Yes. My father has left several messages, but I haven’t had time to return his call.”

“Good. Serves him right. Besides, he taught it to you,” she seethes.

“I’ll let you know when I do,” I assure her. “I’m gonna run.”

“All right, dear.” She ends the call.

“Love you too.” I rest my head against the back of the chair. I know she means well but man, she does things at the exact moment she shouldn’t.

And my father, that’s an entirely different story that I really don’t have the energy to go into at this time.

I skip the cardio and head to the shower. The hot water steams the mirror quickly as it runs over my tensed muscles. I pour a generous amount of my favorite soap, allowing the bubbles to clear away my bad mood. Chamomile soothes all the rough edges.

After my shower, I sink into my fluffiest bathrobe and a tub of chocolate peanut butter ice cream. “There’s only so much shit a girl can take before she pulls out the big guns,” I mutter as I flip through the channels.

I finally doze off sometime after midnight. Morning comes too early and with a bang.

“Shit!” The shout brings me straight from my dreams. I listen for another minute when I hear Alden clearly. “Dammit.”

I stumble through the hall to find him standing in front of my open fridge with the microwave spinning. “Find what you need, handsome?”

He raises up from the door with a wink of his perfect green eyes. “I have now, gorgeous.”

I pour a cup of coffee and try to wake up. “How was your night?”

“Fuckin’ killer.” He grins as he leans against the counter. “Sold out.” I raise my brows from behind my cup. “I’m goin’ places, honey, and I’m takin’ you with me.”

“I’d settle for you buying groceries next week.” I smile.