Page 10 of Rage
The beer cans are still on the table; he hasn’t put his clothes away, and now there’s a bowl of leftover cereal and milk on the side table. Well, he’d better get used to cleaning up his own mess from now on.
I go to the kitchen and make myself a butter and jam sandwich. I grab a banana and dash back to the bedroom, but Tyler blocks my way.
“I’ve given you some space. Now that you’ve slept on it, have you changed your mind yet?”
I scowl. “No,” I reply curtly.
He looks me up and down, his expression darkening. “What are you wearing?” he asks, his voice low and sharp.
Oh shit.I still have Theo’s hoodie and jeans on. I take a step away from him, but he follows.
“Where’d you get the hoodie, Rose?” His voice is riddled with unshed violence as his top lip curls. He looks at the slogan on the hoodie. “War Brothers MC—that’s a motorcycle club.”
I take more steps away from him as he balls his hands into fists, but I back up into the wall. My hands tremble and I drop the plate, which smashes on the floor. My heart hammers, and my breath comes so unevenly it feels impossible to catch. As he takes a step closer to me, I close my eyes. A smack echoes by my ear. My eyes fly open to see a hole in the wall beside my head. My legs collapse and I slide down the wall and onto the ground. Tears stream down my face.
Tyler kicks the wall and picks up the TV and throws it on the floor. I jump at the loud crash. My heartbeat is fast and frantic, echoing in my ears. He nearly hit me... I’ve got to leave right now before he does. I experienced domestic violence in a previous relationship, before Tyler. I can’t go through that again.
I stand and dart inside my room and lock the door. He pounds on the door, making me squeal.
“You have some nerve to be angry with me for sleeping with Kayla while you’re fucking some biker.”
I take some deep breaths and try to focus. I can’t go to my parents’; they’re older now and I don’t want them to stress if Tyler turns up. They were so upset and worried about me in my last relationship when my partner hit me. I can’t put them through that again. I no longer have a best friend, and I have no one else I can rely on because he’s friends with all my other friends too.
When I was in Crown Village, I saw a sign for a women’s shelter. Hopefully, I’ll be safe there. I look up the number and call them.
“Hi, this is Misty’s Safe Haven’s helpline. How can I help you?”
My hands shake as I hold the phone to my ear. I clear my throat because it feels clogged. “My name is Rose Wilder. My ex just punched a wall near my face. I’m scared and I don’t feel safe here.” My chest aches painfully. “I’ve got nowhere else to go,” I say softly, as shame washes over me.
“Are you somewhere safe?” she asks.
“Yes, for now.”
“Tell me your address, and we’ll have someone there as soon as possible to help you out of your situation. It will be a War Brother’s Motorcycle Club member.”
I gasp out loud.Theo.
“They will have their club vest on, but please understand they’re only there for your protection and to escort you safely to the women and children’s shelter. If you can, pack a bag. If you’re concerned in the meantime that he can get to you before we get there, please call the police.”
After I get off the phone, it’s quiet, so Tyler must have left or gone somewhere to cool down. I’ve never seen him that angry or thought he was capable of hurting me, but I guess I neverknew the real him. I was aware he had anger issues. He’s thrown things before when he’s been angry, but never at me.
Most of my clothes are in our main bedroom, but I grab what I can from the guest room and put it in a small bag. I hope they have spare toothbrushes and stuff like that because I’m not game enough to leave this room.
I sit and wait on the bed in silence. Who’s going to turn up? Theo or one of his friends? My fingers thrum on the bed from nervous energy. It isn’t long until I hear the rumble of a motorcycle. My body stiffens. There’s a knock on the front door. I listen in case Tyler is still here, but there’s silence.
The person knocks again. “It’s Theo, from the War Brothers MC,” he calls out. “I’m here to take you to the shelter. You’re safe now.”
I put my bag over my shoulder, open the bedroom door, and look around. When I don’t see Tyler, I rush out and open the front door. Theo stumbles back wide-eyed when he sees it’s me.
“Rose?” he asks softly.
I nod, and this time I can’t stop the tears from falling. He pulls me into him, giving me a warm hug while rubbing soothing motions on my back. My arms tighten around him as a sense of relief washes over me. I’m safe with him.
He inches back, searching my face. “Did he hit you?” he asks gently.
“No,” I whisper. “I’m okay. Let’s get out of here.”
He cups my cheek. “You’re not okay. Your hands are shaking.”
