Trashy (Take It Off #10)(43)
Author: Cambria Hebert

I distracted myself by pulling out an oversized duffle bag and throwing in a bunch of stuff. I didn’t need all this crap for one night at Adam’s, but I figured this way I didn’t have to think and could match something up later, so I just kept shoving it in.

When I was done, I pulled out a pair of dark skinny jeans, wedge heels, and a pink top with a draping cowl neck.

Just as I was about to change, Harlow appeared in my doorway. “Everything okay?” she asked.

“Yeah,” I answered. “Just changing for work.”

“So you’re the boss now, huh?” she said.

I laughed. “Guess so.”

“And you and Adam…” She trailed off, her eyes wide and her smile cheeky.

“Adam’s amazing,” I said, fingering the shirt I was still wearing.

Harlow bounced farther into the room and threw her arms around me. “I’m so happy for you guys!”

“Thanks,” I said, returning the hug. I didn’t realize how much I needed one.

“You two are perfect together,” she said, pulling back.

I wasn’t sure I was perfect with anyone, but I didn’t burst her bubble. “Hey, I’m going to be staying at Adam’s tonight.”

She wagged her eyebrows at me. “Is he a good kisser?” she asked.

“Duh,” I said.

We both laughed and some of my tension relaxed.

“I knew it,” Harlow sang and walked toward the door.

“Hey,” I said, and she turned back.

“You should stay at Cam’s tonight.”

Her brows drew together. “We were going to stay here tonight.”

I shook my head. “Stay at Cam’s.”

I didn’t want her anywhere near this place. I was afraid of what Craig might do. He was very angry, and if he came here looking for me…

“Roxie, what’s going on?”

“He’s been coming around,” I admitted. “He’s said the most awful things.” I couldn’t stop the broken sob ripping out of my throat. “Threats.”

“He’s threatened you?” Harlow asked sharply.

I only nodded. “He was drunk.” I made an excuse. “He’ll probably forget all about it when he sobers up.”

That was a lie. Craig never forgot anything.

“Maybe we should call the police.”

Maybe we should have. I’d protected Craig for far too long. In a way, it had only made him worse. In trying to help him, I’d become his enabler.

It was the worst feeling I’d had in a long time.

I had only wanted to love him.

“I don’t know what to do,” I whispered.

Harlow hugged me again. The silence of the room was interrupted by my cell going off. Harlow stepped back, and I pulled it out of my bag.

It was Adam.

“Hey,” I said.

“Get your ass to work,” he said gruffly into my ear. Then in a much softer tone, he followed up his order with, “I miss you.”

“Me too,” I echoed. A feeling of homesickness washed over me. The sound of his voice made me want to see him. To touch him.

“I love you, sweetheart,” he said, and then he hung up.

His words made me hurt a little bit less.

“Adam?” Harlow asked, a smile on her lips.

I nodded.

“Talk to him, Roxie. Let him help you deal with Craig.”

I agreed, but only because I didn’t know what else to say. I didn’t want Adam and Craig anywhere near each other.

“So you’ll stay at Cam’s tonight?” I asked before taking my clothes in the bathroom to do my makeup and hair.

“Sure.” She conceded. “Call me tomorrow?”

“Of course!” I said, relieved.

Harlow went into her room to finish getting ready for work, and I took all my stuff in the bathroom. “See ya at work!” I called before shutting myself inside and hunching over the sink.

A flashback of the gun being pointed at me earlier made me squeeze my eyes shut.

Be there tomorrow or that punch will be the very least of the ways I’ll make you suffer.

My head snapped back. I stared at myself in the mirror, truth reflecting back from my tired eyes. The only way Craig could truly make me suffer is by hurting those I cared most about. By hurting Adam.

That gun wasn’t meant for me. It was meant for him.

I made it to the toilet in time to throw up. After my stomach was completely empty, I rested my cheek on the cold porcelain of the seat.

What the hell was I going to do?

28

Adam

I looked up and smiled as someone stepped into the office, expecting it to be Roxie.

But it was Harlow.

“Hey,” I said, letting my smile slip away.

“Can we talk?” she said, keeping her voice low.

I motioned for her to take a seat. She bypassed it and stood just on the other side of my desk.

“What’s going on with Roxie?”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I mean she’s jumpy as hell, shaking, and made me promise to stay at Cam’s tonight. She didn’t want us at our place.”

“Where is she?” I asked, grim.

“She’ll be here any minute. We left at the same time.”

I nodded. “I’ll talk to her.”

“She told me Craig threatened her,” Harlow burst out.

I jumped out of my chair. “When?” I growled. I’d had just about enough out of Craig. If I didn’t know a loser like him couldn’t afford that red car following me around today, I would have thought it was him.

“I don’t know,” she answered, stepping back.

“Thanks for telling me,” I said, trying to keep the anger from my tone.

“You won’t leave her alone tonight, right?” Harlow asked.

I couldn’t be mad because she was only looking out for Roxie. “No. She’ll be safe. I promise.”

Harlow looked like a ten-pound weight lifted off her shoulders. “Thanks, Adam.”

Roxie passed Harlow on her way out. “What was that about?” she asked, her eyes narrowing.

“Work shit.” I lied. I didn’t even feel bad about it. I’d lie a million times over if I thought it would protect her.

Roxie nodded and gave me a small smile. “Hi.”

I came around the desk, taking in her tight jeans and heels. Her hair was pulled up on the top of her head, and I could tell she spent some time on her face. But all the makeup in the world couldn’t cover the tension lines beside her eyes.