When Dom brought that up, she flinched and thought about the blinding pain from Tom’s fists. Sometimes, it wasn’t the physical pain that hurt the most. Sometimes it was the feeling of betrayal, that someone she trusted could do that to her. Tom was a good man, at least in the beginning, now, not so much, but every time she still held on.
Amy didn’t have much else. She was just drifting in a turbulent sea. Sometimes she thought she would get out of it, sometimes she had the energy to paddle towards a glint in the clouds that might be peaceful waters, but lately she’d been making excuses for Tom.
The fair was supposed to be her exit.
The reason why Tom was so angry was because she was breaking up with him, but now, things were left open. Dom might’ve saved her from a fist, but he hadn’t saved her from Tom, not yet. She hoped he didn’t think he so.
It might be better to learn more about Dom. The more Amy figured out about him, the better off she would be. She needed to formulate a plan.
“Who are you really? Why are you being chased?”
“I don’t know why they’re chasing me.” He looked disgusted. “Your boyfriend is an asshole. Sorry.”
“I know,” she said, and she looked away when the tears came. They hid for a long time. Being away from Tom, they all wanted to break free, but she felt too scared and amped at the moment to linger on him.
Her cell phone rang.
“That’s the asshole now,” she said.
Dom gave her another nod. He didn’t look so disgusted now.
Her eyes roamed over his figure, wide and tall in the tiny car. His arms were massive, the rest of his body muscular, and he had a handsome face. He was clean cut, well groomed, everything that Tom wasn’t. He had come close, one time to looking that good, until he started losing it, then everything went downhill, even his physique.
She felt right about her guess of former military, but now she questioned if he snapped. Dom looked like he had it all together. At least, he kept himself well groomed and shaved.
“Hello,” she said. She gave Dom another look. He gripped the wheel tight. It made her bite her lip and think about Dom punching Tom out. Boy, did he deserve it. She was getting even more amped about it, her blood pumping.
“Where did you go? Who was that?” Tom screamed on the other end.
“I really don’t know him.”
“Where are you? You sleeping behind my back with someone? If you are, I swear to God.”
She knew what would be waiting for her even if she told the truth. It was time to end it. Being away from him, driving so far away and out of his controlling grasp put some perspective on things. Being in a public place didn’t save her from his aggression. Nothing would.
“I would never cheat on you.”
There was silence.
“I’m breaking up with you. Stay out of my life.”
“What?”
“You heard me, Tom. It’s over. Don’t call me again. You know you deserve this.”
She hung up the phone. Trembling, she hadn’t noticed until she put her phone away and it shook in her palms. She leaned back in the car and let out a deep breath. Amy was in shock, she knew that. When would it all break over her? When would the fear and the uneasiness come rushing in?
Amy had no idea where she was headed in life now. She put a lot of faith into their relationship. Now that it was over, she didn’t even have any prospects. She sighed and kicked back in the car, too numb and hollow to shed tears.
“I could use a bite to eat,” Dom said. “You hungry?”
“Seriously? Not particularly at this moment.”
He’s definitely crazy.
“Well, I am. We’re picking up something to eat.”
“You can take me back now.”
He laughed.
“Nope, no, I can’t do that. That’s one thing I can’t do. They know your car now. They probably got a good look at you. You need to hide out with me for awhile. I promise I’ll return you, but not yet.”
“Great, so I’m a fugitive too? Just what did you do? Kill someone?”
“Nothing like that. I’ll tell you later, maybe. You’ve got to trust me though. Staying with me is the best thing going for you right now.”
She couldn’t argue with that.
“Don’t you think we should keep driving? What if they’re still on our tail?”
“I’m hungry. We’re eating,” he said, and then he pointed to a sign up ahead for a diner.
He wasn’t kidding when he said he was hungry.
Dom ate like an animal, scarfing down plates of pancakes.
“You don’t think I’m drawing attention to myself, do you?” he asked, already on his fourth plate of pancakes.