“Hold on, I have one more.” He pointed to another large suitcase.
“Do you think you brought enough?”
He slid another one off and stood it upright. “I did.” He lifted the handle. “Brielle and I can’t go back there.” Julian began to walk toward the exit.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I quit my job. And the people I worked for weren’t very happy about my sudden notice.”
“What the fuck did you get into?”
“It doesn’t matter.” We stopped and waited for the light to change before we crossed the street. “I need to make her happy. What I did before won’t follow me here.”
I huffed “I assume you don’t have a job?”
“I have twenty-thousand dollars saved in the bank. That should keep us on our feet for a bit. Brie will find work, and so will I.”
“I’ll make a few phone calls. See if I can get you some interviews for a city job.”
We walked to the car and I popped the trunk. Julian looked over at me and nodded. “Thanks, man. You’ve always been the best brother a guy could ask for.” I gripped his shoulder as words failed me. “I’ve done wrong by her, but I promise you I’ll be the man she’s always needed.”
Chapter 26
Brielle
I anticipated Julian's rage. When Nate informed me he was coming, I visualized the argument. He would come in, demand I leave at once, and we'd have a standoff.
But that wasn't the case.
Shortly after Nate left for the airport, Delaney arrived home for lunch. The rain had washed away the chalk on the driveway, and I was sitting under the gazebo watching the water trickle onto the perfectly manicured lawn, my mind deep in thought.
“Hey,” Delaney greeted me when she hopped out of her small Mercedes-Benz. I smiled at her, but I knew it was forced. I was lost, my marriage was hanging on by a thread, and my life was in shambles. “The back door is always open, so feel free to come in as you please. I don't want you waiting around for us. Please, Brie, make yourself at home.”
“Thanks,” I whispered.
“Come on,” Delaney motioned with her hand, “I'll make a fresh pot of coffee.”
I had no appetite, but I could never refuse caffeine. I followed Delaney across the deck into her kitchen where I sat at the wooden table. I folded my hands, and my mind continued to replay the last ten years of my life. It was a broken record that wouldn’t stop playing.
“You look deep in thought,” she observed as she yanked the fridge door open.
“I'm scared,” I admitted.
“It'll be okay, Brie.” She placed the milk carton on the table. “Nate and I will make sure Julian gets the help he needs.”
I sighed. The future conversation with Julian was inevitable. I was drained, and most days I wished one of his blows would knock me out of my misery. I shook the dreadful thought from my mind. “What do you do?” I looked away from my crossed hands and to Delaney. “For work, I mean.” At one point Delaney knew everything about me, but now we were complete strangers. She and Nate seemed to have the perfect life.
I envied her.
I wanted the life she had.
“I have a clothing boutique downtown, and three times a week I teach yoga.”
The front door opened, and my heart began to race. I bowed my head as the footfalls neared the kitchen. You could hear a pin drop as no one uttered a sound. I'd been a victim for the past ten years, and even though I tried to fight back, I was too weak. Something in me would always fall back on Julian.
“Brielle,” Julian's voice echoed through the house.
Finding some small piece of courage, I looked up at him. Warm tears trickled down my face. His expression softened and he darted toward me.
“I'm so sorry, baby.” He dropped to his knees and hugged me. “I'm so fucking sorry.”
My arms wrapped around his head and I wept. “Me too,” I cried.
From the corner of my teary eyes, I noticed Nate was standing next to Delaney with his arms wrapped around her. It was odd to have such an emotional conversation with my husband while the man I desperately loved stood only a few feet away.
“I'm sorry I left. I didn't know what else to do.”
“I know, baby. I promise to change. Things will be different.” Julian looked up at me, his thumb brushing my tear stained cheek. “I swear, Brie, I will never be that man again.”
I nodded, and Julian brought his lips to mine. Relief washed over me for a split second, but then deja vu smacked me upside the head. He'd apologized many times before, and still he returned to his abusive ways.
I pulled away from his embrace. “I don't want you to work for Dennis anymore.” My voice was stern.