“I don’t want that, Brooke. To be in a relationship where I don’t love the other person, don’t care for them. Where it’s more like a business agreement than a relationship. I don’t want to have kids to then not be there for them.”
“Then don’t, Sax. Make the decision not to be like them,” I stress.
“It’s never bothered me. I never realised before how alone I truly am.”
“And now?”
He sighs. “And now, when you’re not around, I feel like I’m suffocating in my loneliness.”
I squeeze his hand, unsure what to say.
“That’s why I came looking for you last night. I tried going back to my apartment, but I fucking hate that place when you’re not there.” He swallows hard. “When I drove into the parking lot and saw you…” He closes his eyes and shakes his head. When he opens his eyes and they find mine, they’re wet with unshed tears. Instinctively, I stand and go to him, unable to not hold him any longer. He scoots his chair back from the table and I climb onto his lap, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck and burying my face in his chest.
“How many times are you going to save me?” I whisper against him.
“No more, Brooke.” He kisses the top of my head. “I shouldn’t have to save you; I should be protecting you. Stopping anything from happening in the first place.”
My shoulders relax and I smile softly. “You can’t protect me from everything, Sax.”
Just as he’s about to argue with me the front door flies open and my best friend comes storming in and instantly, I know she knows. The anger, concern, confusion, and sadness all flit across her face, merging together to create one fierce woman.
She stalks towards us, pulling me up from Saxon’s lap and holding me so tightly she almost lifts me off the floor.
“Oomph,” I breathe as she releases me.
Holding me out, her gaze rakes over me. Head to toe, head to toe, head to toe. “What the fuck, Brooke?” she breathes, pulling me back in her arms.
“I’m okay, Rach. I promise.”
She holds me out again, running her hand gently over my face, and I know she must be freaking out. It looks worse than it feels, but still gave me a bit of a shock in the mirror this morning. I see Saxon over her shoulder holding his keys, wallet, and phone.
“I’m going to head out,” he says.
“No,” I say too quickly. Rachel narrows her eyes at me, and I know she’s wondering if this is just because of last night’s events or something else. “You haven’t even had breakfast. Stay and have breakfast.”
“You two enjoy it. I have a few things to do this morning, but Rachel is going to stay with you and I’ll be back this afternoon, okay?” He gives me a reassuring smile before turning to my friend. “The food’s for Brooke. Don’t eat it all, lard-ass, and look after my girl,” he says, turning to leave.
“She’s my girl, ya douche-nozzle-shit-dick.”
I turn my head to Rachel with disgust and confusion on my face at her choice of insult. She casually shrugs her shoulders as she shoves a bagel in her mouth.
Shaking my head, I turn to follow Saxon to the entry and pause by the door. “I don’t want you to stay to babysit me. I just want you to stay.” The sadness in my voice rings out.
“I know, baby, and you have no idea how much I love hearing you say that. You two enjoy some girl time. I’ll be back later, I promise.”
“Why did you call her?”
He sighs. “Because you need to talk to someone, Brooke, about everything, and I don’t think I’m that person.” I stare at him, unsure what to say yet knowing what he means. “I’ll be back later.” He leans down and gives me a light kiss on my cheek. I watch him go and dread going back in to talk to Rachel.
Knowing I can’t avoid it, I head in there and find her wearing her serious face. It’s a face she rarely has, but I know it means business. I sit in the chair across from her and wait.
“What the fuck happened?” she asks, getting straight to the point.
Sighing deeply, I prepare myself. “I was working late alone—”
“Not last night,” she interrupts. “Saxon told me all about it, and I don’t wish to hear those fucked-up details again.”
“Well, what did he tell you? I didn’t get to ask him anything this morning. Did they get Paul? Is he in jail? Do I need to go to the police station? Will I have to face him?”
“Calm down, Brooke. Take a breath. First, yes they got him. He’s in the hospital though. I think Saxon did a number on him. He said you spoke to the police last night. Do you not remember? I think he cut them short though, demanding to take you home. So, you may need to go in and add to your statement.”