*Here’s me thinking your Nan’s the devious one. I think I’m beginning to see you in a new light! xx.*
His message made me smile. I’m my grandmother's grandchild through and through, what more did he expect. She’d taught me well. Very well indeed.
*LOL!! You have buildings to build and I have laundry to do. Message me later, baby. xx.*
I threw my cell down on my bed and continued gathering up all the dirty clothes I’d separated into piles. Not one of the things I enjoyed doing but and I was running seriously low on clothes and had to do it. Which suddenly reminded me. I’ve yet to go to the old house and get my things to start work on Monday. I’ve only got a few more days left and I really can't leave it much longer.
“Damn it to hell!” I cursed as I shoved the clothes into the machine not relishing the idea of being back there in the slightest. Nan had gone out with her friend for the day so I couldn't even call on her for moral support. Thinking of her, I hoped she’d taken her cell phone along with her. I repeated myself till I was blue in the face the day I gave it to her, making sure she knew that she was to carry it on her at all times just in case she’d ever need any help. Especially in emergencies.
Fetching my cell from off of my bed I selected the message app:
*Urgh! Just realized I’ve got to go back to my old home. My clothes for the office are all still there. I’ll need them for my new job. Wanna look smart for the boss ;-). Wish me luck, baby. I’m hating the fact I’ve got to go back there! xx.*
I pressed send on the message to Jesse watching as the blue line went across the screen then the delivered status came up beneath it. I knew he was busy but once he picked up my message he’d be in touch to make sure I was ok. That’s just how he was. Very caring when it came to me.
Deciding that dawdling was only going to prolong the inevitable I grabbed my car keys. I locked up and headed over to my old house. Surprisingly it didn't feel strange at all referring to it in such a way, to me it was old. I’d no intentions of ever moving back in, focusing instead on moving forward.
The journey didn't take long, the morning rush hour had long since passed. Pushing my key into the lock felt wrong, like I didn’t belong here. This place held great memories for me at one point in time but now they are all tainted by what he did, by what they did.
I bypassed the kitchen, instead keeping my gaze on the stairs as I ran up them heading to my old bedroom.
Rob’s things were back in place, unlike the last time I had been here which made me a little sad. This would still be my life if I'd not caught him; carrying on blissfully unaware of what he was doing while I went from day to day thinking I’d got it made.
Cursing myself for being such a fool I set to snagging all my clothes off their hangers, shoving them into an old gym bag which I found lying in the bottom of my wardrobe, completely in a rush to leave this house. I was down to the last few items and I was just about to breathe a sigh of relief when I heard a key in the lock. My heart stopped then started up again, this time beating so hard I felt faint. The opening and consequent slamming of the door had me forgoing the remaining things I’d left to pack instead focusing on zipping up the gym bag.
Hefting the bag over my shoulder, I made a dash to the stairs to see Rob slowly ascending them.
“What are you doing here, Willow?” he questioned me as he continued up the stairs. I took a step backwards putting some distance between us both. I wasn't scared of Rob but the way he’d treated me the last time we were together had me a little wary of him now.
“Just came to pick up some things. I’m done now, so I’ll be out of your hair in a jiffy.” He stopped then, running a hand through his blond hair, his cool blue eyes assessing me. To say he was creeping me out with that gaze would be an understatement.
“Do you have time for that chat now?” He remained in place and I was stuck at the head of the stairs with nowhere to run.
“Not really. My nan’s waiting on me. Something about going to the supermarket and needing my help,” I lied straight to his face, hoping that it would work and he’d fall for my lies allowing me to leave peacefully.
“I’m sure she is but this won't take long. Come on, Willow. Surely you can spare your husband ten minutes of your time,” he coaxed me trying the nice approach to win me around and get his own way but not this time. Giving him the brightest fake smile I could muster I forged ahead with my plans to leave. Instead of answering him I descended the stairs bringing me closer to him but closer to my way out.
“Silent treatment I see. You always did like to act like a child,” he said sarcastically.This time my quick temper got the better of me and doing what he wanted I bit back, playing right into his hands but unable to keep quiet.
“What the actual fuck? You honestly think talking to me like that is gonna get me to talk to you? The only one acting like a child here is you, Robert. Now move out of my fucking way,” I instructed him. He stepped to the side allowing me to barge past him and carry on my downward descent. I'd never moved so quick in my life and just as I grabbed the door yanking it open I felt him behind me. Whirling around to face him, my anger now replaced any wariness I’d previously had for him.
“I’ll be back on the weekend to pack the rest of the kids’ things. The quicker we make the break from you and this house the better, and then any future dealings with be done through our lawyers,” I told him vehemently, my tone full of acid.
“I told you before, my darling wife. You ain’t getting a penny out of me.” He reached for me but I anticipated his move and stepped backwards a few paces. There's no way on this earth he’d ever get the chance to put his hands on me again.
“I think Willow was more than clear when she told you what she wanted. She said the kids’ belongings, nothing at all to do with money. So I suggest you retreat into that house of yours before I have to forcefully make you and I really don't want to be doing that. I’m in too much of a bad mood to be beating on assholes today.” Jesse’s voice had my body sagging in relief. I'd ask him later how the hell he knew where the house was but for now I’m nothing but grateful that he's here.
Coming up behind me, he slid an arm around my waist anchoring me to him, showing me that he had my back, that I could lean on him and rely on his strength.
“You alright, sweetheart?” he muttered questionably placing a kiss on my temple, a move not gone unnoticed by Rob.
“You and him!” he spluttered in shock. “And you made me out to be the bad one! Didn't take you long before you decided to keep someone else's bed warm!” he spat.
Jesse moved so fast he was a blur, pushing me behind him, his hand around Rob’s throat. “What did I just say?” he asked Rob quietly. “Don't make things awkward. We will be here Saturday morning. You will be here waiting for us and you will allow us to take Nate and Kaylee’s belonging and you will not give us any trouble. Am I clear?” He still kept that quiet voice but even I caught the warning it held.
“Crystal,” Rob mumbled through tight lips. I could see the anger written on his face but he also knew that fighting Jesse when he was spitting mad was a no-win situation.
“Good, I’m glad we have an understanding.” He looked back to me. “You ready, Will?” he asked me with not a trace of the anger he’d just displayed with Rob.
“Yeah, baby. Let’s go.”
“See you Saturday, motherfucker!” he called to Rob as we left. Angry Jesse showed his face once more but again softening his tone when he spoke to me. “I’ll follow you home, sweetheart.”
“Ok.” I was grateful that he’d offered knowing somehow that I needed his presence.