Chapter Ten
Eliza
I left the shop feeling confused. I thought I might bump into Gunner, but I hadn’t realized how good it would be to see him again. I’d already told myself that it wasn’t a big deal if I never saw him again, but seeing him in person had changed my mind. And his father was incredible. Such a down-to-earth man, who clearly cared a lot for his son. But did I really want to see him again? I kept thinking about what Mae had told me, and I respected her enough to take what she said seriously. Those bikers were bad news, and just because Ian had a charming smile, it didn’t mean he was any different. Raymond had a charming smile, too. It was the charmers that I should be looking out for. And I didn’t want to get sucked into another relationship just yet. I needed time to be on my own. And for the first time in what felt like forever, I was actually happy. I had a great job, a wonderful apartment, and a new best friend. I didn’t need a man. So why did I feel so happy at the thought of seeing Gunner again?
I got back to work and handed the signed forms to John.
“Great. That was fast. And, what is Mr. Maxwell like? I haven’t actually met him in person.”
“He’s great. He insisted I call him Paul. He’s very cool. And he enjoyed dealing with you a lot. He said you’re a great man.”
“Oh yeah? That’s nice,” John said, clearly pleased by the compliment. “Well, thanks for going there.”
“I told him to call us if he’s ever in need of throwing another party. He said that was doubtful but that he’d be spreading the news. I think a lot of the bikers wives might be coming our way.”
“Good thinking. How are you enjoying work, by the way?”
I beamed. That was an easy question to answer. “I love it. It’s exactly what I was looking for. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a job so much.”
“That’s good to hear. It’s hard work at times, but when you love what you do, it really does make all the difference. We are glad to have you. You’re exactly what this company was looking for, Eliza. And Mae is beside herself with happiness.”
That was a nice thing to hear. “Mae is quite honestly the loveliest person I’ve ever met.”
“I must agree with you,” he said, and I wondered again if he liked her. He had a bit of a dreamy, faraway look when he’d mentioned her name. Either way, I was definitely going to tell Mae what he had said. “I’m glad the two of you get along so well.”
“Me too. Thanks, John,” I said and walked out.
I walked straight to Eliza’s desk and pulled her over to the coffee machine.
“What’s up?” she asked.
I told her what John had said, and she swooned.
“Ah, he’s amazing.”
“When are you going to admit to him that you like him?” I asked while pouring us each a cup of coffee.
“Uh, like never.”
I shook my head. “You’re impossible.”
“I’ve been told that before. So, did you go to the bike shop?”
“Yep,” I said casually. “And the papers are all signed. That Mr. Maxwell, or Paul, is a very cool guy.”
“Hmm,” she said and eyed me suspiciously.
“What?”
“Did you see that Gunner guy?”
“You hate that name, don’t you?”
“Well, it’s weird.”
“Then call him Ian. That’s what his father calls him.”
She sighed. “Fine. Ian. Did you see him?”
“I did.” I took a sip of my coffee and didn’t say anything more. I was quite enjoying playing games with her, especially because I could see how annoyed she was at me. I was trying not to giggle.
“Oh for goodness’ sake, you are infuriating. Tell me what happened with Ian?”
I laughed. “He asked me out again.”
“He did? And? What did you say?”
“I said yes.”
“I knew you would.”
“You did?”
“Well, obviously. You like the guy. It’s pretty obvious. And I knew he’d ask you out again. I mean, have you looked in the mirror lately, Eliza? You’re gorgeous.”
“I like having you as a friend,” I said. “I don’t like him like that. I told you, I’m not interested in guys right now. But I get along well with him, and I don’t see why I can’t go out and have a good time.”
“You can most definitely do that,” she said.
“Oh yeah? You changed your mind?”
“Ah, I was just being paranoid. I don’t even know the guy. And you’re smart enough to know if you want to see more of him or not. I wasn’t being a very supportive friend. But be careful, and tell me everything. Okay?”
I laughed. “Okay.”
“And I might even call him Gunner if he’s nice.”
“He calls me Lashes,” I told her.
“Lashes?” she giggled. “That’s actually very cute.”
“Yeah.”
“So, how’s the apartment by the way?”
“It’s amazing. It was weird at first. I mean, I haven’t lived alone in a long time. I don’t think I slept at all that first night. But I’m getting used to it already. And I’m slowly starting to fill up the space. It still looks very bare. But thankfully she left the bed and a few other things behind for me.”
“If you need anything, you must let me know, okay?”
“I will. And I think a housewarming is in order, don’t you think? I mean, I barely know anyone in this place. So I’m thinking more along the lines of you, me, and a bottle of wine.”
Mae grinned. “It sounds like the perfect night.”
That evening, I was looking around the apartment and making a list of all the things that I still needed to buy when my phone rang. I was so busy that I didn’t bother looking to see who it was, and then I kicked myself when I heard the familiar voice.
“Finally you answer! I’ve been calling you and texting you for days, Eliza. Where the hell are you?”
I could feel my hands tremble and I took a deep breath and told myself to take control of the situation. I was not going to let Raymond bully me anymore. I could put the phone down, but it was time to face up to it. I knew this day was eventually going to have to come. I couldn’t just run away without a trace. It amazed me to hear how angry he was at me. He wasn’t worried or concerned as to what might have happened to me. He was angry because he knew that he was in the wrong. He knew that one day, I would eventually leave him.
“We’re over, Raymond. It doesn’t matter where I am. I’ve moved on, and I think you should, too. I’m sorry for not answering your calls, but I needed some time to gather myself. Leaving you was a pretty big deal.”
“Since when are we over? This is news to me. I had a nap and the next thing, you were gone, and you’d taken your things with you. That’s not exactly fair. You didn’t even leave me a note, or let me know what was going on. You just left.”
“Raymond, you didn’t have a nap. You tripped onto the sofa while trying to hit me, and then you passed out because you’d had too much to drink. That’s not taking a nap. And if I stayed, you’d only hit me again. What did I ever do to deserve that sort of treatment from you? I thought you loved me, but clearly you just wanted to control me. I won’t have that anymore. I just won’t.”
I hated that my voice had started to tremble, and I knew that he could hear how close I was to tears. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself. I would not cry on the phone with Raymond. I would not.
“Where are you, Eliza?” he demanded. “Tell me where you are.”
“I’ve moved on. And I’ve started a new life. Please, Raymond, don’t make this even more difficult than it is. It’s time for you to move on, too. I wasn’t right for you. If I was, you would’ve treated me with respect. Just forget about me and find someone else. We don’t need to turn this into a big deal. And if I left any stuff lying around, then just sell it, or throw it away. I don’t care.”
I felt sorry for the next girl that he dated, but it wasn’t my problem to worry about anymore. I wanted Raymond out of my life for good. I felt so glad that we had some distance between us now. I was glad that I at least didn’t have to worry about bumping into him at the store.
“But where are you? Where?”
“Let it go, Raymond.”
“No, I won’t let it go. As far as I’m concerned, you’re still my girlfriend.”
“In other words, I’m still your property?”
“Oh, you’re all brave now that you’re on the phone. Bet you wouldn’t be this brave face-to-face.”
“No, I probably wouldn’t be,” I admitted, “because I’d be scared that you would hit me. And that’s just no way to live. Anyway, I’m not your girlfriend. This is not a marriage. There is no paperwork legally binding us together. I’ve left you.”
“Oh yeah? Well, I’m going to find you.”
I sighed. He had no idea where I was, and I knew him well enough to know that he was more talk than anything else. I wasn’t going to let him threaten me, and I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of getting upset.
“Goodbye, Raymond,” I said, and I hung up on him.
He called me again, but I ignored it. I wished that I could say that I felt stronger after talking to him, but it had been impossible not to get riled up. Just hearing his voice again made me glad that I was out of that relationship. But it also made me feel emotional. I didn’t want to cry. Instead, I looked around my little apartment and smiled. This was my apartment. I didn’t need Raymond. In fact, I didn’t need any man to make me feel happy. I thought about the date with Gunner coming up, and I sighed. I wished I could go back in time and turn him down. I liked being around Gunner, even if I wasn’t so sure seeing him was a good idea.