“Oh my God, this weather is amazing.” Sara joined Mama and me on the patio while we enjoyed the cool and cloudy day.
“So much better than the heat.” I had to agree, glancing at Mama who ran her fingers over the light blanket draped across her legs.
The patio door slid open once more, and two people I didn’t recognize walked out.
“Hey, y’all!” Sara beamed, standing to her feet and giving the woman a quick hug and then a wave to the man who stood beside her.
“Hey, I love your house. It’s gorgeous.” The woman smiled, showing off a row of perfect teeth as she admired the backyard.
“Thanks, it’s a work in progress.” Sara brushed her compliment away, although she was right. Sara had an eye for design, and it definitely showed.
“I’m sorry, this is my sister, Rachel.” She pulled me to my feet and patted my back as she introduced us. “Rachel, this is Tasha.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” I shook Tasha’s hand and noticed her pristinely manicured nails and tattoos covering her left arm. They were feminine and colorful, full of flowers and soft designs. She was pretty and seemed like a badass all at the same time. I liked her immediately.
“Nice to meet you, too,” she replied with a smile that seemed so genuine I couldn’t help but give one back. “That’s David.” She laughed and pointed to her husband bent over the ice chest on the patio, pulling out a bottle of beer.
“Hey, nice to meet you.” He gave me a friendly nod with his beer in the air. He was covered in his own tattoos that peeked out from his short-sleeved shirt.
“Nice to meet you.” I gave him a wave and then watched as Tasha approached Mama.
“Hello there, Miss Johanna. It’s very nice to see you again.” She spoke softly and patted Mama on the shoulder, who simply gave her a shy smile before taking a sip of her iced tea.
“Hey, have a seat!” Sara insisted as she pulled a chair close to where we were. “Can I grab you some tea? Or we have bottled water in the ice chest? And beer for the cavemen. But there’s plenty.”
“I’ll just grab water, thanks,” Tasha replied and sat down in the chair next to me as the smell of burgers filled my senses, causing my empty stomach to rumble.
The next hour went by peacefully, and it was full of fun conversation and laughs. Tasha had a funny personality, and the guys gave us their best stories of the new set of recruits that had just finished boot camp.
I felt completely relaxed and was thankful for such a nice day.
“Hey, Sara, do you mind if I use your bathroom?” Tasha asked.
“You gotta piss in the yard, it’s good for the plants,” Sara joked. Tasha giggled, shaking her head just before she made her way through the patio and into the house.
Just as that door closed, the one leading into the backyard through the fence opened, and I knew letting my guard down would bite me in the ass. The gate slammed against the wood paneling with a thud. Jackson sauntered into the backyard, announcing his arrival, obviously drunk with a stumble to his step. He puffed his chest out defensively anyway, his fists clenched at his sides.
“Shit,” Sara hissed as she stood to her feet defensively.
I could tell by the expression on his face he was on a mission to make me miserable, and I didn’t want Mama to witness it. “Will you take Mama inside, please?” I jumped out of my chair and started to walk quickly in Jackson’s direction, but I didn’t make it there before he approached Jake and David.
“Come on, Mama. Let’s go inside for a minute,” I heard Sara behind me, and the sliding of the glass door gave me a little reassurance that at least Mama was out of sight.
“Jackson,” I whispered through gritted teeth as I approached the three of them.
“What’s up, man?” Jake acknowledged my husband but gave me a quick glance, questioning his next move.
“Is this him?” The hateful tone of Jackson’s voice caused my insides to tremble.
I didn’t want to deal with him. Not here. Not like this. Not in front of other people. Humiliation crept up on me.
“Excuse me?” David crossed his arms defensively, his broad shoulders straightening.
“Shit.” Worry coursed through my veins, unsure of what was going to happen next. I didn’t know this David guy, and he sure didn’t know Jackson. This had the potential to turn horrible, fast.
“Are you fucking my wife?” Jackson snarled at David and then took a few steps closer.
David met him in the middle, but luckily, Jake leaped between them.
“Woah, woah. I don’t think so, Jack. This shit isn’t happening.” Jake pressed the palm of his hand against Jackson’s heaving chest. Then he glanced at his friend on the other side of him who appeared confused but ready to attack Jackson at the same time. “Just hold up, David.”
“Jackson, stop it. What are you doing?” I grabbed his elbow, attempting to pull him away from the conflict, but he jerked his arm out of my grasp, and part of me just wanted to let them go at it.
“Don’t fucking lie to me, Rachel. I’m not stupid.” His words ran together, but his eyes burned into mine, as if he loathed me.
“What the hell is going on?” Tasha’s voice was followed by the sound of approaching footfalls in the grass until she stood directly beside me.
“I’m sorry.” The confession rolled off my lips, and I almost began to cry from embarrassment alone. I glared at my husband, wanting to punch him in the face. “Jackson, this is Tasha and David, they’re friends of Sara and Jake. You need to stop.”
“Don’t fucking lie to me.” He moved a little closer to me, and I was unsure if it was even on purpose, since his balance was unsteady.
“Why don’t I take you home, Jack,” Jake offered and gave me a quick, wide-eyed glance.
“No, I’ll do it,” I conceded. I wanted him out of here, but I knew he couldn’t drive. It was a shock he even made it here. And it wasn’t fair for Jake to leave his company to take my drunk husband home.
“I don’t mind,” Jake offered, staring at me until I finally made eye contact with him.
“I know. But I got it. I’ll deal with him.”
“Are you sure?” The worry in his voice was unmistakable.
“I’m positive,” I mumbled before turning my attention to Jackson.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you home.” I wrapped my fingertips around the crook of his arm, and surprisingly, he followed without much hesitation or giving me any trouble.
“I’ll help you,” Jake offered, assisting me with holding up Jackson—he became more unsteady by the second. My hand shook around his thin arm, and I had to beg the tears not to fall.
Once Jackson was safely in the passenger side of my Honda, his eyes were already fluttering closed and his mouth hung loosely open. I slammed the door and turned away from him to face Jake.
“Are you sure you want to take him? I really don’t mind.” His compassion made me want to break down, but I refused to allow it.
“No, I’ll do it. I’m so embarrassed right now, I don’t even want to be around anyone,” I blurted out the truth before I could stop my words.
“Nah, don’t sweat it.” He shook his head and set his sympathetic eyes on me, but my attention drifted over his shoulder when I noticed Sara speed walking out the front door.
“Are you okay?” she asked as her eyes darted between my unconscious husband slumped over in my car and me.
“I’m fine. I’m taking him home. I’ll call you.” I turned my back to both of them with sheer humiliation coursing through my veins. I needed to get away from here.
“Love you.” Even with the car running, I heard her words. And if I hadn’t, the way her eyes drooped and her shoulders sagged would have told me what she said. I was just thankful she had Jake with her, and when he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him, I knew it was okay to leave. She’d be okay.
“Love you, too,” I mouthed and put the car in reverse, praying he didn’t wake up.
He could sleep his drunken stupor off in my car for all I cared. I just wanted him away from here.