CHAPTER 14 - DREAM

Things had been great when Chance had come back with my clothes on Saturday, and he’d even bought me a new phone. After he’d shown me how to use it, he’d stripped his clothes off me and fucked me in nearly every room of his house. Even now, I couldn’t walk into the kitchen without blushing at the memory of almost breaking the table. The rest of the day was spent with him in his workshop while he explained to me how he made the prostheses and showed me the one he was working on at that moment. I was in awe of his innovation and his attention to detail.

Just before dinner, an order for a new limb that they wanted Chance to design came in. It had been exciting seeing him in action—how enthusiastic he was, how professional. I could see that he really cared about his work and the people he worked for while he spoke to the customer in a down to earth way. He wasn’t arrogant about his talent, or self-absorbed as Nick had been.

And at the end of the phone call, he’d made a promise to meet up the next day. He’d gone to bed early, hoping to be rested for his long Sunday drive, and lay there next to him, trying my damnedest not to touch him.

The next morning, he hurried to dress while I made breakfast. “I’m sorry, it’s the name of the game. I need to go down and make a casting of their leg. They’re on a tight schedule, and I try to accommodate whenever possible.”

“I understand. It’s your work.”

“I’d bring you along, but— "

“You don’t have to explain or apologize. I’m fine.” I didn’t want to be a bother to him, and I knew he had obligations. He was already doing so much for me. “I tell you what, I’ll tidy up; dust the furniture, throw out some of the science experiments in the fridge, wipe the place down, sweep and vacuum, and then cook you a big dinner for when you get home. It’s the least I can do.” I wanted to earn my keep.

His eyes widened, and then he leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Knock yourself out, sweetheart. I’ll call Cynthia and let her know you’re here. Maybe she and Star can come visit you until I get back this evening.”

“That would be great. I do miss her and Cynthia sounds like fun.”

“You’ll love her.” He gave me a pat on the ass and walked out to his truck where he hesitated before getting into the cab. “Don’t go anywhere, don’t hang out outside. If you get scared, call me. That’s why I got you the phone. Use it.” He flashed me a wink.

I gave him a halfhearted smile in return. “Okay. I’ll be fine. Go make your cast.” I turned and went into the house, and I peeked out the window to see him shaking his head as he got in the truck. He seemed worried, and it was sweet. It had been too long since a man had worried about me.

I spent hours working on his house, which was rather tidy for a bachelor and a child, but I shook out rugs on the back porch and swept the floors from baseboard to baseboard before giving it a good mopping. Then I dusted the light fixtures and even cleaned out the fridge as promised. The clawfoot tub in his bathroom was sparkling, as was every window and mirror by the time there was a knock at the door.

“Hello, hello?” called a friendly voice, and I peeked around the corner to see Star and an older woman walking in.

Star ran up to me and hugged my waist. “Dream! You came back!”

“Yeah, I did. It looks like I’ll be around for just a little while. I had to move out from my house for a bit, but your uncle said I could sleep in the guest room.”

“Like a sleepover?” She jumped up and down and turned to Cynthia. “She’s my friend.”

“It’s nice to meet you; I’m Cynthia, the neighbor. I got a call from Chance telling me you were here and might need a little company. Star misses her new kitchen set, and Jackie needed a change of clothes.”

“She spilled grape soda on her dress.” I wondered how that had happened as Cynthia let out a sigh.

“She doesn’t like grape soda, so she spat it right out,” Cynthia said with a wink.

“Well, I think your uncle has something we can soak that in.” She handed me the doll’s clothes and carried her naked baby to her room.

Cynthia gave me a friendly smile and then strolled around the room looking it up and down as if she was impressed with my work. “You’ve got his place looking nice.”

“Well, it’s the least I could do.” I didn’t know how much he’d told the woman.

“Chance said you were having a bit of trouble. Nothing dangerous I hope. Not to speak out of turn, but this little family unit has been through enough.” She wasn’t being rude, but honest, and I felt terrible that I might ever put them in danger.

“Well, for what it’s worth, Chance insisted I stay.”

“Of course, dear. I didn’t mean to upset you, and I’m sorry I spoke out of turn. Would you like some help around here? I’m pretty good with a dust rag.”

I relaxed a little and handed her a rag as we both set out around the house dusting and scrubbing, and before I knew it, there wasn’t another chore to be done.

“That about covers it.” I sat on the back porch with Cynthia and Star, sipping lemonade and talking about our favorite childhood dolls when my phone rang.

I glanced down, and it appeared to be a local number. I answered, “Hello?”

“Are you enjoying yourself, sweetheart?” Chills electrified me like a bolt to the spine as Nick’s syrupy sweet voice came through the device.

I glanced to Cynthia who was busy talking to Star, and I got up and walked to the other side of the porch and ducked my head. “How did you get my number?” The phone was no more than a few hours old, and I had no idea how he was finding me.

“You underestimate me, again. You didn’t answer me, Jessica. Oh, I forgot you’re going by that ridiculous middle name of yours now, aren’t you? Are you enjoying yourself while you play house with that asshole? While you pretend to be a family with him and that sweet little girl of his?”

“You stay away from me, and you leave them out of this.”

“You’re the one who dragged them into it. Did you think you were clever having him pick you up in the truck? That I wouldn’t check out his license plate number and find you? I know you’re staying with him and who he is. It would be a horrible tragedy for that pretty little girl to lose another family member. Would be a shame to let that happen when all you have to do is come home.”

“I’m not staying here. There’s nothing between him and me. He’s just a nice guy helping me out. Just leave me alone.”

“Is everything okay, dear?” Cynthia pulled Star into her lap and gave me a curious look. I was sure she’d sensed there was something wrong by my body language and she’d probably even overheard a few louder spoken words.

“Yeah, it’s fine.” Her narrowed eyes told me she knew I was lying. “Could you go inside and give me a minute.” She stood and carried Star inside.

“That’s right Jessica Tell them it’s all going to be okay. And as for him being nothing to you, you’re a dirty little liar. Tell me you didn’t fuck him. Lie to me, you whore. I know how much you like being a dirty slut. I bet he does too now.” He laughed, and my spine tingled.

“Why can’t you leave me alone? Just let me go, Nick. You don’t love me, you never did,” I said, my voice trembling.

“You don’t get to walk away from me and humiliate me. You’re supposed to play your fucking role as my wife until I say it’s over. I call the shots here, Jessica. And I fucking own you. Do you hear me? I’m not going back to Chicago without you.”

I hung up the phone and looked around to the trees out in the distance. Had he been watching me? The burning sensation of eyes upon me was more than I could stand, so I ran into the house and closed the blinds.

“I’m going to have to step out for a minute.” I was shaking like a leaf.

“Who was that calling? You’re as pale as a ghost.” She lowered her voice. “It was the person you’re running from, wasn’t it?”

“I need to go now.” I hurried upstairs and packed a bag and a minute later, and I came down to find Star playing on the floor.

She looked up at me and smiled until she saw my bag. “I’m just going to go back to my house for a bit.” I didn’t have the heart to tell her she’d probably never see me again, and my heart ached knowing it was the truth.

“But we’re having a sleepover, remember?” The little girl’s eyes filled with concern.

“I know sweetie; I’m so sorry.” I knew it was going to be hard on her when I never came back, and hard on Chance as well, but I cared too much to let anything happen to either of them.

I was running out of time. I had to go; now or never. “Be good, Star.” I looked to Cynthia who followed me to the door. “Take care of them and tell Chance I’m sorry.”