The Love Story #24

Lee stared at him, amused. She couldn’t believe it, and he looked so sure of himself. Billy and Joe were standing close behind them, paying more attention now than before.
“Is this some sort of joke? Because I’ll tell you right now, give up, you can never be a comedian, unless you want to be a clown, which you already are!” Ann yelled.
Lee could hear a chuckle behind her. I’m glad they are finding this funny.
“Shut up, witch! I was talking to Lee.”
“I’d be careful with your words if I were you,” the voice was cold and harsh. It was Billy.
Ann gave Steve a wicked smile. “Bum, meet Billy, the guy who’s going to kick your ass back under the rock you crawled from!”
“Steve, what do you really want?” Maria was getting impatient.
*If Steve insulted Maria, it was going to get ugly, fast*. “Steve, what are you talking about?” Lee prompted him.
“Well I…” He stopped when he saw the bruises on her arm. His eyes were everywhere. He looked at her face and reached up with his fingers. She pulled her head away. “What the hell happened to you?”
“I fell. Now let’s stick to the subject…”
“You fell, on what! These are finger marks on your arms! Your neck! Lee, your face, did someone punch you? Who did this too you! Was it this wi—”He’d taken Billy’s warning seriously. Lee pulled away from him and took a few steps back. Maria and Ann moved with her.
“Steve, I fell, case closed. If you don’t want to talk about…whatever it is you want, please leave.”
“Okay, wait! I was thinking I could move back in—”
“No!” Ann interrupted.
“Hell. No!” Maria was firm, the patience completely gone.
“What they said.” Lee wasn’t up for his bullshit anymore.
“Give me a chance, honey, you know I love you and I’m really sorry about how things ended.” He put his bag down.
Ann pointed at his bag. “Hell no doesn’t mean get comfortable!”
“I just want to talk to Lee!” Steve said between clenched teeth.
“Okay, let’s talk.” Lee folded her arms over her chest and gave him the coldest gaze she could reel up. “What happened to your other girlfriend, the one you’ve been cheating on me with?”
“I…never had…another…girlfriend.” Steve stammered, the lie breaking down with each pause.
“I’ll tell you what happened to her, she kicked his ass out.” Ann took out her cell phone. “Give me her number, I need to congratulate her.”
There was a loud laugh behind them. “Billy that’s your girl,” Joe said before he continued laughing.
“I know, isn’t she fabulous!” Billy sounded so proud. That’s all the encouragement Ann needed to go on.
“Thanks, babe.” Ann turned and smiled at Billy.
“Steve, how much do you want?” Maria was irritated and annoyed. She went round the counter to get her purse.
Ann pointed a warning finger at her. “Don’t you dare!”
“Ann, I want to be rid of him. I’m not taking any chances with him around Lee.”
Lee shot a glare at Maria. She couldn’t believe she’d thought so little of her. Then again, Lee’s choice in men hadn’t been irreproachable—two out of two turned out to be major heartbreaks. But going back to Steve that would be beyond stupid of her!
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“I didn’t mean it that way. You are vulnerable right now, and he might take advantage of that.”
“She’s right. Bum, I’ll get your bag for you.” Ann walked behind him and picked up his bag. He tried to grab her hand to stop her but she ducked away. She opened the deli door and tossed it out.
She turned around, a wide grin on her face. “Now that the garbage is out, how about we take out the real trash?”
Steve went for her but stopped when she raised her finger and shook it side to side. “I don’t think you want to do that.” She pointed behind him. Steve followed her finger, and so did Lee.
Billy was on his feet, his stance rigid and angry, his dangerous gaze settled on Steve. All Steve had to do was take another step toward Ann to get ripped to shreds.
“Steve, I suggest you leave, now.” Maria looked amused, but she had her patient voice on again. “Ann’s taunts are going to get worse, your temper will then get out of control and Billy will be all too willing to kick your ass.”
Maria had a point, and the guys had seen enough of exactly how pathetic Lee’s life was with Steve as exhibit A. If they told Ash this, he’ll have an even stronger reason to stay away from her.
Lee clapped to get the attention back to her. “Steve, this has been fun. And as much as it was nice to see you again, please leave.”
“Lee…” Steve moved closer to her.
“Steve, I don’t love you and you don’t love me so let’s cut the crap. I don’t have any money to give you, not today, not tomorrow, and not ever! Now get out!”
All of a sudden, he grabbed her and pulled her toward him. His grip on her arms was tight and painful. “Will you stop being a brat? Now give me the keys, the car keys too!”
Lee hadn’t seen this side of him—there was a lot she didn’t know about him and she was finding out too late. It both scared and annoyed her. Ann was about to hit him when Lee stopped her. She knew if she got involved, Maria would, and then Billy and Joe would join in. As much as Steve was hurting her, she wanted him to walk out of there alive.
“Ann, don’t. Steve, get your hands off me. Now.”
He sneered. “Or what? Give me the keys, Lee.”
“Steve, let go of me, you are hurting me!” Lee was wiggling in his arms, trying to break free, but that only made him tighten his grip.
“You want me to let go, you know what to do.” He was smug; he thought he was winning.
“If you don’t let go of her, you’ll regret waking up this morning.” The voice was dangerously harsh.
Lee looked under Steve’s arm; it was Ash. She hadn’t heard him come in. He was very rigid, his fists were clenched and his body looked tight. His face was grim and red. His eyes stayed focused on Steve. He looked like he was going to pounce on him at any minute.
Steve let go of one arm but his other hand stayed firmly on her left arm. He pointed at Ash and shouted at him, unmoved by his livid posture. “This is none of your business. Go pull a cat out of a tree or something!”
“Ash calm down, I can handle this.” It was like she hadn’t said a word. Ash, didn’t move, his expression still livid.
“I’ll be pulling your hand off if you don’t let go of her.” His lips were moving but he stayed perfectly still.
“Ann, will you and Maria go into the kitchen, please.” Billy spoke softly.