“Christ, stop it already.” I hated how he still affected me. I blamed it on Nova when I shouldn’t. My sweet innocent girl had no clue about the misery her father had caused me, how at one point during my pregnancy, I’d tried to end it all.
My vision blurred and my stomach churned, remembering my darkest days. It wasn’t Nova’s fault she had a father who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. It wasn’t her fault I had been weak and afraid after my parents had chased me away. They had hated Abe more than they cared about me and had wanted no part of him in their house.
They’d given me two choices. Get an abortion or leave.
Naturally, I had told them to go to hell.
And in the next breath, I had taken off with no plan, little money, and scared out of my mind.
My ears perked up hearing a motorcycle. It sounded like it had stopped in front of my house like yesterday when Levi surprised me. Could he have returned so soon?
Don’t be stupid, lady. Levi has better things to do than deal with you.
I tipped toed out to the living room to get a peek at who was at my place.
My heart seized.
Thump, thump, thump.He pounded on the door.
I quietly backed away. No chance in hell would I let him inside my home.
“Karma, open up!”Thump, thump, thump.“I know you’re inside!”
I shook my head as I went down the hallway. If he persisted, I’d have to open the door before my neighbors called the sheriff.
My gaze lowered to my near-naked body. Better put on a robe or something.
“Open up, or I’ll kick open the goddamn door!”
I quickly put on my white terrycloth bathrobe and went to the door. A shiver worked down my spine as I put my hand on the handle. I inhaled a deep breath, trying to find the courage to face him.
“You shouldn’t be here!” I shouted.
After weeks of not seeing Abe and thinking he’d finally given up, I didn’t understand why he was on my doorstep. Levi had even confirmed Abe didn’t give a shit about me.
“Let me in.” The gall of him coming to my home. Of course, it could have something to do with me stupidly texting him last night.
I cracked the door open, knowing I’d regret this, but I could deal with him. Or I thought I could—maybe not. The jackass was wearing me down. When I was around him, I missed him and what we’d once had.
“What in the hell happened to your face?” The words left my lips unbidden. My chest tightened seeing him hurt. I hated how I inadvertently reacted to him.
“Hustler happened, after seeing you yesterday.”
“Good for him,” I said in a clipped tone.
“He has a busted-up nose.” He braced his hands on the door frame as if caging me in. The determined glint in his stormy-gray eyes made me quiver inside. Abe had never been the most patient person.
If I was a betting woman, I’d bet he was done giving me space and would take what he wanted. I’d been wondering if this day would ever come or if Abe would get bored or too frustrated to deal with me, then Levi had said Abe didn’t give a shit about me.
I wasn’t sure how I felt face to face with my ex now.
Part of me wanted him to tear my clothes off and fuck me into next Tuesday, then the reasonable and responsible side of me said to keep him out of my life because he couldn’t be trusted.
“You’re crossing the line, Abe. You need to stay away from me.” I pushed my hip out, giving him an attitude.
“Crossing the line? You think I’m crossing the line?” He growled and narrowed his eyes as he stepped on the threshold.
“Yes, exactly.” I backed up.