English wondered who Melanie was speaking with. Whoever it was knew about her. A feeling of dread filled her. Making her way back to the couch, she put back on her shoes and grabbed her purse.
“English, where are you goin’?”
“I remembered I had to take care of something,” she mumbled as she made her way to the front door. Her body became hot, her head throbbed—the start of a panic attack. She prayed she could get to her car before it took full effect.
“English!” Melanie raced after her and grabbed her arms, standing in her way. English began swinging on her, fighting for her life. The practice drills were all over. This was the real McCoy. She could feel the woman trying desperately to block her blows. “English, stop! YOU’RE HURTING ME! What the fuck is wrong with you?!”
English pushed Melanie off her, and they both landed on their asses, breathing hard, panting, and glaring at one another.
“Who were you on the phone with, huh?! You know Master! I KNOW HE’S GOTTEN TO YOU! He’s coming right now, isn’t he?!”
When she saw the look on Melanie’s face, she knew she’d lost complete control. She’d made a serious mistake.
“You actually think… you actually think I’d do something like that to you?” Tears welled in Melanie’s eyes. “No, I don’t know no man named Master! That was Legend on the fuckin’ phone, English! My brother! He is the one who told me about everything that happened to you. He didn’t even know you and I were friends when he finally started speakin’ to me a few weeks ago! We’ve been estranged. I told you that. I had asked him what he was up to, and he said he was moving back to Portland. I wondered why, since last I heard, he swore up and down he’d never live here again.
“He said Axel came to see him and convinced him to return, that it would be better than where he was at. He then told me he had a job lined up, a place to stay, and that Axel’s girlfriend is being messed with by some weirdo, and he was helpin’ him keep you protected while Axel was at work. Said he was going to reach out to a friend of his who could help. That’s when I told him that, ‘Hey, I know English. I introduced them. She’s one of my best friends.’ That’s all! That’s it!”
English scooted away into a corner, brought her knees to her chest, and started to pound the floor. Too much had happened, far too fast, and it didn’t stop. Pure torture. The son of a bitch had even sent a photo he’d taken of her when she was entering her job the week prior. She didn’t tell Axel for he would have gone apeshit. The showdown in her work parking lot was the last straw. Channey was still watching her, and now she was grateful for the extra set of eyes, despite holding resentment about the matter, too.
“Melanie, I’m sorry! Sis, my life isn’t mine anymore, and I’m losing my mind. One time, Master got into a friend of mine’s ear and turned her against me. All of that started coming back to me when I heard you on the phone. I know it sounds crazy, but it was like I was havin’ a PTSD episode. Not only do I have this weighing on me, but you know Axel had that trouble with those guys, whoever they are, bothering him because he saw that man trying to destroy evidence. I’m worried about him. He said everything is fine now, but you know him. He’s probably not telling me what’s really going on. If something happens to him, that will hurt me so badly, Mel. I love him so much. I don’t want him going to jail or worse, on account of me.”
“I know you love him, English, and despite you getting mad at me initially about betting on you two that night at the bar, I knew you’d be good together. I hadn’t seen Axel in forever. It was like a miracle.”
She smiled at her friend, and wiped her tears of anger away with the back of her hand. “Girl, it’s been rough.” Melanie scooted closer and wrapped her arm around her, squeezing. “Your brother’s friend babysits me. That’s sad. Pathetic.”
“No it’s not. Just be glad you got someone that’ll do that for you.”
“You’re right, but it still sucks. I can’t go to the store without being paranoid… wondering who’s around.” She sniffed and shook her head. “All this time has passed, and this monster is still thinking about me, Mel. I was afraid to leave him, not only because of what he’d do to me if I got caught, but what he’d do to the people I loved. He isn’t done. Protection Order or not. I just want my life back.”