Against the Wall Read Free

not his fault. He’s a dedicated athlete, big man on campus, born to a wealthy family. Guys like him expect their girlfriends to fall in line.
    And I had. I did.
    Chip follows me into the bedroom, where I choose a pair of ballet flats. He grabs a pair of metallic gold high heels instead. “Wear these.”
    Saying nothing, I don the flashy shoes. He likes me to look a certain way when we’re together. I think he enjoys having a leggy blonde on his arm. Before we leave, I glance at our reflections in the mirror. He’s tall and handsome, with wavy brown hair. His jeans and polo shirt are sporty and expensive. We make an attractive couple, but there’s something missing between us.
    We used to have fun together. When we first met, he was hard to resist. He followed me to my car after class one day, begging for a date. He was bold and brash and full of confidence. I felt flattered. He put a lot of effort into chasing me, and I liked the attention. I liked his persistence. Of all the girls on campus, he chose me.
    Our relationship hit the skids as soon as I moved in with him. Then he stopped pursuing me and started trying to control me. It’s almost as if he considers me his property now that I live in his apartment. He seems to want a maid, a cook, and blowjobs on demand. I wouldn’t mind taking care of his needs if he returned the favor.
    Maybe I’m expecting too much from him. He is what he is, an MLB-bound superstar athlete who bats .390 and fields like a dream. He’s got money to burn and family connections. I understood what I was getting into when I agreed to go out with him. There are dozens of girls who’d kill to be in my glittering sandals right now.
    The problem isn’t Chip. It’s me. I haven’t told him that I’m not happy. I’ve stayed quiet instead of challenging him. We have a superficial relationship, and I’m reluctant to take it deeper. After what happened with Eric, I’m not up for another heartbreak.
    I can’t bear to compare the two of them, either. That’s why I don’t want them in the same room together. There’s no contest between my live-in boyfriend and the love of my life.
    Stupid.
    After all this time, I still have feelings for Eric. I’m worried that seeing him again will bring up bad memories—or good ones. My desire for him might come rushing back. Or maybe the opposite will happen, and I’ll wonder why I ever gave him the power to hurt me.
    Then
I’ll
be free.
    We take Chip’s fancy sports car. He drives too fast, as usual. It’s a twenty-minute trip from Midtown to Chula Vista, a lively San Diego suburb that skirts the border. My brother, Noah, is a homicide detective on the local police force. I like the vibrancy and mix of cultures here. Chip calls it Little Tijuana.
    He parks at Noah’s house, so close to the curb that I can hardly open my door. Getting out of the low-slung vehicle in a skirt and high heels is a challenge. Chip comes around to offer me a hand after I’ve already managed on my own.
    “You look hot,” he says in my ear.
    I adjust my hem and keep walking, flustered. He has this thing about PDA and making suggestive comments. I hope he acts like a gentleman while we’re inside. My stomach is tied in knots and I feel like throwing up.
    We go in and say hi to April. She looks fantastic, as always. Chip lays on the charm but doesn’t overdo it. Noah and Eric are outside. Jenny gives me a big hug, which both distracts and soothes me.
    “Eric brought me a present,” she says, showing me a colorful toy.
    “Cool.” I smile and tug on one of her pigtails. She’s like a little sister to me. When I lived here with April and Noah, I took care of Jenny after school. We’d make cookies and do homework together. I miss hanging out with her.
    April is fluttering around the kitchen. She’s got a red apron stretched over her cute belly. I wash my hands at the sink and offer my help.
    “It’s all done,” she says.
    “How’s my little
sobrino
?”
    She smiles