“What?” I whisper.
“You were pulling away, almost out of his grasp. He let go of me. He held on to you.” She looks at me with tears pooling in her eyes and shame on her face. “I was jealous.” The tears burst free, creating rivers of pain down her face. “I’m so fucked up.”
She buries her face in her hands as her body shakes with sobs. I walk to her side of the desk and kneel down.
“Eve, there’s something I need to tell you. I didn’t tell you before because I was trying to protect you. But, you need to know now. None of this is your fault.”
Her bloodshot eyes lock on mine as I explain about Vince. I tell her about Dominick and what his plans are for me. I keep Jonah’s fight a secret, but I do tell her that Jonah, Dominick and I are working something out so that I don’t have to prostitute myself for the rest of my life. I finish by making it clear that, although I’m sure Vince has feelings for her, his intentions from the beginning were getting information to Dominick, and his holding me last night probably had something to do with that.
The silent minutes tick. Eve stares at the wall just over my shoulder. Her lips are moving, but no sound comes out. Sitting back on my heels, I wait for her to register the gaggle of putrid information I dumped on her.
“That fuckingpieceofshitmotherfucker!”
Stunned by her sudden outburst, I rock back, throwing an arm behind me to keep from falling to my butt.
“Fucking men! Pieceof-shit, no good, dick licking, motherfucking men!” She shoots out of her chair and paces the small space of her office. “That’s it!” Locking her wide eyes with mine, she throws her hands in the air. “I’m done. I’m switching teams. I despise men and from now on will only date women.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary—”
“Urrggh! My dad, your da—um, Dominick, Vince, every other sick fuck that came before him! I’m so fucking mad!” She’s back to pacing.
“Yes, I can see that,” I mumble.
I listen as Eve comes up with every possible combination for every possible curse word, and even some she invents on the spot. Having finally exhausted the English language, she sits back in her chair.
“Are you going to be okay?” I’m grateful to see her previously purple face fade to a splotchy red.
“Me? Hell yeah, I’ll be okay. I’m a lesbian now. I think the question is, are you okay?”
I think about how to answer, wanting to be as honest as I can.
“Yes, I believe I will be.”
And I do. I believe in Jonah and his ability. I believe in his love and his commitment to getting me away from Dominick. I believe in us and our future. That’s all I need.
“Thank you for telling me about Vince. I wish you’d told me earlier, but I don’t know if I would have listened. He really had me fooled.” She shakes her head.
“Just stay away from him, okay?” I lift my eyebrows, letting her know I expect an answer.
“Yeah! Of course.”
I nod, but something deep in my gut tells me she’s doesn’t have the self-control to stay away.
She stands up and wraps me in a hug. “I’m sorry, Rave.”
“I know. Me too.” I pull back, breaking the hug. “I’ll text you later tonight when you get off work. Are you sure you’re okay being alone at your place? Jonah said you’re welcome to stay in his guest room for as long as you want.”
“Yeah.” She waves me off with a flick of her hand. “I’m fine, but tell him thanks.”
“I will.” I walk out the door, but pop my head back into the office. “Don’t kill anyone from the male species tonight.”
“I’ll try not to.”
Leaving the restaurant, I can’t help but sympathize with every man who crosses paths with Eve.
***
“Excuse me, miss? You aren’t allowed in there unless you’re on my list,” a large rent-a-cop says as he taps his clipboard.
I’m stopped just short of the Training Center’s doors. I knew Jonah had some of the local media coming to interview him today, but this is like trying to get backstage at a U2 concert.
“Oh, of course. Um, Raven?” I hope Jonah put me on the list or I’m about to feel like a complete idiot.
He pushes his mirrored aviator sunglasses up the bridge of his nose with the tip of his index finger. His gaze starts at my feet and slides up my body. I cross my arms at my chest as I’m visually violated.
“I’m going to need to see some identification.”
He’s really taking this door security seriously. It Llooks like someone didn’t make the cut in cop school. I hand him my ID. He looks at his list, checks my driver’s license, studies my face, and is back to his list.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
“All right. You’re all clear.” He hands back my card.