Gabe narrowed his eyes. “Um yeah? I was their target for a whole year, remember?”
“It’s not that.” I crossed my arms. “I think I’m just exhausted from school and stuff. Maybe I need a vacation.”
“So go on vacation.” He made it sound so easy so simple.
“By myself?” I whispered and rolled my eyes. “Sounds like loads of fun.”
“Take the girls.”
“Honeymoon.”
“Are you just going to reject every awesome idea I have?” Gabe countered.
“No.” I scratched my head. “You know what, yeah, a vacation. Maybe I’ll do that. Um, I’ll catch up with you guys later.”
I strolled away from him as fast as my black heels would take me. Each step helped me breathe a little easier. Maybe that was it. Their happiness was suffocating me or something.
Hands shaking, I stabbed the elevator button and quickly got in.
The elevator made it all the way to the second floor then started shaking. The lights flickered and the little alarm went off.
Trying not to panic, I counted to three and then pressed the main lobby button again.
Nothing.
A voice came over the intercom. “Sorry ma’am, minor electrical issue. We’ll have you out in no time.”
Shit!
The last time I had been stuck in an elevator, things had not ended well. Honest moment, things hadn’t started well either, but still…
Was this how God was repaying me? Karma was a bitch.
I went over to the corner and closed my eyes. I tried to hum a song, then I checked my cell phone. Of course no service. Naturally. Where the hell was that nerdy little man in those cell phone commercials saying “Can you hear me now?” NO man with black glasses and way too many friends, I can’t freaking hear you and if I don’t get out of this tiny little shoebox of death I’m going to freak the EF OUT! Swear it felt like the walls of my throat were closing in right along with the walls of the elevator. I punched the wall above the control panel, right because punching things always made them work. I’d karate chop its ass and take the chance of slicing my hand up if I knew it would work.
Struggling for my next breath, I smacked the elevator door around five times, making my hand sting like crazy. When the elevator still didn’t budge, I slowly sank to my knees and let out a little sob.
It wasn’t the elevator.
It wasn’t even the wedding or Gabe.
It was me.
I was the problem. I was always the problem…
He had peppermint-flavored gum—I could still taste it. I coughed a bit and then gagged—crap I was going to puke.
The darkness was the worse—not being able to really see him that well since the electricity was out—but knowing he was touching me, feeling his hands on my hips as they slid across my skin.
Shivering, I continued holding my knees
and squeezed my eyes shut as his laughter penetrated into my soul.
I hated him…
Hated him so much it made me want to scream—how do you even hate someone who doesn’t exist anymore?
Yet there I was in a stupid elevator, rocking back and forth like a lunatic.