Let It Be Me Read online

  Looking back at his screen, he shakes his head. “First, I will never deserve you, you’re too good for me but we’ll get to that later. Second, this is not your fault. It’s that piece of shit’s fault and don’t ever let me hear you say that again.”

  “But-”

  “No buts, listen to me. I promise I’ll let you do this yourself and we’ll do it your way but you have to trust me, you have to believe that I’m going to do everything in my power to help you. You’re going to get away from him and you’re going to live a long and beautiful life, I can promise you that.”

  I glance down at my hands and take in a deep breath. “Thank you.”

  “Anything for you.”

  I look up to see him typing away. Standing up, I walk over to the desk and reach over, taking his hands off the keys and pulling him up. He looks surprised but he goes with it, until he is fully up, looking down at me with concern in his eyes.

  “Tucker, I don’t know how to thank you. I want to kiss you, but-” I say but he stops me, placing his finger over my lips before smiling down at me.

  “As much as I would love that very much, I know that it can’t happen and I’m okay with that because we’ll have our time. You need to get away, you need to heal and then we can be together. We can be happy.”

  His hand comes up and slowly he rubs his thumb along my bottom lip.

  “Until then though, I’ll be behind you one hundred percent. I will be here when you need me. I’ll give you the strength and support you need, every step of the way. You will never feel alone ever again.”

  My tongue is thick but somehow I’m able to whisper, “how did I get so lucky to find you?”

  He smiles before enveloping me in a tight hug. Kissing the top of my head, he whispers, “I wonder the same thing and I thank God every night because I found you.”

  Tucker: Everything okay?

  Violet: Yes, I’m about to leave.

  Tucker: Okay, see you soon.

  Violet: Thanks.

  Tucker: Anytime.

  I smile as I lay my phone down before running a brush through my hair. It’s been three days since I told Tucker about everything and he has been simply amazing. He’s always texting to make sure I’m okay, even offering to let me stay with him or in his family’s condo. Of course, I declined – for obvious reasons – but it was nice to have the option. If I could get away with staying with Tucker or even in a condo I would, but I know Rob would find me in no time. He knows too many people in the town and I know for a fact he’ll come to my work.

  Laying down my brush, I head to the kitchen to grab my things so I can leave. When I reach the living room, the door is opening and Rob glances at me as he lays his keys down on the table near the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To work,” I answer, reaching for my purse. I walk around the counter and slide my feet into my heels before turning, and when I do, I run right into Rob. He gives me a look as I scramble back, running into the counter. He rolls his eyes before looking over at me.

  “Did you get that shit fixed with your check?”

  I shake my head. “Tucker isn’t sure why it isn’t going in because it is pulling from his account. He’s looking into it.”

  “Doesn’t he know you need money?”

  I shrug. “He said it’s the bank. He offered to write me a personal check but I figured we’re fine.”

  His eyes narrow as he takes a step towards me. “Don’t you think that is something you should have asked me? You should have taken the check, we need money.”

  “How, when you work?” I ask, confused. “You are always working so I don’t know why you depend so much on my money.”

  When I notice that his eye is beginning to twitch, I take another step back, rounding the counter to put some space between us. “I didn’t ask for your opinion, I said to ask me next time. Ask for the check. I need money.”

  I shake my head. “No, Rob, I don’t feel right asking for it.”

  “I don’t care what you feel right doing, do what I say.”

  I don’t want this to turn into a fight. I want to get to work and then I won’t see him for the next couple days because he is going back to work. I just need to get out of here, hopefully by the next time I see him I can figure out what to say to him. Just with the two paychecks I’ve gotten in my bank, I’m already sitting with over three thousand. All I need is another thousand and I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to get a lawyer and have money to live in Colorado until I find a job. That’s my goal at least and I am hoping it can work but he is pressing me really hard about this money and I have no clue what I’m going to do.

  “Alright, I’ll ask,” I say, picking up my purse and then my keys before heading to the door.

  As I’m about to close it though, Rob says, “If you don’t ask, I’ll ask him. I see him every week at the hospital and you better hope you aren’t lying.”

  I shut the door and let out a breath. Damn it. What am I going to do? As I drive to work, all I can do is think about what I am going to tell Rob, or how I’m going to hide that I’m keeping the money for myself. I’m having the hardest time thinking of anything else to say. When I pull into the parking lot of the office, I lean back in the seat and let out a long breath. For the nine hundredth time, I scold myself for getting in this situation but I have to remember that I’m almost out.

  Almost.

  Opening the door, I grab my work bag and head into the office through the back. Everyone is moving around, getting ready for the day and as I pass everyone wishes me a good morning. It’s nice and I know I’ll miss these people once I’m gone. I’ll come back though. Or at least I hope I will.

  I lay my things on my desk once I enter my office and then grab my mug before heading to the break room for some coffee. When I get there though, it’s full when usually it’s empty. Looking around, I know I look confuse as I ask no one in particular, “what’s up?”

  “Dr. T called a meeting,” Mrs. Yolanda says before handing me a pamphlet. My brow rises as I read the first line.

  Learn to defend yourself!

  What the hell? Opening the pamphlet, I discover that it is for a self-defense teacher, Gary St. Claire, who goes anywhere to teach a class on how to defend yourself. Just as I’m about to ask why the hell we’re having a meeting about this, Tucker strolls in looking dashing as ever. He wasn’t wearing his white coat, just a black button up shirt with a red tie. His black dress pants fit him perfectly but that wasn’t what had my attention. Like always, it his eyes. They’re dark but light at the same time, giving off the perfect combination to brighten my day. He captivates me completely, and I wish that we could pursue our feelings. I wish I could look at him and tell him the three words he has said to me, but it’s not the time. Like he said, we’ll have our time. We just have to wait. I just hope that I’m worth waiting for because I know he is.

  “Alright ladies, hope everyone is well this morning. Did everyone get a pamphlet?”

  Everyone nods before he goes on. “Good. Okay, here’s the deal. There has been an outbreak of attacks in Tennessee this year and I have decided that I couldn’t bear having anything happening to any of you, so I’m bringing in Mr. St. Claire to train you in the art of defending yourself.”

  There is silence until Amy raises her hand. “Is it mandatory? Because as much as I appreciate you worrying about us and all, I dare someone to attack me. I’d kick their butt.”

  Everyone laughs, even I do, but Tucker doesn’t. His mouth is in a straight line before he says, “Yes, Amy, it is mandatory. Unless you have health problems that would keep you from training, I want everyone to do it. It’s paid training and it’s something I feel you all need.”

  No one says anything as he looks down at the piece of paper in his hands. He then looks up at us, and says, “It isn’t even about being attacked for your purse or something; it could be rape. Over eighty-nine thousand cases were reported last year in Tennessee for rape and did you know that