Your Exception (16 page)

His voice suddenly gets louder as he starts to get angry. “I’ve fucking looked for you every day for six fucking months. Everywhere I go I think I see you. You don’t return my texts or phone calls. What the fuck else do you want me to do?”

“I want you to leave me alone,” I whisper sharply, aware we have now caught the attention of a few bar patrons.

I feel someone standing behind me. “Is there a problem here?” Zach’s voice echoes through the hushed bar. He puts his hand on my shoulder as relief passes through me.

Alec glares at him. “You,” he sneers at Zach. Recognition sets in. “You’re with him now?” he asks, pointing at him. I look away and up at Zach, grateful he came over at just the right time.

“Come on, babe,” Zach says as he gently takes my arm, leading me away from the table. Alec is a big guy, but not as big or as scary looking as Zach. Nobody wants to mess with Zach. Nobody.

I quietly follow Zach over to the stage where he sits me next to his music equipment. “Are you all right?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” I’m shaking, but it is from pure adrenaline. I’ve dealt with Alec’s mood swings before. In public and in private.

“If he comes near you again, I’m knocking his ass out.”

I nod in understanding. Cassidy comes running over as Zach goes to start setting up his stuff for the night.

“What the hell just happened?”

“I don’t even know.”

Zach constantly looks over at me to make sure I’m still sitting there. I also see him looking out into the bar from time to time to keep tabs on where Alec is.

“I have to go to the bathroom,” I say towards Zach.

“Take Cassidy with you, and come right back, okay?”

“Got it.”

*****

When Draven starts their set, I try to get lost in the music I’ve heard them play so many times. I keep looking over my shoulder, and Cassidy never leaves my side. Jack appears and stands behind her as the night goes on. All of a sudden, I feel my arm being tugged on. I look up to see Alec, with fire in his eyes, dragging me across the dance floor. I pull back and try to dig my heels into the floor to keep him from bringing me anywhere. Shouting is pointless because of how loud the music is, but I continue to plead with him to let me go. He gets me halfway through the bar before I’m knocked
over and fall to the floor. I look up to see Zach punch Alec in the face. The music is still going in Zach’s absence as I watch Alec swing back. Zach gets him square in the nose again and again until Alec is on the ground, bleeding. Zach bends down and picks me up like I weigh nothing, carrying me through the front doors.

“Are you okay?” he asks me as he sits me in the passenger side of his truck.

“I’m fine. I’m so sorry, Zach!”

“Sorry? What on Earth do you have to be sorry for?”

“For everything that just happened. I thought he was gone!”

“I saw him from on stage looming in the background. I didn’t expect him to start dragging you off though.”

“Or to get into a fight tonight?” I attempt to joke.

“I’m not going to lie, I enjoyed it. Punching him, I mean.” I see a glimmer of elation in his eyes before his expression turns serious. “I won’t let him hurt you. Not ever again.”

“You’re so good to me. Thank you for rescuing me.”

“It was my pleasure,” he says, still breathing heavily. “Hey, did you just call me Zach?”

“Did I? I don’t remember.” I try to think back.

“You did. Don’t do it again, okay babe?” he says with a smirk.

“Okay, Zachary.”

“Wren?” I hear Cassidy yelling from somewhere in the parking lot.

I break our gaze and look out towards where she is.

“Over here!” Zach calls to her.

“What happened this time? I was dancing, and then everyone started running over to watch something, then I saw Zach hit Alec! Why am I always missing out on everything?”

“Alec was trying to pull me somewhere, but Zach
ary stopped him.” I look to Zach. “Don’t you have to get back in there?”

“Not until I drive you home and know you’re safe.”

“You don’t have to drive me home. You need to get back in there. If you walk me to my car, I’ll make sure I’m not being followed, and I’ll text you as soon as I walk in the door.”

He looks skeptical.

“I promise.”

Cassidy chimes in, “I’ll go with her. Will you tell Jack I left?”

“I’m still not comfortable with this.”

“It’ll be fine. Please walk me to my car?”

He helps me down and walks Cassidy and me to my vehicle. Thank goodness I hadn’t lost my purse in all that. The last thing I want to do is go back inside to look for it. Zach spins me around and throws his arms around me. I return his hug. “Thanks again, Zachary. You’re my hero.”

“Any time, babe. You call me when you get home, or I’m coming over.”

“I said I would.” We get into my car and lock the doors before driving away. Zach watches us until we’re gone.

I text Zach as soon as we’re inside and the door is locked. I’m calmer than I was before, being in the comfort of my own home. It’s like it was all just a bad dream.

Cassidy throws her purse on the counter. “I need some ice.”

“What for?” I ask.

“That was the hottest thing I have ever seen! Zach throwing down his guitar and jumping off the stage, breaking through the crowd to come to your defense, punching that piece of shit in the face over and over before picking you up like a sack of potatoes and carrying you out the door. Holy hell!” she says, fanning herself.

“It was kind of sexy, wasn’t it? I was so scared and shaking so badly that I didn’t even know what was happening.” I shudder as I think back. “Hey, I thought you didn’t see anything.”

“Oh honey, I saw
everything
! I wish someone would attack me so Zach can save my life,” she says dreamily. “It’s official. I’m in love.”

“Cassidy, I think you’re confusing love with lust.”

She shrugs. “Same thing.”

I wake up to my phone flashing. I’m so glad I decided to put it on silent before I went to sleep because it has blown up with missed calls and messages. Eight missed calls from Alec with multiple voicemails and text messages. One of the texts starts with an apology, but I don’t want an apology from him. I think the only thing I need right now is a restraining order. I make a mental note to look up that process.

Looking through my closet and settling on faded jeans and my favorite white sweater, I shower and spend the time straightening my hair. It’s so much easier to brush it out when it’s messy as opposed to basically starting all over with curly hair that’s never nice for more than a few hours. I grab my purse, gun included, and my keys before heading out to my car and making the drive to my new favorite spot. Inside, I see Kally behind the counter, taking orders. When it’s my turn, I order a chocolate chip muffin and a large hot chocolate before walking back outside into the cold and towards my bench. I sit down and take a deep breath, the cold, fresh air filling my lungs despite the sun shining down. I sip on my hot chocolate, welcoming the warmth on this brisk day.

The beautiful colors of the changing trees surround me and the lake. This spot is perfect. It’s not very windy, but just enough to make some waves with white caps on the lake. All I seem to be doing these past few months is thinking. I swear it’s more thinking than I’ve ever done in all my life.

I really need to figure out what I want to do. If I want to spend the rest of my life hung up on Logan and being strung along. If that is, in fact, what he is doing. I think about how amazing Zach is and how important he has been in my life. Aaron is cute, but I know nothing will ever come out of that. He’ll soon be off traveling the world. Even though I haven’t seen much of my family since I’ve moved out, I could never leave them behind. Elmwood is not my favorite place all the time, but I can’t imagine leaving.

After my muffin is gone and half of my hot chocolate, I get up and follow the little trail that goes into the woods. I take out my phone and snap a few pictures of all the colors before making my way back to the bench. I sit for a while longer until my fingers start to get cold and I decide I
had better get going back home.

Cassidy is sitting in the recliner when I get back. “Where were you? I was worried.”

“Did you try calling me?”

“No.”

“Then you must not have been too worried,” I retort.

“Where were you?”

“I was out for a walk. Have you seen all the crazy colors in the trees? It’s remarkable.”

“I guess I haven’t noticed. Where did you walk to?”

“I drove to Kally’s for some breakfast and watched the waves for a bit. I love that place.”

“Well, just be careful. Alec is probably still looking for you.”

“Yeah, I know. Do you think I have enough to get a restraining order put on him, or is it not too serious yet?”

“Wren, he yelled at you in public. Not to mention he almost yanked your arm off and was taking you to God knows where! I’d say you have enough.”

“I don’t know where he was trying to take me, and he was probably drunk. I’ll do some research on it. I’ll be in my room if you need me.”

I spend a few hours on the computer looking up different ways to file for a restraining order.
I don’t want to file until absolutely necessary, but I also don’t want things to get worse. He was never physical in the three years we were together. A little vocal at times, but he never laid a hand on me.

I call my phone company and put a block on his number so I don’t have to deal with him calling me and leaving me messages all the ti
me.

That night as I lay in
bed reading, my phone vibrates.

Logan: What are you doing tonight?

Me: Reading.

Logan:
Want to come over and hang out?

It makes me feel good that he wants to see me again. I’d love to be held, especially tonight, but I also don’t want to
run to him every time he calls.

Me: Not tonight, I’m too tired. Rough weekend.

Logan: That sucks. Well, I hope to see you again soon.

Me: I’m sure I’ll see you soon. Good night, Logan.

Logan: Night, Wren. Sweet dreams.

I l
ie the phone on my chest and think about Logan. What
does he want from me?

***
**

The next day after work, Logan calls me. “Do you have plans Thursday night?”

“No, why?”

“I have two tickets to the Metallica concert at the Xcel. I was wondering if you’d want to go with me?”

“Seriously? Oh my gosh. I’d love to see them! And you want me to go?”

“Of course. There’s no one else I’d rather go with.”

“I’m so excited!” Metallica is one of my favorite bands of all time. I’m ecstatic.

The week couldn’t have gone any slower as I patiently wait for Thursday. Wednesday night, I get a phone call from Logan.

“Hello?” I excitedly answer.

“Hey, Wren. I’ve got bad news.”

No! Don’t even tell me you’re bailing on me again. “Let me guess. You can’t go,” I say bluntly.

“I have to fly to New York tomorrow to attend a Road Show for work. I’ll be gone all weekend. I tried to get out of it, I swear. There’s nothing I can do.”

I want to cry. I had my hopes up that we would get to go, and now not only am I not going with Logan, I’m not going at all. “It’s okay,” I mumble.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to go so bad.”
That makes two of us.

“I understand. But if there’s nothing you can do, then oh well.”

“I have to get going to pack and stuff, but maybe I’ll see you when I get back?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“I really am sorry.”

“Bye, Logan.”

“Bye.”

I hang up.

I’m mad. I know it wasn’t intentional this time, but still. I wanted to go. I quickly text Cassidy since she’s already at work.

Me: Do you work tomorrow night?

Cassidy: Nope. I’m all yours.

Me: Wanna go to the Metallica concert with me?

Cassidy: Not really… But yes, I will go. Did Logan ditch you again?

Me: He has to fly to New York. I just don’t want to miss out when I had my hopes up of going. There are still tickets available. Shitty ones, but I don’t even care. And I’ll pay!

Cassidy: Yeah, let’s go. There will probably be nothing but men at a concert like that.

Me:
Exactly! Thank you!

I don’t know why I do it, but I grab my phone, and find Aaron’s name.

“Hello?”

“Aaron?”

“Yeah? Who is this?’

“This is Wren. I met you-”

“I’m just kidding, I know who you are,” he interrupts. “Sorry. I haven’t heard from you in so long, I had to give you a little crap.”