Reaching Rachel Read Online Free Page B

walking to her car briskly. Sliding into the seat, she quickly locked the door. “Hey Kay,” she answered, glancing over at Justin, still standing next to his truck. Her voice shook slightly as her body processed what had just happened.
    “What happened? Where are you? Is everything okay?” Kayley’s concerned voice burst through the line.
    Rachel pulled in a deep breath. “Yes. I’m sorry. Justin was being a jealous ass and I’m pretty sure I’m done with him. I’m sitting outside in my car. I’m just going to head home if you don’t mind. I’ve had enough for one night.”
    Kayley sat quietly for a moment. “Rach? I’m sorry. He seemed like a good guy. Maybe something was just bothering him? Is it worth talking it over?”
    Rachel looked over at Justin, still standing in the same spot where he was when she walked away, looking at her. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach at the sight of him. Maybe Kayley was right, and she was too quick to call it quits with him. Because I’m always looking for an out , she admitted to herself. Just then, her arm started throbbing, and her anger returned. He had laid his hands on her, in anger. He had called her a slut. If Kayley knew any of that, she wouldn’t be giving that advice.
    “Not tonight it’s not. He doesn’t get to treat me that way. I’ll call you tomorrow, Kay. Tell everyone I had to go.” Hanging up the phone, Rachel revved the engine and sped out of the parking lot, Justin still watching her.
     

     
    ‘Please forgive me,’ the text message said. Rachel rolled her eyes. Justin had left her more than 20 messages overnight. After she had gotten home, she had peeled off her clothes and fallen into bed, her nerves shot and her mind reeling. She knew he was going to try to contact her after she left the sports bar, so she had turned off her phone. She had nothing to say to him.
    Ignoring his text, she piled her hair on top of her head in a loose bun, secured it with a clip, and headed for the shower. She didn’t need him, right? She didn’t need anyone but herself. She had to remember that.
    She stood in front of the mirror in her bathroom, staring at herself. As she turned, she caught sight of her arm and gasped. She had a huge purplish-blue bruise on her upper arm where Justin had been gripping her so tight. Touching it delicately, she winced at the soreness there. He put his hands on her. Who did he think he was?
    Finishing up in the shower and wrapping herself in a towel, she padded to the kitchen to start some coffee, wondering what she was going to do with herself today.
    “Hmm, shopping? Or laying out?” she murmured, scooping the coffee into the maker, ignoring the nagging desire in the back of her head to listen to what Justin had to say. “Remember the bruise that you will have to cover now with long sleeves. You don’t want to call him.”
    Just then, her phone rang. Scowling, she walked to her phone and looked at the screen, figuring it was Justin trying to continue to plead his case with her.
    Smiling, she accepted the call and put the phone to her ear. “Hey, Kay.”
    “Hey Rach,” Kayley answered. Rachel could hear the noise of the kids in the background. “I was calling to check on you, see if you were still okay. Did you ever talk to Justin?”
    Rachel sighed, stirring some creamer into her coffee. “No, I’m ignoring him. You know me, Kay. I’ve been looking for a reason to dump him this whole time. I just got a really good reason. I mean, come on! He totally embarrassed the shit out of me in front of all of you. Can you even believe what he did?”
    Kayley was quiet on the other end, and Rachel knew she was going to try to reason with her. Rachel had never told her anything about the reasons behind why she refused to get involved with anyone seriously. She knew she should, because Kayley was the best friend she had ever had, and if anyone would understand, it would be her. But she just couldn’t. She was ashamed and