Free Revive Me (Say Something Book 3) by Salice Rodgers

friend.
    “Hey what was that with Kipper today?”
    “What was what?” I ask and look out the window.
    “Taylor, come on you know what. What happened?”
    “Nothing, Jos, I just wanted to get the dishes washed.” I look from the window to my wrist and see a faint bruise.
    Nothing as bad as what I thought it would be but it’s enough to leave the memory and remind me that it wasn’t a dream.
    “You and I both know that isn’t the truth.”
    “Jos, don’t do this please? I told you it was nothing. Just let it be nothing.”
    “Look at me.” She waits to talk again until I raise my eyes to hers. “I am your best friend and I know that something is wrong.”
    The tears I didn’t want her to see start to ease their way down my cheeks. Marshall and Trevor both left hours before and left Joslynn and me to enjoy the first night of our dream coming true together.
    “He… He tried to… He tried to force himself on me, Jos, okay? Now will you leave it alone?”
    She stands up so fast the chair flips backwards and skids across the floor hitting the wall behind it. Her hands slam on the table, and I jump.
    “What the fuck did you just say? And he was in here taking praises? Trevor didn’t beat his ass? Taylor?”
    I shake my head and watch her pace the room. This is why I didn’t want to tell her. I didn’t want to be the victim. I didn’t want the look of her feeling sorry for me.
    “Taylor, did you tell him?”
    “No.”
    “Are you fucking kidding me? Why the hell not?”
    “This is why, Joslynn, this right here is why!” I yell and motion my hands to her still pacing the room.
    She stops and looks at me confused.
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Can you just leave it alone?”
    “Maybe if you give me a good enough reason to!”
    She grabs the chair from the floor and sits back down in front of me. I can see her legs shaking under the table in front of me along with the rest of her body.
    “I don’t want to be a fucking victim, Joslynn! I have a new business with my best friend, a baby on the way and I am fixing to marry the love of my life”
    “None of those work for me,” she interjects.
    “Joslynn, do you remember when you came to me the first time your dad put his hands on you and you begged me not to say anything? Remember that feeling after others found out? The looks you got? I don’t want that!”
    She takes a deep breath crossing her arms across her chest – tears now matching mine streaming down her face.
    “Fine, I get it, okay. But he is not allowed back here – ever! His free meals can come from home. The first time he walks in here and even looks your way I will tell Marshall and Trevor so fast both of your heads will spin, do you hear me?” she clarifies.
    I nod my head and stand from the table, she meets me on the other side and wraps her arms around me. I know that she understands my reasons while others might not. That is another one of the reasons she is my best friend.
    “Ready to go home? I want to see my son,” she concludes smiling and wiping her eyes.
    “Yeah, thank you, Jos.”
    “I love you, Tay.”
    “I love you too.”
    We hug again and I climb in my car. It is dark by the time we finally leave. The street lights line the road and not many cars are out. I wave as Joslynn passes me honking her horn. When I drive at night I always blare the radio and sing at the top of my lungs. Even though I probably look like a crazy lady, I take a small comfort in knowing that no one can see me.
    A car pulls out behind me with their bright lights on. My stomach feels like it’s in knots so I take a deep breath and try to ignore the annoying lights shining in my face. I make it to my turn and the car behind me turns as well, which does nothing to calm my nerves. They are following pretty close behind me. My hands get sweaty on the steering wheel and I take yet another deep breath. Feels like I have been taking a lot of those the last few days. I scream when the car behind me