Free Picture Me Naked (Stoddard Art School Series) by Lisa A. Olech Page A

Not really. You just think that’s what you want because I decided to call it off. You can’t stand the thought of not having the upper hand.”
    “What kind of psychobabble is that? Why can’t you talk like a normal person?”
    “I know you,” Zee continued. “You only want me because you can’t have me. For all I know I’m the first woman who’s said no to you, and you don’t know how to handle it.”
    “That’s crazy. Who put that stupid idea in your little pin brain?” Ed’s voice rose.
    Zee winced. Arguing would get her nowhere. She needed to get him out of the apartment. The sooner the better. Don’t push his buttons . Zee took a gentler approach. “You want a woman who loves you, don’t you? You deserve that. I’m not that woman. Why are you so insistent? You have to see that we won’t work as a couple.”
    Ed looked at her with a frown on his face. “Well call me crazy, Zee, but I don’t care that you’re dumber than a post. You’re my dumb post, and I’m not ready to let you go. What’s mine is mine . Hell, I’m even willing to marry you.” He threw a hand in the air. “You forget I’m on my way up at Speedy Quick. I’ll have my own repair garage, soon. You know, plenty of money. Hey, how about I buy you new boobs for a wedding present? Guess they’d be more of a present for me, huh?”
    Zee snapped. “That’s it. Out! ”
    “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m just kidding. I know your boobs are a sore point with you. Two sore points, get it?”
    “Get out! You’re wrong, Ed, I’m not yours . I never was! Neither are my boobs! I don’t have to take your abuse. I’m done! Period! ”
    “Calm the hell down! Jeez, you can’t even take a joke!”
    The timer rang in her hand. “Time’s up. Good bye.”
    “You know what, Zee? You can be a class-A pain in my ass. You wouldn’t know a good thing if it hit you over the head. One of these days you’re gonna regret losing me, and when you come crawling back, I’ll just stand there and laugh in your face!”
    Zee held the timer up. “Did you hear the bell?”
    Ed snatched the timer from her hand and whipped it against the wall. The hard plastic shattered. “Fuck the timer! I’m not done!”
    Fear made Zee’s body shake. “If you don’t leave right now, I’m calling the police.”
    A slow, evil smile spread over his face. His voice became low and deadly calm. “Go ahead. Call the cops. I’ll just have to make sure they aren’t wasting a trip for a lousy, two-buck timer.” He spit the last words at her like venom.
    Zee opened the door. Her heart pounded in her chest. “Please leave. Now.”
    “When you realize no one else wants your big, sorry ass and there isn’t another man on the planet who’ll deal with all your crazy shit, you’ll come back begging. How’s it gonna feel when I’m the one throwing you out?”
    Zee fought the lump in her throat. The threat of tears kept her silent. She stood by the open door.
    Ed stomped past her in anger. “Stupid bitch.”
    Zee slammed the door, flipped the deadbolt, put on the chain, and checked the peephole. He was gone. She unclenched her jaw as her insides trembled and twisted. She leaned her forehead against the door and closed her eyes.
    Damn him. She rubbed at the knot in her stomach and took a deep breath. Isabella circled around her ankles. “Forget him, Bella, he’s gone. Maybe he finally got the message?” A dark thought nudged the back of her mind. What if she was wrong? What if he didn’t stop?
    The smell of Chanel filled the room.
    “Why did you let that horrid little man into the apartment?”
    “He wouldn’t have gone away, Nana.”
    “Don’t let him in again.”
    “I won’t.”
    “You should invite the pretty one over.”
    Zee laughed a short bitter laugh. “I don’t plan to do that either.”
    “You believe all the ugly things Ed says.”
    “No, I don’t.”
    “Not in your head, but he’s bruised your heart.”
    “It doesn’t matter.” Zee