Toxic

Chapter 17

It was the first of the month, and Denver woke up with a new attitude. She was no longer interested in turning the other cheek, right after she found herself a new home she was going to get all of her shit from Semaj's house. She didn't give a fuck about her name being on the house, he could do whatever he pleased with it. As far as all of her clothes, shoes, jewelry and etc., she was getting that back. She worked to hard for all of her shit to just let it go because of fear.

She had been talking with a therapist online, and made the decision that it was time to come clean to her parents. She was scared as hell, but she knew it had to be done because she didn't want to suffer in silence anymore.

It was a Wednesday, and also her first day back. Inventory days were the most hectic, but she needed something to keep her mind busy and off her current life drama. Her nose was still sore, but she was healing. The bruises were starting to disappear, but she was still dealing with a great amount of pain from her broken ribs. Ibuprofen & Tylenol had been her best friends, but she was tired of sitting around the house.

"Damn, good morning" CJ smiled as he came into the kitchen looking at the spread of food laid out. Pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, and a mix of fresh fruit occupied the island. 

"Good morning, you hungry??" She had just flipped the last pancake in the pan before turning around to face him. 

CJ fought the urge to bite his lip. She could make a simple outfit look so good, he didn't even know she had ordered herself more clothes but he was fucking with the look she had going on today. A cute pair of jogging pants, a simple long-sleeved black shirt and a pair of nike socks covered her frame, and she looked damn good. Her install was pulled up into a messy curly bun with a few random pieces hanging, she also took the time to softly beat her face with some added strip lashes that made her look come together. 

"I could eat" He was hungry yes, but breakfast wasn't the only thing he wanted to eat. His eyes never left hers as she fixed his plate of food. "Here, it aint freshly squeezed but its just as good" she joked as she passed him a glass of orange juice.

"Thank you" He buttered his pancakes up before drowning them in syrup, he was in heaven as soon as the first bite hit his tongue. They were fluffy and crisp around the edges just how he liked them. 

"You're welcome. I'm heading to work today, see what's been going on in my absence" That surprised him, she was still obviously in pain 

"Oh? You not hurting??" CJ had become so protective over her in such a short time, it was crazy because if it was Veronica he wouldn't give a damn what she did, he would just be happy she was getting out of his face.

"I mean yeah, but they're still healing so it'll take some time. My face doesn't look as bad anymore and the pain in my nose is almost nonexistent thanks to you by the way. I'm just over sitting in the house, its driving me crazier than the pain"

Although he wanted to give his opinion, he left it alone. He was glad she was up and trying to get back to herself, but what worried him is the potential danger lurking in the shadows. He knew men like that, they didn't just give up so easily.

*************

Eventually, Denver made it to her store with time to spare. Sitting in car, she prayed for a good day. She looked down at her watch to see she received a message from CJ

CJ: Have a good day at work! Try not to go too hard

She smiled as she responded back with a thank you, wishing him the same. She didn't know what was to come of her friendship with CJ and she honestly didn't have time to think about it. She was more worried about getting herself healed and rebuilding her life, just last year she was planning to marry who she thought was the love of her life. Now that same man had beaten her, and taken what no man should ever take from a woman.