Not Us: Cash & Devin

Chapter 13

Devin POV

How the hell was I supposed to tell Eddie that Caleb and fucking Bitchy Becky were stopping by my apartment. Separately. Him, with the, begging me to take him back shit, and to marry him again, that he could make it right and all that meaningless bullshit. Because that's what it was. Bullshit. He did it once. I'll be damned if I let him do it to me again. I wasn't as stupid as he thought I was. And then I had her, coming at all mother fucking hours of the day and night, calling me every but her mother, and a Christian woman, for keeping her child's father from her, asking why I'd 'destroying a happy family' so now even my neighbors look at me like I'm a piece of shit. When I was the dumb bitch who was cheated on! How the fuck do I tell him that? He's too protective! And that's not even the worst part!

Word about this...nuisance had spread. Far and fucking wide. The offers that were in on my apartment? Have vanished. Right into thin fucking air. My realtor said no one is looking at my property because of them. I can't sell this fucking place if I can't get them to leave me fuck alone!

No matter how many times I call the police, they've either gone by the time they show up, or they just leave when asked and then 'there's nothing we can do, Ma'am.' Motherfucking why?! WHY NOT?! Tears started pouring down my cheeks like it was a fucking competition to see which side could send more tears down my cheeks. I didn't understand why I couldn't keep it together.

I genuinely don't know what to do and the last time I called the cops, I just burst into tears when he said that to me with a straight face. I asked what I was supposed to do then. His response?

"Have you considered moving?" The dark, humorless, chuckle, or cackle based on how his face contorted, I let out. Gave him a clue as to my next words.

"I've been trying to sell for two months. Word about them has gotten out. No one wants to buy the place of someone they think is keeping a child's father from it, even though they're the ones who had the affair. So, I ask again, What. Do. I. Fucking. Do?" I grit out, my chest heaving by the end of it, from trying to hold back the angry tears that were ready to show him just how furious I was by his insensitive suggestion, "I don't mean to cuss at you. But I'm doing everything I can think of that I should be doing. I'm calling you guys. I'm trying to get it documented for a restraining order. I've got the paperwork inside for the witness statement they want me to give because my ex, who keeps coming to beg me back, got raped, by the woman shouting what a wretched bitch I am. What. Do. I do?" I ask. Going for really high off that anger, then to small and sad by the end of it. Because I'm so tired. I can't keep doing this.

Eddie wrapped me in a hug, bringing me back to the present. I sobbed. Harder than I have in months. Harder than I thought I would for a long time. He somehow got us inside my apartment. Somehow, he got me into my bathroom, and into a warm bath. Then got me my favorite of his college sweats and put them on me. I felt like a doll. Through this whole thing.

I should never have told them I was fine.

I'm not.

I'm not okay. Eddie held me, for how long, I don't know. I do know, that he held me until the knocking (I use the term loosely) began and I tensed. My whole body flinched as soon as it started. He tensed when I did. His hackles raised.

Shit.

This wasn't how I wanted him to find out, "Wait." He was already standing, ready to kill whoever was behind that door that was making me tense up like this. I grabbed his hand as he took his first steps toward the door, anchoring him feebly to me. I looked up at him, but he kept his eyes locked on the door like whoever was cop-knocking me was going to somehow break the door down with their fist. If that's all the stronger my door is, I've got bigger problems.

"Who." I held his hand tighter, as I looked at the floor. He was gonna be so mad at me. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, that's clearly not quick enough for him. "Who, Devin Fia?" I knew he was seconds from snapping if I was getting the full name. I was only ever 'Fia' to him. Ever.

Once my mouth opened, it all spilled out like it was one big, giant, long word instead of separate ones that formed actual sentences. "One of two people who have been doing this for weeks. All hours of the day. All twenty-four of them. My apartment won't sell because of them and the cops told me to move. That was the great advice they gave me from all sixty-five I have called them in the last two and a half weeks."

"Fia. I'm trying to have the patience. But I'm about to break their fucking hand if they keep knocking. Man or woman."

"Caleb or Becky," I muttered, hoping he couldn't react like this. But I should have known better. He'd never let one of them do this to me.

He broke my grip on his arm and stormed the door, damn near ripping it off its hinges. Caleb stood stock still after the door not opening for weeks. He was looking up at Eddie like he'd just pissed himself, and he might have. Eddie was huffing and looked like he could have had smoke coming out of the top of his head. I knew he was about to make a scene. A loud one, if his stance was anything to go by. Partly in, partly out, of the apartment, and turned to the side, giving just enough of a glance into the apartment so everyone who looked could see in and see me standing there.

"What in the fuck," he's off to a great, loud, start. Fuck. My. Life, "does your pathetic cheating ass want with my sweet, and kind sister?! Huh?! Having your fucking mistress come here and spread fucking lies about her isn't enough?! You're here bright and fucking early to ruin her day on a weekend?!" He's sounding indignant while pointing back at me, looking incredibly pathetic with tear stains down my cheeks.

He's just warming up as he continues, still pointing at me, "She filed for and was granted the divorce from your pathetic, cheating self was granted days ago." Eddie was screaming at this point, and the neighbors were coming out to listen to the latest gossip that Eddie was serving them on a silver fucking platter, "Keep your nasty ass mistress the fuck away from my sister! I swear! If either of you come back? I won't be calling the cops. Now, quit harassing my sister before I have to contact our amazing lawyer again. She practices a few different types of law. And she knows all the best lawyers in town, and the state, that I need to fucking bury you in legal fees and court costs. Got it" He looked around like he knew he had these people by the balls they were all so into this juicy bit. He leaned down to Caleb's height by bending his knees and resting his hands on his knees like he was talking to a little kid, knowing damn well Caleb has always been insecure because he's not the tallest guy at 6'-6'1".

"Did you happen to find a job yet? Can you afford the legal fees that come from my lawyer?"

Caleb flushed, embarrassed as he refused to answer Eddie's quiet question. He turned and sprinted out of the hallway. I just looked at Eddie. He came back inside and slammed the door shut.

"When does that blue waffle show up?" I just stared at him. "I'll get the door when she knocks. Also, I'm calling Amber to update her. She'll want to bring popcorn. Oh! So will Clint. I'll see if he'll bring the Chinese and Thai."

He smiled at me, walking into the kitchen to start making calls and making some finger foods.

What the fuck just happened?