"I thought the enemy was out there, but it turns out, they were lying next to me all along."
Toni Topaz (pov)
After the chaos of the car crash and narrowly escaping with my life, I found myself stumbling through the dark streets, every nerve on edge.
My mind was racing, filled with images of Cheryl
My wife
Trying to run me over, trying to kill me. I couldn't believe it, even though I had seen it with my own eyes.
My body ached from the crash, my clothes were torn and filthy, and my hands wouldn't stop shaking as I finally made it to Sweetpea's house.
I banged on his door, my fists hitting the wood with a desperation that mirrored the panic still pulsing through my veins.
It took a moment, but Sweetpea eventually answered, his face a mix of surprise and confusion
SWEETPEA
What the hell happened to you
he eyed the dirt and debris covering me
I stood there, catching my breath, my hands on my hips as I finally managed to speak
TONI
My wife
Yhe words feeling foreign in my mouth.
Cheryl. My Cheryl
Had done this to me
Sweetpea's brow furrowed, but he didn't ask any more questions. Instead, he opened the screen door wider, letting me in.
I walked past him, feeling the warmth of the house settle around me as he closed the door behind us.
We made our way to the kitchen, where Sweetpea took a seat at the table, while I couldn't stop pacing, my thoughts still spiraling.
TONI
She tried to kill me
I finally said, stopping in my tracks to look at him.
Sweetpea leaned back in his chair, shaking his head as if he wasn't surprised
SWEETPEA
Yes, she did look at you. But you know what, Josie tried to kill me too once. Not with a car, but still
I barely heard him. My mind was too occupied with the betrayal, the sheer disbelief that Cheryl could do something like this.
But Sweetpea kept talking, his voice a constant drone in the background, going on about how women hurt him too, how they all seemed to be out to get us.
SWEETPEA
They all try to hurt you
He continued, almost philosophically
SWEETPEA
For me, I used to beat myself up about it, but now I just go on dates all the time. It's better that way
I snapped out of my thoughts long enough to glance at him.
TONI
You still live with your mom
I pointed out, more out of reflex than anything else.
Sweetpea shrugged, unbothered
SWEETPEA
I choose to because it saves money
I sighed, finally sitting down at the table and grabbing a beer. I took a long drink, trying to wash away the lingering taste of fear and adrenaline
TONI
This is unbelievable
