Laine Transformation

Chapter Ten

 Billie and I spend the whole night talking about the last 48 hours and the next day to come once we get to her house.

" I'm at a loss with knowing what to do anymore. I don't know if he's not the same person I loved or if I didn't see it the whole time because I was stupid." We're drinking a cheap bottle of vodka and sitting on her couch with freshly painted toenails drying.

" You're not stupid. You were young and he was an older guy promising you the world and delivering nothing. He was manipulative. He might not have always been this bad but he was never a saint. You know how I've always felt about him, but you had to make your own mistakes." I know she's right but it hurts to know how easily I let someone fool me the way he did.

" Finding where I live and showing up to O's is utterly crazy. It's not as if we broke up weeks ago. We're talking almost 7 months. Why now? Why after I get my life together does he want to come back in to destroy me. He cheated on me, he did this." I yell. I can feel how flustered I am and continue drinking my drink.

" I think what it comes down to is that you were young and impressionable and he liked controlling you. When he couldn't control you things would go wrong and he'd try to punish you. There's dozens of times I could think of. I don't know why now, I think in some sick was he does love you and doesn't want to see you better yourself or move on without him." Billie tucks her chin down and throws me a concerned look.

"All of it is messed up. What's more messed up is he puts hands on you more than once. There's no part of you that would ever consider going back to him, right?" The question makes me shake.

" Billie, I'm scared. I couldn't go to my own apartment today because I was afraid he'd be there drunk. I don't know if he was this monster before or not but I don't love him. I fear him." It's the first time I've said it out loud and it shocks me. I don't love him. I fear him. It's strange how someone so important in your life can change in the blink of an eye.

Billie hugs me and we both tear up. Life can be such a mess but the love I have with my friends I can't deny. I'm lucky.

She changes the subject and we're back on the gossip train. "So what do you think is going to happen tomorrow? Do you think it's him?" Billie knocks back the rest of her drink.

" I don't have answers to either one of these questions. At the very least he's related to it all." I tell her before laying my head down. " I'm too exhausted to think about it."

The next morning I call Darren and update him on everything. He's skeptical of the plan, rightfully so, but is leaving the project up to me. I meet Potter at the coffee shop around 11 a.m and sit at a table. He kisses my cheek.

" How'd you sleep?" He asks me. I dramatically throw my my sunglasses on inside.

"Sleep? I spent less time sleeping than I did drinking if that answers it." He laughs.

" I take it the sleepover went off without a hitch." He says and I reluctantly nod. I'm wearing a dark red slip dress and I feel more confident than ever as he holds my hand then opens the door to the Uber.

"Where are we going?" I ask him. He gives me a mischievous look as he's obviously up to something once again.

"It wouldn't be much of a surprise if you were to know." I barely know Potter but his personality keeps me constantly wondering. He always seems so sure of himself and his presence is strangely calming. It doesn't hurt that he looks good in all denim and cowboy boots.

"You and your surprises." I mumble. He hears me but he lets me have the last word.

The lyft driver plays music and I move my head to the music. It's his own personal mix but it's familiar.