Love Without Tragedy | JB | a.u| BWWM | COMPLETE

Eight.

After picking up the cheese and milk from the grocery store, I headed home with hopes that Randy was out.
He wasn't out. In fact, he was watching TV and he was pretty jumpy when I walked into the house.

"Jesus, Dileah!" He shoved something into his pocket.

I looked at him.

"Sorry." I muttered.

"You're late anyway. What took you so long?" He wiped the coffee table of something.

"I got off work a little late and I went to get milk and cheese." I explained, heading to the kitchen.

"Only now you get the milk and cheese." He chuckled.

"Well, I was really busy yesterday and... The store was closed by the time I went." I lied.

"Oh?"

"Yes."

"Well I'm hungry." He said.

I rolled my eyes and washed my hands.

I knew he saw me roll my eyes. I also knew he hated when I did that but he was so inconsiderate sometimes-- okay, all the time.

"You sell drugs now?" I asked as I got some pots ready.

He looked at me.

"What?"

"That's your hustle." I said.

"Yes well apparently you don't make enough money anymore so..." He shrugged.

"So you opted for drug dealing, Randy?"

"It's none of your business."

"It is if you're stashing that nonsense in this house."

He sighed and got up. He walked towards me.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.

"Listen to me, Dileah. This is none of your business." He stood in front of me.

"I'm just worried about you, Randy." I whispered.

"I told you before, I'm a grown ass man."

"You have so much potential. Don't do this."

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do!" He raised his voice. "This brings in more money than you ever will in a month so be grateful."

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"You're better than this." I said.

He grabbed me by my throat and pushed me against the counter.

"And you're nothing." He growled.

My lip quivered as fear took over and pain shot through my back.

"You need to stop snooping around and telling me what to do, do you understand?"

As his hold got tighter, I used my own hands to try and remove his from my neck.

"This aint your house anyway so shut up." He spat.

He slowly let go of me and I gasped for air.

He stepped back a bit and glared at me before slapping me across the cheek, sending me stumbling sideways.

"You don't get to tell me what to do." He said.

I whimpered and watched him walk back to the living room.

"Get cooking." He said, "I head out in a few hours. I need some food in my system."

I watched him sit down and empty his pockets of money and cocaine.

I sniffled and wiped my face of my tears then I gathered the strength to cook.

I didn't speak all night. Not one word. All that came from me was sighs and sniffles.

After dishing up for Randy, I took his food to him.

He took my wrist and pulled me closer to him so our faces were in line.

"Go upstairs. I'll be up after dinner." He said.

His breath smelled ashy, his voice dark. I knew what he wanted and I couldn't dare say no.

My lip quivered once more and I slowly nodded my head and made my way up the stairs.

I closed the bedroom door and crawled onto the bed as I cried, hoping Randy wouldn't hear me.

Life as I knew it.