One of the Guys by Ashley Johnson Read Free Book Online

that.
     
    No sooner I had that thought and crossed by the kitchen; his voice filled the quiet dense air. “You still got it in your head you’re moving out?”
     
    Slowly I turned after taking a deep breath and faced the man who now seemed like a complete stranger to me. He wasn’t in uniform which means he must be off work today. “I am Dad. Marsh signed lease papers two days ago. I already told you this.” I did and he was too drunk to hear a single damn word I said. That’s not my fault.
     
    He took a single step towards me and I took one back trying to distance myself from him. His eyes still looked bloodshot from I’m sure drinking the night before, either that or he wasn’t sleeping worth a shit. Really when did he get this bad because I’ve never seen it until now and frankly it scares the shit out of me.
     
    For my step back, he matched with another step forward and I realized I was against the wall with no where to go. He reeked of liquor and smelt like he hadn’t bathed in at least a few days.
     
    “You aren’t going anywhere Samantha do you hear me? You aren’t leaving me.” His loud voice screamed into my ears and I winced trying to keep my composure and my guard up.
     
    I couldn’t tell you what happened next because it happened so fast. All I know was I was lying on the ground and I felt his foot jab into my ribs some kind of hard. Something cracked, I know it had to or that was just the steel toe of his boot digging into my skin. I doubled over in pain trying not to let him see me cry but it was hard as hell considering.
     
    He mumbled something then disappeared from my view. Was he gone? God I hope so. I could feel my phone going off in my pocket and managed to pull it out. My body felt like a thousand sharp knives were piercing it, this was absolutely horrible. Marsh had texted to ask if I were on my way. I couldn’t even type out an answer to him. The tears just fell from my eyes making a whole puddle in front of me on the ground. Maybe if I were lucky I could drown in this puddle. Right now I wish I were drowning because it would sure as hell feel a lot better than this.
     
    After almost five minutes of crying and just sitting there, I tried to get up. I sunk back down to my knees clinching my stomach for dear life. My God, it hurt to breathe and oh no here come the tears again.
     
    Marsh sent another text saying he was starting to get worried about me. I didn’t need him showing up here that would ruin everything. I managed to text back.
     
    Me: Sorry, I’m running behind. On my way.
     
    Getting up was a challenge. Once I finally stood on my feet I had to grip the wall to keep from falling back down. With every breath I took, the pain continued to seer through my body. Feeling like I was walking on eggshells, I managed to get to the medicine cabinet. Besides the pain from my ribs, my head was now throbbing as if someone struck it with a hammer. Lying there on the counter was the picture of Mom from a few days ago. Quickly I scooped it up, folding it in half to put in my pocket. I wish I knew her. I wish I could hug her. A couple of ibuprofen later and a glass of water, I bolted out the door as quick as my legs would carry me and sat in my truck.
     
    Tears weren’t real anymore, or they didn’t seem to be. I was so numb from everything and the pain was so unreal, I couldn’t react anymore. The ibuprofen took a small fraction of the pain away but didn’t really put a dent in it. The smart Sam should have gone to the hospital and had it looked at to be safe, but this Sam is terrified and just wants to get away from it all. Strategically I had placed the picture of Mom on my dashboard. She was smiling at me, telling me everything was going to be alright. As I pulled up at Marsh’s house, I prayed he wouldn’t be waiting outside for me but apparently I had a death wish and there he was grinning like no tomorrow, until he saw my tear stained face.
     
    I never thought to stop