Close enough to start a war
All that I have is on the floor
God only knows what we're fighting for
All that I say, you always say more
I can't keep up with your turning tables
Under your thumb I can't breathe
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
No, I won't rescue you to just desert me
I can't give you the heart you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables
Under haunted skies I see you, ooh
Where love is lost, your ghost is found
I braved a hundred storms to leave you
As hard as you try, no, I will never be knocked down
I can't keep up with your turning tables
Under your thumb I can't breathe
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
No, I won't rescue you to just desert me
I can't give you the heart you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables
Next time, I'll be braver
I'll be my own savior when the thunder calls for me
Next time, I'll be braver
I'll be my own, savior standing on my own two feet
So I won't let you close enough to hurt me
No, I won't rescue you to just desert me
I can't give you the heart you think you gave me
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables
To turning tables
Turning tables...
*Turning Tables – Adele*
I froze in place.
Adam was across the yard, not too far from the back door of the Lockwood house.
I took a step back as I thought of the last time I'd seen him, when I ended the relationship, almost two months ago.
"Who was that guy?"
"What guy?"
"The guy you were just on the phone with." Adam gritted his teeth, almost spitting out his words.
"What?"
"Don't play dumb with me. You were talking to another guy just now."
"Huh? Oh, no! It was Ryan."
"How many times do I have to tell you to not tell me lies?! Who were you talking to?!" He yelled.
"It was only Ryan. I swear. You can look at my –"
He cut me off with an unexpected punch. I fell to the floor, gripping the right side of my face. My cheek was only numb, but I'd learned that the pain would come in an hour or two.
"When will you learn? The more you lie, the more I have to punish you. Now, stand up."
I did as he said, and flinched when he tried to touch me. His expression softened, as did his voice.
"I'm sorry. You know I don't like to do that, but sometimes, it's necessary."
"I'm done." I whispered.
His features hardened again.
"I'm sorry, what was that?"
I cleared my throat and repeated myself.
"I said, I'm done. I can't do this anymore. The jealousy was one thing. I could live with that. But this? I can't handle all this pain, this 'punishment'. I'm done."
Before he could say or do anything, headlights shone through the window and a car honk sounded from outside.
"That's Riley. I'm leaving. It's over, Adam. I won't say anything to anyone. Please get help. You need it."
"Everything all right, Dani?" Matt asked, suddenly right beside me. I jumped at the unexpected voice. When I turned my head towards him, I could see that he was concerned.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine." I looked back to where I'd seen Adam, but no one was there. I could feel my eyebrows pull together.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, Matt. I'm... I'm fine." I focused my attention back on him. He didn't look like he believed me. "Really, I am. I do need a favor, though."
"Sure. Anything."
"Bonnie drove us here. She's inside talking to Elena, but I would really appreciate it if you could take me home?"
"You bet. Let me just go find Tina and tell her I'm leaving."
"Oh! I'm sorry. I'm so rude. If you need to stay for her, or take her home, I can wait for Bonnie."
"No, it's no problem. She's been hanging out with her cousin all night anyway. She can get a ride from her."
"Okay. I'll meet you out front then. Thanks, Matt."
Taking advantage of the few moments I'd have alone, I walked over to the bar and downed my champagne.
I chose to walk around the house instead of going through it, not really wanting to see anyone for the rest of the night. Checking my phone, I saw that I'd missed a call from Ryan.
'Sorry I didn't answer. At one of the town's events. Will call you during lunch tomorrow.' I sent to him.
I also noticed a text from Jeremy that was sent about an hour ago.
'Hope u r having fun. Swing by when u r done.'
I fought the urge to send him a response with corrections to his shortened words, and instead sent him: 'Just now leaving. I'd stop by, but it's late and I'm tired. See you tomorrow.'
I was about to put my phone away when an idea came to me. I scrolled through my contacts and hit 'Call' when I reached the one I was searching for.
A familiar voice came on the line.
"Dani?"
I couldn't find my voice.
"Dani, is that you? Please, if it is, say something. Anything."
"Uh... yeah, Adam, it's me."
"Oh, Dani. I miss you so much! I'm so sorry for everything. I'm getting help. I'm taking anger management classes, medication... I'm even going to therapy." His laugh sounded through the phone.
"That's good. That's... that's great."
"I messed up. I know that. I'm so sorry. Baby, please come home? I need you. I love you. Being with you would help speed things up and –"
"That's not why I called, Adam."
"Then why...?"
"I need to know where you're at."
"Where I'm at? I'm at home."
"Home, as in California?"
"Of course, Danica. Where else would I mean?"
I hung up and turned the cell phone off as Matt started across the lawn.
"Okay. Let's get you home."