Thirty Nine

I jumped from the sofa, my feet padding to the front door where the bitch had the nerve to return.

I didn't know if it was the hormones or the memory of what she'd done the last time I saw her, but this time my hellcat was on the fucking prowl, and just seeing her fake little face had me seething. She stepped inside, lowering her eyes to me with a furrowed brow laced in distaste as she shut the door. As if I'd be intimidated by her. She wasn't welcome here, and I'd make damn sure she knew that.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" I growled. Her face transformed into a pretentious scowl.

"Not that it's any of your business, little girl, but I'm here to check on Joel. I heard he was sick." She tightened her grip on her purse, squaring her shoulders to challenge me. But all it did was piss me the fuck off. She was actually acting like she gave a shit about him when I was the one who spent the last week taking care of him.

"Hell yes, it's my business. This is our home. You have no right to be here and you're trespassing, so I suggest you get the fuck off our property before I call the cops." My voice was low and venomous, and I took another step towards her. I saw her eyes flinch, but she scoffed, crossing her arms.

"Oh please. Your home? I built this home, child. What are you even still doing here? I thought Joel made it clear that he doesn't want you." My jaw tensed. Her lips lifted into a smirk as she leaned forward, lowering her voice. "Maybe he'll give me another taste tonight. Why don't you go make yourself useful and cook us some dinner."

Red.

Before I even had the chance to think, my hands were tangled in her perfectly curled blonde hair, pulling her down. She dug her sharp nails into my chest and shoved me to the ground, climbing on top of me. I screamed, fighting to push her off, but she was clearly in shape and absolutely rabid. Within seconds, Joel came rounding the corner, along with my mom, just as her palm connected with my face.

"Callie!" He boomed, wasting no time to grip her waist and drag her off of me.

"I'm fucking suing that bitch! I swear to God! Your psycho girlfriend just attacked me!" Callie shrieked, scratching at Joel's arms to get to me. My mom rushed to my side, helping me to sit and checking my face where the welt was forming. I must've hit my head on the way down, too, cause I was dizzy as hell.

"Hell no, you're not. You just fucking hit her!" Joel growled, still holding her back.

"Yea, and assaulting a pregnant woman is a felony, you stuck-up bitch!" I shouted, attempting to stand back up and knock her ass to the floor. I made it halfway before collapsing again, my head ringing. Joel dropped her in an instant, rushing to me with concerned eyes, his hand coming up to my caress my forehead. But her annoying cackle drew our attention.

"You actually think you're pregnant? Ha. If you are, then I was right. You are a little slut, because there's no fucking way that baby is his." She pointed at him. Joel's gaze turned cold, the murderous look on his face making me shiver.

"Don't you ever fucking call her that again. I know for a fact that it's mine, you bitter hag. And I'm fucking thrilled it was her, and not you!" Damn. It was harsh, but satisfying all the same, and I had a feeling Joel had been sitting on it for awhile.

She stared between all of us, dumbstruck with her chest heaving, and for a moment I thought she might cry, but she didn't. She narrowed her pretty blue eyes, right on me, before whispering her evil decree.

"I hope that baby dies."

My mother and I gasped, and not even the dizziness could keep me off her. I lunged, barely managing to scratch her cheek by the time I was pulled away, Joel's firm grip around my shoulders dragging me back to my mom. I knew she was a heartless bitch but I didn't know she was fucking psychotic! Who wishes for a baby to die? My mom wrapped me in her arms, and I tried my best to focus on Callie, who was holding her cheek with watering eyes, begging Joel for sympathy, but he wasn't falling for it. He stepped towards her with his palm out.

"Give me your key. If I see you anywhere near me or my girlfriend again, I'm calling the cops." He said through gritted teeth and storming eyes. She huffed in disbelief, pulling out her key ring and unclipping the house key, throwing it at him.

"Fuck you, Joel!" Was the last thing she screeched before exiting through the door, slamming it hard behind her.

*I hope that baby dies. I hope that baby dies. I hope that baby dies.*

"Joel!" I sobbed. My mom released me and I rushed into his arms. I needed him. I needed the comfort, the protection. He held me tightly, burying his nose in my hair before pushing back off to survey my cheek.

"Baby, I'm so sorry. Are you okay? Does it hurt?" His thumb lightly traced the sensitive flesh, but my mind was no longer focused on the pain. I just wanted to get that damned sentence out of my head.

*I hope that baby dies.*

No. My baby can't die.

I buried my face in his chest, my legs giving out. He lowered me to the floor, and I could hear his heart pounding aggressively against my ear.

"Can somebody please tell me who that woman was?" My mother spoke up, with more anger than I'd ever heard her express, climbing back to her feet. Joel sighed.

"She's my ex-wife. And she seems to have lost her damn mind." He furrowed his brow, and I could feel his arms trembling again.

"You've been married before?" I expected her to be appalled, but not even she had the energy left to be surprised. I was just glad my dad wasn't awake for this drama. I don't think he would've hesitated to throw her ass out the door.

"Yes, ma'am. Biggest mistake of my life, as you can imagine. But she's gone now. She wouldn't risk a criminal record. And now she has no key." I started to cry again, so Joel lifted me, carrying me back to the sofa to set me down on his lap.

"Are you okay, sweetie?" My mom asked, following him and pressing a gentle hand to my unstruck cheek. I nodded, sniffling. "Okay. Well, if you're sure, I'm going to finish supper. I don't want it burning." She gave me a halfhearted smile, turning to the kitchen and taking a short breath on her way.

I leaned forward, grabbing a tissue from the coffee table before facing Joel again. But to my surprise, he was smiling.

"What?" I asked, confused. But he chuckled, shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, you were just fucking savage. I was tempted to let you beat her ass. If you weren't pregnant, I probably would've." He admitted shamelessly. I snorted.

"I can't believe I attacked someone. I've never done anything like that before." I covered my face, trying to hold in my laughter. I knew it was wrong, but shit, it felt great. Joel pulled my hands down, his face alight in amusement and desire. He leaned in to whisper in my ear.

"It was sexy as hell. Seeing you defend me. Our baby." He nibbled my neck and I swatted at him playfully.

"You were just as harsh." I reminded him.

"Yea, well, she deserved it for hurting you." His eyes softened, focusing on my cheek as his hand came up to caress it. "No more catfights, okay? I was worried about you. Next time, call for me." I furrowed my brow.

"Next time?"

"I don't think she'll be back here, but I can't say you won't ever see her again." He was right. There was always a chance I could run into her in public.

"Okay. I'll behave. I promise." I captured his lips, and he let out a soft and quiet groan, pulling me closer. But I had to break the kiss before it got too heated. Honestly, seeing him stand up to her turned me on, too. I ran my hand across his stubble, staring into his eyes. "I don't want to go back to work on Monday." I grumbled. I had taken over a week off and I wasn't ready to spend time away from Joel just yet.

"Then don't." He replied simply. What? I cocked a brow.

"I have to. I'd be bored at home otherwise. You're gone most of the day come Monday, remember?" I smiled, but he pulled in his lip, eyeing me hesitantly. What was that look for?