Second Chance

Chapter 3

Sookie felt her anger fade when Bill stormed out of the office, after telling her that she wasn’t thinking clearly and they’d talk more later when she cooled off, but there was no way she was changing her mind now. This divorce was long overdue.

She sat back down, rubbing her eyes. “I seem to be apologizing a lot, but I’m really sorry about that. I feel like I’ve been wasting your time, too.”

Eric shook his head, moving to sit in the chair next to her. “Trust me; being around you again has not been a waste of my time. I’m just sorry for what you’re going through.”

She looked into his eyes, as if she was seeing him for the first time. “Did you think I was a stuck up bitch?”

Eric was confused by her question, that being the last thing he expected. He waited for her to clarify, and she didn’t disappoint.

“In high school, I just got the impression that’s what you thought of me.”

He was even more stunned now. “No, that was the farthest thing from my mind. You were sweet, when all of the other popular kids would make it their mission to torture me every day, you never stooped to their level. You would smile at me in the halls, tell me hello without seeming ashamed to be talking to me in public. I’ve always admired you, Sookie. I guess you can say I had a huge crush on you.”

Sookie smiled, her first one of the day. “You did?”

He nodded, scratching his neck in nervousness. It wasn’t something he made a habit of until recently. “You made high school worth going to, even when I was ready to just give up.”

She was flattered and very touched by his words. Her marriage may be falling apart, but without even realizing it, she made his life a little better. “You’ve come a long way. How did this happen, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Eric shook his head, a smile forming on his face as well. “It was actually Pam, my assistant. She found me my first year of college. She was gorgeous, collected, and for some reason wanted to be around me. She said I had the potential for greatness, but I just wasn’t using it. She got me contacts, fixed my entire wardrobe, made me join a gym to bulk up more, the whole nine yards. I owe her everything.”

Sookie could tell how much the other woman meant to him, and for some reason felt jealous by it. They were obviously very close. Yes, he may have had a crush on her in high school, but that was more than ten years ago. He obviously wouldn’t feel that way now. “I wanted to thank you for your time. It meant a lot that you tried to help us, even though it just wasn’t meant to be.”

He stood up, following her to the door. “If you ever want to talk, here’s my number.” Eric handed her a card with his work and home number, just in case. “I do hope this wouldn’t be the last time we see each other. I’d love to catch up some time.”

She graced him with another smile. “I would like that.”

Eric watched her go with a sigh, resting his head against the wall. There was so much more he wanted to tell her, but now wasn’t the occasion. He really hoped to see her again.

* * * * *

“You’re not in your right mind, Sookie. I know you won’t be able to survive without me.”

She glared at him. “Funny, because I’ve been doing fine without you these last few weeks. I’m only here to pack up the rest of my stuff, I’m moving into my Gran’s house permanently until I can find a new place. I’m going to a divorce lawyer, Bill, and you will sign the papers. We’re done here; I’m tired of being your doormat.”

“What the fuck does that even mean?” he yelled, grabbing her arm. “I won’t let you just end this.”

Sookie yanked her arm out of his grasp. “You won’t let me? I make my own fucking decisions. If I want to be done with you, there’s nothing you can do to change that. I’m sure Lorena will be happy to know you’ll soon be a free man, not that it would have stopped her either way.”

Bill threw his hands up in exasperation. “Would you stop bringing her up in every conversation? I am no longer seeing her; I made it very clear that you’re the one I love.”

Sookie nodded. “Right, and that wouldn’t happen to be lipstick I found on your collar the other day? I have to say, it’s really not your shade.”

He looked caught. “That was nothing. She practically threw herself at me, but I put a stop to it.”

“It doesn’t really matter, she’s welcome to you.”

Bill followed her into what used to be their bedroom, a new wave of rage taking over. “I will not let you leave me,” he spat, pushing her down on the bed and getting on top of her, pinning her arms above her head. “We are meant to be together, I’ll make you see that.”

Sookie gasped when Bill crashed his mouth to hers, shoving his tongue down her throat and nearly gagging her. She felt tears form when he ripped her blouse, fondling her breasts roughly.

“No one could ever love you the way I do, you hear me? If you think your fucking Mr. Northman is a knight in shining armor, you’re wrong, a man like that would never look twice at you. I’m all you’ll ever have.”

She cried out when Bill lowered his zipper and shoved his cock inside her with brutal force, not caring at all to be gentle. They hadn’t had sex for several months, but it was never this painful. “Please, stop,” she whimpered. If anything, that just pissed him off even more.

“Shut up,” he jerked her chin, so she was looking up at him. “Is this what you wanted, Sookie? I can make you feel so good. No one could ever make you feel the way I do, you won’t be able to leave me.”

Sookie felt disgusted when he came, disgusted in herself for letting him do this to her. She groaned when he pulled out, feeling completely sore, but not in a good way.

Bill grinned, wiping a tear away with his thumb. “I will always love you.”

It didn’t take him long to doze off after that. Sookie turned to the other side, sobbing her heart out as sleep soon claimed her.