Runaway Love by Pamela Washington Page B

isn’t going to end well for me. Hell, for Tony either. My phone rings, and I see it’s Scott’s number. I slow down my running and answer the phone.
    “Hey, Scott, what can I do for you?” I ask with a chip in my voice
    “Don’t be like that, Grace. What’s wrong? You avoid my calls after you leave in the middle of the fucking night after the most amazing sex I’ve ever had?” Scott’s obviously pissed, but he has no right to be mad at me.
    I step off the treadmill and sit down on the bench to gather my thoughts before responding, “I’m wrong for allowing us to do what we did. I’m a married woman, and I feel guilty for cheating on my husband.”
    “Grace, I understand that. But do you have any idea how much I fucking love you? I wish with all my heart that things were different. You should be mine. I’m not sorry for what happened that night. It was meant to be, and you can deny it all you want, but deep down you know I’m right.”
    Are we meant to be? Does he really love me? Is he right?
    “You say you love me, but what about you and Maxine?” Scott laughs. The fucking cock-sucker has the nerve to laugh right now!
    “You must’ve seen the video on TV. It’s all a front, baby; it’s not what it seems. I was really sick after you left. I wanted to come to your house and take you away with me once and for all.”
    “It’s not funny, Scott! Do you have any idea what that video did to me? What I did after I saw that? Well, I’ve been sick also, Scott! Since you came back into my life, things just seem to be off-balance, and I don’t know what the hell to do. My heart is hurting in so many ways!” I’m fighting to keep my emotions under control. The last thing I need is to unravel again. I can’t let Scott continue to ruin me.
    “I’m sorry, Grace. I didn’t want to cause you any more pain. If you would’ve answered your phone, I would’ve explained about Maxine. I was dying inside the entire time I was with her because I couldn’t get you off my mind. I have an image to uphold, and me being a blubbering pussy isn’t part of it. Maxine’s just doing what needs to be done for my career. Listen, I need you to know that I’m leaving tomorrow to handle some things back in England. Would it be possible for you to come by and see me before I leave?”
    Can I really be in the same room with Scott again? Before I can listen to my heart, my brain answers for me. I tell him I have things to do and hang up.
    God, I can’t keep doing this to myself! Scott left me behind, yet here I am, jumping when he says jump. Hell, I think about Tony and how he’s always here for me. He isn’t the person who’s going to come and go as he pleases, with no consideration for anyone else. No, he’s my security, my safety net. He’ll never hurt me, and it’s about time I stop hurting him. I need to stop this now and tomorrow will be the day to end this.
    I go downstairs and pour myself a glass of wine before I decide to text Tony.
     
Grace:
I love you, baby. I know I can be a bitch. Thank you for sticking with me.
 
Tony:
I know you can be crazy sometimes, but there isn’t anything you can do that’ll run me off. Remember you don’t have to keep secrets from me. I’m your husband, and I love and understand more than you may know.
     
    I read his text several times. I want to just tell him everything, but I can’t.
     
Grace:
Thank you for being you… always.
 
Tony:
Just remember who waited and came back for you.
     
    What the hell? I almost choke on my wine. Does Tony know something I don’t know? Have I been talking in my sleep again? I read the message again then delete every message between Scott and myself in my phone. I need to get Scott out of my system before things make a turn for the worst.
    I know I’m probably going to regret it if I don’t go and see Scott before he leaves. I grab my keys and run out the door only to run straight into… Scott? WHAT THE HELL? How does he know where I