Content warning: this story features a main character who leaves an abusive relationship, and whose ex engages in harassment post breakup. I would characterize it, in terms of storytelling, as "mild", although I realize that no abuse is mild or justified.
Chapter 2
Toby woke up early after a fitful night's sleep and decided he'd try to paint. He went into the guest room he kept as a studio and flipped on the lights. He put a new canvas on the easel and tried to turn his thoughts to colors and designs.
He picked up his palette and glanced at the colors on it. There were a lot of reds, but that wasn't what he wanted. Reds didn't work for Maya, he thought.
He barely knew her but couldn't get her out of his thoughts. Some people might put their thoughts into a journal; Toby put his into paint on canvas.
Maya made him think of cool blues and greens, with flecks of gold like the ones in her eyes, and also, some black. It bled into the other colors as he dabbed some paints and strokes on the canvas. He frowned; he didn't like to think of her being scared, but he didn't know what he could do about it.
He put down the paints when his phone chirped. Krista texted, reminding him of the morning plans, and Jackson's text came next, saying he was ready to go.
Toby drove his pick-up truck to Jackson's before heading over to get Krista and Maya. The truck had seen better days, but when it came to moving and hauling, it was indispensable. The trusty gray pick-up had been used to move him, Krista, and assorted other people.
He wondered how much stuff Maya would have, and hoped none of it was furniture. The quicker they could be in and out, the better.
"Can we stop for some breakfast?" Jackson asked as he climbed in. "I'm out of food."
Toby snorted. "You're not out of food. You're just lazy. Come on, not even cereal?"
Jackson shook his head. "You are so mean. I'll forgive you. I'll put it up to a lousy night's sleep."
Toby had to laugh despite himself, even though his friend wasn't wrong.
"Besides," said Jackson, "I can't cook, you know that. And breakfast is my favorite meal."
"True." Toby nodded. He'd known Jackson for years and could probably count on one hand the times he'd seen the man even use a microwave.
"What do you think the girls will want?" asked Jackson. "Wait, sorry. The ladies. The women. I shouldn't say girls."
"I don't think they'd care," said Toby, "but okay. Why don't you text Krista and ask?"
Jackson jabbed at his phone, which always amused Toby. For some reason his friend seemed to think he needed to whack the phone into submission.
"Krista says she'll take a sandwich, and Maya said she's good."
"Okay. We'll swing by McDonald's on the way. It's easiest."
"My favorite." Jackson grinned. "Thanks, man. That gets the day off to a good start."
"Happy to help." Toby covered a yawn.
"I was kidding about the lousy night's sleep," said Jackson. "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Toby didn't want to admit he'd hardly slept. He'd lain awake, staring at the ceiling or the wall, wondering what had come over him. It was all related to Maya, he didn't question that. But then he was lost. Did he like her? Was he just feeling sorry for her?
And what next? Say he liked her—there was nothing saying she liked him. She'd been afraid of him, which he'd never intended. In the dark, he'd gone over the afternoon in his head repeatedly and each time his behavior seemed worse. When he'd at last fallen asleep, long past midnight, he had thought he was lucky Maya hadn't cowered in the corner.
"You're thinking about Maya," Jackson said.
"What? What are you talking about? How could you possibly know what I'm thinking?"
"I'd say you're an open book, but it's really a matter of deduction." Jackson held up a hand and ticked off his points with his fingers. "First, you're going to help a stranger move. You're a good guy, Toby, but not usually that good. Second, you haven't been yourself since she came in yesterday. You miscounted the register three times when you closed."
Toby wanted to protest but couldn't. Jackson was right.
"Third, I know you feel bad you scared her, because going back to point one, you're a good guy. So." Jackson nodded for emphasis. "You were thinking about her, and couldn't sleep, and are thinking about her now. Am I wrong?"
"No." Toby sighed. "Nice going, detective."
They pulled in to the drive thru and Toby ordered, making sure to include a sandwich for Maya. He was willing to bet she needed to eat, and if not, he was sure Jackson would take any extra food.
"What are you going to do about it?" Jackson asked as they drove to Krista's.
"About what?"
"Maya. The fact that you're into her. Going to ask her out?"
"Jesus, man. Give her a break. She just broke up with her boyfriend, and he hit her." Toby was still angry about that. "I seriously doubt she's looking to go out with anyone at the moment."
"Yeah, you're right." Jackson nodded. "She needs a little time."
Toby parked and turned off the ignition. "I hope this goes smoothly," he said as they got out of the truck. "And you." He pointed at his friend. "Don't. I know you. Don't."
"Me?" Jackson looked pained. "Don't do what?"
"Don't conspire with Krista to set me up with Maya."
"Would I do that?"
"Yes."
Jackson got the food while Toby got the coffee. "I'm not nearly as sneaky as you think I am," Jackson said. "Besides, I've already told you. You're into her, you should ask her out."
"Leave it alone, Jacks." Toby stood aside with the drinks while Jackson knocked on the door. He heard Krista yell something and walked in as Jackson held the door.
"Hi, guys." Krista came and took one of the cups. "Oh, good, more coffee." She opened the lid and drank almost half of it in one go. "Wonderful."
"How can you do that?" Toby shook his head. "It didn't cool off that much."
"Never mind. Where's the food? I'm starved." Krista led them into the kitchen, where Maya sat at the table, staring at her phone.
Toby didn't like the look on her face as she tapped and scrolled. Nor did he like the bruise, which was darker than the day before. The slightly-large clothes she wore made her look small and vulnerable. It was hard not to go into angry protective mode, but he reined himself in; after all, he barely knew her and she might not appreciate that from a stranger.
"Hi, Maya," Jackson said as he put the food down.
She looked up, startled, then relaxed. "Hello, Jackson. Thanks so much," she said. "Hi, Toby." She darted a glance at him but looked away quickly.
"No problem. Here, have something to eat." Jackson unloaded the bag and pushed a sandwich towards her. "Lacey around?" he asked Krista, and Toby detected a hopeful note in his friend's voice, and some disappointment when Krista said Lacey was at work.
"Oh, thanks, but I'm not hungry," said Maya.
"You should eat," said Toby, and winced when Maya jumped. He took a breath and ignored Krista's glare. "Sorry, I'm not a morning person. But really, you should have something. Ow." He rubbed his arm where his sister had smacked him.
"He's not the most tactful, but he's right, Maya," said Krista. "Don't make yourself sick on top of everything."
"I know. Thanks." Maya looked at Toby and held his gaze, which he took for progress. "I appreciate the offer, but I really couldn't eat right now. I'm too nervous. I think once I have my stuff, I'll be good." She set her phone down and he saw her hands shaking a little; she really was nervous, he realized.
"Do you have a lot of stuff?" Jackson asked as he ate.
"No, mostly clothes," said Maya. "My computer, my portfolio—that's about it. I, um, started to get it together last night so it should be pretty quick."
Toby saw her put her hands in her lap, presumably to hide the trembling.
"So no furniture? No big sofas or anything?" Jackson asked.
"The biggest item is a sewing machine, and it's not that big and all packed up."
"Thank god." Jackson made a show of wiping his brow in relief and Maya laughed.
Toby ignored the twinge of jealousy that tugged at him.
"Are you ready, Maya?" Krista asked as they finished.
"No, but let's go." Maya gave one last glance at her phone. "The sooner we do this, the sooner it's over."
Toby and Jackson followed Krista and after about twenty minutes, they pulled up in front of a brick-front two-story townhouse. The tiny lawn was neat and the house looked well-maintained. Toby was surprised; he'd expected something different. More ostentatious, perhaps, since Dean had seemed like the type to want to show off.
"Ready?" Jackson asked as they joined the women.
"As I'll ever be," Maya said, but didn't move.
"Come on, it'll be quick." Jackson slung an arm around Maya's shoulders and nudged her forward. Maya gave him a startled look, but didn't make him move his arm.
Damn it, Toby thought. How can he do that? If I'd done it, she'd have run away.
They reached the front steps and Dean opened the door.
"Maya, you're back. Thank god, I was so worried."
x-x-x-x-x-x
Crap, Maya thought as she stopped. She hadn't realized how much she'd been counting on Dean not being home. She didn't buy his concern for a second.
Jackson gave Maya's shoulder a squeeze, which gave her some encouragement. She liked Jackson and his laid-back personality, which made her wonder why she wished it was Toby next to her instead. That was stupid. He didn't even like her. Focus, she told herself.
"Hello, Dean. I'm here for my things."
"Look, Maya, you're overreacting, like you always do. You know you want to come back. You don't need these people here." He was performing the role of the worried boyfriend, but she saw it was just that—an act.
