Content warning: this story has themes of non consent and being forced.
It had been four days since she had pushed Jake away and it was eating her up. Bryn knew he hadn't bought her story completely but she had said other things that had hurt him so she understood the silence. There had been no texts from him, no calls. It was a clean break. She had asked him to leave and then he did, no turning back. She missed Jake more and more with each day that passed and she was ready to apologise for all of it. Having not heard a peep from Reid either had provided the space for some perspective and she was less afraid that he had threatened Jake. She had fallen for his bluff and blown up her relationship as soon as Reid had said boo. She had been hasty and Bryn wanted desperately to work things out somehow. She'd already started drafting what she would say to Jake to undo it all-She was ready to grovel.
Bryn sat in her apartment in the living room where all she could think about was Jake. The evenings they had spent together where he had made her laugh, taught her self defence, where they had played, eaten meals, kissed, had their first argument, and had sex.
She thought about his jawline. The pane of his taut cheek peppered with stubble and the angle of his perfect face leading up from his chin and squaring off beneath his ear.
She thought about his hands. Broad knuckles and wide palms. His hands were always warm now that she thought about it. She considered the strength of them, every small muscle worked and worked over years of labour and training. She felt safe in those strong hands and missed the scratch of his calloused palms on her skin.
She thought about his eyes. Brown but only if you didn't look closely enough. Brown to everyone but with a ring and flecks of green to those he let close enough to see. Serious eyes. Hooded eyes, shaded by a low brow line all too often set in a frown. Aware eyes that noticed too much, saw everything and remembered. Intense eyes that laid everything bare about her but gave away none of his own secrets. Warm eyes that she missed. A lot.
She was restless, she needed to do something to clear her head. Bryn went to her room to change into her running gear. She grabbed her sneakers on the way out and her phone and keys. Putting her earbuds in she leapt from the steps and hit the foot path at a run. Running had always been her sanctuary. She pumped her body, focused on her breathing and let her muscles carry her down the street and around the corner. The tension gradually left her shoulders. Her breathing steadied, her strides lengthened and she found her rhythm. The sun was setting and dusk brought a cool breeze to the overcast but warm day.
She ran.
Her thoughts slowed to single topics and she allowed them to flow through her mind, going through all that had happened, all she was worried about, all the parts she feared and wanted to hold onto. Her body moved and as it did, each thought felt less threatening, less overwhelming, and somehow less daunting. Eventually, as she ran further, she couldn't focus on her problems anymore. Her mind went to the music in her ears, her surroundings, her straining body and the beat of her feet on the concrete. Everything became about her breath, inhale for two strides, exhale for two strides. The simple effort of breathing and moving quieted everything for her and she found her peace.
Her route was a large loop through her suburb along streets that interconnected and brought her back around to her apartment from the other direction. By the time she entered her street again it was dark. The moon had not risen but the shadows were gone and her way was lit with a fading blue light. She removed her earbuds and walked the stretch of her street to cool down. She could hear the cicadas singing all around her, their cacophony pressed on her and she smiled. The burning in her muscles felt good and she was slick with sweat. Bats chirruped and squawked feasting in the fig trees above and the air smelt like a storm was approaching. She loved summer rains. The fat drops were always a relief from the oppressive Australian heat and settled the dust and humidity of the day. Her mind was clear and she thought of nothing but herself, her breath, her limbs humming with circulation from her run and the water she would drink once she got home.
It was around 8pm and she had showered and dressed in a short satin nighty the colour of green jade. She was making dinner and was planning on turning in early. Standing in the kitchen waiting for the chicken to cook, Bryn read over her text to Jake for the third time.
I'm so sorry. I regret ever saying any of it. Please, can I see you?
She physically ached from missing him, all she could think about was having him back, hearing him laugh, smelling him, feeling his hands on her body, listening to the tone of his voice, and the feel of him on her. She pressed send.
The chicken, leek and mushrooms were ready and she plated up. As she grabbed her cutlery from the drawer her phone pinged and she lunged for it, almost slipping the chicken thigh right off her plate.
What's going on with you? The truth, no bullshit.
Bryn exhaled and bit her lip. Fuck. She would have to tell him about Reid's texts, and maybe when he found her at uni. She could tell him that part without divulging the other details of her relationship.
I've been receiving messages from Reid. He's been watching me and he knows about us. He threatened to hurt you if I didn't break things off. Honestly, I've been really afraid Jake. I'm not sure what Reid is capable of exactly but he scares me. He's a bad guy, I don't want anything to do with him but he won't leave me alone.
He attacked me at uni. He told me he would hurt you somehow if I didn't break things off. I should have spoken to you about it but I was scared so I did what he told me to. I'm sorry.
After sending the text Bryn felt much lighter. She heard the deep rumblings of thunder broiling in the sky and then the patter of fat heavy raindrops hitting the windows. The tightness in her chest eased a little and she became excited to be seeing Jake again- if he accepted her apology, that is.
She typed another message to Jake. Another truth for him.