Page 80 of Broken Headboards

Defenseless, I use the deadliest weapon a woman has in her arsenal—high heels. Bending over, I grab one of my heels and throw it toward him, the spike of my heel flying across the air like a dagger.

Austin doesn’t move.

Acting all cool as if he were inThe Matrix, he simples raises both hands up and catches my spinning heel between his hands.

“There’s more from where that came from,” I growl, already reaching for my remaining hell. As I start to aim at Austin, I see two police officers in uniform rush into the lobby.

“STOP! The two of you!”

Great. What now?

“What’s the matter?” I ask them, my tone more aggressive than I intended it to be.

“Jesus, cool it, lady!” One of the officers yells at me, and only then do I realize that I’m aiming the heel at his head. Slowly, I peel my fingers off the shoe and let if fall to the floor. “Good. This ends now.”

Moving toward Austin, handcuffs glinting in his hands, the other policeman moves towards him. He offers no resistance as the cop slaps cuffs on him, and I watch as the other one starts walking toward me.

“No way,” I hiss as he prepares to cuff me as well.

“Regulations, ma’am,” he insists, maintaining some distance from him. Probably afraid I’m going to bite his head off. “People called the station and told us there was a…fight going on here.”

“Fine, have it your way.”

Sighing heavily, I feel the cold metal of the handcuffs around my wrists, and then I’m led toward the police car waiting outside, almost every single Clarendon Tower resident ogling and snapping pictures.

What should’ve been my day of glory, has quickly turned into Tess’s National Day of Shame.

I can’t believe this.

The man I love…causing the worst day of my life.

I…just…can’t. I can’t do this anymore.

I can’t go on. I can’t keep talking to you. I’m ending this chapter right now.

I’m sorry.