Page 18 of Revealing Mark

“Have you got hold of him yet?”

“No. He took my stuff.”

The was a pause. “What stuff?”

“My camera equipment.”

“He what?”

I told her what had happened when I got back to my apartment with Mark.

“That asshole!”

Any thought that this could easily be sorted went right out the window. I still didn’t understand why Jack would take my things. Was it a way of proving a point? Or making my life difficult because I’d been the one to end it? I chewed my lip as I contemplated what I was going to do. Going to my brother now was out of the question. An image of a disapproving Mark was enough for me to avoid that route altogether. Besides, I had just spun him a lie about my equipment being stored elsewhere.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do,” I said, feeling tired. I sank down into the sofa and propped my feet up on the nearby coffee table, making some space by moving some stuff to the side.

“You’re going to have to go see him,” my sister said, stating the obvious next move. “I’m not sure I want you to do that alone.”

“I have to, I can’t let him get away with this.” If he refused to give me my stuff back, I would have to report him to the cops for stealing my property, and I wasn’t sure my brother wouldn’t find out. He had connections there.

“Let me come with you.”

“No, I can sort this out on my own.” I sat up, determined to put an end to the drama as quickly as I could on my own.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea—”

“He won’t hurt me.” My voice held more conviction than Ifelt. The can of mace in my purse was a reminder of that. I also never believed he would take my stuff in an underhanded move like he had pulled. Maybe I didn’t really know him well at all, but I squashed the apprehension.

“At least call me when you get there. If I don’t hear back from you, I’ll call Matt.”

“I’ll be fine,” I assured her. “Please don’t call Matt. I’ll call you when I’m done.”

“Tracy…” There was the usual sisterly warning in her tone.

“Promise, I’ll be fine.”

“Fine. Love you.”

“Ditto.” I ended the call and went to get my car keys in the drawer by the entry table in the hallway. When I reached for the keys, I noticed my address book was missing. That was strange. I must have put it somewhere else but there wasn’t time to search for it now. There was something more important I had to do.

I wasn’t looking forward to seeing him again. I’d hoped it would have been the last I saw of him once he had moved out. But, at the moment, he was gum stuck to my shoe and no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t get it off.

It was dark when I left my apartment building to get into my car. I hated driving at night but I had no choice. It was either this or have to cancel my appointments for the next day, which was a little unprofessional given the short notice.

At least I knew where he was staying and it was close by. He had held on to his place when we had moved in together. He had intended to rent it out but we had broken up before he had been able to lease the place. I was grateful because I didn’t know how I would have coped having him remain in my apartment after we had split. It would have been beyond awkward.

I drove slowly to Jack’s place and parked the car. I locked the door and pocketed the keys in my jeans. Straightening myshoulders, I built up the courage to face my ex to get my stuff back.

When I got to his apartment door, I knocked loudly and had to stop myself from yelling out his name. The anger at discovering what he’d done resurged. I waited and waited.

Finally the door opened and Jack leaned in the doorway with a smile. “I knew you would be back.” Looking at him now, I didn’t know what I had ever seen in him.

I wanted to slap him but I stopped myself. “Only because you took my stuff.” I crossed my arms.

“I had to get your attention.” He straightened.

Seeing him now, I had no idea what had made me think he had been potential partner material.