For the most part, Lenny and Tia had left me alone. I could tell they were dying to pry my life open but they bit their lip. They watched me come and go, they waved, we had small talk, and occasionally they forced me to the main house for a family style meal and television with them and the kids.
A week after moving in we were lounging on the couches watching the Safeway Open. I had an affinity for Sam Ryder and was happy to see him playing well. Lenny and Tia were on one couch. Lexi had her legs hanging over the arm of an overstuffed chair and Jay was curled up on the other end of my couch with his iPad.
"What are you doing Sunday?" Tia asked. I gave a noncommittal shrug just as Sam sank a putt. Damn, he made it look effortless.
"Then you'll come by."
Tia was confident. Her version of asking politely was letting you know exactly how things were going down. I found her assertiveness oddly comforting in a time when my life was a bit upside down. I lacked motivation to live a productive life outside of work and had no reservations about taking up space on their couch. A lazy Sunday didn't sound so bad.
I let them fill my belly with the soup that had simmered and smelled good all day before I made my way back to the cottage.
Tia gave me a kiss on the cheek as we hugged goodbye. "I'll see you Sunday." Len stood next to her patiently waiting his turn. They were affectionate. Hugging was casual as a handshake and a requirement for every arrival and departure. Adapting was easy for me, I thrived on physical touch.
"What time?" I asked.
"They'll trickle in around three but you can come whenever you'd like."
Urrrch. Back up.
They'll trickle in?
No. I was not ready for that. Tia and Lon were one thing but
they
? Nope. I was hardly keeping myself together. The last thing I wanted to do was be around the same people who I'd unfriended for not liking Lee, the man who was cheating on me like a stray dog.
Facing them meant facing my own embarrassment and I wasn't ready for that.
I was embarrassed they'd been right, embarrassed I'd been wrong, embarrassed I'd been played a fool, embarrassed I hadn't seen it coming. I wasn't ready to admit to anyone what was going on, that I was married to a complete stranger. They'd ask questions I couldn't answer, like why I hadn't kicked him out of my life like a normal person. Then they'd find out that starting Wednesday, I'd be meeting with said scheming, conniving, soon-to-be ex-husband for lunch and marriage counseling—for no other reason than to appease his guilt-filled, slutty heart.
So yeah, I didn't want to be around people who might ask questions about the wreckage of my life. I just wanted to sink to the bottom of the ocean in peace and, in a year or two, float back to the surface looking slightly worse for wear.
****
When Sunday rolled around I did the only thing I could do and hid out in the cottage. Maybe they'd forget about me. I had a bunch of work to do anyway. Weeks' worth of videos that needed to be edited and uploaded to the local Yevo social media.
I was slipping, I could feel it. I was less engaged when I was around the kids, I relied on volunteer leaders more than normal, and I found myself wanting to skip out on school events. I even found myself putting my phone on do not disturb so I wouldn't be bothered by anyone. That wasn't like me. I loved my job.
If I dragged myself to the main house I'd have to deal with more than just my personal life, I'd have to deal with the Knotts.
I hadn't responded to any of their messages—and there were many. Especially Penn, who had reached out to me every day since I left Lee. They had made their feelings of Lee known and I had defended the damn prick. Hell, I ended our friendship over him. Just add them to the list of things I wasn't properly dealing with.
As a failsafe from whatever the day would bring, I locked the cottage doors and got to work. It was tedious working trimming videos and timing music. It took an incredible amount of patience and focus and it just so happens I had those in spades. Didn't hurt that it required so much focus that I didn't have time to think of Lee.
"
Cushman, you damn sonofabitch
," Ryan yelled. He and Penn stormed into the small bedroom, scaring the shit out of me.
"
What the hell
—" I scrambled. Penn rescued my laptop from hitting the floor just as Ryan immobilized me in some sort of voodoo lock hold.
"
What the hell
," Penn mocked. Unlike his brother, Penn didn't look amused as he brandished a handful of zip ties and quickly locked my hands behind my back then repeated the action to my feet. "I've been trying to reach you for a month. I've called, texted, I even left notes on your car. I don't know what's going on but you straight up avoiding me ends here."
When he'd finished his handy work, he picked me up and huffed me over his shoulder like a sack of flour. I had to hand it to the guy, he was one strong man.
"I'm sorry!" I laughed. What else could I do? The kidnapping had undoubtedly become their signature move and they'd thrown me for a loop.
"Little too late my friend."
"This is abuse," I groaned. The position was mildly uncomfortable and, with my arms secured behind my back, I didn't have any leverage to move. "And you wonder why I haven't answered your calls?" I mumbled.
He laughed under his breath, it was quiet but I heard it and smiled. Penn made his way out of the cottage and to the house. I couldn't see anything except his ass but I could hear the chatter as we entered the kitchen through the garage. It sounded like the usual suspects. I tried to maneuver so I could see what was going on but no dice.
"Glad you could make it," Logan said with a smug twang.
"Well, you know, I had some free time and decided to wander this way—voluntarily, of course," I quipped, limp and hogtied on Penn's shoulder.
"Of course, of course," he laughed. "You always were eager to hang with us. Funny we had to come get you. I guess there's a first for everything."
Even I had to laugh at that given their history of taking me against my will and all. Penn flung me off his shoulder while simultaneously setting me on my feet with care. The blood rushed from my head and I struggled to find my balance. Once I was steady, Penn let go of my shoulders.
"Sit," Ryan gestured to an empty chair. "Eat."
Everyone was mingling around the table, munching on enough food to feed an army. I wiggled my hands to remind everyone that they were still tied. No one seemed bothered by it. I looked at Penn, hoping he'd have mercy . He smiled, it was big and genuine and, despite the shit month I had, it made me happy.
He walked over. Just when I thought that the big beautiful smile meant he was going to untie me; he began to fill his plate with food.
"
Seriously?
" I looked around to the others, "No one's going to untie me?" Other than a few taunting smirks, I was grossly ignored. I found myself wanting to be annoyed. They kidnapped me, tied me up, and were forcing me to socialize during a time of great emotional turmoil. I should've been upset. I wanted to be upset.
