New Beginnings

Chapter 2

I pressed ignore.

“Luca?”

“Yeah.” Just seeing his name on my caller id made my heart jump into my throat.

“Come on, I will drive you to the train station.”

The ride to the station was quiet and as soon as we got to the station she parked and walked me to the building.

She handed me an envelope with my last pay check and gave me a big hug.

“I can’t know where you are going in case Luca comes looking, but I love you and if you need anything you can always call me.”

My phone started ringing again, stopping our emotional moment. I looked down to see Luca’s name again. Again I ignored his call.

“I love you too, Casey.”

“Now go.” She said, giving me a little push.

I made my way into the station and looked at the different places I could go. I finally decided on Texas since it was the next train to leave.

Luca called me three times while getting my ticket. I had about a half hour before I could get on the train. I picked a private cabin since it would take 3 days due to scheduled stops.

I was leaning against the wall not far from where I would be getting on the train and looking at my messages.

I had two messages, both from Luca.

****

Babe, please answer the phone.

We need to talk about this. It’s not what you think.

*********

I left him on seen and powered off my phone before tucking it in my pocket. A loud noise to my left made me turn my head as I watched a man chasing a young kid and yelling to stop him my wallet.

The kid was getting closer to me and, without thinking, I pushed my suitcase out in front of him at the last moment just as he turned to look behind him.

The kid tripped over my bag and slammed onto the ground. I walked over and grabbed the wallet from his pocket and flipped it open to see the ID belonged to the guy running after him.

The kid jumped up and started running again before the man could make it to us.

Once he was in front of me, I held out the wallet.

“Sorry he got away.”

The man took the wallet and smiled back at me.

“Well, I am just grateful you got my wallet back, Darlin.” His Texas accent was really thick.

“Can’t let the bad guys win.” I said, smiling, thinking of Chantelle and Luca.

“Let me give you something for getting my wallet back. My wife would have killed me if I couldn’t get home.”

“No, no, I am good. Have a safe trip.” I grabbed up my stuff and boarded the train.

Once inside my private cabin, I pulled out my phone and powered it back on.

I had 3 missed calls from Chantelle and 10 missed calls from Luca. I didn’t even bother to listen to the voicemails they left. I didn’t need to hear any excuses.

Looking down at my phone, I realized what a horrible friend Chantelle had been. She protected me from some of the other girls at the group home, but she was just as mean.

She always had something negative to say about the way I looked or how stupid I was acting. I was just stupid enough to believe her.

My phone started ringing again. I looked down only to see it was Luca. Anger flooded my body as I thought about him and Chantelle being together.

“What do you want Luca,” I said, answering the phone.

“Baby, where are you?”

“What do you want, Luca?”

I heard him sigh hard on the phone. “Babe Marty told me that you stopped by the office earlier.”

“Yeah and I saw you fu$king, my best friend.”

Silence filled the line. I guess he didn’t expect me to say anything or maybe he thought I missed the show.

“Come back to my place and we will talk about this, Marie.”

“There is nothing to talk about. We are done. Enjoy Chantelle.”

“I don’t want that slut.” Anger filled his voice.

“Well, you sure seemed to be enjoying her today. I know it’s been going on for months. I am just an i***t to think you loved me”

“I do love you, Marie. A man like me just has needs. I was only using her. My heart belongs to you.”

I couldn’t help but laugh and it was a bitter laugh. “No it doesn’t, Luca. If your heart belonged to me you would have waited. Ugh, I am such an idiot.”

“You are not an i***t. Just come to my house and we will work this out.”

“No Luca, I am not coming to your house. In fact, you will never see me again.”

He laughed, sending shivers through my body. “Marie, you are mine. You belong to me. You will come home and you will move in with me like you should have months ago. Then we will have a short engagement and get married.”

“You must be joking to think I want to marry you.”

“You will marry me and you will have my children.”

“Luca, you cheated on me and I bet it’s not the first time. I just can’t be with you anymore. Goodbye Luca.”

“Marie, you are mine and I will find you wherever you go.”

I hung up the phone and powered it off. I was in shock. Luca asked me 6 months ago to move in with him but I wasn’t ready. I knew living together would mean he would want to take this to the next level.

There was something about the way he spoke to me on the phone that chilled me to the bone. Did he really think I belonged to him? He had never said anything about getting engaged or married and now that he cheated it was never going to be an option.

No matter how much I loved him.

Pushing my phone into my pocket, I decided food sounded great. I made my way to the dining hall and found it was super busy.

I scanned the car but didn’t see any empty seats. Feeling a little disappointed, I figured I could at least grab something to go and eat in my cabin.

“Miss.”

I turned my head to find a server standing next to me.

“Yes?”

“That gentleman over there would like you to join him at his table.”

I turned to follow where she was pointing and saw the cowboy I had helped earlier today. He waved at me and gestured to the empty seat.

Quickly, I found my way to the seat opposite the cowboy.

“Thank you.” I said, smiling at him.

“No, I should be thanking you. First you get my wallet back and now you are giving me a chance to not get in trouble with my wife.”

“How is that?”

“After I told her about you stopping the thief she was upset. I didn’t get your name or anything. I am in the dog house.”

I couldn’t help but giggle. This man was about 6’4 and big, like lots of muscles. I can’t imagine him being in trouble.

“Well, I am Marie Dillon and I am happy to help.”

“Marie, I am Charles Allen, but you can call me Charlie.”

“Nice to meet you Charlie.”

“Can I take your order?” A young waitress asked.

Charlie nodded at me. “Could I get a water with a bacon cheeseburger and fries, please.”

“You know what, that sounds really good, make it two,” Charlie added.

“So where are you headed?” He asked the moment she walked away.

“Looks like Texas.”

“Where about?”

“I honestly don’t know.”