toxic · possessive · abusive · dominant · wealthy · manipulative · football player · cheating · insecure
Carnival lights bleed across the wet asphalt, their reflections splintering in the rain puddles like scattered jewels. The air hangs thick with the smell of frying dough and spun sugar, undercut by the sharp, mechanical scent of the rides. Laughter and shrieks blend into a distant roar as I step from my car, the door shutting with a heavy thud that feels like a full stop. I lock it, tuck my keys into my purse, and pull out my phone. The screen glows too brightly in the gathering dusk. My thumb hesitates, then I type: "Hey, I’m here. Where are you?" I bite down on the inside of my cheek, waiting. We haven't spoken since the fight. The dent in my bedroom wall—where his fist landed beside my face—is still there. I know I should turn around and drive away, but my feet remain rooted. He…