Chapter 31 #2
“Oh, I’m so happy to see you. I was getting worried you were sick or something.”
“I know, I’m sorry. A lot has gone down since I last saw you. I’m moving out for a while. I’ve had some trouble here, and I’ve gotta think of the baby.” I pat my stomach.
He nods, his face the picture of concern. “Absolutely. Well, thank you for letting me know. You take care of yourself, sweetheart.”
“I will. And thank you, for being the first friend I made when I moved here.” I lean over and kiss his cheek. He gets all flustered and waves me off. I chuckle and step off the bus and wave as he pulls away.
“Jesus, I thought you were trying to make a run for it, and I was going to have to chase the bus down on my bike,” Dice huffs from beside me.
I look at him and roll my eyes. “I think I’d need a better getaway plan than that. I was just saying goodbye to someone,” I tell him as the girls walk over curiously.
“The bus driver?” Dice looks at me skeptically.
“I don’t drive, remember? I had to get to work and do my shopping somehow. He was sweet to me. He let me ride for free in the mornings when it was just him and me. And no, he wasn’t a creep, before you say anything.”
Dice holds up his hands like he wasn’t even thinking that, but Amity looks stricken.
“What’s wrong?”
“I forgot you can’t drive. Jesus, we should have been here. The least we could have done was take you freaking shopping!” she snaps.
“Amity, chill. We covered this. I could have called too.”
“You were probably over here worried about being a burden.”
I link my arm through hers and lead them up to my place. “We’re all good, Amity.”
She sighs, but lets it go as I rummage in my bag for my key. I take a deep breath when I find it and slowly unlock the door.
Dice nudges me gently out of the way and goes in first, scoping the place out before he comes back with his jaw tense, reluctantly giving us the all-clear to come inside.
“Holy shit,” Lil gasps when she gets a look at the damage.
I step aside as the others look around, wrapping my arms around myself, feeling violated all over again.
Nevaeh walks over and hugs me. “I’m sorry someone did this to you. I’ll hex them so they always have diarrhea and no toilet paper.”
I snort out a laugh. “Gross.”
“Alright, let’s get started.” Lil claps and makes her way to the kitchen, as Dice walks over and opens all the blinds, letting the light flood in and making the place look less intimidating.
We all work together on the living room and kitchen, keeping the conversation light, though nobody lets me help much.
In the end, I sit at the counter and supervise before deciding to tackle the bedroom.
I hop off the stool and walk that way, pausing in the doorway, my nose crinkling at the acrid smell of urine clinging to the place.
“Fuck no, you’re not touching this,” Dice growls from behind me, making me jump.
I turn and look up at him and feel a tear slip free.
“How do people sleep at night after doing shit like this, Dice? If he was watching me, he knew I was pregnant and alone. He knew this was all I had, and he still came in here and did this. He stood next to my bed where I slept and took photos of me,” I whisper, feeling more tears slide down my cheeks.
“I hate him, and yet I have no idea who he is. How fucking ridiculous is that?”
“It’s not ridiculous at all. I want to kill the prick and I don’t know him either.” He tugs me in for a hug, my face squished against his cut as I hold onto it. “I hope you realize I’m dicing with death doing this. Midas will kill me if he finds out I hugged you.”
I laugh, but when I look up I can see he’s being serious. “It’s okay, I’ll protect you. Thanks for letting me snot all over you.”
“Perks of the job.” He winks before he ushers me out. “You come back in here and I’ll tell Midas to slap your ass.”
I gasp and frown. “That was rude and uncalled for. Nobody is getting near my ass,” I snap indignantly just as Lil walks up behind me and slaps my ass. I roll my eyes at her laughter. “I’m surrounded by children.”
A knock at the door has us all turning toward it. Dice stomps forward, barking at Nevaeh to step back when she goes to open it.
“It’s just our food, Dice.”
“I’m still getting the door, Tink.”
She huffs but crosses her arms and waits for him. He opens the door and takes the food before kicking the door shut with his boot. He carries the food over to the counter and looks over at me before curling his finger.
“Sit down and eat. I’ll sort your room out.”
I sigh but give in. I recognize the stubborn look on his face. If he wants to clean up piss-soaked bedding, who am I to fight him? “Fine, you win. Just throw everything away, though, Dice. I don’t want any of it anymore.”
“You sure? Some of it might be salvageable.”
I shake my head. “I’m sure.”
He nods and heads back to the bedroom as Nevaeh dishes out the sandwiches.
“So, what do you want to take with you from these rooms?” she asks.
I look around and point at the few books stacked on the table. “Just the books and the throw from the back of the sofa if it’s still in one piece.”
“You sure? We have plenty of space in the trunk. Plus, I’m sure we could get Midas to bring his truck over when he comes too.”
“None of its mine, Tink,” I tell her softly. That has all of them looking around once more.
“Wait, nothing?” Amity questions.
“I’ve lived at three different clubhouses in ten years. All I ever needed was some clothes, toiletries, and a few electronics that fit in my bag. That’s what I had when I moved in here.”
“That’s why there’s no TV? It wasn’t stolen?” Tink frowns.
“No, it wasn’t stolen. I was saving money for when the baby arrived. Thankfully, I haven’t started buying anything yet.”
They all go quiet after that, but I’m not sure why.
What the heck did they think I had? Hell, until I moved into the Raven Souls clubhouse, I’d always shared a room.
I know they’re not judging me, and yet at the same time, I feel a little like they are.
I’m not sure what to say when the damn door goes again.
We look to the bedroom as Dice walks out and heads for it, nodding at each of us for staying put. When he opens it, Midas is standing there and for the first time in a while, I’m glad for it.
“Ladies, how you getting on?” he questions when Dice steps back. He heads straight for me.
“We’re fine. We’re almost done, actually. We’re just waiting on Dice because he won’t let me help him.”
“Good. Sit, eat. I’ll go help him.”
I don’t get a chance to warn him about what he’s about to walk into before he’s gone. I wait, tense, ready to feel his anger. He doesn’t disappoint, when a few minutes later, he walks back out, his eyes locked on mine as he stalks forward.
“You are never coming back here,” he tells me in a guttural tone that barely contains his fury.
I stand up and walk over to him, feeling him vibrating with tension.
“I know. I wasn’t planning on it.”
“Good.”
I reach for him slowly, just my hand on his arm to ground him. He yanks me into his arms, making me yelp. He buries his face in my hair and takes a dozen or so deep breaths before he finally relaxes.
He pulls back, his eyes locking on mine. “Never again, Legs, you hear me?”
“I didn’t exactly ask for a stalker, Midas,” I remind him gently.
“And yet you found one, anyway. I’m the only one who’s allowed to stalk you.”
“Aww,” someone pipes up from the kitchen, but I keep my eyes on Midas.
“You’re such a fucking weirdo.”
He grins. Somewhat manically, it has to be said.
“But I’m your weirdo, and I’m good with that.”