Chapter 20 Thea
I woke up as I felt someone shuffle into the bed next to me, wrapping their arms around my body. I immediately knew it was Bridgette. I sighed as I pulled her arms tighter around me.
“Why did you save me?” Her voice whispered to me. I could hear the faint sound of sadness in her voice.
“You needed to be saved,” I said matter-of-factly.
“But why?”
“He was going to kill you,” I answered.
“I thought I loved him,” she cried and I felt my heart break alongside hers. “But he was only using me, hurting me to get to you, Thea.”
I didn’t know what to say to her, so I softly whispered, “I know.”
“You knew he was evil and you still took my spot, and all I’ve done is treat you like shit because of him,” she said as the tears continued to fall from her eyes. “I’m sorry, Thea. I thought I loved him.”
“I know,” I repeated as I squeezed her tighter around me.
***
Family day.
So far during my time at the clubhouse, Sundays have proven to not be a very good day of the week for me. The club was in full swing for today’s cookout. We were all outside gathered around the picnic tables and benches.
Maverick was sitting next to me, along with Bridgette, Chase, Marcus, Anna, Serena and Dav. I would hate to see if things could get any worse.
Excusing myself to grab a drink, I returned and Maverick pulled me down to sit on his lap. I tried to hide the blush creeping across my face as Serena and Anna cooed.
“So how did you two meet?” Bridgette asked, and it seemed genuine. Since I regrettably roughed her up yesterday and then had a mini therapy session in bed, we had been in a better place.
“The club,” I said, and Marcus laughed. Chase and I both shot him daggers as if to say not to embarrass us.
I wasn’t sure why they were all still here.
I’m sure it had to do with Maverick. He probably wanted to make sure all of the information from last night’s overdose had been rehashed before sending them out.
“Figures,” Bridgette said. “We always meet the hottest guys when clubbing. You remember the twins?”
I couldn’t help the laugh that fell out of my mouth. The twins were two German models who were in town for a fashion show in L.A. They didn’t speak a lick of English, but we quickly learned that partying was a universal skill, and so were hangovers.
Chase groaned. “Please don’t remind me.”
“What twins?” Marcus asked with a look of confusion across his face.
“Don’t worry, you were broken up,” Bridgette said. I wasn’t sure if she was actually making conversation or if she was playing some sort of game, but almost everything with her was the latter.
Thankfully, Serena interjected and changed the conversation by asking us how we all met. I gave them a shortened version about how Bridgette and I met while studying abroad and then how she introduced me to the boys.
“So you two are just cool now?” An unsure Anna asked from beside me and Maverick. I looked over at Bridgette and smiled. “Yeah, we’re cool.”
“We’re fucking back bitches!” Bridgette shouted out and people all around looked over at us. She shrugged and went back to her food.
I heard a sarcastic laugh come from Marcus followed by a mumble I couldn’t make out.
Serena proceeded to grill my friends with questions about California. I didn’t miss how her questions seemed to skip over Marcus, and I was thankful.
“I bet you’re going to miss Thea next semester,” Serena said, and I felt Bridgette tense. Fuck, I hadn’t had the chance to talk to her to let her know my plans. The club still thought I was staying and now so did my friends.
“You’re still staying here?” Bridgette asked as pain sparked through her eyes. I nervously shifted in Maverick’s lap, and his arms tightened around my waist as if to show a sign of comfort.
“Bridgette,” I started before I was interrupted by a seething Marcus.
“Of course she is,” he huffed. “What does she need us for anymore?”
“Don’t,” I warned.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I won’t make a big deal about you replacing us. Matter of fact, I think it’s time I leave this shit alone.”
“Okay,” I said as I stood my ground, getting closer to him. “So leave.”
“I’m not just talking about leaving.”
He stood, crossing his arms over his chest. His words rang in my ears and I tried to not let the anger rise in me. I knew his words were carrying a deeper meaning, but this weekend was emotionally draining me and I didn’t feel like dealing with it anymore or playing Marcus’ games.
“Bro,” Chase said, also standing up. “Please don’t start this shit.”
“I’m not starting anything,” he said as his voice got louder. “I’m finishing it. I don’t want to be a part of this anymore. Especially now.”
“No one asked you to be a part of anything, Marcus,” I said, now seething in anger.
He let out an exaggerated laugh, flinging his head up. “Right. How will you get your fakes now?”
Marcus was studying IT and was an incredible hacker, which meant that not only could he alter CCTV when we were traveling, but he also had contacts for authentic fake IDs, which helped Bridgette and I move under the radar just in case we were being watched.
“This isn’t right,” Bridgette said as tears welled in her eyes and her blown curls shook back and forth. “This is all my fault.”
“We aren’t doing this here,” Chase said as he grabbed Marcus’ arm pulling him towards the door that led into the kitchen.
“No, fuck that!” He swung his arm out of his hold and walked back over to me. “You’re really going to let me leave?”
Our eyes met in a silent stance.
“Fucking bitch,” he said. “You deserve what’s coming to you.”
Once again, before I could respond, a fist flew across my vision and landed on Marcus’ face. I was pushed out of the way as an angry Maverick began pounding his face, repeatedly. The sound of his fist hitting his flesh was ringing around the trees as the crowd around us got quiet.
Dav and Chase tried desperately to pull them apart, and I stood there in shock as I watched blood pool from Marcus’ face. Finally, they were able to get them apart. I saw the look of evil on Maverick’s eyes, and it burned into my brain, reminding me of the similar look of someone else’s.
“I’ve been letting shit slide because I know that’s what she wants,” a heaving Maverick said. “But I’m done having you disrespect my woman. Get the fuck out of my club before I kill you, motherfucker.”
I had never seen Maverick so angry. I had an idea of what he was capable of, but seeing it reminded me firsthand how powerful he was.
He had been tame in the whole situation to my benefit, and I didn’t know how that made me feel.
It wasn’t safe, though. I knew that from the feeling of shock across my face that I just couldn’t shake.
My heart was racing as I watched some of the other club members pull Maverick from a very bloody Marcus. I could feel tears well in my eyes as I watched the scene in front of me.
“Go to the car,” Chase said as he gave Marcus a little push. “You too.” He said to Bridgette, and she looked at me as if she was going to say something, but quickly decided against it
“Walk me out,” he said to me. The shock hadn’t died off of my face as I followed him without looking back at the man who had been defending my honor.
We stood in the kitchen, and Chase looked into my eyes. I knew he understood the look in my eyes. The fear that rang in them.
“You know that wasn’t the same, right?”
I continued to stare at him in silence.
“Hey,” he said, grabbing my shoulders and gently shaking me. “It’s not the same. He’s not the same. Maverick seems like a good guy. Hate to get on that fuckers bad side, but a good guy.”
I shook my head in acknowledgment.
“I know,” I said.
“So don’t let this change things between you,” he said and pulled me in for a hug. “You seem happy.”
“I am,” I said, hugging him back.
“Then shake this shit off, say ‘thank you’ and let it go. He’s not him. Okay?”
I nodded my head, wanting to believe him. He was right, Maverick was nothing like Matteo. He may not be a fucking priest, but he wasn’t a devil incarnate either. Taking a deep breath, I relaxed and gave him a weak smile.
“You’re not the only one allowed to have psychotic breaks,” he joked and I shoved him away.
“You’re going to be okay here?”
Once again, I nodded my head. “Yeah. I’ll be okay.”
“I’ll call you after we land, okay?”
I heard a shuffle from beside me and saw Anna on the other side of the kitchen, looking as if she had been caught. Chase turned and walked out of the door and I looked over at her. I hope she didn’t hear any of that, but I wasn't sure how long she had been there.
“Sorry,” she said, bashfully. “Just grabbing a drink. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“It’s okay,” I said, turning towards the kitchen sink. I grabbed a towel from the cupboard to the side. Turning the sink on, I ran the towel over the water. I could feel Anna watching me but I ignored her.
I let Chase’s words push me out of the door and make my way to Maverick. He looked like he was about to say something as an apologetic look gleamed in his eyes. I interrupted him, though, and grabbed his hands to place the cool towel across his knuckles.
His shocked expression quickly melted into a smile.
“Thank you,” I faintly said to him.
“Thank you,” was all he said, too, as he gestured to his now wrapped hand. He then pulled me back against his lap. I planted a smile on my face as the party proceeded if nothing had happened. I leaned into his chest and took the conversation in around me, smiling when needed.
Inside. A storm was brewing in me, but I kept letting Chase’s words repeat in my head.
He’s not him.
He’s not him.
He’s not him.