10. Chapter 10
Leigh
The next few days were simple, yet hard as fuck. Sam didn’t return, but called me to check in. Somehow, Linny talked Glenda into checking out a group for folks with PTSD. She wasn’t happy about it, but seemed to look forward to getting out of the house.
The last few nights were bad. Even though she was still holding onto whatever resentment she had on me, I climbed into bed with her when she started screaming and stayed until morning.
I offered to just stay when she went to bed each night, but she declined. My patience was wearing thin, but Sam reminded me this was hard on her, and if I wanted a chance in hell, I’d have to let her work through this.
But Goddamn, we’d both been holed up in here for nearly a week, and I was holding her…
in my fucking bed. It wasn’t even just wanting to fuck her.
Of course I wanted that. I thought about the time I’d had her every day since.
And her flashing her tits in the tub the other day didn’t take the edge off.
In fact, I’d probably rubbed one off more times in the last few days than I had in months.
Before, when I couldn’t get her out of my head, I’d find a bunny.
Maybe it was shitty, but at least they got no promises from me for anything.
Honestly, most of the bunnies seemed perfectly happy to have new dick daily and just get to hang around and party.
Only a few seemed committed to bagging an Old Man, and they were obvious about it.
But even if I could leave her at the house, which I didn’t intend to, I didn’t want to leave to have some random pussy. It wasn’t even about that. I wanted Glenda to realize she was mine.
“Hey, man. You look like shit,” Bama said as he came inside.
Once Linny went through the kitchen and out back with Glenda and Bruce, I told him, “I need some fucking sleep.”
“She still having nightmares?”
Nodding, I said, “Yeah. Which… this shit is all fresh, so I guess it’s to be expected. And I can’t just let her suffer alone.”
“She’s letting you sleep in there?” he asked with a grin.
“Not exactly. I offered to lie down with her because after that first one, she fell back asleep once I climbed in.” His eyes went wide, so I continued, “After she asked me to, fucker. But she’s still not letting me lie down when she first goes to sleep.”
He held his hands up. “Hey, she’s a friend. Just checking.”
“Well I’m your fucking brother, Bama.”
He cocked a brow and stood up straighter. “So was Reggie.”
“Yeah. Well, you know what. Fuck Reggie!” I shouted.
“I should have put that fucker in his place when he was passing her around like a fucking blunt for everyone to take a hit of, and I didn’t.
But that’s what we do, right? That’s why she fucking hates me.
Because I protected him,” I snapped, patting my chest as I spoke.
Bama’s jaw worked side to side then he pulled out his phone, checking a message. “Linny said they can hear you.”
“Well, good.” I threw my hands up. “Maybe she’ll stop lying to herself about what a fucking saint he was. I gotta go take a fucking shower. They have group this morning.”
Bama grabbed my arm as I tried to walk away. “Hey, why are you pissed at me?”
Jerking free of his grasp, I turned back. “You didn’t tell her she was wrong. You said you wanted to help her. You were worried about her. But not once,” I shouted, stepping closer, “did you tell her what fucking happened.”
“Get the fuck out of my face,” Bama said, pushing me away. “Neither did you.”
“Don’t touch me, motherfucker,” I said before I threw a blow to his cheek.
Bama got me back good, his fist connecting to my jaw. I slammed myself at him, the sound of glass shattering rang out amongst the grunts and occasional, “fuck you,” we spouted at each other.
But I kept throwing blows, gripping the collar of his shirt and switching between my fist and elbow to his head. A series of hits to my ribs had me wincing, but I didn’t let up. Our off-kilter momentum sent us to the floor, and items around the living room started rattling as we kept going at it.
We were both swinging, blocking, and shoving, a few hits landing between us when Linny yelled, “Both of you stop it right now! I’ll call Allie so fucking fast and we’ll take Glenda to the clubhouse. You both can deal with Hammer if you don’t stop it!”
Bruce was barking, but we kept going. I managed to roll on top and get another good swing at his head.
“Hey! Fucking quit!” she yelled again, Bruce snarling between the barks now. Once I felt his cold nose on my arm, I shoved Bama back to the floor and jumped to my feet, wiping my lip with the back of my hand. Bruce would get a hold of him and I wouldn’t be able to get him off.
Bama jumped up just as quickly, eyeing Bruce, and Linny stepped between us, holding her arms out. “This is about Glenda, not you, or you.” She pointed her finger at me then at him as he grabbed her. “Both of you, quit it.”
Forcing himself in front of her, Bama stared down at Bruce, who went from snarling to a low growl.
“Bruce, heel,” I instructed.
“If that dog–”
“If he what, motherfucker?” I snapped, stepping close again, but Bruce stayed put behind me.
“Hey!” Linny shouted, reaching around Bama. “Please stop!”
Bruce growled again, his hackles up. I stared at Bama for a beat, then said, “You’re right, you’re right,” still catching my breath. The last thing I needed was Bruce going after Bama and getting Linny instead.
Linny shoved his shoulder. Bama grimaced briefly, then put his hand out. “Sorry, brother.” He was still breathing heavy.
Looking down, my jaw clicked, but I took his hand. “I’m just fucking tired man.”
Linny waved her cell phone in the air. “I don’t care what the problem is. Don’t upset her again.”
“Babe,” Bama said, but she shot him a glare as she finally moved from behind him and his lips thinned.
“No, she’s right.” I waved him off and looked around at the fucking mess we made.
I was trying to calm down but had to add, “Linny, there’s three sides to every story.
But you’re right. This is about her. I’m gonna go shower and change.
She already showered this morning.” She’d been moving around on her own just fine. Maybe not her normal speed, but close.
“I’ll hang around ‘til you’re done,” Bama said.
“Fine. You got business later?”
“Been doing a little this and that for Hammer and gotta make sure I get back in time to get Sofie.”
“I won’t be long.”
Heading to my bathroom after I took a long look at Bama, I turned the water on then went to grab my clothes.
I usually liked a hot shower. Even though we squashed it, I was still fired up over the spat with Bama, so I left it tepid.
I didn’t know what the fuck Glenda was going to do or say to me about what I said about Reggie. She was always defensive about him.
Between the lack of rest I was getting, being on high alert with her here, and wondering when the fuck she’s gonna wake up, I was surprised I hadn’t already snapped at someone.
At least I snapped at Bama and not her. Maybe it was stupid, but I was glad it came out.
Yeah we all walked on eggshells for her after all that happened, but if anyone could have set her straight, it was him.
And sure, maybe when she first ran to him, he didn’t know how I felt, but then he did.
I told him it was fine because he fed me info about her.
But I’d already had to deal with the fact she was my brother’s Old Lady.
Then I had to sit through another brother having her.
The whole thing was fucked. Maybe I should have done something differently.
Maybe I should have told Bama to back off.
Maybe I should have done something, even before then.
Either way, I had to prepare for her wrath because she was already giving me hell. Hopefully Linny wouldn’t try to get Bama to take her back to the clubhouse yet. But she could try to argue it after my outburst.
For now, I just had to get them to therapy and deal with the repercussions later.