Hello again, my lovelies! This chapter is a bit on the shorter side because I couldn't think of much else to add to it. Part of me wanted to scrap it because it was so short, but I figured quality over quantity, right lovelies? Hopefully y'all enjoy this chapter even if it is a bit shorter than normal. ~Shaymie
Alex
I shook Burr's hand and forced a smile onto my face as he gathered up his papers. He glanced over at Lo, who was curled up on the couch, her head on her knees. She had shut down halfway through the meeting. I wanted to comfort her, but we had to handle business. The sooner we got the restraining order against Reynolds filed, the better. I didn't know if it would actually be of any help (the man was a fucking psychopath, after all- I doubt he'd be willing to follow the law), but Lo insisted on it, saying that it made her feel safer. I couldn't deny her peace of mind.
I went over to my wife the second the door shut behind Burr. I knelt in front of her and grabbed her hands, which were hugging her knees tightly. She didn't even look up at me. I rubbed her knuckles and kissed her forehead with a heavy sigh. I left her alone in the living room and went to the kitchen to make her a cup of tea. I knew that she'd need it.
My hands started trembling as hot tears ran down my face. I wiped at them, shaking my head. Now wasn't the time to cry. There'd be time for that later. My wife was hurting. She needed me. I couldn't break down now. But just thinking about Lo was painful. Remembering what she had been like after that cursed book signing killed me inside. I hated not being able to do anything for her.
I pulled myself together long enough to make Lo a cup of peppermint tea. She said it was one of the most soothing drinks on the planet. I thought it tasted disgusting, but whatever made her happy. I'll do whatever she needs me to if it helps her. She deserves the world, and I'd find a way to give it to her even if it killed me.
I was shocked out of my thoughts by a scream coming from the living room. I set the cup down as quickly as I dared-Lo would kill me if I broke any of her mugs for any reason whatsoever-and rushed back into the room. Lo was clutching a pillow tightly, her face bright red and her chest heaving. Her breath came out in ragged gasps as tears streamed down her face.
"Love-"
"I hate him! I hate him, I hate him, I hate him!" she sobbed. She looked up at me, and I felt my heart break. She looked so lost... "I thought I was past everything! A-And then he just showed up out of the blue and it was like I was in fucking high school all over again! I was a fifteen year-old idiot and he was this charming older guy who tried to pin the blame on everyone but himself.
"He blamed me for the shooting. He said he didn't want to hurt me, that he was aiming for you and if I had just stood aside like a... a good little girl I wouldn't have gotten hurt. He's always done shit like that. He'd hurt me and then make it seem like I was in the wrong and I'd fucking believe him because I'm a dumbass! No matter what I do, I'm an idiot! I hate it, Al. I hate that he still has such an effect on me after all these years! Why can't I just... get over it?"
"Shh, love..." I pulled her into a hug, which probably wasn't the best idea. She hated being touched when she was worked up like this. But for whatever reason, she just let herself relax, her body practically going limp. She sobbed into my shoulder, the rest of her words coming out an unintelligible mess. I hated this. I hated that there were some scars I couldn't kiss better. I couldn't help her through this on my own.
"I'm sick of being scared all over again. I'm so tired," she whimpered against my shirt. I rubbed her back gently and hummed soothingly. She looked up at me tearfully. "What if Maria comes back next? I don't think I'll be able to handle it."
Her words tore a hole in my chest. She sounded absolutely terrified. Even now, after all these years, we didn't know exactly why Lo was more terrified of Maria than she was of Reynolds. After all, Reynolds fucking shot her! Surely that's more terrifying than anything Maria could have possibly done to her. She had even been vague about it all in her autobiography.
"I won't let anyone hurt you ever again, love. I swear it."
