Heartbreak Warfare :: Chapter Twenty Two

Bo strolled through the Horton Town Square with Steve. Marlena had protested, but allowed Bo to skip two sessions due to his two weeks of great behavior. He felt great. He wasn't naive to think that he was normal, but he felt better than he had in a long time. He felt in control.

Hope had gone back to work part time. She scheduled social outings for Bo with Shawn or Steve on the days that she worked. He knew they were really just babysitters, but he didn't let it bother him. He enjoyed spending time with Shawn and Steve and he would rather spend time with them than at a session with Marlena. The truth was, he wasn't ready to be out in the world on his own and he didn't trust himself to stay home alone. He felt like he'd currently found a compromise he was comfortable with.

"Want to catch a movie or something?" Steve asked, "We've strolled around this place three times already."

Bo shrugged. He didn't realize it. He'd been too busy people watching; an activity you forget about when you're stuck in a pit.

"I mean, you don't really want to shop do you?" Steve laughed.

Bo's eyes settled across the square at a coffee shop. Hope stood in a group of men, but his eyes only noticed her handing a coffee to Aiden Jennings.

"What the hell?" Bo spat through a clenched jaw. Fury entered his veins.

Steve looked in the direction of Bo's rage, "Bo. Take it easy. She's working. They work together."

"Last time I checked he wasn't a cop." Bo argued. He stormed in their direction, losing control over his actions. He couldn't have stopped even if he'd wanted to.

"HOPE!" Steve called out in warning.

Hope's attention was drawn to the middle of the square. She saw her husband stomping her way and her smile quickly fell. She knew that look. There was about to be trouble. Her heart fell.

"Bo," Hope stood, putting her hands up to stop him, "Bo, please. Calm down."

"The hell I will…" Bo spat. He could almost feel the steam coming out of his ears, "What is this bastard doing here?"

"Bo, we're just discussing a case. I swear." Hope promised. Her eyes were sincere. He trusted her. Deep down, he knew there was no reason to be jealous but the anger raged on anyway. He was livid at the sight of the man.

Bo threw himself at Aiden, who still had yet to say a word. He knocked Aiden out of his chair, and the two men were scrambling around on the floor.

"BO!" Hope screamed, desperate to stop him.

"Bo, come on." Steve chimed in, attempting to pull his best friends flailing body off of Aiden.

Hope watched in horror as her husband beat someone in public. She'd never seen him so angry. People were staring. Her heart pounded. She was sure if she didn't do something fast, Bo would kill the man.

Rafe and Roman rushed out of the coffee shop to join Steve in breaking up the fight. Together, Roman and Steve successfully pulled Bo away. Rafe tended to Aiden, gently helping him up.

Hope exhaled slowly, attempting to keep her composure. She stared at Aiden. His face was almost unrecognizable under all the blood that covered his face.

"What the hell is wrong with you little brother?" Roman scolded as he jerked him aside, "Are you insane?"

Bo said nothing. He stewed in the turmoil of his emotional baggage as he glared at the people staring back at him.

"I should get him home." Steve offered, "I think we need to have a chat with Marlena."

"That's not gonna happen." Roman shook his head.

"What?" Steve asked, "Why?"

"Oh, he's gonna have a chat with Marlena alright, but not from home." Roman announced, "Rafe."

"Bo Brady, you're under arrest." Rafe sighed in defeat.

Hope covered her eyes. She couldn't believe this was happening. She said nothing. Instead she watched helplessly as her husband was arrested for assault and battery.

"I'm taking Aiden to the hospital." Roman sighed, "Hope, I'll meet you and Rafe at the station."

Bo didn't fight his arrest. He only stared at Hope. His anger dissipated when he finally saw the disappointed look in her eyes. His anger instantly morphed into guilt and shame. He tore his eyes away from her, watching his feet as he obediently walked with Rafe to the waiting police cruiser outside of the town square.