We didn't talk for almost two weeks after that fight. Shane and I had gone bowling with his friends Rick and Lori. We'd gotten done really late so I went home with Shane, which wasn't unusual. It wasn't until the next morning when I was awoken by my cell phone ringing incessantly. I grabbed it without checking to see who it was only to be met by a very pissed off Daryl shouting at me. I hopped out of bed so as not to wake up Shane and scuttled downstairs to have a smoke without Shane nagging at me to quit. Daryl was rantining on and one but he was talking so fast I wasn't catching all of it. I plopped down on the back deck after lighting my cigarette I huffed, "D slow down what the hell is going on?" I could hear him trying to catch his breath. "Where the fuck were you last night?" "Really D you woke me up at six am on my day off for this? I told you I was going out with Shane and some of his friends last night." "I'm talking about after that something you're forgetting?" I almost dropped my cigarette in my lap when it hit me what he was talking about. "Oh my god D. I don't even know what to say, I was supposed to be home last night. We talked about it Monday so I wouldn't forget. I….I.." I stammered searching for the words. "Yeah you what Jenna? You were too busy fucking that god damn cop to remember your friends?" I started tearing up, "Daryl honey that's not it. I'm so so fucking sorry. I can't even say I mean I know sorry's not enough." Daryl cut me off, "You know what Jenna save it. I guess you're finally showing your true colors now. You got what you wanted outta us and now you're moving onto your fucking cop. Lemme ask you something Jenna was his dick worth it?" I stood up pacing the yard as my temper rose, "You know that's not what this is about Daryl. I am so sorry for not being home last night but you've just been looking for an excuse to freak out on me about Shane. I didn't mean to stay away last night we got done really late and I got into bed rather than coming home. Mistake on my part but don't pull this shit right now." I was about to light up another cigarette when I glance toward the house to see Shane looking out the bedroom window at me looking concerned. I huffed quietly feeling bad that I'd fogotten my prosmise to Daryl, feeling bad that I'd woken Shane, hell I was just having a really bad morning. No matter what I said I knew I was getting nowhere with Daryl but I also didnt want to give up trying. "Listen D I don't know what else I can say. I am so sorry. I am going to run inside, shower and then I'll be home if you still wanna talk." I could tell by the tone of his voice he was still pissed. "Don't do me any favors." He barked before hanging up on me. After making my way back to the deck I plopped down as I started to cry. We'd fought before but not like this. I was even starting to rethink mine and Shane's realationship, I wasn't willing to lose my best friend over it.
As I was sitting there crying I heard the backdoor open slowly and Shane' sleepy voice. "Hey what's wrong lil bird?" I turned a teary smile toward him. "Little bird, where'd that come from?" He sat down next to me adjusting his sweatpants before tossing my ciggarette across the yard. "Don't know I mean that's just how I've always thought of you, a bird with a broken wing." "Thanks cause that makes me sound like a fucking charity case." I huffed as I started getting up. Shane wrapped an arm around my waist pulling my back to his front. "Hey...hey you know that's not what I meant. What's going on with you this morning?" I leaned my head against his chest as I felt my eyes welling up again. "I'm sorry Shay I just. I dont know. I feel like I'm losing Daryl and that just cant happen. Last night I was supposed to go home after we got back from bowling and because I forgot I'm in a world of trouble." Shane took his head a bit as he ran his hands along my arms. "Why're you in trouble? It's not like this is the first time you've stayed the night at my place." I turned laying my face against his chest. "It's not like that. When Daryl was twelve his mother was burned to death in a house fire, she fell asleep smoking a cigarette. Daryl's dad didn't really care and Merle was in juvie at the time so he was left to deal with it on his own. Every year on the day she died we stay in together. I usually cook for us, we watch a movie whatever but I'm there on that day always. Well this year I wasn't I was here with you and Daryl is beyond pissed. I'm actually kind of wondering if I'm still going to have a place to live when I get home." Shane was slowly running his hand through my hair, "Hey hey don't talk like that you know you can always stay with me just as long as you need. 'Sides I may not be too fond of that redneck but I don't see him throwing you on the street over a fight." "I don't know anymore I really don't. We never used to fight like this now he's acting like he's my damn father or something. He always wants to know where I am, when I'll be home yadda yadda. I just don't know where all this is coming from all the sudden. I know I screwed up but he just went totally off the rails with some of the things he said about well about us. He's just not acting like the Daryl I've always know. I just don't know what to do anymore." Shane was still holding me tight against him as I pondered what my next move was going to be. "How about this..I wasn't going to hit the station today but I got some paperwork I could catch up on. You chill a bit, take my jeep, do what you gotta go at home and I'll meet you at Frankie's for dinner tonight." I smiled at him wondering how the hell we'd gone from where we started to being curled up in his arms in our pajamas. "Thank you Shane. I mean for putting up with me and all the baggage that comes along with me." Shane threw an evil smile my way, "Don't worry about it you can make it up to me this weekend." He kissed me sweetly before we both got up to get ready for the day. After we both changed I kissed him again as I grabbed his keys. "Thank you baby I'll see you at Frankies around seven."
I was spazing out as I drove home a little too fast, this was the last thing I needed. Casey was getting out of the system in a little over a week, Daryl and I were at each other's throats but everything was actually going good with Shane and I. Even though we were doing great the little voice in the back of my head kept telling me none of this would've happened if I hadn't started seeing Shane. Though at the same time Daryl was acting like a jealous husband except that he had no claim over me. As I was pulling Shane's jeep into our driveway I was shaking so bad I wasn't sure I was going to be able to walk into the trailer. I snuck out back quickly peeking into our window, the lights were out but I could see movement. Walking down the hallway toward our room felt like walking the green mile to me. I didn't have any idea what was waiting for me behind that door. I knew Daryl would never hurt me phsyically but one evil look from him could crush me and he knew that. After a few deep breaths I slowly opened the door and stopped dead.