I close the door tightly behind me and throw my purse and keys to the couch. The rest of my day I stayed locked up in the office, avoiding everyone's curious glances. If people weren't suspicious of Kozik and me before, they sure were now. Tara and Gemma both tried unsuccessfully to talk to me. Each of them urged me to talk to one of the guys. Finally I had enough and begged my brother to bring me home.
Instantly my phone lit up with text messages from Gemma and my dad. I already had missed a call from Tara. Just wanting silence for a moment and on the edge of certain insanity, I toss my phone into the sink and turn on the water full blast, dropping the metal contraption into the drain. My phone sinks to the bottom of the water and I turn the faucet off once it is completely immersed.
Just like every other night since my birthday, I pad into my bedroom and put on the same stale pajamas before crawling into bed. The room is dark and cool. My body welcomes the stillness. And just like every other night, my mind speeds up into overdrive. A wave of internal debate and criticism overwhelms me.
I know I'm being slightly childish. It doesn't escape me that I need to talk to Filip, tell him about this baby but the thought of Fiona keeps me from making that call.
The sound of an approaching motorcycle fills my ears and I drag myself out of bed. The bike stops in my driveway and I peek through the curtain to see who it is. Kozik stands outside my door on his phone. I press my ear to the door and listen carefully.
"I heard you the first time. Do you realize how much you owe me right now?" He pauses to listen to something on the other end. "No I get it. I'll make sure she's ok and text you in a little bit."
He carefully hangs up the phone and hesitates on my porch. He runs his hand through his hair and then finally knocks on my door.
"You're gonna tell me what the hell is going on?" He demands when I open the door for him. My eyes narrow at him suspiciously.
"Really? You wanna tell me what that was about?" I gesture toward the porch.
"What's going on with your phone?" He changes the subject, closing the door behind him. I point to the kitchen and he walks in there, noticing the sink full of water and my phone sitting at the bottom. "Really fucking mature." He pulls it out and drops it on the counter. "What the hell Bree? I can't keep up with your kind of crazy here. It's not like I'm Tig or Happy."
"You tell me what that phone call was on my porch and why you snapped on Filip in the parking lot and I'll tell you what's going on with me." I put my hands on my hips, standing my ground.
"Ya know I can't Baby Bree." He whines.
"Don't try that shit on me Kozik. I'm not in the mood in case you couldn't tell." I tell him.
"Fuck it. I don't care what's wrong with your crazy ass." He marches for the front door, getting ready to leave. When he reaches the door he pauses and closes his eyes. A moment later he punches the door with a loud grunt. "Damnit. I can't just leave you like this."
"I don't know what to tell you." I can tell that whatever this is all about; he's not handling it well.
"You're a stubborn pain in the ass." He turns and leans against the door. "You need anything?" His change in tone makes me roll my eyes.
"I was thinking a Fast and Furious marathon." I try to make it easy again. "I'll even eat something for dinner."
The compromise works because he kicks off his shoes and tosses his kutte on the chair before setting up the first movie.
"What are you gonna eat? There's nothing here." He calls as he presses play.
"I'll order a pizza." I grab a menu and sit down on the couch.
"With what phone?" He laughs loudly at me and I scowl at him. "Come on. I'll take you out to dinner instead."
We pull into the nearly empty parking lot of the diner and park the car. We walk through the door and fall into a booth. The smell of greasy food makes my stomach growl loudly. The waitress is quick to come over and get our drinks.
"Still mad at me?" I ask him.
"No, just frustrated. I want to do more for you but I don't know what else I can do." He shrugs, adding sugar to his coffee.
"It's all on me, nothing you can help me with but I appreciate it. Wouldn't you rather be out chasing some crow eaters?" I tease him. He's one of the last men standing and he's hanging around with a head case.
"How do you know I haven't been?" He strikes back.
It's kind of nice to hang out without all the questions and concern. I was drowning under their watchful glares. I know I should be appreciating all the worry and the fact that they all care but it's too much right now. Instead this mindless banter and easy conversation calms my nerves.
However, the moment I hear an all too familiar voice, my world falls away from under my feet.
"My darlin' Bree. Yer lookin well." She looks me up and down, sneering at my worn appearance. I close my eyes and my body instantly tenses. Fiona leans over our table, her face just a few inches from mine. "Sorry ta hear bout ya and my Filip but I did try ta warn ya."
I sit there wordlessly, a million smart-ass comments rolling through me but not wanting to give her the satisfaction. Instead I stare across the table at Kozik and concentrate on anything else.
"And look at ya, movin on ta the new member of SAMCRO." Her hand closes around Kozik's "Good for ya. This one ain't married is he?"
"I'm sorry Koz. I'm starting to think that burger place down the road is a better idea." He nods at me pushing his way out of the booth and between Fiona and me.
"I told ya he'd end up with me." She lowers her voice as we pass. I turn to swing at her and Kozik steps in front of me.
"Not worth it." He gives me a knowing look and leads me out, leaving her behind.
Kozik's POV
"Go inside and get some food. I gotta take this." I turn away from Bree as she heads inside.
"You fucking dick." I answer the phone, my irritation rising.
"Aye, what happened?" He sounds exhausted.
"Your wife showed up at the diner, decided to push a few buttons." I tell him, lighting a cigarette.
"Jeysus Christ, that woman's killin me." He practically yells into the phone. "Where are ya now?"
"Just stopped to get something to eat and then we're going back to her place. When is this shit over? I don't mind hanging out with Bree but I'm not a permanent nanny." I watch her through the window of the restaurant.
"Fiona goes back ta Ireland as soon as this shit's done. Then it won't matter what the bitch does. I'm sorry I asked ya ta get inta this shit." He sighs on the other end and I feel bad.
"Hey man, I know you're worried about her. I am too but you gotta tell her what's goin on." I tell him.
"Jaxson said the same thing." Filip fills me in on the club part of the visit and I don't ask about the rest. By the time we hang up, I'm not nearly as pissed off but this shit is getting old.
Bree comes back out, bags of greasy food in her hands. She gives me a half smile before handing them to me.
"What's going on?" she asks.
"Club business Bree. You didn't get me something to drink?" I quickly change the subject, not wanting to be in the middle again.
"No I figured we could stop by the store on the way and grab some snacks." She shrugs.
"Yeah, ok. Get in." I hold the door open for her as she climbs in. I don't know how I get involved in this shit.