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Not expecting an answer this early in the morning, I was surprised when I saw the little bubbles on the phone which indicated she was typing.
Firefly: I’m pissed.
Me: What’s wrong?
Run forgotten, I nabbed my keys off the counter, ready to get to her as quickly as possible. I was moving toward the door when her next response came in.
Firefly: My boss called and gave me the night off. Tony’s got a big mouth.
Me: Who the fuck is Tony?
Firefly: Cool your jets, Hot Shot. He’s the security guard from Bliss. You know, the one you yelled at last night?
Thinking back, I distinctly remembered mouthing off at some big, burly guy about how he should never allow employees to walk to their cars alone in the middle of the night. I didn’t have an opportunity to catch his name, considering Quin had been stomping toward her car at the time.
Me: You deserve a night off after that bullshit.
Firefly: I don’t need it.
A plan began to formulate in my head.
Me: Have breakfast with me?
Firefly: I don’t know if I’m ready to be seen in public with you yet.
Me: It’s only breakfast. What’s the worst that could happen?
An hour later, I was barely able to contain my laughter as I looked across the table into the glaring eyes of Quin. We hadn’t been inside of Bo’s, the local diner, more than ten minutes when her cell phone started pinging with a shit ton of text messages from River and Emory. She’d been able to quell their questions by agreeing to meet them for lunch, however it appeared my girl was none too happy about having her hand forced. And if I was reading the situation correctly, the blame was resting solely on my shoulders.
“This,” she started. “This is the worst that could happen. I just wanted a little more time to come to terms with all the changes in my life before I spilled my guts. You’re the one who wanted to feed me, so what am I supposed to do now, huh?”
Reaching across the table, I took her hand, linking our fingers together.
“My brothers already know.” I winced when her nails dug into the skin on the back of my hand. “They haven’t said a word, I promise. What’s really got you upset?”
She studied our connection for a few seconds before her shoulders slumped forward.
“I don’t want them to think I’m reckless.
“Baby, no,” I implored. Her gaze lifted slightly, so I continued, “I was scared shitless when I said that––terrified, actually–– which in no means makes it right, but it’s the only excuse I have for my careless words.”
“You don’t think I was scared?” She cocked her head to the side. “Some drunk asshole pushed his way into Emory’s apartment and threatened her with a knife. He was going to hurt her if I didn’t do something, Alec, and he may not have stopped there.”
I hated myself even more for the part I played in the hurt I saw on her face and the fear which still lingered behind those captivating eyes. When I’d heard how she overpowered the man, with a bat no less, I lashed out. It was clear to me now; I should have pulled her close. There were a multitude of mistakes I’d made when it came to Quinlan James. Calling her reckless was, by far, the largest.
“You’re right, he wouldn’t have,” I admitted. “He would have come for you or River next. You did the only thing you could have at the moment.”
“Did that hurt?” A small smirk replaced her earlier expression.
“Did what hurt?”
“Saying I was right.” Her smirk grew to a lethal smile. One which would have knocked me on my ass had I not already been sitting.
“Hurt like hell.” I chuckled.
“Good.”
The rest of our breakfast conversation was light. I learned she’d scheduled her first doctor’s appointment with an obstetrician for Wednesday morning. When I asked if I could join her, she seemed perplexed at first, like she didn’t expect me to want to come. Little did she know, I would be there every step of the way, right by her side where I was meant to be.
