Page 91 of Intolerable Bishop

Theo didn’t stop moving as he shuffled toward the bathroom. “Liam,” was all he said before the door closed.

“Great, everyone is getting laid but me,” I swore under my breath, hating myself for admitting that out loud as Ren hit me with a shocked expression. “Don’t look at me like that, and get some fucking clothes on. We have training. I already missed my morning swim,” I said, marching past her, but Ren reached out and grabbed my arm.

I glared at her hand, firmly holding my bicep. “Did something happen? Please tell me.”

“Nothing more than the usual bullshit that I have to find a way to fix.” I jerked my arm away. “Get dressed, Princess. Unless you want me to give you a different kind of training session.” Her lips pressed together.

Turning, I marched outside to get some fresh air and jerk off in a bush before I lost every damn marble.

JULY 22 – SATURDAY 2:59 PM

Ren

Ivy screeched as she ran at me, the two of us colliding as we hugged. “I was so scared you two weren’t going to make it.”

“Didn’t Myles tell you we made it across the border?”

“Yes, but I’ve been scared this whole time that they would find you. Do you have nightmares about it? The sound of the guns, the chase, and…well, everything? I do.”

Oddly, I didn’t. It was probably a bad sign that I didn’t, just like when I pushed the images of my aunt away and clamped down on my tears. It wasn’t healthy, but it was working for me.

“A little,” I said, not wanting to make Ivy feel weird. “Are you excited to get back to Wayward?” She nodded, her face lighting up with the change of topic.

I glanced over as Morrison stepped into the doorway. I’d never seen him out of uniform before, and the plaid shirt and jeans made him look less like the ass I knew he could be.

“How are things going with your dad,” I asked as Lip ran around the truck like his hair was on fire, waving his hands in the air. Myles looked stressed and exhausted, but he flat out refused to accept any help. I’d even offered to stay at his house with him for a few days, but he said it was too easy for his father to show up without any warning. I hated that he had to be on high alert like that and knew he was looking forward to Lip being safely back at his prep school.

“Better than I could’ve expected. He says that once I’m settled in school again, he may go stay at the recovery place. Nash arranged for a few more weeks.” She stuffed her hands into her shorts pockets. “He seems determined not to slip off the wagon, so that’s good.”

“Does that mean the two of you are getting along better,” I asked as Myles and Blake joined whatever game Lip was playing and began chasing him around the large yard. The sight of them made my heart smile. I wanted to capture these memories and lock them away in my mind, just in case. I wasn’t an idiot. No matter how hard the guys tried to keep me safe, there was a good chance they would fail, and if that happened, then these smiling, happy glimpses in time were what I wanted my last thoughts to be.

“It’s going to take some time,” Ivy said, and I jerked as her voice pulled me out of my deep thoughts. I realized that I didn’t know half of what she’d said.

“So, no screaming or violence,” I whispered.

“None. No throwing things or punching holes in walls or calling me names or anything else like that. He even apologized for slapping me.” I pulled Ivy in for another hug and prayed it stayed that way.

“Have you heard from Zigzag?” Her smile fell as she shook her head.

“No, but I kinda stalked his socials. His status is In a relationship,” Ivy said, and I felt terrible for her. I could see how much she liked him, but I had no advice to give.

“You were too good for him, and it’s totally his loss. You’re amazing,” I said, linking arms with Ivy as we walked to the front door. She nodded, but there was a lingering sadness in her eyes. Morrison stepped back to let us in. “Sheriff,” I said.

“It’s just Walter now,” Morrison said. Some people didn’t look like their names, and he was one of them. I would’ve pegged him for a Robert or David, maybe a Steve or Mike, but Walter…I couldn’t imagine calling him Walt. “Can I talk to you alone for a minute, Ren?”

“Sure,” I said hesitantly, even though Myles and Blake were in the front yard. Ivy gave me a small smile as she grabbed a box by the front door and took it outside. This was the first time I’d seen her home. It would’ve been cozy if it had been kept up, but it needed a lot of work, and not all of it was cosmetic. As soon as Ivy was out of earshot, Morrison walked over to the chairs at the two-person kitchen table and sat down. I followed, gingerly perching on the edge of the chair, ready to run if this conversation went sideways. Apparently, Nash was teaching me something in between the sexual innuendos.

“Look…first of all, I want you to know I’m sorry for anything that I said that came across as…asshole-ish.”

“That would be pretty much everything you’ve ever said to me. Not to mention practically kidnapping me from a party.”

He shook his head and rubbed at his face. “I didn’t kidnap you. I was trying to warn you and keep you safe.”

“I’m sorry, but I have a hard time believing that. What exactly was supposed to happen to me at a party?”

Sighing, he leaned his arms on the table. “Like I told Nash, I don’t know everything going on, but Lawrence is…he’s not a good man.”

“That I do believe,” I said.