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“I guess I better get in bed. Thank you for staying the night, Danny.”
“Anytime, Junie. Get some rest. Nothing will bother you tonight, I promise.”
I grin at him and wave goodbye then go into my bedroom. I want to take a shower, but I’m too damn tired tonight. I’ll do it in the morning. I go into the bathroom, a cold chill runs down my spine. I’m being such a baby. I shake my head in disgust. Maybe it will get better with time. I hope so, at least. I wash my face, brush my teeth, and find Ben’s shirt, slipping it on. I keep my underwear on. I normally hate wearing it to bed, but with Danny in the next room it would be too weird not to.
I climb into the empty bed, instantly missing Ben even more. I want to text him, but he was in so much pain, I don’t want to risk waking him up just in case the medicine helps him sleep.
Instead I lay in bed, with my television on, but muted—because I can’t handle the room being dark. Then, I stare up at the ceiling, hoping the night passes quickly so I can have Ben’s arms around me again. That might make me weak, but for once, I don’t really care. Ben’s my safe place. He’ll love me, even if I am weak sometimes.
Greg
I’m hiding under the bed like a fucking animal. I would’ve already revealed myself and taught Juniper a lesson that she’d never forget, but she had to bring that fucking deputy in with her. I don’t have my gun. I left the damn thing in the car.
When I saw that damn sheriff crash, I stopped around the curve. I realized that he’d never give up hunting me if he didn’t believe I was dead. Everything was fucking ruined thanks to Juniper crying to the cops. If I got her back, I could start over. I could change my name, my identity and begin making a new name for myself in the music world. It would be hard starting over, but it worked before with Juniper in my life and it will work again.
I had a body in the passenger side already. The mailman had seen me earlier that morning, so I had to handle the situation. I couldn’t risk him giving away my location.He had to be silenced.An idea began to form, so I went with it. I had to work fast. I quickly pulled the body over to the driver’s side, put the seatbelt around him and rolled the window down. The car was aimed toward the lake, but it was just a stroke of luck that there was a barge out on the water. I aimed the wheels for the boat ramp. Quickly scanning the area, I found half of a cinderblock and a decent sized rock. I used the rock to scotch the front wheel of the Vette, then I opened the car door, to hold the brake, while throwing it into drive. The rock did its job and didn’t let the car move… not until I dropped the block through the opened window, down on the gas pedal. I barely jumped back in time, the car almost knocking me over as it took off at a crazy angle.
I ran and hid behind the tree as the idiots all stood by and watched my car explode. It was pure luck that the explosion was as intense as it was. I figure that’s because Juniper is already back in my life. Things will be much better now that she’s back where she belongs.
On that note, I stretch my hand out against the wooden rails beneath her mattress. I can’t move easily, but there’s enough room to fit here, and that works for now. I put my hand in the area where Juniper’s back should be. I’ll let her have tonight. I can probably use a nap myself. But as soon as that fucking deputy leaves in the morning, she’s going to start relearning that I am in control of her. Juniper needs to learn her place again, and I’m going to have fun teaching her that lesson again.
The thought makes me smile. This is what I need. Once I have Juniper back, things will get better. Nashville’s not the only place to make a music career. There’s a rising wave of new music in California. I liked it there once. It’s warm, exciting, and very crowded. The perfect place to blend in.
Things will be good again. If Juniper is a good little girl, I’ll let her live long enough to enjoy life after I hit the top again.
Yes indeed.
Junie
“Thanks again, Danny,” I call out. He waves at me as he gets in his car. I wave back, close the door and lock it.
I take a deep breath. It was a long damn night. I slept horribly, an hour here and an hour there, all of which might total to three for the entire night.Maybe.Something just felt off, and that’s probably because Ben wasn’t with me.
I look at the clock on the wall. It’s seven in the morning. I have time to take a shower and clean up. Then, I can grab some breakfast on the way to the hospital. With any luck, I can bring my man home this morning. That thought cheers me up.
I walk into the bathroom, reaching in and turning the water on and adjusting the temperature as hot as I can. Ben always laughs at me, telling me that I’m trying to cook myself like a lobster. I put my cellphone on the bathroom sink along with a towel and take Ben’s shirt and my underwear off, stepping inside. I let the hot water pour over my body, trying to soothe the tension in me. I grab the soap and begin moving it over my body, washing as if on autopilot. I do have to admit it feels good as the hot water and soap lather slips down my body. I close my eyes letting the water finally work its magic. When I open them again, my body jerks. I turn quickly to look out into the bedroom. I could have sworn I saw something out there. I rub the fog off the glass shower, but there’s nothing there.
“Get a hold of yourself, Junie, damn it,” I growl at myself. Now I’m seeing shit that’s not even there. I shake my head. I wash my hair, but I don’t close my eyes again. I’m such a fraidy cat.
I’m rinsing the conditioner out when my phone rings. I shut the water off, and step outside, quickly grabbing the towel and wrapping it around me. I look, as if on instinct, out into the bedroom, but it’s still empty.
Yep. It’s official. I’m a moron. I rub my hands down the towel and then grab my phone, smiling when I see Ben’s number.
“Hey, Sweetheart.”
“Hey, Baby. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Danny hasn’t even been gone that long—of course you probably already know that.”
“You’ll never know how much it killed me to ask another man to stay in the house with you, knowing you’d be in bed,” he grumbles, and it makes me smile.
“You’ll be happy to know I wore my underwear and your shirt the whole night,” I tell him, giggling like a schoolgirl.
“It only makes me feel a little better. I miss you, Junebug.”
“How are you feeling?” I ask, a cold chill, causing me to shiver. Again, I look into my bedroom, but there’s nothing there.Jesus.I really am losing it.
“I’m okay, just sore as fuck. Doctor says I can come home today, but it will probably be noon before the paperwork is done,” he grouses.
