Page 78 of Fighting for His Life

I laugh again. “Come to River City, and I’ll see what I can do. But he's not always the most pleasant.”

Tori looks up from Zoey. “Can I go, Dane? It’d give me a chance to see Zoey.”

“Don’t get too far ahead of yourself, Tori. Get back to work.”

“I think that’s a great idea,” Zane says from the sofa behind me. “You tag along with Maddox in a couple of weeks.”

I shake my head. A silent laugh passes through me. Zane likes this girl – which isn’t necessarily anything new, but it seems different this time. I haven't seen him like this in a long time.

The rest of the session is filled with idle chat from all of us. Maddox and Zane talk football. We all talk ink – well except for Zane. Zoey remains peacefully quiet while Tori works.

A couple of hours later, Zoey is finished. I feel a big, stupid grin crawl across my face as I look at the three of us. Thick as thieves we’ve always been. I feel a sudden surge of gratefulness and joy when I think of how long Zane and Zoey have been in my life. Most people drift apart after high school. Even more drift apart after college. I know I’m fortunate that my two childhood best friends are still part of my life. What’s more, we’re closer now than we were when we were children, in spite of the last year.

Tori pulls out her phone for pictures. Zoey hangs back, obviously not wanting in the picture, and I’m grateful. When Tori tries to pull her in, I put a hand on her arm stopping her. “Not Zoey,” I say gently.

They give us a confused look, and I search for the words to explain why.

“We want to keep Zoey’s life as private as possible,” Zane cuts in. “She’s been through a lot lately. Being linked to us pretty much eliminates any chance of a normal, peaceful existence, but we try to keep her away from everything as much as we can. Especially right now.”

“I always wondered how everything wasn’t splashed all over the news and internet with her,” Maddox muses.

“We don’t share, and don’t allow anyone to speculate,” I tell him. “And we have an awesome agent and fucking amazing lawyers, not to mention my brother and Bastian have a few connections.”

Zoey is standing in the mirror looking at her tattoo when I notice Maddox’s eyes slide over her. Normally, I would punch him in the face for looking at her that way. But he’s not just blatantly ogling her. There are real feelings in his eyes. Feelings I’ve seen since we were teenagers. It’s part of the reason I never like him.

But I feel bad for the guy. He’s had a thing for Zoey for years, and I get it. Zoey is not someone you can just get over. I’ve never like him much, especially after what happen when we were in high school, but I find myself hoping he will meet someone to help him move on. He is a decent guy. He took care of my girl the best he could. No one knows better than me – except maybe Zane – how hard that can be sometimes. He deserves to find someone who makes him feel what I do for Zoey. Just not Zoey.

Zoey turns to Tori, giving her a tight hug. “Thank you, Tori. It’s beautiful. I’m sorry I didn’t take the time to get to know you better.”

“Oh girl, we have plenty of time. You’re not getting away from me just because you’re going all the way back to River City.”

We all laugh. I approve of Tori’s relentless spirit. I really hope she does continue to try with Zoey. Even if a few hundred miles do separate them.

“You can go out the back if you need to. I don’t think any of my customers would’ve put the media on your trail, but if it makes you more comfortable, you’re more than welcome,” Dane offers.

We wave him off. “We’re parked out front anyway. Going out the back way just makes it take longer to get to the car,” Zane tells him.

We re-enter the front of the shop. A few customers move to raise their phones for picture, but Dane stops them. “No picture in the shop,” he says in a loud, bellowing voice. It surprises me when they all put their phones away.

Once we get outside, I decide I want to help the shop out a little. “How about one picture of Zane and I with you two in front of the shop sign?” I offer.

Dane waves us off. “Nah, man. Keep this a private moment for you guys. Shop gets plenty of attention.”

I nod shaking his hand again.

We climb into the car to make our way to the airport. I feel a wave happiness knowing in a few hours, I’ll finally have my girl home.

Zoey

My stomach spins and flips like I’m riding a rollercoaster as we pull down the street where Jax’s parents live. I’m nervous about seeing them. I’m sad knowing that I won’t ever get to see my own parents again. I’m a little anxious at being back in River City where so many people know who I am. My anonymity won’t be so easy to maintain here where I grew up.

My knee bounces rapidly in the passenger seat of Zane’s truck. I chew maniacally on my thumb nail. Neither of the boys says a word about my obvious jitters.

When we pull into the drive, my heart is beating so fast I think I’m going to have a heart attack. I don’t know what to say when I get in there. I don’t know how to act. I love Jax’s parents. They’ve always treated me like I was their own.

But a lot has changed since I last saw them. I’ve been through a lot. I’m not the happy, smiling girl they’re use to seeing.

I’m worried that they’re going to be angry with me for shutting everyone out. I’m worried they hate me for the hell I put their son through. I’m worried they’re disappointed in me for all of it.

---