Page 47 of Everything I Desire

The band takes a break and we all end up back at the table, except for Brad and Lauren. They’re nowhere to be found, but all their stuff is still here with us.

“Hmm, isn’t this interesting?” Lacey nods to the door.

Lauren and Brad are coming back in, their clothes and hair are disheveled, and the blush on her cheeks reaches all the way down her chest. Lacey and I just start laughing, getting Scarlett’s attention to look where we are before she joins in.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” Scarlett says loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Shut up.” Lauren takes a long swig of her beer.

We all laugh at her because we’ve all been there.

I nudge her rib with my elbow, “Told you.”

Just then Maura and her crew walk in. She’s with three guys and another woman. They’re all skinny as hell, faces gaunt, track marks all over their arms and disheveled.

Her ice cold stare locks on Porter and I’s hands clasped together on the table. He looks at me, clearly worried she’s going to start something again.

“What the fuck, Porter? Where is my daughter? Home alone? What a great fucking parent you are.” She scoffs at us. Her boyfriend, I’m assuming, comes over and his fists are clenched at his side. They’re all high, swaying back and forth, shuffling along toward our table. I'm not sure what their plan is once they get here, or if they even have one.

“Get out. Now.” Gunnar’s voice booms from behind them.

“Nah man, this is public property,” the boyfriend says confidently.

“But you’re wrong. It’s private property. And I’m refusing to serve you. Get the fuck out now.” He crosses his arms across his chest.

Porter, Colton, Preston, and Brad all stand up from their seats staring the group down. None of them can be over one thirty or even close to six feet, their weight a consequence from the drugs. At least they seem to have the sense to not try anything else with the guys and they pull Maura out of the bar kicking and screaming at Gunnar and Porter.

“Fuck.” Porter mumbles under his breath when he sits back down.

I place my hand on his thigh and feel the trembles rushing through his body. “Hey, look at me.” He stares straight ahead watching them leave.

“They’re going to go find Kayla I bet. She knows I’mnot home.”

“Hey, it’s okay. Kayla is at Eric’s house with his parents. I’m sure it’s fine. But let’s go home just in case, okay?” I turn his head to mine, placing a kiss on his lips, trying to get him to calm down.

“Yea. Let’s do that.” He stands immediately.

“Hey, I’ll send some guys to do drive-bys of your house tonight. Just in case they show up," Brad offers.

My sisters squeeze me tight on the way out and the guys slap Porter's shoulder in solidarity with him. As pissed and closed off as he is right now, I know he appreciates the guys being here for him if he needs it. Porter apologizes to Gunnar for the trouble but he assures us it was expected, not his fault at all and not as bad as it usually is with the guys backing him.

We walk back to Porter’s house and thankfully Kayla isn’t home yet.

I just hope Maura has the sense to stay away.

Chapter Eighteen

Porter

It’s been a few days and Maura still hasn’t shown up. My worry has eased a little bit, but it’s always in the back of my mind. I feel like I constantly have my guard up.

Kayla is getting annoyed with my constant hovering, and Addy tells me I need to give her some breathing room. So tonight I’m doing just that. She’s having a sleepover with her friend Emily, and Addy and I are going to Lorelei’s for dinner with everyone. Our family debut as a couple, is actually what Lorelei has requested. I really think she just wanted an excuse to host a dinner with her daughters.

I am going to drop Kayla off to Emily’s now while Addy makes a side dish for Lorelei.

“Don’t forget, if you go somewhere, let me know. Don’t go anywhere without telling Emily’s parents. And make sure your find my phone app is on.” I say as she gets out of the truck. I open the back door and grab her backpack for her, meeting on the passenger side.

“Uncle Porter. I know!” She sighs heavily, exasperated with me and my concern.

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