Page 50 of Bells

A tiny smile touched the corner of his lips at the nickname he was known as in the underground for his violence.

I turned away from him, now more than ever determined to bring Church back with me. I was going to return to Chapel Crest and right a few wrongs and claim what was mine.

I’d show Everett exactly how useful I was.

SIN

She was gone.

I had no clue if she was coming back or if that was it. I didn’t know if our baby was OK. I didn’t know how I felt anymore. I knew fuck all.

It was driving me insane. A lot had changed over the last few days. I’d spent them holed up in my room, feeling like complete shit and questioning everything.

“Relax. She’ll be back,” Stitches said as I stared out at the lake. “If that’s what you’re thinking about.”

“How do you know? She’s fucking gone,” I muttered. I was stoned out of my mind. Self-medicating was always a useful way to help me avoid feeling pain. In this instance, it was also keeping me from completely lashing out.

“Because she’s crazy. Anyone who is crazy always ends up back here,” he answered with a shrug.

Ashes winced but nodded. “He’s not wrong.”

I scoffed and took another hit from my weed.

“I’m trying to wrap my mind around why you want her back when she tried to cut your arm off in your sleep. Why when she was fucking Church and cheating on you. Hell, you don’t even know if that baby is yours. Clearly, you can’t trust her,” Stitches continued, frowning at me.

“Man has a point,” Ashes said.

I blew out smoke and sighed. “I don’t fucking know anything anymore. I thought I did. Maybe I just need closure.”

“Then get it,” Church said, coming onto the patio.

I bristled at the sight of him. Images of him buried inside Bells flashed through my mind and my anger soared again.

I got to my feet and glared at him. “Don’t fucking talk to me about shit.”

“I’m not doing this,” Ashes said, getting to his feet too. “What Church did was fucked up. Seriously, what the hell were you thinking?” Ashes looked to Church who remained quiet. “It doesn’t matter though. We’re being torn apart by some girl who was hellbent on doing a lot of damage. You’re both really putting me and Stitches in a shitty place neither of us wants to be in.”

Stitches stood and sighed. “He’s right. I’m straight up not having a good time. We’re being torn apart. I know you guys can feel it happening. I’ll fucking bail on you shits if you keep it up. Fucking kiss and make up or we just call it good and go our separate ways. I’m not living like this. Life is fucking bad enough. Don’t add to it.”

I glanced at Church, my heart in my throat. One of my biggest fears was our group disbanding. Without Bells and my brothers, I was fucking nothing. I was less than nothing. I was completely lost. The thought at losing them too made my chest constrict.

I swallowed hard.

“I-I’m mad,” I said lamely.

“How about if I soothe the wounds?” Church asked, his voice soft.

“I’m listening.”

“Everyone sit. It’s story time,” Church said, gesturing to the patio chairs.

I glanced at Ashes and Stitches who both hesitated.

“I’m serious, man. If you guys fight, I’m out. I’m not dealing with this shit,” Stitches warned. “Brother or not, fuck off. Know what I mean? This shit can’t keep going on.”

“I’m with Stitches. I can’t do it. I love you guys. Seeing this shit happen isn’t cool,” Ashes murmured.

“I got it. Now sit down,” Church said, nodding to the chair.

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