Page 21 of Medusa's Revenge

“Oh I sure am. Did I get lucky with a body like this to spend my nights with?” He leans down to kiss me.

“Are you okay? I heard the raised voices and TJ took off.” He opens his arms to me and I walk right into them. He squeezes me hard as he kisses the top of my head. “I know it’s hard. You’re taking the first step to setting up your boundaries. You are not mean or selfish, it’s actually healthy. I will keep reminding you.”

“Thank you.” I whisper into his chest. “What do you need help with?”

“The closet. Am I leaving everything on the hanger?” I point to the closet type boxes I got from the rental company. “Do you need to be down there or do you want to help?”

“I’ll help. Are you wrapping the dresser and leaving everything there?”

“I think some of the girls took the clothes out so it’s lighter for us to carry. They did the same thing with the nightstands. We still need to do the computer desk and closet.”

“Noah, am I doing the right thing?” I sigh as I collapse on the floor. “I know the opinion of my brother, Smitty, and my best friends. You’re an outsider who doesn’t know any of us. Hit me.” He sits down next to me and pulls me into his lap. He makes sure I’m close to him. My back to his chest. Noah moves my hair off my shoulder. Noah wipes the tears falling from my eyes.

“Merida, you’re letting your past dictate how you treat Michelle right now. From what I’ve heard from people you had to grow up quickly and take on two kids while your mom checked out then eventually left. You lost your childhood but made sure at least Michelle had one without any problems. Now she is pushing you like a teenager and she sees you as someone who is controlling every aspect of her life.” I try to move but he tightens me even more. “Not that you are. I’m seeing it from her point of view from the different key phrases I’ve heard. You want her to live her life but on your terms to keep her safe which isn’t a bad thing. She needs to know life wasn’t always sunshine and roses. Let her spread her wings and when she hits rock bottom, she’ll be back.”

“Are you sure?” He nods. “Thank you.” I turn my head to kiss him and he deepens it.

“If you’re going to fuck, go into your room. Don’t do it here.” Michelle’s vitriol is aimed at me. I turn my head, looking over my shoulder.

“It’s my house, I can do what I want.” She stands. “What do you need?”

“I want to finish my room.” I don’t see her friends, so I let her do it and I help her. We all work in silence. Noah and TJ are taking apart the bed, while keeping eyes on us. Michelle mutters under her breath and I roll my eyes as I remove her clothes from the closet. I take extra care of her stuff I don’t want her coming after me for damaging her stuff.

“Noah, I can’t reach the top of the closet, can you grab these boxes so I can finish it?”

“Sure thing, buttercup.” He winks at me. I feel stand behind me, the heat coursing from him makes me want to take him to my room so he can fuck me into forgetting how my heart is hurting. “It’s going to be okay.” He whispers as he kisses the top of my head as he hands me the last box. He double checks to make sure the closet is cleaned out. “Is there any secret passages in here that I need to check?” Noah asks as he feels the walls.

“No. I’m not that stupid. Amelia would’ve found it and sealed it up.” Michelle puts everything into a box not going through anything. I sigh. Noah winks at me before grabbing the computer desk with TJ and I smile. “You seem happy.”

“I am. It’s new. How are things with Lucas?” I’m trying to not cut all ties with my sister, but I know after today it’s going to be strained. It’s almost one of those ‘Am I the asshole?’ stories, the girls talk and debate about, going low contact with Michelle.

“Not like you care, but he’s great and the two of us together are even better.”

“I care and want to meet him. He’s so important to you so that means he’s important to me too. I’m not trying to be this evil villain you are painting me as, but you want to spread your wings, which is great, but you need to do it without me. I know that now. I’m always going to be here for you.”

“Whatever.” Michelle grabs a full box and stomps out of the room. I give up. I’m trying. It’s all in her court right now.

Chapter Eighteen

Medusa

Two months later

Noah and I fell into a routine. We exchanged keys and took turns spending the night at each other’s houses. It was nice. The clubhouse was calm, and Tripline and I were back to being us again, which I love. The businesses are thriving and we are making money while still giving back to the community.

I’m sitting at my desk with Kelly “Flanagan” Wilkinson, who is our Treasurer. She keeps the books but is also our bartender. She got the nickname because she does the tricks like Tom Cruise’s character in Cocktails when she’s mixing drinks, whichbrings a lot of people in when she’s behind the bar. “We are making some good money this month. I don’t know what the boom is, but I’m happy. We need to figure out what charities we’re donating to. It’s getting close to Christmas and the businesses are running a charity for new toys in exchange for a gift certificate with some of the different products at the spa. TJ’s is offering a free oil change with every toy over twenty dollars. They show the receipt for proof as they give the toy. It was Noah’s idea.”

“They are winning against the girls, aren’t they?” I ask, trying to hide my giddiness from the competition.

“Oh, the girls are trying to think of ways to beat them. It’s hilarious.” We both laugh. The door opens quickly with a loud bang and I about yell, but Tripline’s face tells me something is wrong.

“It’s TJ’s shop!” I don’t wait for more. We all get up and race out to our bikes. The gates are opening, so we don’t need to stop. I hit the gas and swerve slightly but keep it upright. As I get onto the main road, I can see black smoke in the sky and hear the sirens in the distance.

“Fuck!” I yell into the wind. The fire department has blocked off a lot of the street. We stop about a few feet away from everyone. After getting off my bike, I ran toward the crowd scanning everyone. We stop at the yellow tape. I turn to Tripline and Flanagan, “Take pictures. Have the prospects get license plate numbers. I want to know everyone who is here.” I feel the burn of tears as I look around at the shop. I don’t see anyone. I hear the squeal of tires and see Derby and TJ getting out of his truck.

“What the fuck?” TJ runs before being stopped by the police. “This is my shop. Where is Noah?” I hear his name and connect eyes with Derby. I’m small enough that no one is paying attention to me. I try to run toward the fire. The body shopis fully engulfed by now and the firemen are battling the blaze throwing all the water they can. I get about five feet from the shop when an explosion happens and we all get pushed back from the strength of it. I fell on my back hitting my head. I blink a few times then try taking a deep breath. The fall took my breath away. TJ’s standing over me. “What were you thinking?”

I wheeze out, “Noah.” He picks me up, and I wrap my arms around his neck. “Where is he?”

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