Page 32 of Stevie
Janie continues talking as if what he said doesn’t faze her, which I guess it doesn’t. Those two have a relationship where they have to bicker with each other. It’s a little weird at first. Their constant sarcastic remarks, pranks, and threats, but they like it, and there is zero doubt that they both are head over heels for the other. “So they gave us the same fucking room he destroyed my soul in.”
“Woah, talk about a bad omen,” I say as Brooks comes in and leans on the door frame. Fuck, he’s good-looking. He has on pajama pants and a “Knuckles Security” short-sleeve shirt, showing off his bulging biceps and corded forearms.
“Right?” Janie huffs. “The old man here was all like ‘Well, maybe this is our chance to turn a negative into a positive.’” She says in her mock Fox voice, causing me to snicker. “Long story short, I got a new room.” Brooks’ phone vibrates against my ear, and I instinctively look at it.
Greyson: Got eyes on Po’boy
I look at Brooks, who has a questioning look on his face.
“Alright, babe, it’s almost midnight here, so I know it’s late there. Get some rest, and I’ll make sure Indy keeps you updated tomorrow. Love you.” I hang up with Janie and hand Brooks his phone back. “Po’Boy?” I inquire and hear him whisper a “fuck” under his breath.
“Stevie, I’m just trying to keep tabs and collect information on him to keep you safe.” I nod, and I can feel my stomach filling with anxiety. So much anxiety. The hate online, Brooks and my rocky situationship, him saying he’s in love with me and us not addressing it. Then there’s the surgery and Vincent. It’s all just too much.
“I think I’m going to try to get some sleep,” I tell him, resting my head against my pillow. Brooks looks hesitant to leave, but he nods and walks to the door.
“Alright, baby, good night.”
“Night,” I mutter as I close my eyes, even though I know I won’t fall asleep until they drug me on the operating table tomorrow.
Brooks
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“This is fucking ridiculous,” I growl as I stand from my chair and start pacing again.
Indy sighs, not looking up from her cell phone. “You are so annoying. Go do some push-ups or glare out a window. We will call you when she’s done.” I glare at the raven-haired woman, though it’s pointless as she’s still staring at her phone while Zora sits beside her, knitting.
“I’m so glad you’re so calm you can play on your phone,” I grumble while trying to sit back down, only to feel like I’m going to freak out if I don’t continue to pace.
Indy purses her lips before looking up from her phone. “Really?” She leans back in her seat, smirking at me. “I’m currently managing Stevie’s social media, working on making all her accounts private and tagging all the threats to send to Greyson, so I wouldn’t really say I’m ‘playing.’”
Stevie’s mom, Zora, looks up from whatever she’s knitting, “Are they still being mean to her?” I wince at the worry in her voice. I know Zora worries about Stevie; we all do, but while mine and especially Nika’s approach is more ‘eliminate the threat,’ Zora is a worrier. I have had to stop her several times when I’ve found her reading the comments on Stevie’s socials, and I haven’t dared to say anything to her about Vincent.
“Unfortunately,” Indy mumbles while giving Zora a reassuring smile. “But don’t worry, they will calm down eventually, and the hateful people will move on. It just takes time. Stevie is strong. It’ll be alright.”
Zora stares at the yarn in her lap before taking a long breath. She tucks a fallen lock of salt and pepper hair behind her ears before looking at me with glassy eyes.
“She’s all I’ve got,” she manages to choke out, and it kills me to see her breaking. “Stevie is so strong. She always has been. It’s been me, her, and Mama since my husband passed away when she was four. Even then, Stevie was always so grown up. I know now that she was forced to due to the struggles we endured, but she just wasn’t the kid I had to worry about. She was so helpful, a straight-A student all the way through high school. She would have a full ride in college, and her life would be set.” She lets out a small laugh before dabbing her misty eyes. “Then the bloating started, and the bleeding and pain. Her senior year, everything changed. The doctors wouldn’t listen, the school didn’t care, and her grades were slipping. Mama and I tried talking to them, but no one took us seriously. Due to the pain, Stevie lost her scholarships and decided to test out of high school early. We were in Louisiana for another year before Mama, and I talked to her about moving to California. I thought it would be a good new start; maybe out here, she would find a doctor to help her. She had just started working at a piercing shop and was enjoying herself, though, and said she wasn’t ready to move.”
I watch the sadness and regret fill her tired eyes as she stares at the ceiling. “I should’ve made her come,” she whispers. “Mama and I had been out here three weeks before we discovered the shop changed owners, and she had a new boss. And it was two damn years before we saw her. She would just say she’s too busy or work is crazy. We didn’t know the real extent until long after she moved here.” She takes a breath, and a tear rolls down her face. “That man took my bejbe and broke her. When she came to us, she couldn’t even be in the same room with another man.”
“Why didn’t she press charges?” I ask, even though I know why most victims of domestic violence stay silent out of fear.
Zora lets out a dry laugh, “We tried! God help us. Mama and I did everything to convince her, but she refused, saying that unless he would be gone for life, it would only anger him. And then Mama was ready to take care of it herself.” I laugh until I notice she’s not being funny.
“W-wait, is Nika… are her stories true?” I ask in shock. Zora gives me half a shrug.
“While I won’t confirm or deny it, I will say it’s best to assume that she’s telling you the truth.” I feel a chill run through me, and I think back to the stories I’ve heard Nika say that we all just figured were the ramblings of an old lady.
“Jesus,” I mutter.
Zora nods. “She was ready to take care of the issue permanently. But Stevie begged and pleaded with her to let it go, and she did. I would give anything to go back to that time and make Mama go anyway. Because now he is back, and I feel like I’m going to lose her again. Between this surgery and her trauma, I don’t know how she will pull through.”
Indy places a hand over Zora’s. “She’ll get through it. She is the strongest person I know.” My phone vibrates, and I excuse myself when I see it’s Greyson calling. Once out of earshot, I answer the call.
“What’s up?”
“Hey Brooks,” Greyson’s voice comes through. “I have a location on your guy.” Prickles run over my skin.Now?I’m not ready now. Stevie is still in surgery. I can’t leave her.
