Page 11 of Bear
Bear takes a deep breath, shoving his hands through his hair and scrubbing his fingers over his scalp. Finally, he nods. “Yeah. I think that’s for the best, even though it threw me off last week to not have the two of you there with me. Whether you like it or not, you’re part of my routine.” He grimaces. “I doubt she’d take off if left alone, but this week has me questioning what we’re dealing with, you know? I’d think she’s safe enough here, but…”
My jaw works to one side, and I throw a hand out in irritation. “Yeah. Tristan can say she’s got issues all he wants, but at this point, I totally don’t think it’s her fault.” I lock eyes with Duke. “I think you nailed it last night when we were talking it through. These nightmares and the sleepwalking—he sees it as a growing mental instability when I’d bet money it’s a trauma response to shit that’s happening to her. Those are two very different things. And it’s fucked up is what it is.” I pause, meeting both Bear’s and Duke’s eyes as they nod their agreement. “You, uh… Did you tell Tristan about some of this shit that’s gone on with Lennon?”
His lips twist. “I assume you aren’t talking aboutyourantics.”
I roll my eyes at him. “Or yours? You’re as unpredictable as I am where she’s concerned. Maybe if you admit—”
Bear gives a shake of his head cutting me off. “Let’s focus, please. I can’t handle the two of you fucking arguing at every turn. Not today.”
Duke gives me a mildly perturbed look. “To answer your question, no, I haven’t told him a thing since the sleepwalking incident.”
I hold up both hands in front of me. “I thought you were talking to him about her yesterday. I guess I was mistaken.”
“Nope, I told him things were fine and steered the conversation elsewhere.” He shrugs. “I have to go with my gut. I was going to say something and then… I couldn’t. Something isn’t sitting right.”
We’re quiet for several moments. I don’t disagree with him at all, for once. Someone is definitely out to get her, and I don’t fucking understand any of it. She’s not the pain in the ass Tristan made her out to be, either.
Duke takes another swallow of his drink before shaking his head. “Frankly, I’m concerned what my father’s next steps are if he thinks for even a second that there’s a problem.” He looks pointedly at both of us. “Do either of you want him to yank her out of here?” His chiseled jaw clenches, and at our lack of response, he finishes. “Yeah, that’s what I thought. But it’d help if there wasn’t drama here, too.” His eyes flick to me.
I cross my arms over my chest, feeling his accusation. “Yeah, well. I don’t know what to say that I haven’t already told you, Duke.”
Bear grimaces, catching my eye. “Look, I heard her side of it. She felt like you were pushing her away. Trying to scare her.” He presses his lips together. “You know what I think? I think she scaresyou.”He shrugs and arches his dark brow at me. “But what the fuck do I know?”
I don’t know how to respond to that because I agree, so… I don’t.
Taking a deep breath, Bear leans in and lowers his voice. “I don’t know how much either of you paid attention to the state of Lennon’s body last night, but I hadn’t realized until you two were gone—her back got totally fucked up inside that locker. Rubbed raw in spots. And that’s the stuff no one will see. I didn’t get a look this morning to see how bad everything else is, but I did notice she’s wearing a hoodie. Considering it’s ninety degrees today, I can only assume it’s to hide the worst of what’s visible on her arms and neck.”
I drag my hand down my face and reach for the vodka and Coke. I take a sip. And then a longer swallow. Bear’s right. I said some scary shit to her. And I made her hurt. I hate myself for it. After our talk earlier, I fully admit to myself that I don’t want to let go of her, even though it’s dangerous for her the closer we get. I’ve already proven that. My toxic heart will ruin everything. “I spoke with her earlier.” I lift my glass, the ice cubes tinkling lightly, and rub the cold glass over my forehead.
Duke’s brow arches. “I’m confused. I thought you were going to talk to her about how you terrified the ever-loving shit out of her. But you’re saying you already did.”
“We talked. But I can’t help it—I feel like there’s probably more that needs to be said. I saw what I did to her. And yes, I feel fucking sick about it.” I grit my teeth.
“I’m surprised she let you come anywhere near her after you fucking lost it on her like that.” Duke cocks his head to the side, eyes disbelieving.
“She sought me out. And I’m fine now.” I grind out the words, trying to force them into reality, to be the truth, even though it’s only a partial truth.
Bear purses his lips, peering at me. “Is that like a girl’s ‘I’m fine’ that’s terrifying as hell or areal‘I’m fine’?”
“Fuck off. I’m good.” Exasperated, I flip him off with a smirking smile.
Duke catches Bear’s eye. “Leave it. If he says he’s fine, he’s fine.”
My head swivels in Duke’s direction, and my mouth drops open for a split second before I snap it shut. I wasn’t expecting him to defend me. And from the stunned look on Bear’s face that he tries and fails to mask, it caught him off guard, too.
Duke doesn’t give me a chance to question his motives, as he clearly has more he’s sifting through than just shit pertaining to me. He clears his throat as he sits up, resting his arms on his thighs. “In my mind’s eye, I’ve had the scene in the locker room on repeat. Lennon out of it and so fucking panicked.” He exhales sharply. “And I know you both think I have issues with her, and I mean, maybe I do, so why the fuck would I care, right?” He hesitates for a moment before vehemently shaking his head. “I’d never wish what happened to her at the stadium on anyone. I’d like to be the one to stay behind with her, if you don’t mind.”
“Agreed. I’ll go with Bear. It’s fine. I’ll try to talk to her before we go. Or after. I just—” I don’t know why I’m trying to explain myself, except that I’m embarrassed by my behavior.
Before either of them can say anything, Duke’s phone lights up on the coffee table, vibrating against the glass. The three of us look at each other, apprehension thick in the air. If the three of us are together, there are only so many other people it’s likely to be on the other end. What are the fucking odds that we’d been discussing the devil and he’d call minutes later?
With a stony, clenched jaw, Duke leans forward and taps to answer, then puts it on speaker.
Tristan, without pretense or greeting, barks out, “Son, how’s it going?”
Duke's head is bowed, and he rubs his temples with one hand extended over his brow. “Fine,” he bites out, “I won’t be there tonight, just so you know. I’ll be staying behind with Lennon.”
“That’s fine. She’d probably hate fight night.”
