Page 38 of Cedar Edge
Thea was disappearing and we could all see it. The fear of Royce was crushing her right alongside the argument she witnessed between Ace and I. So everyday for the past weekwe’ve come up with some excuse to bring her out of the house. First it was to help with the horses. Then it was to go for a walk in the woods. Followed by more horses. But today was the first time she’s ventured into town. And now, standing here exposed, I fucking hate it.
“What are we doing, Law?” She asks softly. The night air is quiet in the late hour, which was purposeful on my part. Call it being overprotective but I had no interest in parading her through the streets bright with daylight yet.
“I needed to pick up something from Logan, sorry darlin'. I’ll be quick.” I pull her in for a kiss on the forehead before looping my hand with hers and heading into Logan’s shop.
The sound of In This Moment blares over the speakers and I’m hit with the familiar smell of antiseptic. There are four stations in the shop but three are currently empty, the lights dark and all supplies put away. The fourth however I can see has two ring lights on and just under the heavy metal I can hear the faint buzz of Logan’s tattoo gun.
Tugging Thea forward I step behind the counter top. As soon as I do Logan pops his head up with a furrowed brow before a wide smile paints his face. “Tink!” He puts the gun down before pulling his gloves off and running over to us. Scooping our girl up he twirls her around pulling a squeal from her. “You came to see me!”
“Oh hey sheriff!” The twinkling voice comes from the female he was just tattooing. Athena Gold pops herself up on the table, shooting a wink at me as Logan puts Thea down. “I was just telling Logan that I hadn’t seen any of y'alls gorgeous faces in awhile.”
Dragging Thea from Logan’s embrace I pull her into my side. “Been busy.” Her eyes light up at the sight of Thea tucked against me, her red lips spreading wide into a smile that I fucking knowmeans trouble. “Careful Athena or I’ll command Logan to make it hurt.”
She throws her head back laughing, “Oh Law hunny, you act like that wouldn’t make me love the needle even more.”
Logan snorts, shaking his head, as he heads back towards his station. I take a quick glance at Thea who keeps staring at the girl on the table. Curiosity burning in her eyes.
“Athena,” I call out. “This is Thea. She is our girlfriend. Darlin, this is Athena Gold. Also known as a general pain in my ass.”
“Hey! I am not. I resent that Law Kane! I’m a delight.” She sniffles before smiling widely at Thea. “Girl, if you ever need some female time you let me know. I’m sure we could find something fun to do in this town.”
“Nope!” I shout, quickly turning Thea from Athena. “We will not be doing that! Bye Lo, see you at home.” Logan laughs and waves goodbye, blowing Thea a kiss as I push us back onto the sidewalk.
The warm lights of the tattoo shop splash against the dark sidewalk. Thea shivers as I lead us towards my truck again. “I don’t remember her.”
“Athena moved here while you were gone.” I say as I open the truck door. Thea moves to climb in before I stop her. “We never fucked her. Athena has a complicated past that not even I know about. She’s trouble, namely because she doesn’t like to fit in, and you know how this town is.”
Thea snorts and nods. “Yeah, she certainly doesn’t fit the mold of a western town.”
“No,” I laugh. “But this is the town she chose. And I promise you. Nothing has or ever will happen with her.”
Thea presses up on her toes, shocking me, with a soft kiss against my lips. “I know Law, but thank you for telling me. Now take me home?”
“Your wish is my command darlin'.”
Chapter Seventeen
Elder: “Despite its uses, elder is, like the blackthorn, a tree that has somehow become burdened with superstition and bad luck.”
-Fez Inkwright,Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Secret Lives of Plants-
Thea
Standing outside the tiny boutique alone I curse at myself for thinking I could do this without one of the boys. I had gotten more comfortable coming into town and somehow, in my brain, that meant being alone would be fine. But it’s anything but fine and I’m already debating on following Logan to his shop.
“He’ll be right back. Just go in and start looking.” I say under my breath. But my feet stay stubbornly glued to the sidewalk and my hands clutch the coffee Logan had bought me like it’s the only thing keeping me alive.
The early fall air shifts around me as if it's impatient for me to make a move. “You need clothes, you cannot just be naked all the time.”
“I mean I don’t know about that, being naked all the time sounds kinda nice!” The twinkling voice appears next to me suddenly and I’m rather proud of myself for not startling. The girl next to me looks straight out of pinup magazine. Wearing a 1950’s polka dot dress that displays her array of ink and her long blue hair that seems perfectly wavy I’m immediately aware of my outfit. From the leggings to the baggy sweatshirt to the shit way I cut my hair. “So what’s going on? Why aren’t we walking in?”
She looks familiar but my mind keeps struggling to figure out from where. As if sensing my hesitation she holds out her hand. “Athena Gold. I saw you when I was getting tattooed by your boyfriend but we didn't get to chat, the tall dark and handsome sheriff was too busy dragging you from the shop.”
Now the visual clicks in place and I smile before hesitantly taking her hand in mine and offering a shake. “Yeah, sorry. I’m Thea Montgomery."
“Well lovely to officially meet you Thea!” She smiles broadly at me, the movement warm and inviting. “Now, I find that anytime I’m nervous about clothes shopping, a little liquid courage helps me figure it out right quick.” Her blue eyes twinkle with excited energy and she has yet to stop smiling. I just know that she is like a dog with a bone and I’m that bone.
“Wait what?” I ask with confusion.
