Her jaw opened and shut rapidly as she floundered. Regret swamped her. None of this was his doing. She silently pleaded with him to forgive her with her eyes. They’d had many conversations with a mere glance.
“Pack a suitcase, take whatever you can’t live without and call one of your girls. I’ll follow you back to my apartment.”
“And then what?” she whispered.
“Then I’ll give you that space.” She cringed. His words held a bitter tinge she’d never heard before. “I’m going to make some calls, check in and get some air.” He left her in the room. Closing her eyes, she cursed her misdirected attitude. Springing into action, she hurriedly packed and called Joey who quickly agreed to follow Shooter back to his place. She grabbed her bag and lugged it down the stairs. I should apologize. She walked over to the patio and opened the door, sticking her head outside.
“I’m packed. Joey should be here soon.”
“I’ll come in a minute.”
She hesitated, hovering in the door frame. She opened her mouth to speak but froze. The words were a jumbled mess in her brain. The silence between them deafened. Completely drained, she shook her head and moved back into the house.
* * * * *
“Can you explain to me what’s going on? The air between you and Shooter was colder than a witch’s tit.”
“Did you seriously just say that?” Juliette rolled her eyes. Normally she loved Joey’s eccentricities but right then they were too much.
“Quit stalling.” Joey tossed her duffel bag on the sofa. “I’d think at a time like this you’d be all up under him.”
“Not when he suddenly decides he had the right to tell me what to do.”
“Okay, details, babe.” Joey patted the seat beside her. “Come, sit, take a deep breath.”
Juliette huffed and sank down beside her, retelling the story.
“Honey, he’s worried about you. Everything going on is backing him into a corner, and he’s fighting back the only way he knows how.”
“So you’re taking his side?” Juliette huffed.
“No,” Joey said, obviously exasperated. “I’m not taking anyone’s side. I’m trying to shine a light on his perspective.”
“Really? ’Cause my life is barely my own these days. It’s one unpredictable, terrifying event after another. Can you blame me for wanting to cling to the little say I do have?”
Joey spluttered, holding her hands up, palms facing out. “Whoa, whoa. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way but it wasn’t my intention. It’s clear you’re on edge right now. Your emotions are swimming so close to the surface, someone stirs the pond a bit and you become a typhoon.” Joey shook her head.
“Can you blame me?”
“No, but you can see why I’m hesitant to hop on the ‘bash Shooter’ train. You’re not yourself right now. It’s not like you to be so…”
“Crazy?”
“You said it.” Joey pointed at Juliette.
Banging the back of her head against the couch, she breathed deep. Safe in Shooter’s place with one of her best friends, she lost the wind in her sail. Nothing would happen to her here. The boys had her on some sort of surveillance and not many would be bold enough to walk up into a Lords member’s home.
“Okay, maybe I overreacted a little.”
Joey pushed her lips to the side. “If by little you mean a lot, yes.”
“In that moment, when he told me I didn’t have a choice, it felt like Peter all over again. Violated, with nowhere to go and no options, I flipped my shit. Too much too soon. My brain overloaded and I took it out on him. I know it wasn’t my best moment.”
“I get it. But you haven’t. You still have your own place, a good job and your core group of friends. Sure, you aren’t with us around the clock like you used to be. But that’s what happens when you get into a serious relationship.”
Recalling Shooter’s response to her behavior, she looked down. The sting of embarrassment sliced through her angry haze. Eventually she’d need to mend the hole she’d placed in their relationship. Shoving away the tender emotions, she dug into her reserves. Tonight in bed alone, she’d let the impact of the break-in kick her ass. Right now she needed to keep it together. She couldn’t be that weak-ass excuse for a woman. Joey had seen her at her lowest and Juliette needed to show her how strong she’d become. It was a matter of redemption and pride. This time she wouldn’t fall apart or run scared. She’d stand her ground and prove to herself the past no longer held her in its suffocating chokehold. She owed it to herself, and Shooter deserved someone whole.
“I guess.” Juliette toyed with the edge of her shirt.