“I know, and I will. It’s just hard. You understand that, right?”
She nods her head, compassion lighting her eyes. “I get that, I really do, but when it comes to your safety, your life . . . well, I won’t take any chances, Iz. We have come so far. YOU have come so far. It just doesn’t seem right that fate would be throwing him back up in your life.”
Ha! Again with that bitch, fate. I should explain how much she hates me to Dee, but she wouldn’t understand. Not with her hopeful optimism.
“I’ll talk to him . . . Reid. I think that’s what Greg said his name was. Two weeks. I have two weeks to prepare myself to open those wounds back up. God, Dee. I don’t want to go there again, remembering it all, and Greg says I need to tell him everything. You don’t think he means everything, do you? Surely anything from before Brandon isn’t important?” I think that’s panic in my voice. Surely not, but I can tell by Dee’s watery eyes that it most certainly is.
“Izzy, babe, that picture. I think all the before Brandon stuff is kind of important. He knows what yesterday was for you, which means he won’t stop pulling more of your pain into the open. It really is best you tell this guy everything. Greg and I will be there. We won’t let you do this alone. Never again.”
I look into Dee’s big brown eyes and know that she is prepared to fight by my side, and I love her for it. Maybe it isn’t right for me to depend on her so much for strength, but try as I might, I just can’t find another way.
“All right, Dee. Together, when Greg sets something up, we can go talk to this guy, figure out what to do next.”
With a small smile, watery eyes, and relief hidden in their depths, she gives me a hug and stands up. With a small clap, she has officially brushed herself off and decided that the heavy is done with for today.
“Well, now that we have had that talk, let’s get ready. Greg is coming back after he grabs some stuff for the night from his apartment, stops by his office, and lets everyone know what’s going on, all that stuff. That should give us plenty of time to start all our prep work for tonight.” Huge smile. Yup, my Dee, the queen of joy and happiness, is back.
With a groan, I let her pull me out of bed and set off for the shower.
I have been thoroughly waxed, buffed, shaved, tweaked, and generally molested by beautifying products by the time we hear Greg’s knock on the door. Just in time for him to sit back and enjoy the freak show.
I’m sitting on the living room floor painting my toes and Dee is sitting back on the couch finishing her fingers when I yell at him to come in. I hear the door click open and his heavy steps down the hallway. Looking up, I meet the fierce scowl he is famous for.
“The fuck? What the hell have I told you two about letting just anyone walk into the fucking house?” he growls—yes, growls—at us. If this were anyone other than Greg, I would be sitting in my own piss right now.
“Oh, come on, G. We knew it was you.”
“Oh really? So you can see through fucking wood and steel now? I didn’t realize you picked up fucking super powers. Remind me next fucking time to just have you beam me the hell over. Sure as hell will save on the gas.”
Oops. Guess I didn’t realize big bad protector Greg would be coming out to play.
“Iz, baby girl, I did not put this fancy-ass alarm system in for you to not only never set it when you are home but to leave the door unlocked and basically invite Tom, Dick, and Harry to come over. Do I really need to remind you of the dangers out there?”
If he was trying for the soft and tender route, he missed by a mile there. I instantly shut down, my gaze falling to the floor.
“Sorry,” I mumble.
“Don’t do that shit, Izzy. Brush it the fuck out of your pretty little head. Just promise me to start locking the door, use the alarm, and for shit’s sake, check the damn door before letting someone in, yeah?”
“Got it. Alarm, lock, and check.” I pick up all my nail products and head off to my room. I have some time to get ready. We aren’t leaving until later tonight. I’ll let Dee deal with keeping the bear happy. “I’m going to take a nap before we leave. Wake me up in a few, Dee,” I call down the hall as I step in my room. I lock the door and shed my clothes before curling into my bed.
It takes me a while to finally fall asleep, but once I do, it is anything but restful. Nightmares of Brandon and dreams of a future lost invade my sleep. When Dee comes to knock on my door around eight o’clock asking me if I want to grab something to eat, it takes me a second to remember where I am and what we’re doing.
“Yeah, let me get some clothes on and I’ll be right down,” I yell through the door, still shaking the dreams from my mind. I get out of bed and grab my robe, setting off to find Dee and Greg.
“Pizza. Sit . . . eat,” Greg says around a mouthful of said pizza.
“Classy, Greg. I wonder why you’re still single.” I laugh over at him.