Frankie Morales-Fire

Chapter 6

Something must have happened. I don't see Frankie for two whole days. By the time I finally do, I'm so pissed at him, I can't hardly speak.

"How could you?!" I cry. "I've been worried sick!" Frankie pulls tries to pull me closer, but I fight against him, beating him on the chest. He doesn't even try to stop me.

At last, my resolve crumbles and I collapse into his arms, sobbing against his chest as he holds me. I sob for a while before pulling away, swiping angrily at my eyes. I punch Frankie, hard in his right arm.

"Ow!"

"You deserve a hell of a lot worse than that, Morales!" I cover my face with my hands momentarily.

"You want to know WHY I push EVERYONE away? Because of stupid shit like this! I don't need your bullshit getting in the way of-us! I've been there, done that. And I will NOT do it again, do you hear me?"

"I don't blame you for being pissed at me. I deserve your anger. But I've been out of town for the last two days. I had NO way of contacting you. IF could have, I would have."

I start walking away. I'm so done with men and their bullshit. Never again.

"Don't bother explaining anything else to me, Morales. We're through."
***
Nova has been extra clingy this evening and I'm not upset by that. I NEED somebody to hold on to. All I can think is: I THOUGHT he was different. When am I going to learn to stop falling for men who continue to disappoint me? I only wish I knew.

"I haven't seen Frankie in a while. Did you kill him?" I ignore Kayla. I'm afraid if I even mention his name, I'll lose my shit.

"What happened?" Kayla's known me long enough to know when in really upset about something.

"He just took off. I had no clue where he was for almost three days. And then he showed back up like it was no big deal." My voice cracks and put my hand over my nose and mouth, struggling to control myself.

Kayla moves to put her arms around me as I bury my face against her shoulder. I sob softly against her. I'm so pissed at myself. I step back, wiping at my eyes.

"We're through," I tell Kayla. "I told him that three days ago and I haven't heard from him since. Good thing, too. Otherwise, I just MIGHT kill the asshole."

"I'm sorry, Lu. I am. I thought he'd be able to hold up and stay with you." I grab a wad of napkins and clean up my face.

"Yeah, well. We were both wrong about him." I crumple the used napkins tightly in my fist.

"Remind me to just shoot myself in the foot the next time I think I can depend on a man."

"Nah," Kayla says. "I'll shoot the man.
It'll save you a hell of a lot of trouble."
***
Kayla insisted I have another night off. I staunchly refused to allow the people that consider my family to bust their asses for ME.

I bring Nova along with me because I insisted that Emily take a night off. Besides, I want my baby close to me tonight.

I think Nova can sense the shift in my mood because she's been wanting to be with me more and wanting me to hold her.

I have zero problems with that. I need her as much as she needs me.

"You stay behind the bar tonight, Luna," Kayla orders me. That way you'll be within hearing distance for Nova and can get to her quickly."

"Unless I'm trying to fill a hundred orders," I say. Kayla flaps her hand at me, so I just ignore her. I decide to make sure everything is stocked and ready to go.
***
HE arrives halfway through the night. I ignore his sorry ass. I have nothing left to say to him. (Nothing good, that is.) Even though I have to be sending him some majorly bad vibes, he walks up to the bar.