Homebound

Chapter One

*One year later *

"Poppy, can you pass me the whiskey, please" I turn to my left and grab the whiskey off the shelf before passing it to Jacob as he thanks me. I go back to cleaning the glasses as I restock the rack.

It's a slow day today, not many people had come in but it's almost five o'clock which is when everybody gets off work and storms Darby's, looking for drink and socialisation. Luckily for me I finish in ten minutes, Harley coming in and taking over for me.

"Poppy!" one of the regulars, Kevin calls me over. He's an older man with an obvious alcohol problem but he's kind and never causes issues, even when he gets so drunk he can't walk.

I watch as the clock ticks closer to 4.30pm. My body is twitchy and I can't sit still, knowing that a call will be waiting for me when I get home. Hex calls every day at the same time, 5.00pm. He had never missed a call, his perfect record at Hellbound since I left being rewarded by phone calls to whoever he wants but it's to always me.

I jump as hands are placed on my shoulders "you can go now, say hi to my brother for me" Harley's familiar perfume fills the air as she nudges me out of the bar.

"I'll see you later" I call as I hug Harley goodbye and wish her and Jacob a goodnight. I don't envy them one bit, the after work rush is a nightmare and I try to avoid it as much as possible.

It's still bright outside but the sun had started to go down, an orange glow shining through the clouds. My old beat up car creaks as I sit in the drivers seat and do my usual check of the backseats before locking the doors and only then can I relax and turn the car on.

I do a victory dance when the car turns on the first try. I've grown attached to my car, it was the first thing I had brought with my own money and even though sometimes it can be difficult to work with, most times it's reliable and it had never broken down before.

I enter my apartment seconds before my phone starts ringing.

"Move Teddy" the tabby I had adopted six months ago walks between my legs as I step in the doorway. I gently move him with my leg as I lock the door behind me and dump my bag before digging out my phone.

"Hi" I answer breathlessly as I push my hair from my face.

"Hi baby" the soft rumble of Hex's voice in my ear sends shivers down my spine, the good type.

"Did you have a good day?" I ask as I place the phone between my ear and shoulder as I bend down and pick up my bag while giving a pat to Teddy.

I walk into the kitchen and turn the lights on with a sigh.

"Yeah, it was Josie's last day" he says. Josie had done more than I could ever ask for Hex and I. She's the only reason we have been able to have a functioning relationship while only seeing each other once every two weeks at visitation.

Josie's last day working at Hellbound had been today because she's six months pregnant with a baby boy. I had been ecstatic when she'd told me, her and Harvey will be great parents although I'd be lying if I said I wasn't selfishly worried about how this would affect Hex and I.

"Yeah, it's getting harder for her to walk" I say as I place the phone on the kitchen island and put the phone on speakerphone. "So who is going to be your guard now?" I ask as I grab leftovers out of the fridge and take a seat at the island as I begin eating.

"No one" Hex answers. I hear yelling in the background. I bring the phone to my ear, hoping to make out some words or identify who is yelling but I fail to do both. A lot of things have changed since I left Hellbound, including the inmate's and the guard's.