Homebound

Chapter Ten

It's been five days since Hex has been released from Hellbound. I had to go back to work on Monday and leaving him was hard, especially knowing that he'd be by himself most of the day. Well, Teddy was with him but Hex doesn't seem too keen on him so you can imagine my surprise when I walked through the front door after a busy day on Tuesday to find Teddy curled up next to Hex on the couch while he watches TV.

I start work a bit later today at 10am. Today is also Hex's first day of therapy outside of Hellbound. I can tell he doesn't want to go as we drive to the building its being held in but its part of his parole so he has to.

"Fucks sake" he groans as we pull up, reminding me of a child being dropped off at school.

"I'll see you later" I lean over and kiss him. "Harley will pick you up" I say. The plan was for Harley to pick him up and then drive to Darby's because she starts later this afternoon when I get off and then Hex and I will go home together.

We had also been on the search for a car for Hex. He's torn two ways, on one hand I know it's hard for him to let me buy him a car but on the other hand he'll need it for work otherwise we'll need to sort something out for him to somehow get there. He'll also need his license renewed.

"Bye baby" he says as I watch him walk in the doors before I pull away.

*

"Poppy, pass me that glass please" I hand Jacob the glass before going back to a customer and making their drink. Kevin had been in for most of the day keeping me company as he rants about the problems in his life, ranging from ladies to his job; all of them coming back to his drinking problem but he's the only one who can't see it.

"Looks like you've got a visitor" Jacob says from my left as I look up, seeing Hex and Harley walk through the doors. "Or two" Jacob says quietly as I round the bar to greet them.

"How was therapy?" I ask as I wrap my arms around Hex. He puts his face in my neck and inhales. It must've been a tough day because I can feel him sag against me.

"Shit" he grunts.

"Poppy! You're not done for another ten minutes!" Stevie yells from across the room as he exits his office, no doubt seeing Harley on the camera's. I pull back and roll my eyes.

"Who the fuck is that?" Hex asks as his voice takes on a darker tone at Stevie's attitude towards me.

"Stevie" I answer. We watch as Harley sashays  her way to him, her hair twirling around her finger as she flirts. Hex and I both pull faces of disgust.

"Fucking idiot" Hex shakes his head. I don't know if he's talking about Harley or Stevie but both are idiots for entertaining the idea of each other when Stevie has a Platonic and Harley is his employee. A relationship where one person has authority over the other is never a good idea.

"Take a seat, I'll be done in a few" I say as I walk back around the bar. Hex sits at a table by himself, turning the chair to face my direction.

"So, that's him" Jacob stands besides me as he eyes Hex.

"Yep, that's him" I confirm as I feel the blush rising in my cheeks.

Jacob fills a glass of beer from the tap "on the house" he says before heading over to Hex. He's too far away for me to call him back when I remember Hex's parole won't allow him to drink.

I briefly hear Jacob say to him 'thanks for your service' and I pray that Hex goes along with it so that I don't have to explain why he was in prison instead of the army, like I had told everyone.

I don't miss the blank stare Hex gives Jacob as he places the beer in front of him. Hex doesn't so much as touch it.

"Tough crowd" Jacob mutters as he comes back to the bar. I give him a sheepish smile.