Homebound

Chapter TwentyTwo

"On the Eastside?" Hex grunts as I dump my bag. I had picked up Hex from the mechanic shop on the way home from work. I greeted Teddy at the door as he waited for us like he always does. He had really grown on Hex.

I had told Hex about Club Rosa in the car and the moment he heard that it was on the Eastside he had been against it. I thought I could bring it up in passing and then move on, I should've known Hex wouldn't let something like this drop as easily as I hoped he would. I knew he wasn't going to like it but it's work related, I have to go.

"Yes Hex, it's on the Eastside" I sigh as I move into the kitchen, he follows behind me. The smell of the mechanic shop clings to him, the smell of oil and petrol fumes filling the air around him.

I can feel his eyes on my body as I move around; hoping to distract him but it doesn't work. "I don't know about this, Poppy" he grumbles as he leans on the island. His tired voice is deep and husky after a long day of work.

He doesn't vocalise it but I know he's worried about my safety while Amos and Ace are around.

"I'll be fine. There will be lots of people there and Harley will be there too" I try and reassure him but he just raises a single eyebrow as his face continues to rest blankly, the mentioning of Harley not helping the situation. "It's work Hex, I have to go" I turn my back on him again as I start to become frustrated.

"Baby" Hex calls me; the term of endearment sends a shiver down my spine, one I'm sure he saw.

"I'll be okay, Hex" I sigh as I turn to face him again and lean against the sink "I looked after myself perfectly for two years before you were released" I explain. I watch as Hex's eye twitches when I bring up the fact that he hadn't been there while I was being followed.

He brings his hands up to his face and rubs his eyes. I hate to cause him stress but I can handle myself and this is an opportunity I'm using to prove it.

"I need a fucking cigarette" he mumbles before leaving the kitchen, moments later the front door closes behind him.

I feel guilty, he had been smoking less and less since he left Hellbound but any sort of stress would send him right back to the addiction and at the moment, the cause of his stress is me.

*

"Are you excited?" Harley almost squeals as I have her on speakerphone while doing my hair. I have the door of the bathroom open so that I can hear the conversation between Hex and Charlie as they sit in the lounge room. Hex had already been in a foul mood when he realised I'm definitely going to Club Rosa and when Charlie turned up out of nowhere it nearly pushed him over the edge.

"So excited" I say, I try my best to sound excited. Just because I didn't necessarily want to go, didn't mean I wanted to ruin Harley's night.

"Do you want me to pick you up?" Harley asks as I pause with curling my hair and think for a moment. I guess it would be better, that way if Hex needed the car he would have it available.

"Yes please" I say and resume curling my hair. I had already done my make up, choosing to go for a look a little bit fancier then my usual day to day make up but it wasn't anything extravagant.

"Okay, I have to pick up Stevie first" Harley reveals. I roll my eyes and look at the ceiling, contemplating everything. You know, maybe Hex is right and I should stay home. "Poppy? Is that alright?" Harley asks when I don't answer, her voice hesitant.

I quickly snap out of my thoughts "yeah of course, thank you Harley" I try to sound sweet and genuine but I think it came out over the top and sarcastic, almost.

"I'm getting real sick of your shit. Turning up at my work, what the fuck?" I quickly unplug the curler and pick up my phone as I speed walk down the hallway and into the lounge room.