Two Steps Behind

Part 25

 Elizabeth watched as Eddie and the guys finished up their sound check for the show tonight. Corroded Coffin still played at The Hideout every Tuesday. The crowd that used to only contain five drunks now had half the town. Everyone had finally realized how amazing they were, and they all looked forward to their performance every week. Elizabeth's heart swelled at the sight of them finally getting a fraction of the recognition those talented boys deserved.

Jimmy, the owner, walked over and gave Elizabeth a big hug. It had been years since she had seen him last. She had stopped coming to shows after David. He'd attended one with her and did not enjoy himself, saying the music was just noise. Then, somehow, he always had something planned for them on Tuesdays so she couldn't go either.

Jimmy had been the first person to really give Eddie and the guys a shot back in the day, offering them a spot on Tuesdays after another band canceled. Elizabeth had always appreciated him for it and she knew Eddie and the guys did too. He had seen the talent they had, just like she did, and had given them the venue to display it.

"Elizabeth Beck, damn it's good to see you in here again," he said, grinning, holding her at arm's length.

"It's good to be here. I've really missed this place," she responded. "I have missed watching them play."

"They're damn good. They bring in quite a crowd every single Tuesday. Word got out how good they are finally and I had to add extra staff on Tuesdays to keep up with the demand. You won't hear me complaining, though. Eddie and the guys are good for business."

"I saw. I was actually here at a show a few weeks ago but I missed you. I may have gotten a bit drunk," she admitted sheepishly. "I don't remember much of it, to be honest, so I am very excited to actually see the show tonight."

"Well, you enjoy it. Whatever you want is on the house, darling. Anything for my favorite guy's favorite girl," he winked, touching her arm.

"Thanks."

Elizabeth leaned against the bar, watching Eddie as he directed the sound guys to make some adjustments. His fingers moved over the guitar, testing again and giving them a thumbs up. He caught her looking at him and winked at her and her heart skipped a beat or two.

Eddie had been stuck to her side like glue for the past week, ever since she had shared with him about the photo. She loved being close to him, but it was getting a bit ridiculous. He was depending more and more on his other employees at the store. She tried to assure him she would be fine on her own for a bit, but he was not hearing it. He even seemed hesitant to leave her alone with her mom anymore. He had spent the last few nights sleeping over at her moms house, wanting to make sure they were both safe.

She could not love him more. He was genuinely her knight in shining armor...or maybe her knight in leather and denim, which was so much better in her opinion. After being with a man who made it his sole purpose to destroy her, it was pure bliss being with someone who wanted to protect her at all costs. After being with someone who relished making her cry, it was euphoria to be with someone who went out of their way to make her smile. She just wished she wasn't smashing his life into bits along with her own. He had a thriving business, and she didn't want him to lose that because he was focusing too much of his time on her. She didn't want him to wind up resenting her because she'd blown up his life as well as her own.

He had kept his promise to her thus far. Eddie had not sought out David. She had felt the tension in his body after they got home that night, every muscle stretched taut, his body unyielding under her touch. Elizabeth had done her best to ease that tension from his body, the way he always did for her, but she had feared he would still do something. She'd never seen him so angry in all the years she had known him.