Unfinished Business: Book 2

Something Strange

When Eddie and Nora walk outside the record store, they don't see Johnny's car, so Nora takes out her keys to seal the back door. While she locks the bolts, Eddie notices something on Nora's car, which means it's a letter from Nathaniel and Jessica. Eddie clears his throat, "Princess?" He says, and Nora looks over her shoulder, "Yes, baby?" She asks and notices the concern in his chestnut eyes, "Eddie, what is it?" She asks again, and Eddie sighs, "There's another one." He answers. Nora closes her eyes and shakes her head because, as expected, her perfect morning has gone to shit. Nora pulls her keys out from the deadbolt and sighs, "Son of a fucking bitch!" She screams before punching the brick wall, which makes Eddie jump. He watches her go to hit again and quickly grabs her hand to pull her into his chest, "Nora, calm down. I'm right here, okay? Breathe, please." He pleads while holding Nora, who is shaking in his arms.

As Eddie holds Nora tighter, she can tell by her breathing that she is on the verge of snapping. Nora rests her head against Eddie's chest as she cries, "I can't keep doing this, Eddie. I just can't." She whispers through her sobs, and Eddie kisses Nora's head, "I know, baby, I know," He reassures her before lifting her chin, "But hey, listen to me. I'm not going to let them hurt you. I promise I will, Nora." He whispers before wiping away her tears. Nora weakly smiles as she feels Eddie rub his thumbs across her cheek, "I want it to be over. I want them to leave me alone and let me move on with my life." She says before falling into Eddie's chest again. While Eddie holds and listens to her, he sees Johnny's Camaro pulling into the parking lot. As Johnny steps out of the car, Eddie quickly shakes his head before Johnny can say anything. Johnny raises a brow, and Eddie points at Nora's car, to which Johnny follows the line of sight and shakes his head before taking the letter off the car window.

While still being held close in Eddie's arms, Nora turns her head to see Johnny going to put the letter in his pocket, but she shakes her head, "Give it to me, Johnny." She says while holding out her hand. Johnny raises a brow as he pauses, "You sure, Nor?" He asks, and Nora nods, "Yeah. I'm sure, Johnny. I promised my dad that I would give him the next one if it ever came, and it did." She replies, and Johnny nods as he gives Nora the letter. Nora wipes away the tears as she leaves Eddie's embrace before giving her keys to him, "Come on, babe. We are going to be late." She says as she walks away and pats Johnny's shoulder. After Nora gets into the car, Eddie and Johnny share a look, "Do you think it's a good idea for Nora to go to school today, Ed?" Johnny asks, and Eddie shakes his head, "I can't tell her what to do, Johnny. My girl is too stubborn," He chuckles with a shrug, "Besides, Nora isn't letting them stop her life." He says while swinging Nora's keychain. Johnny crosses his arms and nods, "Alright, but if anything else happens, bring her here or the police station." He says, and Eddie gives him a thumbs up as he walks past him to get in the car.

While Eddie puts the keys in the ignition, Nora rests her head on Eddie's shoulder and sighs, "You okay, baby?" He asks, and Nora nods, but that's not good enough for Eddie, "Words, Princess." He says. Nora takes a deep breath and meets Eddie's gaze, "I'm okay because I have you as my knight in shining armor." She smiles, and Eddie kisses her forehead, "Let me see your hand, Princess." He says as he takes Nora's hand to see that it is red but not bruised. Eddie shakes his head as he looks at Nora, "Are you Wonder Woman or something?" He asks, and Nora laughs, "Well, I'm wonderful, aren't I?" She teases before kissing Eddie's cheek. Suddenly they hear Johnny gagging over the roaring engine of Nora's Mustang and flip him off. They laugh when they see Johnny return the same gesture before turning around to lock the doors. Eddie raises a brow as he takes Nora's hand, "Ready, Princess?" He asks, and Nora nods, "Ready, honey." She whispers before kissing his cheek again.

As Eddie pulls out of the back parking lot of the record store, Nora turns on the radio to hear Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd playing. As usual, Nora begins singing the song, forgetting that Eddie is in the car, hearing her. Eddie smiles as he listens to her sing, wondering if there is a song that she doesn't know. He does hide his smile because this isn't the first time Nora has done this. She always begins singing whatever is playing and quickly forgets whenever Eddie is in the car or on the radio at the store. While Nora continues singing the melody, Eddie taps his thumb on Nora's hand, which catches Nora's attention, "I did it again, didn't I?" She asks while turning the radio down, to which Eddie nods, "Yes, but you sound beautiful, Princess." He compliments her before kissing Nora's hand.