"Still Just A Screw Up, Carver" - Eddie Munson & Y/N Sequel

FOURTEEN ~ I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Wont Do That)

"Eddie I can't do this!" My protests fall on deaf ears as he only chuckles at my cowardice, passing me my Family Video vest and purse with a raised brow and glaring grin.
"Yes. You can. And you're going to!" He forces my belongings into my hands as he tries to usher me towards the front door. Todays the first day back at work since, well, since the incident. I haven't spoken a single word to Robin or Steve since I came back from my self-exile, Eddie told me they helped look for me and both seemed worried about me but I hadn't stepped foot in the store since the day I'd collapsed. I'd managed to actively avoid work for months by telling Eddie I wasn't up to it or I wanted to be there for Jason and Chrissy since their baby was born, but eventually he argued the positives for me returning and fuck, he was right. But it still didn't make it any easier!
"The kids are at school all day... if I stay home we could christen the couch..." it was a cheap shot, but it was an easy one. I'm not proud of it, but I knew it was an offer he'd never pass up... or so I thought.
"Nice try, temptress. We've christened that couch more times than the Pope's blessed newborn babies. You're going to work." - damn this new libido, I was quickly running out of unsullied places to bribe him with.

My protests continued as he marched me down the driveway and practically forced me into the car. "I will not hesitate to press charges for kidnapping, Munson!" my empty threat just makes him roll his eyes and chuckle harder as he locks the doors and starts reversing off the drive. Pulling up to the store I could feel my chest tightening around my rapidly pounding heart, my brow becomes a mess with sweat at the thought of walking in and seeing Steve and Robin who I know are both working today too. "Please, please don't make me do this, Ed's." I covered my tearful face with my shaking hands, I felt nauseous and dizzy, like even the thought of walking through the door was gonna make me pass out.
"You're going to be fine. Please, just trust me. When have I ever lied to you?" he grabbed my hands from my face and pulled me into his chest in such force it winded him, but he didn't care, barely even flinched. He hated himself for making me face my fears and go to work today, but he knew he was right when he told me this morning that I'd never go back if I didn't rip off the bandaid and just do it. "If it gets too much, call home and I'll come get you. But I know you'll be just fine. Okay?" He rocked us lightly side to side as his calloused hand stroked my back.
"Okay." I sniffled, "But you'll be here to get me at 4 exactly, right?" I jabbed my finger into his stomach as I made him promise he'd be here,
"Yes! I promise. Now, time to put on your big girl pants and go to work." He kissed me softly and watched closely as I got out of the car and headed into the store, blowing me a kiss as I paused for breath before opening the doors.

The store was deserted and there was no sign of Robin or Steve at the counter or by the shelves, I knew someone had to be here as the radio was on and rumbling some shitty pop music through the store. "Carver?!" Robin sprung up from behind a shelf at the far end of the store, scaring the crap outta me.
"Jesus Buckley! You should wear a bell or something!" I clutched my chest as I pulled myself back from the ledge of a panic attack, she smirked and came running across the store to hug me.
"Deal! But no more Houdini shit, okay? Next time you feel like going camping on your own, maybe send out signal that you're alive? Y'know; a smoke signal, SOS morse code, carrier pigeon?!" she chuckled, her grip around my neck was strangulating - like a viper catching its prey.
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry." I giggled coyly, "I-is he here?" I asked looking carefully around the store,
"Harrington? Yeah, he's out back. H-he won't admit it, but... he was worried about you, like really worried when you went awol. I don't think I've ever seen him like that, well except when you were in the hospital." she looked as though she had something else to say, and I had a hunch what it was.

"A-and after, when I- when we, uh, w-when-" I didn't wanna ask it, but I had to, thankfully Robin knew what I was trying to say and helped me out,
"When the daddy was discovered? Yeah, he, uh, he was fucking mess... grieved pretty hard for a kid that wasn't his. Sorry, that came out wrong! I meant that, he was crushed about what happened, even if it was Eddie's." Usually Robin was charming when she turned into a stammering mess, but all this did was remind me of why I didn't wanna come back to work. If I couldn't get through a conversation with Robin about it, how the fuck was I gonna talk to Steve?
"It's okay, Robin. I get it. I'm sorry for you getting stuck in the middle of it all, but thank you for looking after Steve." I hugged her tightly again as I braced myself for my next conquest - talking to Steve.
"Take as long as you need, I'll hold the fort out here." She took my purse and coat and tucked them away behind the counter before brushing my hair out of my face and shooing me off toward the back room.