Addicted to You (Devils Right Hand MC #3)

Chapter 15

Gabby's POV

Trauma heals the same way a broken bone does. When you actually break it, most of the time it doesn't hurt. The shock of the event causes adrenaline to pump through you so the pain receptors are overridden by sheer panic. It's when everything calms down and you are left alone with your thoughts that the pain becomes unbearable. Then, everybody starts throwing solutions at you. Take this pill. Put ice on it. No, put heat on it. Rub vinegar on it. No, try this herbal supplement. Everybody has an opinion on how you should heal, but they all mean well. Because the truth is though you are the one with the broken bone, your real family feels the same pain you do.

The healing process is slow. And the swelling makes it hard to fit into your old life so you don't. You have to find a life that accommodates your swollen psyche and even though it may be a little uncomfortable, it's bearable. Then when you least expect it, it heals. Completely heals and you no longer feel the break and it no longer controls you, it's just something that used to be.

My trauma is finally healed. Well, the Hank part at least. It wasn't an easy process and it took a while for me to feel comfortable in my apartment, but now I don't even bat an eye at night. It's been almost a month since the incident and now my bruises are just faded shadows on my skin and the soreness is almost completely gone. I have gone back to work full-time in the bar and my life is seemingly back to normal.

"Here's the itinerary for this week. I have color coated and labeled everything by person," Amber barks as she hands out a stack of papers to each of us. It's the week of Driver and Shorty's wedding and everybody has warned me about how crazy Amber gets. I'm sure the pregnancy will only make it worse, so I am trying to prepare myself.

"Why is it four pages?" Grace groans as Amber hands me a copy.

"One page per day, duh," Amber says as if it's obvious.

"Please tell me I don't have a fucking to-do list," Driver groans.

"Course not, you're the groom. You're only job to smell nice and put on those jeans," Amber quips with a look of fake disgust. Shorty stuck to her guns and they are having a very laid-back wedding so the guys are wearing jeans and a black button-up shirt, much to Amber's dismay.

"Is my job more extensive than that?" Shorty asks.

"No, just get drunk at the bachelorette party and be up by 8 to start getting ready at 9. You just get to sit and drink champagne while we do your hair and makeup," Amber replies. Amber went to beauty school and she used to be an assistant to a bridal makeup artist in the area but she quit a while ago. I think it was right around the time of Grease's motorcycle accident and she's been working at the bar ever since. Which is great for the girls because they have their own live in makeup artist and hair stylist in one.

"Drunk?" Driver asks with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes drunk, it's her last night of freedom," Grace laughs.

"Better not be too free," Driver mutters.

"I could say the same for you," Shorty chuckles.

"Okay, everyone look at the list and memorize it. I want everything done 30 minutes before it's supposed to be. I want perfection this week, you got it?" Amber threatens. With a chuckle, I look at my list and surprisingly it's not too bad. Just help with flowers when they arrive on Thursday, help manage the set up of the ceremony space, and be on 'bucket duty' the morning of the wedding. Shorty has called me the unofficial fourth bridesmaid since I came into the fold so recently but I am happy to do anything I can to make this day perfect. They deserve it.

"Where's Axe?" Amber asks as she still holds one list in her hand, presumably Axe's list. It's funny, Grease came back a little while ago but Axe wasn't with him. I keep expecting him to come through the doors covered in grease and sweat but he never does.