Whiskey Bent & Hellbound *AU*

Chapter 31

Madison's POV

"Awww. You won me a bunny. Thank you." I gushed when Ryan handed me the plush animal. It was in one of those claw machine games where I spotted the pink stuffed bunny, and after I commented on how cute it was, I couldn't tell you how many dollar bills Ryan fed that machine, determined to snag the bunny I had my eye on. Despite all the cursing he muttered in regards to the machine, it really was the was the sweetest thing. He was trying and I appreciated that more than anything."

"Well, I heard you have a thing for rabbits." He grinned mischievously, and of course I blushed like a schoolgirl. Was it bad that I wanted to jump his bones right now? Sure, I already did that, and those moments were burned into my brain forever, but I really needed to pace myself. I was still working on forgiveness and trust with him. Yet he was so damn charming and so ridiculously hot, he was not making this easy on me. It also goes without saying that just the mention of rabbit had me squirming as I was flooded with memories of that night.

I never thought in a million years that I would be out, actually enjoying an evening in New Orleans, but after my father had been arrested, a huge weight had been lifted off of us and I felt like I could actually breathe again. It was decided amongst all of us that we deserved a night of fun. I was a little hesitant at the beginning, because Bourbon Street isn't exactly the kind of place for someone with a drinking problem. However, Ryan was perfectly content to drink water and soft drinks. I had to wonder if him having an actual drinking problem was possibly a bit of an exaggeration. Sure Ryan had had a few drinks over the last several days, yet not once had he become intoxicated. He had actually handled his liquor somewhat responsibly.

All night, I held his hand as we walked, shared a few hugs and little kisses. Yes, I know we were playing our parts, but it was more than that. It wasn't for show. He had went out of his way to let me know he had developed real feelings for me, and I was very cautiously giving into mine. However, I knew that it would take more than a stuffed bunny from a claw game to completely trust him. We were off to a good start though.

"Delana's coming in tomorrow. I told her she didn't have to, but she insisted." Kevin said, stuffing his phone into his back pocket."

"I'm not complaining. I can't wait to see her." I said to Kevin.

"She knows how you feel about being back home so she just wanted to offer a little moral support." He added.

I looked around at the massive crowds up and down the famed Bourbon Street. It was a far cry from Mount Prairie, the town I grew up in just a short forty five minutes away. A town along the river road that was so tiny, we didn't even have a stop light. There was the levee along River Road. One side street, a stop sign and a post office. I had grown up on the corner of that one stop sign in a fifty foot long rusted metal trailer. One that I constantly lived in fear would go up in a massive explosion thanks to my father. I can't help but think how differently my life would be had I not gotten out when I did.

"Hey...where'd you go just now?" Ryan asked, bringing my thoughts back to the present.

"Just stuck in the past, which is the last place I want to be." I shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts from my head. I need to focus on the present. And the future.

"That's all behind you Madi. You are brave, strong and successful. You are no longer that scared little girl you were back then. You did that. You took control of your life and made something out of it. You have a lot to be proud of." Ryan said, and my heart gave that familiar little flutter. I wondered how he understood me so well.

"You're right. Madison Boudreaux is the past, and that's where she is going to stay. Thank you."

"For what?" He asked.

"Just...thank you." I really didn't know how else to respond.

He kissed my cheek. "I'll be right back. I want to go and check something out."

He and Chase then disappeared into some little shop, while I spotted one I wanted to check out. This shop specialized in crystals, which I didn't know much about, but I know there are ones with healing powers. Stuff I had heard about cleansing your aura and helping you find inner peace type stuff. Maybe it was silly, but what could it hurt?

Reading the charts on the various crystals and the benefits they provided, I was drawn to four in particular. Onyx represented cleansing and strength. Obsidian was for protection and positivity. Topaz for honesty and forgiveness and emerald for healing, acceptance, renewal and growth. I purchased one of each individual crystal, as well as an onyx and obsidian bracelet. I had learned that the two stones together made for a powerful combination.

After paying for my purchases, I stepped out of the shop, and Ryan was waiting. In his hand was a plain white bag with handles, which he handed to me. I looked into the bag and flushed deep to my core. Inside was a box containing a pink rabbit vibrator. It appeared to be larger and way more powerful than my current one.

"Ry...you...I...uh." I stammered.

"Just promise you'll think of me when you use it." He smirked.

Well of course I would think of him, although I knew first hand, it wouldn't even come close to the real thing. I simply muttered "thanks" all the while continuing to blush. Thanks to his little gift, burning cheeks was the last of my concerns.

We hung out on Bourbon Street for a while. It was such a nice night and everyone seemed so different. Ryan was sweet. Chase was relaxed and Kevin happy. For a while, I thought I was okay. Or maybe I just desperately wanted to be, but it seemed like all of a sudden, the dark thoughts began creeping in. I just couldn't entirely shake off the bad feeling. It was like a palpable sense of dread and unease hung over me like a dark cloud. I halfway managed to convince myself that it was just my cautious nature. I fingered the onyx and obsidian bracelet on my wrist, trying to tap into the powers of cleansing, strength, protection and positivity. Maybe it was because I was skeptical of the whole crystal thing, but it just wasn't working. However, I put a smile on my face because I didn't want to be a Debbie Downer and spoil everyone's mood.

"Pretty." Ryan commented on my bracelet.

However, before I could reply, I saw Kevin look at his phone. His previous happy relaxed mood was gone. Now he looked tense, with worry and anxiety etched on his face.

"We need to get back. The police just informed me that Gerald has been released. They didn't have enough to hold him." Kevin informed us.

A/N: A bit of a short chapter, but I wanted to get this little bit of filler in.