The Stranger -Sequal To Vienna-

Chapter 4

Eddie's POV

This past week has been hectic, to say the least.

Dustin went back to school, which Steve has been taking him every day. Stevie has been working a lot more, she also says she is completely okay with the events recently but she's been on edge and looks exhausted.

She also seems really irritated with everyone checking in on her to see how she's doing. We are either at her house or my house every night.

I refuse to let Billy near her.

Speaking of that asshole. Nobody has seen him since the party, even Max said he wasn't at their house when she got home.

Hopefully, that means he's fucked off and went back into whatever deep shithole he decided to crawl out of. I can hope, right?

"How's your girl?"

"I'm sorry?" The sudden voice talking to me makes me realize where I am and what I am meant to be doing.

Wes stands in front of me out back of the Hideout. I stepped out back for a smoke after having a drink, Stevie mentioned possibly staying with Robin tonight and Dustin is hanging with his friends for the night, so I came here for a well needed drink. 

Mrs. Henderson also came back in town from work so if Dustin doesn't stay the night at one of the boys' houses, he won't be alone.  So I get the night off of my protection detail. Not that I hate spending a lot more time with the two of them. I need to be sure they are safe.

"How's your girl?" He repeats, holding out the money in his hand.

Wes is one of my regular buyers. We hang out from time to time when he's in the bar. He gets the same thing every week, just weed. He says it helps him sleep but I think he just likes to smoke a lot. I'm not complaining though. He's a nice guy. Keeps me in business.

"Yeah, she's good." I sigh, flicking my cigarette away and walking towards my van. I throw open the passenger side door and grab my metal lunch box from the floorboard.

"That's good to hear, she's pretty cool. No offense but-" Wes leans against the side of the van, "-How did you land that?"

I let out a laugh as I open the lunch box and I hand Wes his usual and he hands me the money, "No offense taken, my friend, I still have absolutely no idea how I managed to convince her to go out with me."

"Well, I was just asking because I heard that Hargrove was back in town, and with all the shit that happened? I just wanted to see how she was, like I said, she seems like a pretty cool girl," Wes explains as I set the money into the lunch box before closing it and returning it to the floor.

"It's been hectic but we're all good," I nod and then it hit me after he says that 'shit happened' and I ask, "What do you mean shit happened between them?"

"Well, there were rumors he was abusive to his girlfriend at the time and I don't know if it was Stevie, I just heard they dated for a time."

Stevie didn't tell me that.

Was he abusive to her? Surely she would have told me about that, "Honestly Wes, I don't know much about her relationship with Billy, I really couldn't have given a shit less about the popular kids in high school so I hardly paid attention to Billy and his circle of friends," I close the van door and lean against it, "I mean I remember that he had a girlfriend but I don't think it was Stevie. I also don't put much faith in rumors spread by horny high schoolers"

"You're probably right," Wes laughs, "Most of those rumors were spread by the girls and they would still jump Billy's bones at the drop of a hat if they got the chance." I laugh with Wes and nod my head, "Well I appreciate you man, as always. Tell Stevie I said Hey"

"I will." I smile and wave at Wes as he walks back into the bar.

I can't get what Wes said out of my head. Dustin had said that the relationship ended badly and Stevie took it hard but surely she would have told me. Since he's come back she just seemed upset that people are kind of babying her.

Stevie is way too strong.

My Stevie. My badass girlfriend who I've seen knock a grown man on his ass, maybe I'm just missing something or like I said to Wes, maybe we shouldn't put much faith in rumors.

I sigh and walk around to the driver's side of the van and climb in. I drive out of the parking lot toward my trailer. I think Uncle Wayne is at work so it'll just be me.

It doesn't take me long to pull in front of the trailer. The living room light is on which is a little strange because Uncle Wayne always makes sure the lights are off when he leaves for work. So I figure he must be home after all. I walk up the few steps to the door and when I step into the living room, I didn't see Uncle Wayne sitting in his recliner, "Hm, okay Wayne...getting a little forgetful in your old age." I laugh to myself.

I set my keys on the counter and go to grab a beer out of the fridge. Before I open the fridge though, I hear the faint sound of "Sacred Heart" by Dio coming from my bedroom. I slowly walk towards my room and peek my head inside the door.

There I saw Stevie.

She was lying on her stomach, reading the DnD campaign guide to Death's Ride, nodding along to Dio. She had stolen one of my shirts and put it on. By the black sleeves and the slight tear towards the bottom of the shirt, I could tell it was my Hellfire Shirt.

It was truly the most beautiful sight in the entire universe. "God, I love you." I say not even realizing it had come out of my mouth.

My eyes wide as I watch as Stevie turns her head to look at me and she says, "I love you too." before turning back to the book.

What? That's it?

That was slightly anticlimactic. I feel kinda rejected. I don't know why. She said it back but I still feel rejected. I walk over and sit next to her on the edge of the bed. When I don't say anything for a few minutes, she breaks the silence. "Eds? You okay?"

"You do realize what we just said right? For the first time? Ever."

"Yes?" She says confused, "What about it? We love each other."

"Yeah but usually when THAT phrase is said for the first time in a relationship it's a big deal, but it doesn't seem like that to you."

"You watch too many chick flicks, baby." Stevie laughs and closes the book.

"I'm being serious, Stevie!" I stand up and cross the room and stand in front of the stereo and pause the cassette.

"I know! I'm sorry I'm sorry!" She stands up and walks over to me but I can still see a small smile on her face. "It is a big deal."

"Well, obviously not!" I lean against the dresser behind me.

"It is." Stevie wraps her arms around my body and I wrap mine around her almost out of instinct, "Eddie, to be honest with you my reaction might not be over the top like the movies but that doesn't mean I don't mean it. Two years ago, I would have been terrified to even think about ever saying those words again, but you are so amazing. I have never felt anything as close to what I feel for you. You make me feel so loved and worthy of love. I never expected to ever feel that again but you make it so easy to say. I love you, Eddie Munson."  She leans in and kisses me. She brings her hands up to my face and as we pull away, she smiles.

"I love you, Stevie Henderson." I wrap my arms tighter around her in a hug.

"Okay! We love each other." She placed a short kiss on my lips and before I can deepen it, she pulls away and lays on the bed in the same position as before. "Now can you help me please understand what the hell is happening in this game?" She asks, opening the book again. I smile as I lay next to her and start explaining the campaign to her.

God, I'm actually in love.