For You // R.G.

Chapter 18

"Yeah, I think it's best if you stay with Carl.. It'd give Lori some peace of mind." Rick spoke to me as I was getting my handgun ready to look for Sofia. I looked at Rick, I tried not to scream at the top of my lungs, declaring my hatred for Lori.

"Rick-"

"Look, I know you never really warmed to her but she's my wife and she's gone through hell and back-"

All I could think about was Lori and Shane at the CDC. I bit my tongue to prevent myself from saying anything.

Maybe he would thank you for telling him that his wife screwed his best friend...

Maybe he'll thank you in bed-

"Rick, I couldn't care less about Lori, I'm the one who performed the surgery and I say hes fine." I say flatly. Rick looked hurt at what I just said.

"Why do you hate her?"

"For the love of God, I do not hate Lori!" I exclaimed loudly

"Then why are you so mean to her?" He asked, defending her. I rolled my eyes

"Look, you can't force me to stay here because you don't want me to get hurt or whatever- I'm 23, I'm not a child anymore. I can handle myself-"

"What?" he was confused at the part where I said he didn't want me to get hurt.

"You told me some things back at the CDC when you were drunk." I said when I finally mustered enough courage to admit it to him. I looked at him, he looked nervous as to what he said to me.

"Whatever I said.. it wasn't true. I'm just saying that if you looked out for Carl today, I'd appreciate it." He said after a few moments of contemplating what I said. I felt my heart break when he said to forget about what he told me at the CDC. Maybe it was just the alcohol. He looked away knowing he had hurt me

"Max-" He tried to make it seem not as bad, but I was sick of hearing his voice.

"Leave me alone." I say in a cold tone. I didn't even look at him, I knew he was upset too.

"Fine." he snapped, he walked away.

....

"You're not going to help find Sofia?" Sena asked a little surprised. I kept walking towards the house

"Yeah, why?" I asked a little annoyed. I didn't want to stay back with Carl but if it made Rick happy then, yeah I'd do it.

"But... Why?" She asked still not seeing why I had broke my rebellious streak against ricks orders.
"Because Rick thinks it would be better if I stayed with Carl to make sure Lori doesn't burn down the damn house." I exaggerated

"What?" She asked still confused

"He thinks Lori will be more calm and happy if I stay and babysit Carl's pee bag."

"Hmm." She said interested. I looked at her

"Is there something you want to say?"

"Oh... Nothing."

I started to walk away to look after Carl when she ran to me

"Okay, wait." She said. I turned to look at her

"Do you think he may just be doing this to make sure you're safe?" She asked. I sighed, thinking about what he said a few moments earlier

"No, he said that whatever he told me at the CDC was nothing." I say

"Maybe he's just saying that because of Lori."

"Or maybe it's because he was wasted and I was there with him." I say doubtfully. I looked at her a little while longer then opened Carl's door to see Lori sitting in the chair next to his bed. Carl was asleep. She looked up at me, she had tears running down her cheeks. She wiped them away, embarrassed.