Flaws

Chapter 19 - Getting Comfortable

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open." - John Barrymore

A few days later Violet was released from Saint Thomas and, as promised, had a room at Hazel's waiting for her. It was bare, her clothing and personal effects still at Trevor's, but she loved it nonetheless.

"Thank you, Hazel." She grimaced as she sat on the edge of the bed. "It'll be like old times, right?"

"Let's hope not," she laughed. "I'm heading over to get your shit with Chibs and then I'll start dinner."

"You don't have to," Violet said quickly. "I was gonna say to, uhh, spend some time with Chibs."

Hazel rolled her eyes. "The creep is coming over?"

"He has a name," she said firmly, "And yes, if you're okay with it, he said he wanted to come by."

"I'll gladly be at Chibs' then," Hazel scoffed. "I'll get your crap and then head out. Cool?"

Violet smiled and nodded. "Yeah, sounds good."

--

Impatiently, Chibs waited by the curb while Hazel headed up to Trevor and Violet's apartment. It would be a smoother process without him there and he knew that but he still hated her up there no matter how close they were. Chibs didn't trust the man plain and simple.

"You talk to her?" Trevor asked, refusing to help, as Hazel gathered her sister's belongings.

"I did," Hazel trying not to look at him.

"And you're okay with this?"

"She's an adult, Trev," Hazel snapped. "You've been with her forever, it started for a shitty reason and you can't expect her to not wonder. I know my sister loves you but have you wondered how much of your relationship was originally built on fear?"

He shook his head, unhappy with her explanation, and grabbed Hazel to force her full attention. "We didn't start dating until after he was dead. She had nothing else to be afraid of."

"Get off me," she yanked her arm from him. "I'm still scared. Everyday. It doesn't just disappear like that."

"Hazel," Trevor reached for her again but she was too fast.

"Don't touch me," she spat bitterly. "Who the fuck are you? Grabbing me like that?"

"You don't understand," he stepped closer to her, arms at his sides, but she suddenly didn't trust him.

Hazel shoved him back against the window, the glass cracking loudly, and shook her head, glaring at him.

"Hazel, you-"

"Don't," she warned as Chibs pounded on the door.

"Hazel?"

"Yeah," she reached back and let him in without taking her eyes off Trevor. "I'm okay."

"Get the rest of her shite," he said harshly. "I'll watch him."

Trevor laughed ruefully. "You're all gonna regret this shit, the girls and you're fucking club."

"That a threat?" Chibs growled. "No one threatens my club or my girl, don't do it again."

Trevor knew he had little choice in that moment. He raised his hands in surrender and remained silent as Hazel gathered the rest of Violet's things and left with Chibs behind her.

--

Later that night Tig arrived at the girls' apartment while Hazel and Chibs had dinner outside of Charming. It was a small Spanish place, dimly lit with colorful walls, and the new couple held hands across the table.