Man with the Bat || a Negan novel

Chapter 34: Not Your Average Board Meeting

"Honey, I can get a fucking cup of coffee by myself," Negan groaned in annoyance as I poured the steaming liquid into a mug for him. I shot him a look I had grown used to giving him over the course of these past couple of weeks. A look that said, "sit down and let me care for you, you bastard."

He sighed in defeat as I turned to hand him the mug, rolling his eyes at me, which I smirked at in return. Then I turned back to the pot to fix my own mug, I could feel his eyes on me as I did so, which I side eyed him for. But he just continued to stare at me until I turned back around.

"What?" I questioned, just earning a shake of his head from him.

"Nothing," he sighs as he places his one good arm around me, pulling my body into him, "C'mon."

Negan and I walked linked together through the compounds, myself greeting various people as we went. After I had returned, I came to realize just how many people I had connected with upon my previous stay. The amount of familiar faces and, "hey, you're back,"s that I received were mildly overwhelming. I guess I hadn't realized how accustomed to everything I had grown to until I left and came back. It was nice though, made me feel as if I hadn't completely just given up a entire home like I had.

To be honest, I missed it. I missed Alexandria, the familiar surroundings, my family - but I was doing this because I loved them. I had to remember that when my heart ached to hold Judith in my arms or watch the sunrise with Carl. I did this because I love them.

And yes, part of me did love Negan, but that wasn't why I did this.

"Rick's comin' today," Negan tells me, my feet stopping in my tracks.

"Coming where?" I question, brows furrowing in confusion, "here?"

He nods.

"Why?"

He takes a long drink of the bitter liquid, pressing his lips together before saying, "It's our first arranged, meeting," he said the word meeting as if it was revolting. Like it was absolutely disgusting that he had to have an arranged meeting with someone. I mean, Negan wasn't the type of guy to have meetings. He was the type of guy to sit down with someone, offer them a drink, hear their ideas, and then smash their heads in.

I tilt my head as I endearingly stare up at him, I could tell by his expression that this was internally paining him. He was only doing this because I agreed to come back on a few conditions. I wanted to be able to see those I had grown to known as my family. But did they want to even see me was the question.

I sigh, pressing up on my tip toes and placing a kiss at the bottom of his chin. My way to say thank you and to motivate him through all of this. His jaw remains firm in agitation. Myself frowning at his hostile ways.

"Hey," I sigh, grabbing a hold of his chin, attempting to turn it down to me. But he resists and holds it steady, his gaze focused on the fog surrounding the evergreens past the fence. I wrap my arm around his middle, forcing him to hug me instead. "Thank you for doing this."

He remains silent, but his hand finds it way to my shoulder, pulling me closer to him.

"I'm only doing it because I love you," he quietly sighs, the tension in his gaze ever so overflowing. I smile as I nuzzle into his side, enjoying the warmth he provided and the familiar leathery scent of him.

"I know you are," I recognize, peering up at him through doe eyes as I admired him. He peered down at me, resisting a smile at my gracious face.

"And I love you too," I confirm, knowing he's silently waiting for me to say those words he so secretly loves to hear. At that, he can't help but to smile as I press a kiss to the base of his chin again, recognizing the feel of his beard slowly beginning to grow back.