Unexplainable [Original Version]

[chapter forty-six: "for so long"]

Chapter 46: "For So Long"
Jolene Milford's POV

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I roll over in bed for what seems like the twentieth time in the past hour and sigh. I feel so damn restless, and I've got this weird feeling in me that I can't shake. I know what it is; it's almost the anniversary of the day Thomas and I got divorced. It's been nearly eight years and I've come so far. I'm proud of myself.

As I glance down at Kev's big arm, which is wrapped loosely around my side, I can't help but smile. I love this sleeping man so very much, and really, I don't know where I would be without him. He's done so much for me, and I hope he realizes that.

I glance over at the clock on the wall and inwardly groan. I wish I could sleep, but I know that's not something that's going to happen right now. I'm extra careful as I slip out of bed, because I don't want to wake Kev up.

He's such a handsome motherfucker and he's loyal to me. I'm blessed.

I take a quick trip to the bathroom attached to Kev's bedroom before grabbing my cigarettes and my lighter off of my nightstand and heading outside. It occurs to me halfway through the living room that it's probably cold as fuck outside, so I sneak back in and grab one of Kev's hoodies. I slip it on and then go out on the back porch. I sit on the steps, with my back to the door.

I light myself up a smoke before bending over, where my elbows rest on my knees and my chin rests on one of my palms.

1997 has been one hell of a year, for better and for worse. I had my first injury in the business, but I also admitted my feelings to both Kev and Scott. Kev's made my life better each and every day since we started working towards our relationship, and I'm so glad that I have him. Scott? Fuck, I don't know if I even want to think about all of the shit he's been through this year.

I hope he's okay right now, and not drunk off of his ass or doing God-knows-what.

I take a long drag on my cigarette as my mind plays back through the damn angle with Scott, from the beginning to wherever the hell we're at now. I really don't think that it will last much longer, because the crowd doesn't seem to be as into us as they once were. Or, maybe that's just me misreading things because I want this catastrophe to end? I'm not sure at this point.

The cigarette I've been smoking is starting to reach it's end, so I haul my ass up and look for something to use as an ash tray. I head back inside for just a moment to grab an empty beer bottle to use from the top of the trash, then return to my previous position.

I find myself lost in thoughts of the chaotic year of 1997 until I hear the door open behind me. I turn around and see Kev walking over to me. By the wobbly way he moves, I can tell he's just now starting to fully wake up.

"There you are, girly. I wondered where the fuck you went." I love the tired little chuckle that Kev does after he speaks. "I woke up to go piss and you were gone."

"Sorry, babe." I give him a grin. I scoot over, so that he can sit beside of me. "I just couldn't sleep."

"So you decide to come freeze your pretty little ass off out here?" Kev jokes. "I know you're used to some pretty bad winters in Virginia, but you've not experienced how fuckin' bad it can get here in Michigan."

Kev wraps an arm around my shoulders and I instantly lean over close to him. His presence is just so comforting to me, and honestly, I hadn't noticed that I had gotten as cold as I had until his warmth started to overtake me.

"I guess we'll just have to find ways to keep warm then, huh?" I wink at Kev and he laughs.

"I mean, I'm all up for fucking to keep from freezing, but I think we'd be a lot better off just staying indoors." Kev places a kiss on the top of my head. I shrug and then smile at him.