The Fighter

Chapter 20

Greg was awake when I woke up. He was just quietly laying there holding me. I could tell he was thinking something. "What's wrong?" I asked rubbing my eyes. "Nothing." He looked at me and faked a smiled. "Greg, seriously. What's on your mind?" "I told my Dad and Step- mom how we're dating and my dad was okay with it, because he knows you, but she freaked out. I fought with her and then I came here. I really was dying to see you, especially after that. They pissed me off, and you make me happy. You calm me down." He held me tighter. "Pete, I mean your dad is okay with it?" "Yes, he couldn't believe it. He said that you could probably kick my ass into gear like you did to Kyle, Jet, and even John."

"John came here last night and called me telling me to come outside he had to talk to me. We went for a ride and he freaked because Kyle told him about us. He didn't think it was a good idea. He was afraid you'd hurt me, and that you couldn't handle me having Avery." I sighed. "Yeah, my step-mom is worried about you hurting me and how I was going to handle having a girlfriend with a kid too." "I won't hurt you. I can promise you that. Avery is my sister, it's not like she's my child. I still can't push her off on anyone because she is my responsibility. I chose this." "I know, and I know that it'll be tough sometimes, but we can do it. Don't worry Mickie, I can handle it. And I can promise you that I won't hurt you. I know you think that it's too soon, but I do love you and I think I have found the one that I want for the rest of my life." "I do think it's too soon, but you are really serious about this?" I asked to make sure. "Yes. I am." He kissed me and I smiled.

Gavin and Julie got up and were getting ready to go up the hospital. I was going with Greg to the station to do some work there and then heading up to the hospital a little bit later. We rode over to the station in my truck. My Grandma is staying one more night in Hommel with Avery, then they are coming home tomorrow. I've missed my little sister so much, and it kills me to be away from her, but with Dad back "around" and in the state he's in, I'd rather she wasn't here around all of this. We pulled in to the parking lot and Kyle's truck was there along with Jet and John's. Harry, Pete, and a few other guys were there. We walked in and everyone was in the office. "Hey!" Pete smiled to us. "So, I'm assuming that I know where you went last night." He turned toward Greg and laughed. "Yeah, what can I say? I can't stay away." He shrugged. I looked around and realized that Kyle wasn't in the room. Jet and John were just sitting around the table watching us. "Are you going to say hi to me or continue staring at me like I'm a freak?" I spoke up sitting down at the table next to them. "It's not like you'd hear me anyway." John commented. Jet hit his arm. "Hi, Mickie." Jet smiled to me. At least he was being nice. "Alright kids, we're heading out." Harry picked up some papers and then he, Pete, and the other older guys left. "Where are they going?" I asked. "They're going out to Rocky Point for the day. "That's like 4 hours away." I did the math in my head. "Yeah, they have some safety seminar or something." John shrugged. "That's fun. Where is Kyle? His truck is here, but I don't see him." I moved on. "He's in the truck bay with Tessa." Jet pointed.

Greg sat next to me and we all just sat in silence for a while. "So, are you going to join yet?" I heard Kyle ask Tessa. "No, I couldn't do this. It's not me." She laughed and they came in the office. Kyle like completely ignored the fact that I was there. I think it was because I didn't listen to him or John and he's pissed. "Hi to you too Ky." I was pissed and I was ready to blow. "Hi." He mumbled. Tessa shot me a dirty look. "Hey, I think we should go wash some hose or something." Jet got up. "Yeah, I agree." Greg kissed me and went out to the truck bay with Jet. "Why aren't you going?" I turned to John. "Because of you. I know you." He reminded me. "Are you all going to be pissed at me because I'm dating Greg?" I asked. "I'm not pissed because you're with him, I'm pissed that you ignored what I said to you. Did you even try and stay away from him? No, because you didn't want to and you do whatever you want." "I don't have to stay away from him if I don't want to! I love you guys with all of my heart, but this is my life! And who I date is none of your business!" "It is, when I'm the one who's going to pick up the pieces." "You don't know that's going to happen!" "You don't know that it's not going to! We know him better than you do! He's young and reckless. Do you think that he gives a shit about Avvy? No I can tell you right now that he doesn't!" "Shut up Kyle! I could say a million and one things about your precious girlfriend, but I won't because you're my best friend and I won't do that!" I said that in front of her and I could care less if I did or not.

"Like what?!" Tessa got involved. "Like you are no better than what he claims Greg is. You are the worst man-eater there is!" "Oh I am? You left my brother for this jack off and he still loves you after everything that you did to him." "I did NOTHING to your brother Tessa, shut the hell up! I never left him for John! John and I were friends for a while before and after I dated Jet! We got together months after Jet broke up with me!" "Yeah, sure that's not what I heard. "Oh, that's not what you heard? How could you have possibly heard anything back then with your head up Cameron's ass! And what did he do to you? Oh that's right, he cheated on your low life ass!" "You know nothing!" "Just like you sweat heart!" "I don't understand why they ever let you take care of your sister, you're going to turn her into a slut just like you!" that was the last straw. "Shut the hell up! Don't you talk about Avery like that! You little bitch!" I was going to claw her eyes out but John caught me before I could get to her. "It's not worth getting kicked out for!" he pulled me outside. He was stronger and bigger than me, but I used his size to my advantage. "Kyle get Tessa out!" John commanded. "Come on." He pulled her out to the truck bay. "Let me go John!" I struggled to get out, he pulled me outside and threw me in his truck. "Stop! Right now! Mickie breathe! Just breathe!" He held me in there. It took me a while, but I calmed down.

"Are you okay?" John asked. "No, she should have not said anything about Avery! I'm not a slut John! I'm not!" I was still freaking a little bit. "I know. Mickie, I know you are not a slut or anything like that! I know you. You've only dated a few guys in your entire lifetime. You've only slept with two. Unless you and Greg have..." He paused waiting for me to fill in that gap. "No, we haven't." "See, she was trying to get to you. Avery is going to grow up to be perfectly fine. You've done great so far, and it's not going to change. You were right, we are wrong to get into your relationship like that. Maybe we are wrong, maybe he won't hurt you. You are right and I'm sorry." He honestly meant it. Who is this guy and what has he done with John. He really has changed. I wouldn't mind having him as my friend like this. "It's okay John." I hugged him.

"Mickie! Gavin just called! Your dad isn't doing so well. We should get up there." Greg came out. "Okay, let's go." "Call me later and let me know what happens." John let me out of his truck. "I will." I ran to my truck. I went to get in the driver's seat. "No, you are in no condition to drive." "Okay." I got in and slide over to the middle. "Are you okay? Kyle said things got pretty heated with Tessa. Jet yelled at her." "Yeah, I'm fine. John dragged me outside to calm down. She said something about Avery that I couldn't let her get away with." I sighed. "Say no more, I get it." He smiled and grabbed my hand. I leaned on him and turned up the radio. The song we used for my mom's funeral came on and I lost it. I felt like she was with me.