Forever Strong (Book 7 in Nemi Forever Series)

Chapter 17

Nick

I was exhausted after I relived my nightmare, telling Cavanaugh what happened in the course of one day. He hugged me in a tight embrace when I finished. "There's no way anyone is going to believe this, Nick." He said, after he let go of me.

We were on his back porch & I was drinking a much needed beer. "Thanks, man. I'm worried someone will believe it. It's gonna haunt me, I'm afraid."

Cav made a face & emphatically shook his head. "No. Never gonna happen. You will be cleared of this nonsense tomorrow I bet."

I took a swig of my beer, then a puff of my cigar. "I hope so." I puffed on my cigar some more & relaxed as I let the smoke circle my head. "Damn, it's been a long time since I've had a cigar. I needed this." I gave him a weak smile & held up my beer. "And this."

"Yea, I can imagine, after the day you had. I'm really sorry this is happening, man. What the fuck? You think her mom is coaxing her?"

"I've never met the woman, but from what Ellie tells me, she isn't a good person."

"She probably is gonna try to get money from ya, somehow." He held up his cigar. "Mark my words."

I sighed. "You're probably right."

"You're bothered by something, my friend. I can read it on your face." Cav said, leaning forward to watch my face.

I shook my head & took a swig of my beer. "What are you talking about? I'm bothered by all of this."

"You're worried Demi's gonna believe it, aren't you?"

I swallowed, not answering him. I just took a drink of my beer, then a puff of my cigar.

I heard coughing & Demi's voice. "I will let this cigar slide, Jonas. But you might want to put it out, so your unborn son doesn't suffer any damage from the second hand smoke." She said as she came onto the back porch, a soft smile on her face. Leave it to my wife to make me smile & forget all the shit that had gone on in the last several hours. All it took was hearing her voice & seeing her smile, if even just a little one.

I put the cigar out in the ashtray as Demi came up behind me, resting her hand on my shoulder. I grabbed her hand in mine & smiled, sheepishly at her. "Sorry, sweetie. I was trying to relax."

Demi leaned to kiss my cheek, then sat in the chair next to me. "You're forgiven. I know you had a bad day." Demi grinned over at Cav, then back at me. "What's he looking like that for?" She asked, pointing to Cav over her shoulder.

I shrugged my shoulders & took another drink of my beer. Cav cleared his throat. "Demi, do you believe any of this bullshit to be true?" Cav asked.

Demi made a face & shook her head. "Of course, not." She looked at me, then. "You think I believe it? I told you I never for even a second...." Her eyes filled with tears.

"I know that's what you said, but I was still a little fearful. I'm sorry." I shrugged.

"Nicholas Jerry. You would never hurt a child, especially that way. I know this whole thing is coming from Karleigh's mom & believe me when I say, I am getting to the bottom of it."

"No, you're not." I shook my head. "Let the police handle it."

"Yea, they aren't doing much right now." Demi let out a groan. "Karleigh should have been removed from that home immediately."

"Totally agree." Cav said. Cav changed the subject after that, figuring I'd probably want to talk about something else. Demi & I headed to bed a little later, in one of Cav's guest rooms.