Tough as Nails

Chapter 17

      I woke to the sound of laughter in the living room.  I looked next to me to find Kade's spot empty.  I couldn't fight the smile spreading across my face.  I couldn't believe he held me last night.  I could get use to that.  I slowly began getting out of bed.  I was still sore as hell.  Maybe a hot shower would help loosen my muscles.  I started walking toward the living room when I heard them whispering.  I froze in my tracks to listen.

    "I think you're moving to fast."  Aspen scolded him.  "You already slept with her last night."

    "Correction, I slept in the bed with her last night.  She had a nightmare.  What was I supposed to do tell her 'sorry about your luck but I can't sleep in here even though you asked me because it's to soon'.  I don't think so.  She needed me there, so I was there.  I'll be there anytime she asks me to be.  Aspen, I love her and you know that.  I'm not going to do anything to hurt her ever again."  Kade said standing by the counter.

    "You better not.  What I did last time will be nothing compared to what I do this time."  Aspen warned.

    "Did you guys call your dads yet?"  Kade asked Zander and Cameron. 

    "Yeah,  we had to tell them a little bit of what happened."  Zander said rubbing his neck.  "We didn't want to tell them anything because it's her story to tell,  but we had to let them know what to be prepared for." 

    "You did what you had to do.  You know Everleigh will understand.  She just wants to protect her dad."  Kade reassured them.

    I walked down the hall giving a dramatic yawn to warn them I was on my way.

    "Good morning."  I said to all of them.

    "How'd you sleep?"  Kade asked.

    "A lot better after you stayed with me.  Thanks again."  I smiled.  "Would you guys go with me this morning to see my dad?"  I asked already knowing the answer, but I didn't want them to know I was listening.

    "Kade told us the plan and our dads are all for it.  They are already there drinking coffee with him.  We need to get there soon."  Cameron said.

    "I'm going to take a quick shower and I'll be ready.  Give me 20 minutes."  I said making my way to the bathroom. 

    I showered quickly and pulled on some leggings and a t-shirt.  I threw my wet hair in a messy bun.  I looked in the mirror thinking about a little makeup but decided against it as the bruises were a darker shade of purple.  The doctor said they would turn almost black before they started to fade.  Judging from the shade of them, I would guess the next step would have to be fading.  They had all emptied my truck so we could take it to my parents house. 

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    We pulled into my parent's driveway.  My dad, Uncle Abe, and Uncle Brad all sat on the porch drinking coffee.  I could see them discussing who in the hell this was and what did they want.  It's a southern thing.  I put the truck in park and got out.

    "Well, it's Everleigh."  My dad said as he was admiring my truck from the porch. 

    "Hey, dad."  I said as I walked up.  Everyone was right behind me ready for shit to hit the fan. 

    "Nice truck, sis."  My dad said, his face paling as he noticed my face.  My family and friends tensed as we waited on him to explode.  "What the fuck..."

    "Dad, calm down.  You see me walking and talking.  I'm fine."  I said.  He seemed to calm some.  I walked up to him on the porch.  "I ran into trouble before I came home.  Stay calm and I'll tell you what happened."  I said pulling a chair up to sit beside him.  I seen my uncles struggling to stay calm as they looked me over.  My dad was speechless.  "You know my room mate?"