Honey Stone

Learning Curve

'What the fuck did you do?' Viola snapped tightly as she strode back to the group and faced Nash. 'What the fuck do you think you're doing?'

'Babe, cool it.' Preach warned but she faced him with eyes flashing.

'You gonna pull the same macho bullshit with me?' she clipped and prodded him with a perfectly manicured purple nail 'Already had one fucker do that and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let you treat me the same way. So shut it.'

Preach knew when to pick his battles and this wasn't one of those times. He dipped his head in respect to her and she turned back to Nash.

'So, I'm asking you again. What do you think your doing?' that girl obviously has some serious demons haunting her and you just go and pile on more of your own crap. So what if Tommy gave her a hug? We all saw it, its not like he tried it on with her is it. He didn't kiss her, he didn't seduce her and he didn't hurt her.'

Viola's voice became deadly calm and she fixed her eyes on his 'But you did didn't you.'

Nash blinked at her 'What the hell are you talking about woman?' he bit out.

'Watch it Nash.' Preach warned 'I'm not gonna stop my woman tearing you a new one but I'm not letting you disrespect her.'

Viola continued to glare at Nash 'You didn't even notice did you. Didn't even notice that you pushed her over. Too busy picking fights over stupid shit to notice that you caused more harm than any of us.'

'And what was that she said about you calling her names?' Raven added from her place between Jamaica and Buzz.

'Yeah,' said Viola in agreement 'What was that about being a tease? That's not a very nice thing to call any woman, especially one as pure as your girl'

Nash swallowed. He had called her that, he'd said it last night. That's why she'd pushed him away. He began to realise the stupidity of all he'd done. She was emotionally damaged and all he was doing was breaking her down more. He didn't want her submissive and he didn't want her obeying his every command like a damn dog. She'd stood up to him and put herself in danger to stop a fight caused by his own bloody mindedness.

He loved her more than ever but he'd let her walk away, angry and hurt. Shit! where had she gone? Viola still stood in front of him, arms crossed, pointed boot tapping on the wooden boards. 'You'd best sort your shit out.' she snarled before returning to Preach and slipping her arm round his waist and letting him hold her. The rest of the group looked back at Nash. He knew he'd made a huge mistake.

'Tommy, I....' he started but Tommy cut him off.

'I don't want to hear it.' he said harshly 'You do right by that little girl or so help me I'll make you sorry.'

Nash stamped out of the bar and threw himself onto his bike, he needed to find her. She couldn't have gone far but after an hour of searching there was still no sign. He headed home for the third time, hoping that she'd have made it there by now but there was nothing to indicate it. All her clothes were still there so she hadn't been back and then left again.

Nash picked up his phone and started ringing round. The answer was the same at the end of every call, no one had seen her. Finally he got a response.

'She's with me.' came Buzz's hard voice. Nash was floored and the sickness churned in his guts 'I found her wandering out on the byway and picked her up. She doesn't want to see you.'

'I need to see her' Nash begged ,his voice ragged with relief and fear.

'Sorry, buddy. You really fucked things up with her. Just give her a few days and see how things are. I'll take care of her.' Buzz said levelly before killing the call.