Show Me

14.

Bradley heard the "you don't have to," before the words had even formed on her lips. It was evident from her posture, the way she titled her head at an angle.

His gesture wasn't an attempt to be heroic; he knew for a solid fact she was more than capable of handling the situation herself and they'd be standing right in front of security, so there would be no concerns for her safety.

Before he could reply, Natali stood in front of her sister, her arms crossed defiantly over her chest.

"Oh hell no," she shook her head, "you are gonna stop being as stubborn as fuck for once in your life and you're  going to let your very tall boyfriend go with you."

"I'm with Nat on this one," Bo agreed evenly, turning to her. "I don't trust him, Stefani, not as far as I can throw him. Wouldn't hurt to have Bradley there when you talk to him."

"The issue with my sister," Natali confided intentionally loud to Bradley, "is that she hates to feel like she's burdening anybody, so she takes on everything herself. I tell her all the time, she can't put the weight of the whole world on those shoulders without stumbling."

"And the problem with my little sister is that she goes all mama bear and she won't let me speak for myself," Stefani interjected hotly. "Natali Veronica, come on," she put her hand on her forearm, her icy resolve thawing. "You know that I love you so much and I appreciate you both," she turned to Bo, "but it's my mess to deal with."

"No, it's not," Natali replied softly, her eyes brimming with sadness. "Not anymore, Stef."

Sighing deeply, she took Bradley's arm, steering him off to the side for a moment of privacy.

"Thank you for offering to come with me. It's incredibly thoughtful."

"Stefani, please...look at me," he tipped her chin skyward, "this is me. You don't have to be brave. You don't have to be anything at all. Whatever you're feeling, it's valid."

Her breath floated on waves and she stilled, keeping focused on his eyes.

"I'm pissed, if you wanna know the truth. I'm tired of him trying to force the issue, tired of him trying to apologize. I've forgiven him, I've moved on. But obviously he hasn't and I don't know but part of me is sick and tired of being kind about it. When we were together, I did everything in my power to help because I cared and now I'm depleted... completely fucking bled dry. I'm done, Bradley."

She closed her eyes, her head hanging and he let his hands travel up and over the tense muscles in the base of her neck, her shoulder blades, just tiny kneads of his fingers until he felt her relax.

"That's exactly what you could say," his lips grazed the top of her head. "Or you could have Dennis send him away and not speak to him at all...end the cycle, right now."

"Bobby's tried to talk me into a restraining order," the words were muffled against the broadness of his chest, "but that would fuck up his career and I couldn't do that." Her voice shook tremendously before it broke and she looked up at him tearfully. "Maybe this time, he's genuinely trying to get help."

"He has to want to get better for himself. Not because he thinks if he does, he'll get you back. Alcoholism isn't a cut and dry disease. I learned that the hard way."

Nodding, she sighed again, wiping her eyes before her fingers drifted down to the necklace, absently running them up and over the intricate petals carved out of gold.

"I'm going to go," she affirmed. "And I'm going to tell him not to come back here."

"That's good, Stef." He kissed her head, her cheeks. "Whatever you decide, it's absolutely right." After a beat, he looked at her again. "I wasn't trying to be a caveman...telling you I was going with you. I should've asked and I'm sorry that I didn't."