Blood and Water

Chapter 38: Something Stupid

Something Stupid - Frank Sinatra

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Chibs and Mina walked back to the school to pick up his bike. Tig went back to Scoops to help Bobby. As they walked, Chibs had a protective arm around Mina. Her arm was bent so they could hold hands while he had his arm draped on her shoulders.

She sighed, "What was that about, Chibs?"

"What d'ya mean?" he asked, taking a drag from his cigarette.

"You...had a gun at the school, Chibs. You can't do that."

He shrugged, "I didn't realize that it'd be a problem."

Mina shook her head. "You're kidding me?" she sighed. "We're lucky we got you out of jail."

" 'We'?" Chibs chuckled.

"Yes, we." She gestured between them.

He sighed, "You and Tig looked pretty cozy."

"Oh, Jesus Christ," she laughed. "You serious?"

"No," he kissed the top of her head. "Not at all." He sighed, "So, what should I do? Not go see ya at work?"

Mina stopped walking. "No! Stop bringing a gun!" She laughed after saying that. Seemed like common sense to her.

He laughed too. "Okay, okay." They started walking again.

Mina was enjoying the smell of Chibs' cologne much more than when she was on Tig's bike. "Can I ask you something?"

" 'Course."

She sighed, rubbing her thumb over his fingers. "What's Happy doing?"

Chibs chuckled, "Hap? Why?"

"Well, earlier when I was at Scoops, Tig asked Bobby if Happy was back and told him to take Quinn with him."

He scoffed, "You were at the table?"

Mina chuckled, tilting her head as she spoke. "Well, the same room as it." He scratched his forehead with his thumb, still holding his cigarette between his index and middle fingers. "What's going on?"

"Just some sh*te."

She looked down at the ground. "Why don't you talk about this stuff?"

Chibs looked down at her, bewildered. "Are ya upset about that?"

"A little." She shook her head. "Nevermind, it's stupid."

He stopped walking and stood in front of her. Putting his hands on her shoulders, he leaned down so they were eye level. "Darlin', you can tell me. It's not stupid, I promise ya."

Mina sighed, looking into his eyes. "I...I feel like you don't trust me."

"Oh, Mina," he sighed. "Of course I trust ya. Don't ever think that." Chibs kissed her forehead. "There are just some things I can't tell ya. Not because I don't trust ya, but because it'll hurt ya too much to know."

"But, Chibs," she shook her head, "I'm all in. I want to know these things, especially the things that are bothering you. I tell you everything and I hate that I put that burden on you."

Chibs said, "Ya don't put any burden on me, love." He held her hand up, intertwining their fingers. "Ya really wanna know this sh*te?" Mina nodded. "Okay. Let's get home and then I'll tell ya."

Chibs didn't want her to know anything. He didn't want to have another Gemma who acted like she was in control or another Tara who knew too much and got herself killed. But, he had to tell her since she wanted to know. The fact that she felt like he didn't trust her, broke Chibs' heart. All he wanted to do was protect her but instead, he hurt her.