Joshua & Lea

"I know. I know he didn't do it to be malicious. I just can't help how angry I am."

If Josh had known about all of this, Atticus wouldn't be the only one in trouble. "I understand. More alcohol?"

"Not right now. I'll save my sobriety until we get to the bar."

"Perfect. Then we can get our karaoke on." I smiled. "Want to go shopping? We'll let everyone know along the way and extend the invites."

"That sounds good. I could use some shopping therapy. I haven't been going out much lately." I finished my drink and put my glass in the sink. "I've been having nightmares again."

"I don't tell Joshua but there are times that I do too. That or I can't sleep at all."

"Same here. Do you think... do you think they ever go away?"

"I want to be optimistic....I really do. But sometimes I have my doubts."

"So do I. All the time."

"At least we're safe now. No matter how upset you are at him, I know he'd never let anything happen to you. Fucking asshole."

"I know, you're right. On both accounts. He just wanted to protect me. But what he doesn't realize is... he can't. There's nothing anyone could do to me that could be worse than anything that's already happened." I sighed. "Come on. Let's get the hell out of here."

"I know. My own brother...had to watch that happen to me. Now, I can't even see him to let him know that I don't blame him. I knew there was nothing he could do. And I can't even talk to him." I sighed and fought back sudden tears. "Yes, let's go before I mess up my eyeliner." I grabbed my purse and led her out the door. 

"I know how you feel. I can't see Tyrone either. I know we didn't know each other long, but... if things had been different, he would have been the one to raise me, that I would have called Dad. Not Jasper. And mom's gone too... I just feel lost all the time. You're the only one I can talk to about this. No one else would understand."

"I really liked Tyrone. He loved you and your mom a lot."

"He really did. I only wish I would've been able to get to know him better." My phone started to ring as we got in the car. It was Atticus. I silenced it and put it back in my purse.

"Let him suffer. He'll survive." I told her as we started driving.

"That was the plan."

"Would you like to go anywhere in particular?"

"Wherever you want is fine. I want to look hot tonight though."

"Then I know just the place."

I smiled. "You always do."

"Before the wilderness I was the shopping queen." I said, laughing a little.

"From what I hear, it's like riding a bike," I teased.

"Yep, something you never forget." I smiled and pulled into a parking spot in the main square. "Come on, let's hit it."

"Sounds perfect." I grabbed my purse and got out of the car with her. "Are we going conservative, slightly slutty, or somewhere in between?"