Live Free (Lords of Mayhem 3)

“You don’t talk badly about her book,” Juliette said.

Evonne laughed, wrapping an arm around her friend’s shoulder. “I understand the guilt. Here I am out here and Paul is fighting for his life.”

“How’s he doing?” Juliette said.

“Stable, I guess. They plan on trying to wake him from the coma naturally to see what happens.” Evonne glanced down, ashamed that her parents kept her so out of the loop.

“What’s going on with you and your family? I mean—I know things have always been a bit…rocky, but that turned around after…”

“The accident. It’s okay, you can say it and that’s only because I did what they expected of me. The minute I stopped it was back to being dog shit at the bottom of their shoe. Well, Dad’s shoe. I don’t know what the hell Mom actually thinks. I often wonder if she’s a damn robot, the way she can’t think or take action for shit,” Evonne said.

“So weird,” Juliette said.

Evonne sighed. “Yeah. I’m thinking there’s more to it than dysfunction. Dad started to say something in the hospital and Mom came to life.” Evonne shook her head “Fuck, I don’t think I even want to know. They’ve been unhappy for so long, I’d believe just about anything.”

“Why don’t they just divorce?” Juliette asked.

“I’ve asked myself that for years. Mom doesn’t really have her own money, but she’d get alimony. I’d say she might be afraid to be alone, but really she has been for years now. Dad might exist in her space, but they do not engage unless necessary. It’s completely fucked up.”

“Speaking of existing in one another’s space…what’s the deal with you and Rocky?”

“Real smooth, Jul.”

“I try.” Jul grinned.

“Just between us, he’s… I guess I’m his old lady now. He, um, he wants to give me a vest.”

“Holy shit! That’s a forever brand. No matter what goes down between the two of you, you’ll be Mayhem. One call and they’ll rush to your aid.”

The immense importance almost buckled Evonne’s knees. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. I’m stunned. I mean—what the hell did you do to that man to turn him from shagger of the year to this?” Juliette asked.

“I don’t know.” Nerves fired at once and sweat beaded up on her brow. “This is a lot of responsibility. We still have so much to learn about one another. What if we aren’t compatible enough?” The thought of letting another person down horrified her.

“If you were any more compatible you’d burst into flames!” Juliette noted dryly.

“Jul, I’m serious. Jesus. All that talk of claiming gets me hot, but for him to be this serious?” She shook her head. “Sooo much pressure.”

“Honey, whatever you were doing is enough for him. Don’t let your head fuck it up. No, let me be blunt, don’t let your father rob you of happiness. You did that long enough. I always thought your change was because of the brain injuries but now I see it for what it was. Watching you come to life has been incredible. Please don’t hide now.” Juliette reached out and grasped her hand.

Evonne nodded. “I’m terrified.”

“I think that’s a requirement for being an old lady, perpetually stuck in a state of blissful happiness and terror,” Juliette explained.

“Sounds about right,” Evonne muttered, grateful to have Juliette as her voice of reason. “We came out here to talk about you though. How’s your headspace?”

“Crowded but manageable, I don’t think we can ask for much else until this is over,” Juliette said.

Evonne hugged her friend close.

The door pushed open and they turned to see Shooter standing cautiously in the doorframe. “Everything copasetic?”

“Yeah, babe, we’re fine,” Jul responded, offering up a smile.

“Firecracker, I’m supposed to report back for you too,” Shooter said.

Evonne laughed. “Also good.”