“We don’t really use the word crazy in here, sir.” The guard at the door tells me.
“Declan, I’m sorry if my actions hurt you. I wasn’t stable at the time, but now I see things differently.”
“What do you mean? What exactly do you ‘see’?”
“I’ve heard the song, Dec. I know.”
“Are we talking in code here? What the fuck Christie? Why am I here?”
“I’m doing really well. I think I will be able to get out soon. We can take things slow because I know it’ll be a delicate situation for a while, but I can be patient.”
Seriously? What the hell is happening? ‘We can take things slow’?
“Dec, I’ve heard the song. I know how you feel.” She purrs her words.
My heartbeat races, surely she’s joking. “You think “Surviving” is about you? Are you insane?”
“Sir, we don’t use –”
“Got it.” I glare at him and then look back at the obviously delusional girl now standing in front of me. “Nothing I do has to do with you. You are nothing to me. It took months to get over what you did to Raven. She’s the only reason I’m here listening to your pathetic excuse for an apology.”
Anger flashes in her eyes, “What do you mean she’s the reason you’re here? Why are we even talking about her?”
“Because she’s my fiancée and she convinced me to come here today.”
She steps back like I physically pushed her. “No. She can’t be.”
“Yes, Christie, she is. I love her and because of what you did I was scared out of my mind for four days.”
“No, no, no... This can’t be,” she paces in front of me. “You love me. You say so when you sing.”
“No, Christie, I love her.” As soon as the words leave my mouth she screams and comes at me with her fists flying. I’m glad I took out my lip ring when I feel the sting of her slaps. I taste blood and put up my hands to shield my face.
The guard drags her off of me, kicking and screaming and pushes her out of the room. I don’t wait around and leave as quickly as I can. Progressing nicely, my ass!
I call James as soon as I get in my truck and give him the whole rundown. He schedules a conference call with the family lawyer tomorrow so I can retell my story. Even with the recent events, I smile as he includes me as family.
“Son, I’m sorry all that went down but at least now we know.”
“Yep, she’s still crazy.” I agree.
Chapter 32
Atlanta
Raven’s bobbing her head to the music with her earplugs in. With five guys in the car talking nonstop she couldn’t really study. Nate is sitting beside her and he offered to help when she is ready. I’ll give them to the state border and then I’m climbing in the back. Someone punches my arm causing me to swerve.
“What the hell?” I say to Cooper who is looking at me expectantly.
“We asked you a question.”
“Sorry what was the question?”
“Man, she’s less than five feet away, nothing’s going to happen to her.”
“That’s five feet too many,” I mumble. “What was the question?”
“We all want to know what happened with your meeting.” Raven’s head pops up and she looks worried but smiles and nods for me to tell them.