Twenty-Seven

I've been parking outside Teagan's house every day for three days. The thought of someone showing up still doesn't sit right. The cop came by the other day, and I had to refrain from meeting him at the door. I don't think that asshole is doing his job, it's a small town, and nobody has been arrested yet. I think that's horseshit. He must be in cahoots with Nancy; that's the only reason things are moving at a snail's pace.

Every time Teagan steps out of her house, I half expect her to come swinging at my windshield with a baseball bat. But she just walks past me without saying a word. It's like I don't exist to her, and it's the worst feeling in the world. But I'll take it; it's my punishment.

I've been trying to find a way to talk to the one person I've been dreading, and I'm not sure I trust them. With the way the rumour mill circles, it won't take long before everyone knows what I've been up to. I need to play my cards right. Leroy and some guys plan to crash at my place when they roll into town tonight. It would be a bit of a stretch to say I'm psyched about it, but it'll be easier to plan, so I shouldn't complain.

When a white Range Rover approaches Teagan's house it causes, the hairs on my neck rise. Only one family in this town drives Range Rovers—the Montgomery's. The SUV parks across from her house, and I blindly reach for the crowbar on the passenger seat, never taking my eyes off the car. When they don't move for five minutes, I text Teagan.

Me: Don't open the door no matter what you hear.

Stepping out of my car, I grab the crowbar and casually walk towards the vehicle. The thought that things could go awry hasn't even crossed my mind. Tapping on the driver's window, they ignore me. I tap again.

"I only wanna talk; roll it down. "

The window moves an inch, not enough to see who's behind the wheel, which only irritates me. My grip tightens on the bar.

"That's all your getting, who the fuck are you?" The prick behind the wheel asks.

I laugh because this guy thinks he is a hotshot. "Well, considering you're parked outside my girl's place, I'll do the questioning. Which Montgomery are you?"

"Why does it matter to you?"

I tap the crowbar on his window. "It fuckin' matters. Answer the question before I smash the window in."

"Blaine, the son."

That explains the attitude. I see that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Spoiled breeds spoiled.

"Why are you lurking around here? I highly doubt it's for a casual chat over milk and cookies. Did your mommy send you on a spying mission so you can feel like James Bond?"

He rolls the window down, and I get a look at him. His golden locks so slicked back with gel, that not even a hurricane could mess them up. And don't get me started on his tan cable knit sweater and cream tailor pants. They speak volumes .

"Don't fucking talk to me that way. Do you know who I am?"

I shrug. "Nah, and I don't care. When you start lurking like a fucking creep, you don't get to ask questions." I run my crowbar along his door. "Either you leave with this car intact, or" I step back and swing. The bar hits the passenger door with a loud crunching sound.

Blaine swings his door open, jumping out. "What the fuck!" he yells, touching the fresh dent in his precious car. "You'll pay for that."

"I doubt that. Tell me why you're here, or I'll do it again." I move closer to him, stopping inches from his chest. When he doesn't speak, I back up and move to the front of his car. It would be a shame if those headlights broke. I swing back.

"Whoa, wait, I'll tell you."

I drop my arm and stare at him. "Speak."

"My mother sent me over to give Teagan a scare. She doesn't want her reopening a business in town."

"Why?" I'm trying not to lose my temper, but the more this asshole talks, the more I can feel it bubbling over.

"Something about family issues, it's been going on for years. I never asked, and I only do what she tells me."

Family issues, are you kidding me? She's taking shit out on Teagan cause she can't be a grownup and talk about her problems. I slam the crowbar into the headlight, watching plastic pieces wash over the pavement. Blaine jumps at me, throwing a punch towards my face, connecting with my mouth.

"You asshole." He huffs.

The metallic flavour of blood grazes my tongue. I deliver a powerful blow to his stomach, causing him to double over in pain, coughing uncontrollably. I take the chance to destroy his other headlight.

"Don't ever come back here again, or it won't be the car that gets hit with the crowbar next."

"You'll pay for this." He holds his stomach as he walks to his door. "Mark my word."

"I'm not scared of you or your family."

He slams the door, and I step back as he peels away. I touch my lip, feeling the puffiness settling in. I'll admit it was exciting to be in a fight; it was too bad it didn't last long. I head back to my car, still not knowing the reason behind Nancy and her hatred. Besides family issues. With Teagan's family? I need answers. I ignore, looking at her house as I climb back into my car.

I grab my phone to let Leroy know we need to move tonight but my phone is blown up with messages from Teagan .

Teagan: What's going on?

Teagan: Silas answer me, who is outside? Why do you have a weapon?

Teagan: What the fuck is Blaine doing here?

Teagan: If you don't answer I'm coming out, this is bullshit. This isn't your fight you aren't even meant to be around me anymore. I don't need a babysitter. I asked for space and you can't even do that, I feel suffocated still. I think it's time for you to leave.

I knew my time would come to an end here. And Teagan's right. I need to give her space to think; she can't do that with me hanging around all the time. She'll only hate me more. I'm sure with the scare I gave Blaine, Nancy will think twice about sending anyone else over here. I start the car and head off back to my house. I'll admit it'll be nice to stretch out; my ass was getting sore from this horrible seat.

After dinner, three knocks came on the door, a brief pause, and another knock. There's only one person who knocks like that—Leroy. He started knocking like that so no one would shoot him; he might be a little paranoid. I put my vodka on the coffee table and move to the door. I open the door and find Leroy, Buck, Griff and Weldon, each holding a duffle bag.

"It looks like you guys are ready for a fucking sleepover." I tease.

Leroy steps forward. "If any of you pricks cuddle with me, I'll shoot you."

Buck laughs, swinging his bag over his shoulder. "Don't be like that, L. You love my big muscles wrapped around your body." He walks past me, patting me on the shoulder.

Buck is a giant compared to me in both directions. His shirt has probably ripped every stitch in its sleeve, trying to hang onto his biceps. But he's a teddy bear deep down.

Griff rolls his eye and shoves his way into the house; I was never a fan of his. His ego is the size of Russia, and I would love to knock it down a peg or two. Maybe I'll be the reason why he loses his other eye.

"Silas, my man." Weldon pulls me in for a hug and slaps my back. "It's been a while, keeping out of trouble?"

I lick my lip and laugh. "Sure, if you call smashing up a Rover with a crowbar keeping out of trouble."

He throws his head back and barks out a deep laugh. "And this is why I love having you around, you and that impulsiveness. Come, brother, we have so much to catch up on."

My house has never been this full before, and I'm unsure how I feel about it. I'm not used to so many people around all at once, but I need to remind myself that I'm doing all of this for Teagan. She needs the help even if she doesn't know it. I can't let what happened today or to her shop happen again, and if she hates me more after, I'm willing to take that.

"Silas, what's the plan?" Leroy asks as he tosses his bag to the floor and falls on the couch, kicking his feet up on the coffee table.

Buck and Griff follow his lead while Wel stands by the front window.

"That's what we need to discuss. I had a run-in with the bitches brat today."

Griff points to his lip. "That would explain the new look."

"I wasn't expecting a preppy asshole to be swinging at me. Let alone showing up at my girl's house to do his mommy's work. I swear this bitch is like a cockroach. No one in this town will deal with her."

"Don't worry, we'll deal with the cunt." Buck grins. "I'm not afraid to hit a woman if she has it coming."

"I have someone to talk to first, but she loves to spread rumours around town, and with all of you guys here, her lips will be moving a mile a minute now. We need to find her fast."

I'm not looking forward to talking to Elma, but she's the only one who would have all the information on everyone in this town, including Nancy and this so-called family drama.