Chapter 7

I was bored.

My mom went home with Leighton, Everleigh was bathed and out cold and my dad had pulled an emergency church meeting. So here I was sitting at the bar with my own company. Lifting the glass to my lips I watched my surroundings. Why do all these girls look so young?

"Parties here". Bursting through the doors was Ally's favourite way to make her entrance. Rolling my eyes, I couldn't stop grinning. One person I missed when I wasn't here was her.

Sitting in the stool beside me she threw her arm over my shoulder. "Missed you gal now what we drinking. Tequila? Whiskey? Both? Yo cutie behind the bar two tequilas". She winked at the prospect; I think his name was Luke. "Aw look his cheeks are scarlet". She laughed.

She was crazy but I loved her confidence. With the two shots placed on the bar she grabbed hers and gave me mine.

"So, you tapped that yet?". Watching her down the shot I took mine straight after. If I was going to have this conversation, then I was going to need a lot more alcohol.

"Tapped what?". I asked pretending I didn't know what she was talking about.

"Has Blazes dick given your vagina a cuddle yet?".

Oh god....

Laughing aloud I shoved her shoulder as two more shots were placed in front of us. Downing it I pushed the shot glass away. "No, it hasn't and it's not going to. We're past the sex part it's all about Everleigh now".

"When was the last time you were fucked?".

"Ally". I groaned.

Ava". She mimicked signalling Luke to bring over more drinks. "Didn't you want to jump that dick as soon as you saw him. I mean fuck Ava he's got hotter with age".

"What happened to looking at him makes you want to commit murder?".

"It still does but fuck it we have needs, you have needs and by looking at you I'm going to say 4 years". Shrugging her shoulders, she passed me another shot. I forgot how much she could put away.

"4 years for what?". I frowned.

"Since you've been fucked. Please tell me someone else has hit that other than Blaze". She groaned

Instantly my cheeks were on fire. Was it really a bad thing that I had only ever been with Blaze sexually? Heck, I had only ever been with him altogether. He was my love, and he owned my heart.

"You haven't?".

"No Ally I haven't let anyone else hit it and no I haven't had sex in 4 years". Taking the other shot that was in front of me I chased it with a beer.

"Damn mama you deserve a medal". She whistled again waving at Luke for more drinks. "Just leave the bottle sweet cheeks". She winked the bottle of tequila being placed in front of us.

"Leave Luke alone you know Cage will commit murder if he catches you flirting".

"Good". She huffed. "But we're not talking about Cage we're talking about you and Blaze".

"No, we aren't because there's nothing to say". Bringing the bottle to my lips I let the liquid slide down my throat.

"You really not going to try and patch things up? I know he fucked up Ava but damn I always thought you would get back together at some point".

"I don't know". I sighed. "My life is so shit right now I have no job and I'm literally broke. The only good thing I have is Everleigh".

"Girl, you do know you'll always have a job at the hospital, right? You could phone right now, and they would have you back tomorrow. No one could fill your shoes in there".

"I know it's just being back here feels like I haven't left. I've already had two arguments with Blaze, and I've only been back two days. I don't want to be the same person; I don't want to argue or fight with him. I want him to just be there, I want him to be her dad".

"Have you told him this?". She asked just as the loudness of church ending interrupted our conversation. "Here he comes so that's my queue". Kissing my cheek she pulled me to her. "Have some fun you deserve it and you're never past the sex part. Love you my gal".

It was easy saying to have some fun, but it was never just fun with Blaze, and I didn't just sleep with people for fun especially not him.

His presence alone gave me goosebumps.

"Drinking on a school night mama?".

"Only a few". Turning my head, I looked up at him. "God my baby looks so much like you". Poking his cheek, I tugged on his beard. "I like that this is still here".

Okay so I was a little tipsy.

"How much is a few?". He asked while I continued to play with his beard.

"Just a few shots". I shrugged resting my head on my hand but still I continued to look at him.

"Blaze buy me a drink?".

Turning my head my eyes fell onto the same blond that was hanging all over him yesterday. "Who's your friend Blaze?". Slipping off the stool I grabbed him to steady myself. "Go on buy the girl a drink".

"She can buy her own damn drink". Slipping his arm around my waist he lifted me up and placed me back on the stool. I wasn't expecting that. Taking the bottle of tequila, I poured him a shot. "One for the road?".

"Why you going somewhere?". Taking the shot he pushed the glass away from him.

"Bed to get my baby". I smiled.

"Our baby". He grinned. "Never did I imagine falling in love all over again Ava but looking at her, fuck she's perfect".

"Yeah, she is". I whispered resting my hand on top of his before getting to my feet.

"We good babe?".

"Yeah, were good". Squeezing his shoulder, I walked off to bed.

.....

"Everleigh Thomas get that butt back here and finish your breakfast".

"Papas here". She squealed.

Of course, he is. She had him wrapped around her little finger.

Continuing to wash the dishes I placed them on the drainer and went about making a fresh cup of coffee. My head was thumping, and I was never drinking tequila again. Taking my coffee, I made my way out to the bar area. Since I arrived back here this was the first day, I felt content and for once a little happy.

"Look mommy a princess dress".

Her little face lit up the room and I swallowed the lump that appeared in my throat. They would do anything to make her happy.

"Uncle Ared got one". She giggled clapping her hands together.

Okay what?

I couldn't breathe the tears were rolling down my face and I couldn't hold my laughter in anymore. In walked Jared with a princess dress on, tiara to match.

"I have no words". I grinned pulling out my phone to take a quick snap.

"Mommy uncle Ared's a princess too". She giggled skipping off.

"It suits you".

"Shut it". He glared twisting the cap off his beer and taking a sip.

"How did you even-..."

"If you'll excuse me". Cutting me off he straightened the tiara. "I've got a princess tea party to get too".

Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip I grabbed his arm before he could rush off. "Thank you for making my baby smile. We love you Uncle Ared".

"Yeah, yeah hands off the dress".

I had decided last night that until I got my job back at the hospital, I was going to pick up a few shifts behind the bar. My dad didn't know that yet, but he was too distracted with the club right now and that told me something was going down.

Slipping behind the bar I continued to drink my coffee. I had yet to see Blaze this morning and I had his room, so I had no idea where he was sleeping. Last night something happened between us, and I couldn't put my finger on it. It felt good not arguing with him and it felt damn good just to talk.

"The fuck are you doing behind there?".

"Working. Question do you still have my house?".

My dad's eyebrows furrowed causing the wrinkles at his eyes to appear. My dad was getting old, and I knew it wouldn't be long until he stepped down.

"Aye I'll give you it back if you say you're staying".

"Okay". I grinned as he threw the keys at me. "Really you have them on you?".

"You need somewhere better for my grand baby and that's not here".

Slipping the keys into my back pocket the hairs on the back of my neck stood up letting me know Blaze had arrived. Pulling my bottom lip between my teeth I shamelessly dragged my eyes over his body stopping when I got to the shades covering his eyes.

He smirked. Grabbing the cloth, I wiped down the bar as he stood staring at me. This was different it felt different, and I liked it. Removing the shades, he took a seat at the bar his eyes following me everywhere I went. I couldn't explain the feeling I had but it felt like something was changing.

"You working here now?".

Stopping what I was doing I leaned across the bar "I have to do something until I can see about getting my job back".

"She need anything new?".

I glared.

"Don't give me that glare sweetheart, I'm trying to help".

"I wasn't glaring". I huffed crossing my arms over my chest.

"You were". He smirked. "And don't think I've forgot about the little chat we need to have".

"Oh, for petes sake Blaze we don't have to have a chat. You know I'm broke but I'm handling it I don't need your help". I lied.

"Stop getting so fucking defensive and just let me help you. Now does she need anything new?". His tone told me not to argue with him and I didn't plan to.

Biting my lip, I looked at the floor. It's not that she needed anything new it's just all our stuff was back home. I only brought a few things because I wasn't planning to stay.

"What's causing that frown babe?".

"Nothing". Throwing the cloth down I walked off needing a few minutes to myself. I had no idea what I was going to do. She was going to need new things in a few months, we needed essentials.

Disappearing into the back I fell against the wall sliding down it. With my head in my hands, I took a few deep breaths. I knew I couldn't do this on my own anymore and he was offering to help. So why was I finding it so hard to accept it?

Getting to my feet I rubbed my hands down my jeans jumping when I felt his arms circle round my waist. "Just let me hold you". He whispered his grip tightening.

Turning around in his embrace I wrapped my arms around him and buried my head against his chest. Sometimes all you needed was a hug and for someone to tell you it was going to be okay. With his hands rubbing up and down my back I tried hard not to get upset. This was Blaze and he could see straight through me he always could.

"You good darling?".

I didn't want to let go.

He felt like home.