Cody

"I know I fucked up Dean, but he was being rough.  When he called her a two-bit whore, just because we are working with her, I saw red.  I wanted to kill him." I was leaning against the sink after washing the blood off my hand.

"She's great for the band, but you're getting too close.  June is a good woman, and she doesn't deserve what she's getting." Dean tries to give me advice.

"This has nothing to do with June." I made that clear.

"This has everything to do with her, Cody.  She's your wife, and it's obvious you're not willing to work on your marriage.  You have to do something before this gets too messy.  She may have lied, and tries too hard to control you, but she has your best interest at heart." He said.

I guess I didn't make myself clear. 

"I don't want to talk about my marriage." I tried to make it clear again.

"Do you love your wife?" Dean stands there with his arms crossed.

"What kind of question is that?" I asked.

"You married her eight years ago and I've seen you happy one time, and that's when Jessie was born.  I think it's a very good question." He said.

I started at him.  I've never admitted this to anyone.

I shook my head.  "No, I care, but I've never loved her." I said.

"I told you way back when not to marry her, because we had this same conversation.  I know you wanted to do the right thing because she was pregnant, but now look at you.  You've got a lot of decisions to make, that girl out there is one of them."

What?

"She has nothing to do with it." I said.

"Fine, then you won't mind me asking her to dinner tomorrow night." He smirked.

"I don't care, go ahead and have fun." I blew past him and walked out of the bathroom.

I paused in my tracks when I saw Caroline.  I could see she was upset, she was sitting next to Anna stirring a drink with her straw, and sadness came over me.  I need to get her home.

"Jax, are you good taking Dean and Anna home?" I asked.

"Yeah, that's not a problem."

Caroline sat there not even looking at me.

"I'm taking you home now Caroline," I said.

"It's okay, I can catch a ride." She didn't even look over at me. 

"Nope, we need to talk." I stuck my hand out and she took it.  When she finally did look up at me, I felt crushed.  I made a fool out of myself tonight.  Punching her ex-husband probably wasn't a good move.

I led her to my truck and opened the door for her, and she climbed in not saying a word. 

I shut her door and got into my truck.  "They're going to get the wrong idea, Cody.  You just punched my ex-husband, then we leave together.  It's probably not a great move."

"I'm tired of caring what people think." I put it in reverse.

"I have a lot to lose, Cody.  There's a reason why I can't get tangled in some mess.  Anna just told me about our video from last night going viral.  I know we are just friends, but others say different.  It's not just your reputation on the line.  Matthew could destroy both of us" she said.

"I don't want to bring harm into your life, Caroline.  I really am enjoying watching our friendship develop. If you don't want my friendship, just tell me." I said.

"I do, but the moment my father catches wind, I'm in for a lot of trouble," I said.

"Your father would care if we are friends?  What is he a teacher or something?"

She turned and looked at me.  "My divorce, and the fact there was a secret baby, put me too far into my father's spotlight than what makes me comfortable.  That's why I kept Matt's last name, I love the person I am now, and I don't want to be a spectacle again." She stared out the window.

"You kept that man's last name?"

"Wouldn't you?" She asked.  "Being suspected of an affair with the daughter of Owens Ravenheart?"

I gulped.  "Did you say Ravenheart?"

"Yeah, you didn't know?"

I shook my head.  "Owens Ravenheart lives here?  He's your father?"

"Yes, and he works very hard to protect us, Cody."

Did my heart just flatline?  This can't be real. Son of a bitch, that's how a substitute teacher can afford such a nice home.

"Jesus Christ!  How does the President's Chief of Staff's daughter end up here and married to that prick?"

I'm in deep shit.

"My father made a lot of money and a lot of enemies.  He moved us here when I was little for probably the same reasons you came to live here.  Mom focuses on her charities and the rescue, while dad lives in D.C. for a few years.  I met Matt in high school, and my father was against our marriage. 

I wish I would have listened to him.  My father ended up helping hide Matt's daughter from me.  I'm still trying to forgive him, because he would rather keep me from the spotlight, then tell me the truth.  I really don't need this kind of press."

"Are you saying our friendship could do more damage than good?  Working together would be that bad?" I asked.

"No, that's not what I'm saying.  Punching Matthew is my point, I should never have let him pull me outside, and I appreciate you stepping in, but don't put yourself on the line like that for me again.  You have more on the line than me, I don't have a child." She sounds genuine.  "I'm allowed to have friends, I just have to be careful not to hurt you at the same time.  What happened was my fault, I know how Matthew can be with me.  I won't make that mistake again."

I pulled into her driveway and put the tuck in park.

"Dean is going to ask you out to dinner, he's intrigued by you." 

She sighed.  "Anna is intrigued by Dean."

"Does that make him off limits?"  I had to laugh at that one.

"If I was interested, but I'm not.  I'm nowhere close to dating yet.  I like my life just the way it is and I'm leaving soon." She said

I feel relieved about Dean.