Maybe it was just the alcohol and coke she took talking, but part of me wondered if Everly really wasn't happy. Had I not been a good enough boyfriend? Did she want to be with someone else?

It took a helluva lot of self restraint not to question her more. Never in a million years did I think Everly would try cocaine, but I never thought she'd tell me she wasn't happy being with me either. Everything was so fucked up. I didn't know how to fix it or if I could.

Laying on the small spare room bed, I stared up at the ceiling and sighed. How could I fall asleep when things might be coming to an end for us? Was I reason she turned to drugs? Did I make her life that miserable? I loved Everly more than anything, but if I made her unhappy, I didn't want to force her to stay with me.

After thinking it over too much, I sent my brother, Adrian, a text about what happened. His love life was shit, so I knew he wouldn't mock me for my problems. Adrian tended to fall for the wrong type of men, usually those who just wanted to use him then dump him. He called me almost immediately.

"What happened?" Adrian's voice came over the other line. "What did you do this time?"

"Hey, why are you assuming I did something wrong?" I sat up, raking a hand through my messy hair.

"Fine, then why's Everly so upset with you? You had to do something to make her consider leaving you. Unless you're just overreacting."

"Man, I wish I was overreacting. I don't know how to fix this."

"Spill the beans already," Adrian said, seeming to grow impatient with me.

"We got into a big fight after she came home tonight high on coke," I replied. "Some fucking bastards tried to rape her and two of the rebels saved her."

"Holy shit."

"Yeah, my thought too. I'm so relieved that she's okay. But she's mad at me for suggesting she leave the gang. They're no good for her. You know damn well what they did to my former partner, Luca. They'll do the same to Everly. That's why I gotta get her outta there. Before it's too late. She just doesn't understand," I explained.

"Everly really took cocaine?" Adrian asked.

"She did. When I asked her why, she ended up saying it's cause she's not happy with me anymore."

"Ouch. I'm sorry, man. It sounds like she might be losing attraction toward ya," Adrian replied. "I've felt the same way about a guy once. Everything he did got on my last nerve. No matter what it was. He could've taken me out to eat at a fancy pasta place and I'd get pissed off at him for not taking me to get burgers. I realized that I just wasn't into him anymore and that's why I wasn't happy with him. Not to be too TMI, but the sex got so much worse too."

"Yeah, definitely TMI," I mumbled. "But, um, we haven't... You know... Done anything sexual since she got shot. I mean, I figured she needs time to let her body heal."

"That's a good point. I can't imagine what she must've went through. I'm also not an expert when it comes to women, you know." He chuckled awkwardly. "The best thing I think you can do is talk to her. See what's going on and how y'all are feeling."

"I miss her. Like, she's become so distant recently. Even while we're under the same roof. At first, she relied on me a lot and we still were intimate. Just not sexually. Now, it's like she doesn't wanna be around me," I explained.

"Maybe she's just trying to figure out how she feels?" Adrian suggested. "I'm sure she's under a helluva lot of stress. Just go talk to her."

"She's angry with me. I don't think she wants to talk tonight," I told him.

"Wait until tomorrow then. Give it some time for y'all to cool off," Adrian replied. "I'm sure Everly still loves you. Y'all are just going through a rough patch."

"But what if she really wants to end things?" I asked him.

"Then you'll just have to move on. Breakups suck, but sometimes people grow apart," Adrian said. "Talk to her before jumping to all these conclusions though. Try to come to a compromise. Does she really enjoy dealing or is she just wanting to spend time with the members of that gang? Does she really feel unhappy being with you or is it just everything making her unhappy?"

"I'm not sure, I've never asked her about why she spends time with the gang either," I admitted.

"That could be your problem then. You've gotta talk to your girl, see why she sticks around with them. Maybe then you can help her see that they're no good for her," Adrian replied.

"Thanks for listening to my bullshit, bro."

"Anytime. If things are getting too hectic down there in New Syracuse, y'all can always come up here to Crittendale. Momma would love to see ya."

"Oh yeah? I might just take you up on your offer," I told him. "I've gotta work early tomorrow, so I'm gonna hit the sack. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay, goodnight."

"Night." I ended the call, wondering if sleep would ever come.

Everly still loved me, right? This couldn't be the end of us. Our love was strong enough to get through this shit.

💀

Sunlight crept into the room from behind the closed curtains. Sneaking a glance at my phone for the upteenth time, I groaned and rolled over. Five more minutes and I'd get my ass up. Stress robbed me of any peaceful sleep last night. All I could worry about was Everly and our relationship.

After spending more than those extra five minutes in bed, I forced myself up. As I made my way down into the bathroom, I realized Everly wasn't awake yet. She probably still slept off the high and alcohol she drank last night. I hopped in the shower and even took the time to shave my face, knowing much Everly loved it whenever I did.

By that time, my girl had finally woken up. I heard her footsteps going down the hallway. After getting dressed, I found her in the kitchen preparing a kettle of tea. Her messy bedhead was adorable and so was the pink frilly nightgown she wore.

"Morning," I greeted her. "You sleep well?"

Everly ignored me, sipping her tea and pretending like I didn't exist.

"You still upset with me?" I asked as she shouldered past me to the living room, not bothering to respond. I followed her. "Everly, please. Talk to me. I want to work this out."

"You've made it clear how you feel. There's nothing else to talk about." Everly took a seat on the sofa, resting her cup of tea on the lamp table coaster.

"Look, I don't want you dealing for the rebels. That's true. It's dangerous and puts you at risk. Ever since you got shot, I've been so damn worried about you. But I wanna hear why you do it. I've never asked you before," I told her. "Is dealing drugs really what you wanna do for the rest of your life? Even when we have kids?"

She sighed, pulling her knees up to her chest. "I don't know what I wanna do anymore. I've considered what you said, about how I can't deal when we have kids. I mean, if we have them... I don't know if I can or..."

Gently, I rested an arm around her shoulders after sitting down beside her. I was relieved when she didn't pull away. "Whatever you wanna do, I'll have your back. Even if you wanna, god forbid, keep dealing for the rebels. But when we have kids, I don't want them around there, okay? It's just not a place for them."

"But... What if I can't have kids? What's the plan then?" she asked, staring down at the floor. "You've got this ideal family image in mind, but maybe I'm not meant for that. Maybe dealing's all I'm good for."

"That's bullshit, Everly. You can do whatever you want. Dealing isn't the only good thing you're at. You know that too," I told her. "And when the time comes for trying to have a baby again, we'll just have to see what happens. I'll stay by your side no matter what."

"Last night scared the hell out of me, Adam." She snuggled up against my chest. "I kept worrying about what you'd think about me if those guys had–"

"Honey, I'd never think less of you. I would've wanted to go kill those fuckers if they'd done something like that to you. That's why I worry about you dealing, cause of fucking creeps like that. You never know when one of them might try to pull shit like that."

"I'm not sure what I'll do. I don't want to abandon Emmett, but I can't keep dealing the rest of my life either. That's not what I want," she admitted.

"Well, what do you want?" I asked her.

"When I was little, I always wanted to be a vet. I love animals," she replied. "I considered going to college for it, but once we came to New Syracuse, I just forgot all about it. Then I met you... Got pregnant and realized maybe I want to be a mom. It's something I never thought about until lately."

"Why don't you try working for the clinic here?" I questioned. "I'm sure they'd hire you."

"It's not like I've got a great resume to give them either. I quit a lot of jobs as a teenager cause I was young and stupid. And it's not like I can put dealing drugs down as a skill." Everly sighed.

I shrugged. "You've got the Wallflower. I'm sure almost everyone quit jobs in their teens for some reason. Even I did it back home. I worked a week at a seafood restaurant then quit after they told me I'd have to scrub dirty toilets." I wrinkled my nose at the memory. I could almost remember the horrific stench of the place like it happened yesterday.

"Eww." Everly cringed. "I'm sure you're glad you got away from there."

"Sure am." I spared a glance at my phone for the time. Dread sunk in my chest when I realized I needed to get my ass in gear, otherwise I'd be late for work. "Let's eat supper tonight. I'll cook whatever you want. I should be home by a little after seven tonight. No overtime either, I promise."

Everly's face lit up as she smiled for the first time in forever. Fuck, it made me want to call in and spend the rest of the afternoon with her. She had a way of doing that to me. If only I'd just stayed at home with her.

💀

A spiffy tall man in black pinstriped suit waited for me at the police station. Only minutes after I arrived, he approached me and asked if I was in fact Detective Lindel. There was something about the rich-looking man that had me on edge, but I didn't let that show.

"I'm Edward Givens, superintendent of New Syracuse county school district." He gestured his hand out to shake.

"Well, what can I do for you this morning?" I asked him.

He scratched the back of his neck, sighing. "I need to report a crime."

"I see. Come with me, I'll get you in an interview room to give your statement," I told him. "You want a coffee or anything?"

Mr. Givens shook his head. "No thank you, sir."

After getting the school superintendent into an empty room, I got everything situated for him. Mr. Givens left foot tapped restlessly beneath the table and he kept glancing over at the closed door, as if he expected someone to barge in.

"Alright. Tell me more about this crime," I said, reclining back in my chair.

"My stepson, Dylan Lewis. He's had issues with drug abuse in the past. I think he's done something really bad." Mr. Edwards wiped his brow before continuing, rummaging through his bag. "I found this in his room. Look at the drawings. They're of that young woman I saw on the news who got shot. Everly. She's your girlfriend, right?"

I frowned. "How do you know that?"

Mr. Edwards flushed. "Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to be nosy. Just what I've heard from rumors. That's why I asked for you. I know you'd be interested in this."

I examined the comic-like sketches that really resembled Everly. Most of them were explicit, with large cleavage showing. The one that stuck out to me was with the aquarium background and her lying on the ground.

"Dylan doesn't know I took these. He's at his AA meeting," Mr. Edwards replied. "I didn't tell his mother either. He's been known to be violent, especially with her. I've been trying to get her to kick him out but she won't listen to me. I'm scared he might've hurt this poor woman, and god knows how many others."

Rubbing my chin, I let the new information sink in. Everly had been so sure Dylan wasn't responsible, but maybe she'd been wrong. Dylan's obsession might've led him to attack her. Unless the bullet was maybe even meant for me? How did the witch tie into things though? Could that have been Dylan dressed up? Or someone he got to do that for him?

"Have you told anyone else about this?" I questioned.

"No, just you. I hesitated bringing this forward. I wasn't sure if it would be of any help. Drawing isn't illegal and it's possible he just drew it after hearing about what happened," Mr. Edwards rambled. "But there's something wrong with that boy. He's got a few screws loose. I wouldn't be surprised if he was involved somehow."

"You said you're his stepfather. How long have you known Dylan?" I asked him.

"Six months or so," he replied. "I met his mom on one of those dating sites and we hit it off well."

"You think we could speak with your stepson? Maybe you could bring him down here to the station?"

"I'm not sure he'd agree to go anywhere with me. You see, my stepson resents me. Hates how I stole his mother away," Mr. Edwards replied. "You can speak to him in our home though. He should be home from his AA meeting in two hours for lunch."

My gaze landed on the drawings again. The poorly drawn aquarium background stuck out to me almost as much as the young blonde woman with blood pooling around her. That Dylan guy was looking more like our prime suspect. Maybe Everly got it all wrong about him.

After Mr. Givens helpful revelation, my partner and I headed out to the address he gave us. Chris and I got situated in his living room to wait for Dylan to come home. I had a helluva lot of questions for the little shit, especially about those creepy drawings. If he had something to do with my girl getting shot, I'd beat the hell out of him. I didn't care what kind of consequences I'd face for it either.

Things didn't go according to plan when Dylan came through the front door with a friend of his though. The look on Dylan's face showed shock as he met my gaze.

"Shit," Dylan cursed. "The fuck did you do, Edward?"

"These detectives just want to ask you a few questions," Mr. Givens said, clearing his voice. "If you've got nothing to hide, then you'll be fine."

Dylan shook his head. "Nah, those pigheads fucking plant fake evidence all the time. I ain't gonna go to jail."

Before anyone had a chance to react, Dylan took off running back outside with his friend close behind him. My irritation with the little bastard only grew as Chris and I pursued them.

Behind a tree, I saw movement. It was Dylan's dumbass friend. He hadn't spotted me getting closer to him. Must not be very attentive.

I ducked behind an old car missing the hubcaps. From behind the car, I saw him more clearly. I inched closer, until I was almost right behind him.

"Police!" I called out. "Hands where I can see them!"

To my relief, the idiot surrendered and put his hands up. I got my cuffs out, ready to apprehend the little delinquent. Hopefully Chris got a hold of Dylan.

"You have anything else on you? Weapons? Drugs?"

"No, officer." he pulled his jean pockets out to confirm so.

"Alright. Now, turn around and interlock your fingers behind your back."

As I got ready to cuff him, he pulled something out of his coat pocket. I felt the pierce of the needle in my neck and snatched it out before he could press the plunger. It fell into the snow as I pushed the little bastard against the back of the tree. I made him turn around like I demanded and cuffed him.

When I forced him to look me in the eye, I expected him to beg for mercy or get angry at me. He did neither. Instead, he just grinned at me.

"What the fuck are you smiling about?" I asked him.

"I'm HIV positive, detective."

Panic built up in my chest as I tried to remain calm. I sucked in a deep breath and radioed medical assistance to our area. I slapped the little fucker across the face when he wouldn't stop smiling. There was no telling how many people used that dirty needle and what they had. How could I be so stupid?