Where We Belong - RV.Elliott

Chapter 21 

"Why the long face sweetheart?". My dad kissed the top of my head as I slumped into a stool at the bar. Laying my head against it I closed my eyes and sighed. 

"This got something to do with Blaze?". Taking a seat beside me he pulled out his smokes sitting them on the bar. "Tim two shots". Giving me a lit smoke, I sat up taking it from him. "I'll take the silence as a yes". 

"He now thinks I think he'll fuck this up". Taking a long draw of my smoke I knocked back the shot that was placed in front of me. "Why can't I just have the white picket fence?". I groaned. 

Throwing his head back he laughed before placing his hand on my shoulder. "You're a Mendez sweetheart we don't get the white picket fence or the easy way out. We fight for what we got and what we want". 

"How do I tell him I so badly want us to be a family. Like how do I really show him that I trust him and that I love him and that he is good enough for us". 

"And there I thought the two of you were finally happy, fuck". 

"I want to be I'm just not sure his heads in it". There I finally said it and it didn't make me feel any better. 

"Oh, his heads in it darling. Fucker turned down a run because he had the kid. Said you'd have his balls". He smirked. 

"Am I being an asshole?". 

"Just let it happen Ava. Stop overthinking the what ifs and just be happy". 

"Thanks dad". Standing up I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed tight. "Seeing as Blaze still has Everleigh, I'm going to make a start on moving my stuff. You 

know where Jared is?". 

"Fuck should I know I ain't his keeper". Rolling my eyes, I kissed his cheek and made my way outside. Heading towards the garage I came to a stop when I saw Jared driving Blazes truck. 

If he's driving, then where the hell was Blaze? 

Storming towards the truck as it came to a stop, I pulled open the driver's door. "Why do you have my child?". Looking in the backseat Everleigh was sound asleep. 

"She's fine she got a little upset, so I took her around the block a few times to get her to sleep. You spoke to the lawyer yet?". 

Lawyer? 

"Fuck". He hissed. "You don't know do you?". Scratching the back of his head he took out a cigarette. 

"Know what?". Gritting my teeth, I squeezed my eyes tight. I already knew what he was going to say would change my mood. 

"Take Everleigh inside I'll catch up with you in a few". 

"Jared". 

"Take her inside I got some calls to make". 

Placing her in bed I turned the monitor on and headed back to the bar area. Jared had better start talking. I wasn't very patient when it came to Blaze. 

"Why did he have to be so fucking stupid". My dad snapped as he walked out of his office with Cage and a few others in tow. "Jared any word yet?". 

What was going on? 

"Nah prez having a hard time reaching McCall". 

Wait McCall? 

"Well when you do tell him I pay him good money to be a good fucking lawyer. Get him the fuck out of there in the next hour". 

"Fucking idiot knows they'll send his ass straight back to county". 

"Cage". My dad warned his eyes landing on me. 

"He's in jail?". My voice was barely a whisper but suddenly everyone was quiet. What had he done to end up in jail? 

"Ava he's at-...." 

"He got arrested when he was looking after Everleigh?". I said more to myself than anyone else. "How could I have been so stupid". Shaking my head, I ran a hand over 

my face. 

"Now Ava don't-...." 

"Don't". I didn't need to hear what happened because I wasn't interested. "Can you ask mom to come get Everleigh. I promise I won't be long". 

"We need to bail him out A". 

"Right now, I can't even look at him so bailing him out is the leastam of my worries". Grabbing my car keys, I came to a halt at the words that left Jared's mouth. 

"That's it sweetheart run when it starts to get tough. You're good at that aren't you. So much for being his old lady". 

What hurt me the most wasn't his choice of words it was the disappointment in his voice. He was right I was doing what I did best. 

"By all means don't let us stop you". 

I didn't like this side of Jared. The mean and ruthless side. It was frightening and reminded me so much of Blaze. I frowned at him. He hadn't spoken to me like that in a long time. 

Turning my back on them I walked out the front door and went directly to my car. Under the driver's seat I pulled out my emergency cigarettes and lit one up. 

I sat in the driver's seat with the door wide open. How could he have been so stupid. What was I supposed to do if they drag his ass back there? I didn't want to raise our daughter on my own again. She needed her dad just as much as I needed him. 

Finishing off my smoke I locked my car and headed back inside. Now was the time to tell her the truth. She had to know Blaze was her dad. Ignoring Jared and the rest of the members including my dad I went straight to where Everleigh was asleep. She was the most precious little human in the world, and she deserved to know the 

truth. 

"Don't wake her up". 

"Come to throw a few more digs at me, have you?". Regardless I knew we all knew I wasn't bailing out I was just pissed, and I had a damn right to be. "And just so you know I wasn't running". Poking his chest hard I glared. "I know you got shit to deal with we've all got shit to deal with Jared but don't take it out on me". 

"Damn no wonder he fell in love with you". Smirking at me he slung his arm over my shoulder and pulled me too him. 

"How serious isyi it?". I sighed taking a seat at the bar. "Do we have the money to bail him out?". 

"We're handling it you don't-...." 

"Don't you dare tell me not to worry. How can I not worry. He could be going to jail and there is not a damn thing I can do about it". Taking one of his smokes I lit it up. "I could murder him right now Jared". 

"Murder him when he gets home tonight". Stubbing out his smoke he kissed the top of my head. "I'll bring him home now stay put". 

"Jared wait....". Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip I started to bounce on the balls of my feet. "What did he do to end up in there?". 

"Fighting". Scratching the back of his head he wouldn't look at me which means he wasn't finished. 

"Jared?". 

"Nate, he was fighting with Nate. Do you know how long those fuckers have been waiting to nail him. Sitting waiting for him to fuck up and now they've fucking got him". 

"Why am I not surprised. Just get him home so I can punch him in the throat". 

"Got it sweetheart. Hang fire I'll have him home in no time". Winking at me he gave me a salute before he left. 

And once again I was left on my own. 

No time my ass. Hours had passed and no one was back yet. My mom had dropped by with Leighton, and she was currently preparing dinner. 

"You're doing it again". She sighed snapping her fingers in front of my face. "Don't worry they're handling it. Now fries or potatoes?". 

Food wasnd the least of my worries. I wasn't hungry and my stomach was in knots. "Go with fries for a change". I had no idea why she thought she needed to make a family dinner again. "Do you mind if I nip out for a bit. Promise I won't be long". I needed to clear my head and stop overthinking the what ifs. 

"He'll want you here Ava". The sternness in her voice told me going out wouldn't be a clever idea. 

"Fine". I sighed as she pushed the chopping board towards me. 

"Cut those it'll take your mind off of everything going on". 

"Yeah, because cutting vegetables is going to make me forget that there's a possibility he's going to jail". The sarcasm was dripping from my tongue and the look she gave me told me I had better shut my mouth. It didn't help that she had a knife in her hand. "Sorry mom I'm just-...." 

"Mommy, mommy I have sweetie?". Everleigh bounced her little way into the kitchen. "Hungry mommy". 

"Don't you think you've had enough sweeties for today?". Bending down I lifted her into my arms. "I heard you had ice cream and a slush". 

"Yes, I did". 

"Then how about you go play until dinners ready it won't be long". Kissing the top of her head I placed her onto her feet. 

"Blaze come play with me?". 

"Later baby now on you go". 

"She hasn't half taken a liking to him. Don't you think it's time she knows the truth?". My mom asked as she passed me a glass of wine. 

"I should have told her the truth from the start. I should have kept him in her life even though he wasn't". 

"Hey now don't beat yourself up about it. You did what you had to do and besides she's still young". 

"Not the point mom". Sighing I took a sip from my glass. "I haven't found the right moment to sit her down and explain it to her. She's three for petes sake". 

"It'll all fall into place now stop worrying and keep cutting I need those veggies". 

Rolling my eyes, I did as she asked. 

Once everything was in the oven mymd stomach flipped when I heard multiple motorbikes. It took all the power in me not to rush outside and see if they had managed to bring him home. 

My mom had already skipped her way outside. Too nosy for her own good but I knew she wanted to make sure my dad hadn't been arrested. He sure had a way with words sometimes and that didn't always help the situation. I was glad I was in the kitchen out the way because I knew as soon as the music started, he was home. 

Great another night of drinking and chaos.