Shutting down my computer I slipped my feet back into my sneakers ready to leave for today. I couldn’t stop thinking about that young girl from before and the fact that I did nothing to help her.
Sighing I got up from my seat and grabbed my bag. All I wanted was to go home and have a long hot bath. I hadn’t heard from Blaze since earlier. His words of we’ll talk later still playing on my mind.
I didn’t want Everleigh staying at the clubhouse with him but what choice did I have? Not because it wasn’t safe, or she wouldn’t be looked after I just wanted her under my roof along with her dad. I also wouldn’t stop her from seeing him just because of his choice to stay there.
Slipping my arms into my jacket I locked my office door behind me and made my way to the reception area. It had been a long day, and I couldn’t wait for it to be over.
“Heading home?”. Josh asked.
He was stood at the surgical board rubbing off names and writing new ones in.
“On time for once”. I smiled. “Am I down for any tomorrow?”. I asked.
“I want you to scrub in on the guy in number 5. I’m going to need your assistance”.
“Okay”. I chewed the inside of my cheek. “First thing?”.
“Around 9 but that’s if he makes it through the night. Honestly, I don’t know how he’s still hanging on”.
“Right”. I couldn’t help the guilt circling in my stomach. It was either that or morning sickness, morning sickness that lasted all bloody day. Either way I felt sick to my stomach.
“See you tomorrow Ava”.
“By Josh”. Making my way to my car I dug around inside my purse in search of my keys. What I didn’t expect to find was Blaze leaning against my bonnet.
“You alight?”. He asked as I approached.
“Yeah”. I sighed that girl still fresh on my mind. I couldn’t stop the what ifs or the scenarios playing in my head.
“You sure?”. He took a cigarette from his cut pocket and lit it up. “Cause you don’t look alright to me babe”.
“Long day”. I shrugged. “Do you still want Everleigh tonight?”.
“Aye darling. Drop her off with your mom and I’ll get her later”.
My mom? Why would I drop her off with my mom when she was his responsibility. Rolling my eyes I ran a hand down my face. This was actually happening. He was moving back into the clubhouse and there was nothing I could do about it.
“Are you really not coming home? I don’t want to fight with you Blaze”. I didn’t have the time or energy to go at it with him.
“We ain’t fighting Ava but until you trust me this is what has to happen”.
“I do trust you”. I did but sometimes my mind wanders, and I think the worst. I couldn’t help it and I know it was wrong to go off his past, but could you blame me?
“Clearly”. He glared taking a drag of his smoke.
“Fine whatever”. I was too tired to deal with him right now. Opening my driver’s side door, I put my bag on the passenger side before getting in.
“Gotta realise I ain’t the same person I was babe. Wouldn’t risk losing my family for a quick fuck”.
“I know”. I sighed. “I overreacted and I’m sorry. My emotions are all over the place and-…”. I stopped talking there was no point. “I have to go I’ll drop her off with my mom”.
“You know I love you A”.
“Yeah”.
…
I had decided I wasn’t going to think about it anymore. He made the decision, and I wasn’t going to force him to come home when he didn’t want to. No matter how much I hated us not living together I respected his choices.
I picked Everleigh up early from pre-school. She had a fall landing her with a busted lip. Fell over her own feet apparently.
I nipped home packed a bag for her and we were currently on our way to the clubhouse. I didn’t want her staying there, I didn’t want him staying there either.
I wanted us all under the one roof like a family.
She wasn’t very talkative when I picked her up and she was quiet as hell on the drive over. That wasn’t like my daughter.
“You okay baby?”. I signaled left before turning onto the road that led to the clubhouse.
“Tired mommy”.
“Did you have a good day?”. I didn’t like when she wasn’t herself. Always made me think she was coming down with something.
“Yeah, but I hurted my face”.
“I know baby. Mommy will make it better when we get to papa’s”. I could already see she was struggling to keep her eyes open.
That was never a good sign.
Pulling into the parking lot I could already hear how rowdy it was. I didn’t even want to take her inside. Not when she was this tired and not when she wasn’t feeling herself.
“Screw it”. I pulled out of the parking lot and headed home. Blaze would understand once he knew she wasn’t feeling so good.
With my phone already connected to the car I hit his number waiting for him to answer.
“Aye?”.
Really?
“I’m keeping her with me tonight. She’s not feeling too good”.
“She okay?”.
I could hear the slight panic in his voice.
“She had a fall and burst her lip. Her face is a little swollen and she’s tired, so I don’t think the clubhouse is the best place for her tonight”.
“Take her home and I’ll drop in on my way back”.
“Okay I’ll see you-…”.
“Have you eaten dinner?”. He cut me off.
“Not yet”.
“I see”.
I could already tell he was annoyed.
“I’m not hungry Blaze. This morning sickness is killing me. I feel sick from the minute I wake up to the minute I fall asleep”.
“Still need to eat. I’ll bring you something in when I drop by”. He ended the call not giving me the chance to reply.
Bloody typical.
I stopped to put some gas in the car and grabbed a few packs of sour sweets for when I was home. I don’t know what it was, but the sourness made the sickness slightly better.
Pulling onto my street I turned into the driveway parking behind his truck. Getting out I lifted a sleeping Everleigh into my arms. I didn’t think about getting my keys out of my purse to unlock the door.
I also didn’t hear the shutting of a car door.
“Miss Mendez?”.
“Yes?”. I turned to find two men in suits coming up my driveway.
I knew straight away they were police.
“Can I help you?”. I asked.
“I’m detective Pierce and this is detective Scott. Do you mind if we ask you a few questions?”.
“What’s this about?”. I frowned.
Cops on my doorstep could only mean one thing. Blaze and the guy in room number 5 at the hospital.
Fuck. This is all we needed.
“It’s just a few quick questions Miss Mendez. Like the whereabouts of your boyfriend Sean Thomas last night. Do you mind if we come inside?”.
A sigh fell from my lips as I held Everleigh tighter. They were not coming inside my house. They had no right, and I didn’t extend an invitation. You let them in and you’re giving them free reign to snoop without a warrant.
“We’re not here to cause any trouble Ava. We only want to ask a few questions and then we’ll be gone”.
I didn’t like this. I didn’t like cops not after the shit they put my family through. Yes, they weren’t angels but still, they tried to sting them every chance they got.
“You can ask your questions here”. I wasn’t comfortable being here alone with them when it was just me and Everleigh.
“Was Sean Thomas with you last night?”.
“Yes”. I didn’t stutter, didn’t hesitate.
“Did he leave at any point?”.
“He was here with me all night”. I was fully aware that I was committing a crime. The fact that I could lie so easily when it came to Blaze scared the crap out of me.
“And he didn’t leave at all?”. Detective Scott asked.
“No, he didn’t leave. He was here with me and our daughter all night. Now is that everything?”.
“Giving a fake alibi is a crime, Miss Mendez. Are you aware of that?”.
“Yes, Detective Pierce I am. Now if that’s everything I need to take my daughter inside”.
“It’s Dr Mendez, isn’t it?”. Detective Scott asked.
My throat went dry. Why was he asking that?
“Yes”. I frowned.
“It would be a shame to see you throw your career away for the likes of Thomas”.
This was like history repeating itself.
“It’s a good job I’m not throwing my career away then isn’t it. Do you have any more questions or is that it?”. Everleigh was beginning to stir and the last thing I needed was for her to wake up.
“That’s everything for now Miss Mendez. We’ll be in touch”.
I didn’t go inside until they got in their car and drove off down the street.