Never Tear Us Apart // INXS

"I'm just saying, you can't judge a book by its cover." Misty holds up a thick book, waving it back and forth. "This cover is gorgeous. But the book is shit." She tosses it on the couch and leans down. "I'm so freaking bored!"

Alison's legs are draped across mine, the two of us cuddled together in an oversized chair. It's been the best three days of my life...and the worst. Being with Alison like this, surrounded by amazing views, is something I thought I'd lost for good. However, Misty hasn't given us a minute of privacy since she came back from her walk on day one. Something about not wanting to get eaten alive by bugs. Even after I pointed out that it's winter and the bugs aren't out for blood right now, she shrugged and parked herself on the couch.

"Do some baking," Alison says.

I cringe. If Misty's baking is anything like the rest of her cooking, food poisoning is a guarantee. She tried making spaghetti the first night and it came out pretty wretched. Like trying to eat old tires covered in expired tomatos.

"Meh." Misty pulls her phone out, scrolls for a couple of seconds, then huffs and tosses it onto the floor.

"No signal?" I ask. The reception up here was spotty at first, but Tye came by and added a hot spot. Apparently Frank needed to be able to contact us for whatever reason so he had Tye set us up, although he hasn't gotten in touch with any of us so far.

"Yes, signal. But no missed texts."

Alison sits up. "From who?"

Misty shoots to her feet and stomps to the stairs. "From none of your business," she grumbles as she takes the stairs two at a time.

Alison gives me a sly look. Both of us say the same thing at the same time.

"Frank."

And burst into laughter.

"She's got it so bad!" Alison shakes her head then leans back against me. I wrap her up in my arms, wanting to take advantage of the sliver of alone time we've just been given.

"What's going to happen when this is all over?" she asks.

"What do you mean?"

"When we have to leave our hide-a-way and return to the ugly reality."

I hear the tension in her question, so I put everything on the line to reassure her.

"When we leave this hiding place, we are done with hiding. I'm not willing to keep you a secret, not after what we just went through. I don't care what your dad says."

Alison holds me closer. "He won't say anything. He was sufficiently remorseful after the whole jail thing. He hasn't said it in so many words, but he also hasn't been on my case about how Misty and I tried to jump in to help. It's the silence saying more than his words ever could. My dad's a talker, always trying to reason through a problem. The fact that he's said zero to me about all of this lately means something."

"Well, even if he did," I pull her face to my lips and press a kiss on hers, "I'd have to refuse. You're mine. And I don't care who knows it. I want everyone to know."

Alison hums against my mouth. I love holding her, touching her. Kissing her is my drug. More, when we get there, will be beyond my wildest dreams. I know it. But I can wait. I sense that Alison isn't comfortable yet, either from our current situation or the fact that we've been apart longer than we were together and need more time to get close. It doesn't matter which scenario. I'm giving her the space she needs to feel safe with me. I know that could take time due to how I pushed her away, regardless of the reason.

The two of us stay tangled together on the couch and doze off, relaxed and comfortable enough to do so.

I don't know how much time has passed when a ringing noise rouses me. I glance to the coffee table and see my phone lit up with Frank's name. Reaching around Alison, I grab it and swipe.

"Yeah." My voice still holds the gravel of sleep and my brain is still foggy, but the words Frank utters into the phone jolt me alert.

"It's going down."

"You arrested him?"

"No. Not yet. That's happening before the playoff game tomorrow night. We need you back to keep him off his toes."

"Me? How am I going to do that? Can't you just grab him from home and get it over with?"

"Long story but no."

"I've got time."

Frank grunts. I can hear the impatience in every breath.

"We suspect he's scheduled for another hit before the game. My captain wants our surveillance to record it in order to lock down the evidence. Apparently, photos taken by unauthorized civilians aren't as airtight."

I groan. My girl put herself in jeopardy to get that shot and they don't even want it.

"I feel the same," Frank says. "But my input doesn't count for much yet."

I'm surprised by his admission. He acted a lot cockier back at the station. But maybe that was for Misty's sake.

"How's it been going up there? Any trouble?" Frank asks, giving me the perfect opening to test my theory.

"No trouble unless you count a third wheel who's burned half of the food."

"She burned it? Did she—I mean, did anyone get hurt?"

I think Frank just showed all of his cards.

"Nope. No one got hurt unless you'd count indigestion. And that would be across the board. We all suffered until Alison banned Misty from the kitchen.

"Sounds harsh."

Is that protectiveness I hear? I wish I could tease the guy, but the truth is I don't even know him. Teasing Misty is the best I got right now.

I choose to ignore his comment and change gears. "How soon do you want us down.

"By tonight. The story we floated to Reign and his gang is you'd been picked up for questioning about your car being seen near Jez's compound. Coach may have mentioned that you had a 'family emergency' to handle which was why you'd missed practice. Reign and Declan have been business as usual, although I was hoping they'd try to make a move with your car but no luck."

"I guess they're smarter than I realized."

"That's debatable. But regardless. Head back down as soon as possible and don't be afraid to be seen. Your appearance in the locker room tomorrow needs to be expected."

"Okay." I draw out the word, not fully understanding Frank's reasoning.

"Trust me."

"Do I have a choice?"

"Not really."

"Thought so. I'll let you know when we get back."

"I'll be waiting."

Frank ends the call just as what sounds like a herd of cattle pounds down the stairs.

"Wait!"

Misty appears and dives onto the ottoman in front of me, arms outstretched. Her fingers graze my phone, knocking it onto the floor.

"Dang it! I had a question to ask him."

"Ask who?" I let the smirk grow as I ask.

"Um, Officer Dimilio."

"You mean, Frank."

Misty shrugs.

"What question?"

"None of your business."

"You've got quite a lot of private business with the guy."

Misty stands up, brushes herself off, turns abruptly and marches back upstairs.

Well.

"Start packing! We leave in an hour."

Heading right back into the thick of it.

***

I drove Misty's car to the stadium hoping that Alison would be willing to drop me off and head home. I don't have a good feeling about whatever is going down with Reign and would rather she isn't around for it. But my girl is determined.

"I'll be in the press box, totally safe from whatever happens," she says, kissing me on the cheek and shooing me into the players entrance.

"I don't like it, Ali. I'll be worried the whole time. I have no idea when this is happening. It could be fourth quarter for all I know. I'll spend the entire game thinking about you."

She puts her hands on her hips. "Are you saying you wouldn't be thinking of me otherwise?" The smirk on her face is adorable. She's trying to be a badass and ends up looking too cute for words.

I wrap my arms around her waist and haul her to me. "I think about you every second of the day as it is." I kiss her lips firmly. "But I'd rather not fear for your life as well."

"I'll be fine up there. I'm taking Misty with me."

That does not reassure me, but I'm smart enough to keep that nugget of information to myself.

"Fine. But if you get hurt, I'll be saying I told you so." I wink.

"I'll be letting you. But that won't happen."

I leave the two of them to head to the locker room as my stomach twists in knots. I enter the room, already full of players in various states of pregame preparation and wired with energy for the game. But no sign of Reign.

Did it already go down?

I start my routine but have a hard time doing anything but stifling my anticipation, wondering where our start quarterback is. Before much time passes, I get my answer.

The locker room doors burst open. Deke and Dave barrel in looking like two bulls ready to charge, followed by a stoic Reign Benson. They are amped, and I realize they must be on the peak of some kind of 'roid rage. Reign makes eye contact with me and it takes everything I've got not to shrink from his gaze. I honestly don't know what he's capable of.

He doesn't hesitate to approach me. "Where you been? Missed a few practices." Reign's tone is casual but there's an underlying tension that raises the hairs on the back of my neck.

"Just a little legal business. I took care of it." I keep my tone light but give Reign a pointed look, one that leaves no question as to what my legal business was all about.

Reign nods, fire in his eyes. He leans closer, his lips right at my ear as I look into my locker.

"Be careful."

He retreats to his side of the locker room after issuing his warning. I find myself wondering if Frank dropped the ball or even if he set me up. How can I get out of this unscathed?

Eventually, Coach calls us to the center of the room for his pregame lecture.

"You've worked for this. You've bled for this. You've given everything you have. Now go out and take what's yours."

Short and sweet. Coach isn't one for long, flowery pep talks. The team shouts our chant, "Falcons!" and pounds helmets. We turn to take the tunnel, Reign leading the pack, when we're met with the cops heading right for us.

That's when all hell breaks loose.

This was a hard week for me. Not only was I pulled in every mommy and wife direction possible, my heart was absolutely shattered at the tragic events in Texas on Tuesday. I've sobbed all week for those kids and families, for the teachers and the terror they must have gone through. Being a teacher myself, having gone through active shooter drills and knowing that you 'never know' when tragedy will happen...its been too much for me.

My prayers are active, although I know that saying I'm praying for the families isn't received positively at the moment. I will never stop praying for wisdom, for guidance, for strength and a peace that passes all understanding. There is more to do, but it should begin with prayer.

Enough about that, I hope you've found an escape with Jeff and Alison and now that the cops are on the scene, I'm adding a chapter I didn't plan to add so bonus I guess??

Thanks for sticking with me. INXS is closing us out today.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

BTW Inevitable is joining paid stories soon! So if you need a reread or have it on your TBR, you should probably jump in there soon for the free version (which has been edited and new content added to the last chapter 🥰)