Lacey

Sophie is sprawled out on the floor, the tree is half on her and half destroyed. I'm so mad I'm not sure I can see straight. I literally have to turn around and look the other way or I might kill her myself. Before I can speak, or scream, Travis comes over to me and takes me in his arms.

"Breathe, baby. Just take some deep breaths and try to stay calm. We'll figure this out."

My eyes are closed and I'm following his advice, but it's not really helping. Behind me, I can hear Luc starting to try to help Sophie up. Part of me is concerned about her, wondering if she's hurt. But mostly I'm just sort of pissed that she's acting this way. I still don't really understand.

"Don't touch me!" Soph shouts in the background, ruining any attempt I'm making at creating my happy place. "Get away!"

"Soph, why are you doing this?" Luc asks, his voice more emotional than I've ever heard. It pulls my attention back around to them, causing me to cover my mouth in surprise.

Sophie must have pulled herself up, and she was just starting to make a literal attempt to run away from Luc. His reflexes must be off the charts because she didn't even get two inches away before he had his arms around her waist. Then he lifted her up over his shoulder, like Peta with a sack of flour.

What can I say, I love The Hunger Games.

"Put me down, you psycho!" Sophie is kicking her legs and pounding her fists into his back. Luc, however, isn't wavering in his efforts to carry her right out the door. I feel myself release a sigh of relief. More than twenty-four hours with her have taken a toll on my level of sympathy. I need a break.

"Not until you listen to me, woman," Luc says, dodging her flying heels.

"I...don't...want...to," she grunts.

"Too bad. I've got stuff to say, and you will do me the courtesy of listening. Even if I have to physically restrain you."

Luc keeps walking back toward the service entrance, Sophie squealing and kicking the entire way. He certainly is determined.

"Did you know about this?" I turn to Travis and ask.

"Know about what?" he says with false innocence. Oh he knew all about it, I can already tell.

"Where is he taking her?"

Travis hesitates for a second, but after I raise one eyebrow at him, my silent threat, he caves. "His place. He asked for my keys."

"And you gave them to him?" I shriek. "Travis, I don't think that's a very good idea for either of them in this state of mind!"

"Do you want them hanging around here anymore? I mean, she already trashed your tree. Do you need more destruction?" Travis throws his hands in the air.

Ugh. He's right. I'm secretly excited that Luc dragged her away.

But...my tree.

I look back to assess how severe it's damaged, and realize there's no salvaging it.

"Now what?"

"Toby can get us a tree," Nicole says, bringing my attention over to her. They had been quietly observing the entire debacle from the other side of the crime scene. Nicole looks at Toby, "right?"

"Yup, come across 'em almost every day this time a year," he drawls.

I sense Travis clenching his fists and tensing up right next to me. I reach out and put my hand on his shoulder, trying to get him to chill out.

"See!" Nicole states triumphantly. "Now, Go get us the best tree you've got." She ushers Toby back to the main entrance they came in from. She follows him out, making me think that she's going with him. But a few seconds later, she returns alone.

"Nicole, how do you know him?" I ask.

"Oh, Toby's my neighbor. He has kind of a junk yard going on in his backyard, so from time to time, I put his resources to good use."

"I hate that guy," Travis mutters under his breath, only loud enough for me to hear. I elbow him to shut up. I don't need Nicole asking questions now that she's got Toby getting me another tree.

"Well, let's clean up this mess while we're waiting. I think there's a dumpster...out...ba-" my voice drifts off at the end as a brilliant idea begins to brew. "Wait!"

Travis stand up, leaving the tree on the ground. "What's wrong now?"

"I have an idea, go grab a saw."

^^^^^

Oh man, every time they solve a problem, a new one pops up. *evil author laugh*

This update is early, or late. Whatever you want to call it. I'm planning to update on Saturday, and fingers crossed that you can see them.

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