Page 21 of Conan
“Towns are safer without us all together,” I chuckle.
“That they are, Xavier,” he agrees. For the remainder of the night, we reminisce about our time with them and drink the pitcher until there’s nothing left.
Those were simpler times. We caused chaos while living free and wild off the land. But again, if I hadn’t felt the need to settle, I wouldn’t have Demi and Marcum wouldn’t have Luna as well as the baby she’s carrying.
I guess what they say is true, things happen for a reason.
CHAPTER
NINE
DEMI
My skin is itchy,it feels tight with my man away facing my enemies.
When Conan, or Xavier as he demanded I call him two nights past, told me about their plan I broke out in a blotchy rash. This has been a dilemma of mine since childhood, stemming from trauma and nerves. I can’t believe this day has finally come. The men who attacked me, stole something from me, will be getting a little payback.
“Stop scratching,” Luna berates, slapping my fingers away from my flesh. “You’re going to make it worse.”
“It can’t get any worse, Luna. It’s spread like a fungus.”
“That’s because it is, Demi. Put on the cream I sent Stixx to the pharmacy for and leave it alone.”
“Those men come in handy, don’t they?” I tease, clutching my fist so I don’t scratch. “Wish we had them in college.”
“They would’ve come in handy during exam crunch time,” Luna snickers. “So would one of the delivery apps.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” I agree. “Running to the store mid study time was exhausting.”
“It was hard breaking our concentration from the books to head to the store because our tummies were grumbling,” Luna reflects. “Remember how hard it was to get back, cook, and hit the books again?”
“Remember? Hell, yeah. I put on the Freshman ten twice a year until we walked across the stage. I had to work out harder after our tests were done because it all settled in my hips and ass.”
She starts giggling and then I join her, my itching momentarily forgotten, as we each remember our two-a-day workouts until I was back to my normal weight and size. God bless Luna because she was right by my side even though the heifer only gainedfive poundsduring that time! It seems that all my early childhood trauma presents itself in a food binging way, which isn’t good at all. I’ve watchedMy 600 lb. Lifeand I’m not about to be one of Dr. Now’s patients! I mean, what he tells some of them isn’t wrong because ultimately, if he teaches them the tools to use it’s up to them, but sometimes, he has to be brutal as fuck to get through to them.
“Can I take some more Benadryl yet?” I question, the cream not really having the desired effect.
She looks at me with concern and says, “Maybe I need to see who the guys use and have them come out to give you a shot or something more effective than what we’re doing. I bet your whole autoimmune system is jacked up with everything going on.”
“Even though I’m not a fan of doctors or needles, I itch badly enough that I’d be willing to let someone give me a shot,” I grumble, my hands now in fists as they rub against my skin. The satisfaction is momentary, sadly, because as soon as I stop, that urge to dig into my arms and legs intensifies exponentially.
“Get my mind off this, Luna. Let’s talk shop,” I suggest, wanting something else for my mind to concentrate on.
“Have you decided on if you’re going to take a more active role in Broken Trust, Demi?”
“I’m not an author, Luna,” I remind her even though she’s well-aware of that fact. “It’s not my forte, I prefer to be behind the scenes. I’ll help you with the plotline, attacks, feelings, and shit like that, but I don’t want my name tied to the storyline.”
“I get that. It can be used against you later if it becomes known that it’s based around your experience,” she concludes.
“Yeah, it all comes down to getting permission and shit. You know as well as I do that those vile men who took advantage of me would never sign on that dotted line.”
“Who could blame them?” She snorts, rolling her eyes. “But since we’re changing names and locations, I don’t see that being an issue. It’d be like them shooting themselves in the foot.”
“True, but no matter what your argument is, I’m not going to change my mind, sis.”
“Fine,” she grumbles. “But I need you to be as honest with me as you can about the circumstances, actions, and emotions.”
“You’re worried?” I ask.
