Tammy’s POV: Two Week Later:
I’ve been distancing myself from Brian lately. I only really talk to him when I have too. I haven’t been sleeping in his bed, nor has he been in mine. I’m not ready to trust another. I tried that once, and he screwed me over. I will have to admit though I do miss him. I know it may seem hard living in the same house, but I do. I can’t ignore the butterflies that had a kickboxing match with my stomach when he kissed me. The nightmares are back, but not as often. Part of me needs him, wants to give him a chance, but part of me wants to wait it out for Jacoby. Ever since I ran into Jim I’ve had a little bit of hope that I would run into him, and I’m not ready to give that up yet. Even if I’m feeling the same feelings towards Brian that I did with Jacoby.
Jim has been to every Friday night show. He doesn’t always bring all of his friends, but he’s never alone. I was a little surprised he knew the two guys I met at the pool hall that day. I’ve met them all, and they aren’t a bad group of guys. Corey is the one with him the most. He has even come to a couple of Saturday shows by himself. I’ve grown to really like him, he’s a cool guy, very entertaining, and comfortable to be around.
The guys get tense when I talk about Jim and his friends. They won’t tell me what gang he is in, and I’m assuming his friends are in the same gang. They won’t tell me much. Something about the code of the gangs. A bunch of rules passed by Metallica to maintain order amongst the gangs. I don’t know sometimes I think its just an excuse not to tell me. Speaking of Metallica, I did find out Kirk is part of them. That was a slip up from Jimmy. I understand now why my dad was so afraid of him.
I was making my way to the kitchen for something to drink. Then I was going to see if the Xbox was free. I needed to get my mind off things, and what better way to do that than killing some zombies. Shit. Figures he would be in here. We made eye contact for a moment when he turned mid bite into his sandwich. I diverted my gaze to the refrigerator, and made my way past him. The tension was thick, and yes I’m not going to lie some of that tension was sexual. I mean come on look at the man. The cheek bones, the chocolate eyes that can see right through you, the toned tattooed arms. I’ll admit I’ve had a few not so innocent thoughts about this man.
I grabbed a Dew and went to leave when he grabbed my arm. “You can’t avoid me forever.” he whispered as he peered into me. So much pain, sadness, desperation, need in those chocolate eyes. I had to force myself to look away before my body betrayed me. All my heart wanted to do was cave to him give him a chance just so I didn’t have to see that look in his eyes again, but the fear in my mind screaming at me to look away won. I pulled my arm away, and walked out of the kitchen before the tears spilled over. Why do I gotta let the fear get the best of me.

Brian’s POV:
That’s right Gates just keep letting her walk away. Why not you have been for the past two weeks. No not this fucking time. I’m sick of waiting, the chase is tiring. I set my plate on the counter, and left the kitchen. Most of the guys were out on jobs, or doing their own thing. I found the Berry’s in the game room, she wasn’t in there. Probably in her room. That’s were she usually hides.
I walked in without knocking and slammed the door shut. She jumped off her bed and glared at me. “I’m not going to keep letting you walk away from me.” I said walking to her. “Get out.” she said. I shook my head. “No I’m sick of you running away from me.” “I’m not doing this with you right now.” she said trying to walk to the door. No fucking way. I spun her around pinning her to the door my hands on either side of her. “I can’t fucking sleep, I can’t get you out of my fucking head,” I began to spill everything “I don’t see anyone else, I don’t think about anyone else. You cause emotions that I try so hard to block out to come to surface, and I can’t ignore those feelings anymore,” I confessed, “I need you.” I whispered. “I’m not ready, Brian I’m sorry, but I need time.” she pleaded with me.
I sighed, and lowered my hands to my sides backing up a little. “Can we at least go back to the way it was?” I asked rubbing the back of my neck. “I can’t sleep without you there, and I know you can’t either.” I said. I’ve seen her down there in the game room playing the xbox cause she woke up or can’t fall asleep. I know she needs me too, she’s just fighting it. She smiled at me a little. “Yea we can go back to the way it was.” she said widening her smile that I had to return.
I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around her for a hug that she returned. “I know you’re waiting for him,” I said as I held her in my arms, “but you don’t know when or if that’s going to happen.” I continued as she pulled away a little to look up at me. She almost looked like a deer caught in headlights. She knew I was right. I cupped her face, “Don’t waste a lifetime on something that may never happen. You don’t even know if things will be the same between you two,” I ran my thumb across her lips, “don’t miss out on a chance to be happy.” I finished.
She reach up and rested her hands on my wrists. Leaning up she placed a small soft kiss on my lips. “I’m trying.” she whispered before pulling away completely. Her phone started going off, and she pulled it from her pocket. “Matt wants to see me.” she said looking at her text. “Yea,” I said grabbing her hand and leading her out of the room, “he thought of another way to pay off this debt.” I told her as we made our way to Matt’s office. “Really? What is it?” she asked. “You’ll see.” I said with a slight smirk. He’s been talking about bringing her in on some jobs.
I opened the door, and we walked in with her hand still in mine. Matt looked up and smiled at us as we sat in the two chairs in front of his desk. He’s noticed the tension between the two of us these past couple weeks. I’ve talked to him about it, so I’m sure he was glad to see us hand in hand. “So I was thinking about bringing you in on some of our jobs.” Matt started to tell her. “Doing what?” she asked. “Luring people away. People that owe us money mostly.” he explained. “And how am I supposed to do that?” she asked slightly narrowing her eyes. Smirks spread across our faces. “Come on a pretty girl such as yourself. It wouldn’t be hard for you to manipulate the low life scumbags that cater to our business.” Matt said with a slight tilt of his head. She chuckled a little, “You want me to seduce them?” she asked with amusement in her voice. “What makes you think that would even work?” she asked. “What makes you think it wouldn’t?” I asked with a little seriousness. She looked at me slightly confused. “Well what about my-” she stopped mid sentence as she looked down at her hands and arms. They were gone, and you could tell she was just realizing it for the first time. “Your what?” Matt asked softly. She looked up tears brimming her eyes. “I don’t see anything. Do you see anything Brian?” Matt asked looking at me with a grin. “You mean other than the beautiful woman sitting next to me? No, no I don’t.” I replied. A small smile broke out as a couple of tears escaped down her cheeks. She looked back down at her hands and arms, turning them over a few times as she stared in disbelief. “Its 3 grand a job. You can have some time to think about it.” Matt said bringing her out of her daze. With a slight nod, she quickly got up practically running out of the room. We chuckled at her hasty exit. “Guess we’re done here.” Matt said shaking his head.

Tammy’s POV:
I shut the door to my room a little harder than intended. Quickly stripping to my bra and panties, I stepped in front of my full length mirror. They were gone, and I didn’t even notice. I turned to look at my backside. I can’t believe it. A sob broke out as the tears flowed freely. For almost a decade I’ve been looking down seeing nothing but horrible disfiguring scars, and now they’re gone. I don’t have my identifying lines on the bottoms of my feet, but they’re not all ruff and uneven anymore.
I turned around stepping closer to the mirror continuing to cry. I was so happy. No more reminders. No more awkward conversations. No more people staring. No more hiding. No more reasons to think about it. Maybe I can move on now. I can finally let go of that weak girl I once was, and be the strong woman I know I can be. Maybe I can trust again. I know not everyone in this world are monsters. Maybe Brian’s right. I don’t know if I will ever see Jacoby again. For all I know he could have moved on by now. I just don’t know.
I put my jeans and t-shirt back on, and headed back downstairs. I made my way to the infirmary. Johnny was putting away some medications. “Johnny,” I called out walking in and strait to him. He turned to face me with a smile. I didn’t waste anytime grabbing his face with both hands planting a big fat kiss on him. “I fucking love you,” I said backing up. He stood there looking shocked and confused. “They’re gone Johnny look.” I said showing him my arms. A wide smile broke out on his face as he took my arms in his hands examining them. “Well will you look at that.“ he said. I squealed like a little school girl, and threw my arms around him. “Thank you so much.” I said squeezing tighter. “You’re welcome.” he chuckled out returning the hug.
I pulled away, and skipped out of the infirmary leaving a smiling Johnny. I headed strait for Matt’s office. I opened the door without knocking and stood in the doorway with my hand on the knob. Brian was still in here. They looked up clearly not expecting me. “I’ll do it.” I said simply. Not waiting for a reply, I left shutting the door behind me.
I was almost to the stairs when a hand grabbed my arm. I turned to see Brian with a smile. “Matt wants me to take you shopping.” he said. I crinkled my nose. “What?” he asked with slight amusement. “I hate shopping.” I said. He chuckled, “Well I’ve seen your wardrobe, and you have 0 dresses.” he stated making a 0 with his hand. “So?” I said. “So you can’t seduce someone in jeans and a t-shirt.” he said with a smirk. “Says you.” I stated poking his chest. He chuckled and grabbed my hand. “Sorry its not up for debate.” he said practically dragging me out the door.
Later That Night: Brian’s POV: That poor girl, I must have made her try on 100 dresses. I had a hard time deciding what to get. She looked great in everything I gave her, but we narrowed it down to about 10 dresses. You should have seen how ecstatic she was when we left the mall. I’ve never met someone that dislikes shopping as much as she does.
I was making my way to her room since she was letting me sleep with her again. She said she was trying to overcome her fears of letting someone in, and I was really hoping she would give me a chance. I know I can make her happy, treat her the way she deserves. If she doesn’t I don’t know what I will do. Probably give up on love altogether. I’ve went this long, whats the rest of my life. Wow that’s kind of pathetic.
I knocked on her door. I peaked in when I didn’t get a response. She was curled up tightly in her blanket on her bed. I walked over, and noticed her sweating and shivering slightly, eyes shut tight. “Are you ok?” I asked sitting on the bed concern in my voice. She opened her eyes and looked up at me. “Yea, just a craving.” she said closing her eyes again. “You still get cravings?” I asked a little surprised. “Once in a great while I do.” she replied keeping her eyes closed.
I stripped to my boxers, and climbed in behind her. “Do you ever worry you’ll slip?” I asked as I pulled her into me. Her shivering ceased as she got back to normal. She turned in my arms to face me. “No. My will not to is stronger than the cravings.” I nodded, and she buried her face into my chest. “What’s it like?” I asked. “What heroine?” she asked looking up at me. I nodded. “It’s like a feeling of euphoria washing over you. Your limbs feel heavy unable to move them much. The mind becomes clouded, and you loose sight of what’s going on around you because you’re in your own little euphoric world.” she explained. She sighed, and buried her face in my chest again wrapping her arms around me. “God I missed this.” I said holding her tight. “Me too.” she whispered out. “Give us a chance please.” I begged a little. “I’m not ready yet.” she said not looking at me. “Then can I at least have a date?” I asked. I really wanted to show her that I’m not the womanizing man-whore that everyone thinks I am. I do crave that special someone. I just block it out because of the life I live, but something tells me she could handle that. “Okay.” she caved. I squeezed her tighter. “Thank you.”

Notes

Yaaaa he got a date! Just a little filler. Only one update for today. I'm catching up to what I have already written, and I don't want to get ahead of myself. I like staying a few chapters ahead of what I have posted. I have some drama and confrontations coming along with a little surprise, so stay tuned same deathbat time, same deathbat channel :)