Chapter Seventy-Two:

Lydia’s POV

It’s been a few days since my night with Brian in the gazebo and one since my crazy-ass mother showed up to scream at Doug. Despite yesterday’s drama, I think Brian and I are finally back on track. It’s a nice feeling. It feels like everything is finally starting to come together.

Graduation is next week. It’s so fucking surreal. I can’t believe I’m actually walking with the senior class this year. After everything that’s happened… it’s nothing shy than a fucking miracle. I never thought that I would actually be able to pull it off. I know that I wouldn’t have been able to without Doug and the guys. They’ve had my back and I can’t even begin to explain how much it has helped. Support does wonders for a person. I’m no exception.

---

I grunted as I dodged a blow from Tony and put my arms up to block my face. The hit wasn’t as hard as it could have been. I started self-defense lessons today. They’re already taking it out of me. I’m out of shape – there’s no other way to put it. With my surgery, I’ve been out of commission in so many ways and I’m really starting to feel it.

“Good!” Tony commended. “I’m going to come at you with a round house kick. You know what to do.” He warned me. I nodded and managed to dodge in the nick of time. “Good! Charge me.” He ordered.

I looked at him warily, before doing as he asked. He’s going to put me right on my ass, we both know it. Oh, well, here goes nothing.

I lunged at him and dropped low, before he could grab me. I kicked my foot out, just before he tried to maneuver around me. He saw my leg two seconds too late. He lost his footing and fell. I put my foot on his throat, pushing hard enough so he knew I was there, but not hard enough to cause actual damage.

He smiled, proudly.

“You have been paying attention.”He said, happily. I rolled my eyes.

“Duh, what choice did I have?” I teased. I moved my foot and he got back up. He used both hands and gestured for me to come hither. I sighed. “Again?” I asked. He nodded.

“Again.” He agreed. I’m going to be hurting so bad tonight.

---

“Sweetheart,” a soft voice wafted into my ears. I groaned and kept my eyes closed, stubbornly. “Lydia, I have something for you."

“A present?” I asked, suddenly hopeful. I sighed as I realized my nap on the patio was over. I opened my eyes to an amused looking Doug.

“Yes, Sweetheart, a gift,” he answered. I yawned and sat up. He handed me a beautifully wrapped box. I squealed and gave it a little shake. He chuckled at my reaction. I couldn’t hear anything.

“Am I allowed to open it now?” I asked him. He nodded.

“That was the idea, Love.” He assured me. I tore open the wrapping paper and slid off the ribbon. It’s a safe. He handed me a slip of paper with the combination on it. I spun the little number dials until it clicked. I lifted to top of the box and gasped. He got me a gun.

“This is for me?” I asked, dumbfounded. He nodded.

“Do you like it?” He asked me, as I picked it up, gingerly. I weighed it in my hand. It’s not too heavy. It fits my hand pretty comfortable. I nodded. “It’s a Beretta Nano. I thought you’d like this better than the one you had been using for practice.” He explained. I smiled. It’s pink and silver and completely girlie. “Why don’t you get up and we can practice shooting it – yeah?” He suggested. He helped me to my feet and I nodded, forgetting my earlier fatigue.

“This’ll be fun.”

---

I liked the way that the gun shot. It was easy enough to handle. It meant a lot that Doug went out of his way to get this for me. I can’t really explain it, but it was so touching.

We spent a couple of hours at the shooting range. I couldn’t last any longer. I was beat. I can’t remember the last time that I’d worked out that much. It’s been a while.

---

“Did you have fun?” Zacky asked as we walked into the house. I nodded.

“I felt like a badass.” I told him.

“You are a badass.” Hayden grinned.

“That’s why you’re my favorite.” I told him.

“Hey!” Jimmy cried, acting like he was deeply wounded by my words.

“You know I still love you.” I promised him.

“But not as much as she loves me.” Brian spoke up, full of self-assurance.

“I wouldn’t go that far.” I teased.

“Watch yourself, Ace.” He warned me.

“Why would I do that, when you can do that for me?” I asked him. I walked upstairs, before he could retort. I need a shower like nobody’s business. I was too tired to shower after my lesson with Tony, so I napped. But now, even I don’t want to smell myself. Hot damn.

I started my shower and stripped out of my clothes. I cranked the hot water and stepped inside, taking extra care to lather a ridiculous amount of body wash on my loofah. I started scrubbing myself, when I heard my bathroom door open. I jumped and poked my head out of my shower curtain. I grabbed the knife I kept in my bathroom, next to my shower, and held it tightly in my hand.

“Boo!” Brian jumped out. I shrieked and threw my soap-filled loofah at his face. “Hey!” He protested.

“What the fuck?! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!” I yelled. He smirked and handed me my loofah. I put my knife back in its resting place.

“No, but I thought it’d be fun to scare you. And… I was right.” He gave me a shit-eating grin. I glared at him.

“What are you doing in here?” I asked him.

“Watching you – isn’t that what you told me to do?” He quipped. I opened my mouth and closed it. He’s… not wrong. “Did you want me to watch you from out here or from in there?” He asked me. I suddenly felt at least ten degrees hotter.

“H-here,” I breathed. He smirked and took off his shirt.

“Anything for you.”

Notes

Getting back to Lydia!:) New chapter should be up tomorrow!

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<3
Katie