Love Amongst Destruction

3 weeks later
“Hey, you’re cheating.” I giggled, watching Chance go for a 7th stroke with his golf club.
“No Bella, I’m sucking and losing, just let me get my dignity back by getting this piece of shit in the whole.” Chance cutely grumbled.
I couldn’t help but let out one more innocent giggle, Chance was pretty adorable when he was slightly frustrated.
“Line up the club before you look at the ball, then and only when you’ve got your shot lined up, take it to the ball.” I softly suggested.
“Uh oh, now this shot’s on you if it goes wrong.” Chance playfully stated.
I took a quick rest on the bench as Chance carefully listened to my instructions.
We both watched with intense eyes as he hit the ball.
“Holy shit!” He screamed, raising both arms in the air as if he’d scored a touchdown.
It was absolutely adorable.
“See...listening to me can be a positive thing, once in a year or so.” I joked, running up and giving him a hug.
“I already knew that.” He chuckled, wrapping his arms tighter around my body.
I snuck out of his grip for a few seconds to grab the balls from the cup.
“What do you say about going grab something to eat and drink?” I asked, taking his hand as we walked back to the entrance of the park.
“That sounds perfect, The Tempest?” Chance asked me, referring to my absolute favorite hidden coffee shop down town.
“Hell yeah!” I exclaimed, thrilled.
“I can read you like a book.” He chuckled.
“Hey, anyone can do that.” I sighed jokingly, knowing that I was easily readable.
“True, true.” He whispered, gently kissing my lips.
“I love you so much.” I cooed, pressing my head into his warm chest.
“I love you too Bella, more than you’ll ever know.” He whispered back, carefully brushing back a piece of hair behind my ear.
“I think we have a chance.” I told him, reaching the car.
“A chance for what?” He asked.
“A normal life, I mean think about it. The last three weeks have been so calm and amazing, it’s just been you and I, my mom as well of course. I mean, we even got married in a church two weeks ago, albeit a super sketchy church, but a church nonetheless. We’re doing normal people things, things I didn’t think ever possible again a month or two ago.” I replied.
We both slipped into our sides of the car, and he sat there silent for a few moments in contemplation.
“You know what my fear is.” He sighed, turning to me once more.
He was absolutely right, I did know. Chance feared that this was temporary, that whatever their end goal was we wouldn’t be able to escape it no matter what we had on our own team.
I feared it too, however I’ve learned to hide my fears a little bit over this last year.
My pain is easy to read, my fears aren’t- at least to Chance. As far as the others went…...I hated to admit it but they knew everything going on in my mind better than I seemingly did.
“We can’t live our lives in constant fear of what could happen. Just focus on today.” I replied.
“Live for Today.” Chance said, rolling his eyes at his own Escape the Fate reference.
A shudder ran from the nape of my neck all the way down to my toes.
“Coffee’s a better solution.” I said, changing the topic.
“Sorry, baby.” He sighed, and put the car into drive.
“Are you going to get coffee or “coffee” “ I asked, a slight giggle to my tone knowing he prefered sweet drinks like frappuccinos over straight up coffee and espresso.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.” Chance answered boldly.
“No, you’ll hate it.” I said.
“It can’t be that bad can it?” He asked.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
30 minutes later
“Oh man…...it is that bad.” Chance groaned, his face turning sour and pushing the mug of cafe misto (a 50/50 mix of milk and fresh brewed coffee.
“See...I love it. It’s warm and cozy….like a fireplace at Christmas.” I said happily, a smile on my face.
“It tastes like the coal santa bring the kids.” Chance quietly grumbled.
“Shhh.” I chuckled, hushing him as the barista came over to check on how we were doing.
“Don’t be ashamed, the hard stuff isn’t for everyone.” The barista stated, quickly slipping Chance the usual mint chocolate frappucino he gets.
“Thanks.” Chance stated.
“I’m going to quickly run to the bathroom while you get rid of that monstrosity they call “coffee.” I joked with him.
“Yeah, yeah.” He chuckled, placing his hand on the small of my back as I walked to the back of the building.
Once I slipped through the door, I quickly splashed some nice cold water on my face, to help relax me a tiny bit.
Even though I loved going out with Chance in the public, it was still being done under cover by me, wig, contacts, and shoes to conceal my true height. At some point it also became a stressor.
The first week I actually wore fake tattoos, however the second week I grew some balls and did something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.
I got a tattoo.
I had become sick of wearing so many disguise pieces out, I figured to make one part of it permanent, the one that had the most meaning to it.
It was quite small to be honest, but neatly placed on my wrist was my own writing of “I’m Free.”
There were small black birds that broke off from the two words and trailed up my forearms a few inches, to add some aesthetics to the piece.
I was in love with it.
A silly, yet joyous smile popped onto my face, and I finished getting myself refreshed.
“Hi!” A woman cheered, coming up to spot in the sink right next to me.
“Hello.” I replied, weary of her extreme cheeriness.
“I don’t mean to seem intrusive, but I haven’t been able to help but notice you hang out here quite a bit. We’re having a little bit of a customer loyalty concert coming up in 3 weeks and I wanted to invite you.” She explained.
“That’s very kind, but that’s not really my thing.” I lied.
“You don’t need to tell him, in case that’s what you’re afraid of.” She said, obviously referring to Chance.
“I’m not concerned about that at all, it’s more the matter of some past history with certain bands.” I explained, very loosely.
“Well, this is the flyer we’ve got for this. It tells you who is playing, when, and what’s being served.” She told me.
“I really don’t think I’ll be able to go , but thanks again.” I thanked her, handing back the flyer.
I slipped out of the bathroom and made it back to Chance.
“You ok?” He asked, noticing my slightly off put composure.
“Yeah, let’s head back home and we can make some cookies to go with our coffee.” I suggested, grabbing my mug from the table.
“Um, yeah, sure.” Chance stuttered, grabbing his coffee and making his way out to the door to our car.
I close my eyes as soon as I slipped into the passenger's seat, and there was one photo that wouldn’t leave my mind.
The cover of the flyer offered up the first opening band, American Monster.
Yes, the same American Monster band and logo that I had found about a month ago in the powder room from Tyler.
Out of all of the band members, Tyler got me in trouble the most.
He had a way of pulling me in close and making me forget my pain for bursts of time, I could and would not fall for that again.
I hadn’t recognized the second opening band, Palaye Royale at all, however the third and closing band , Issues, was one of my favorite bands ever. It was almost on MIW level, strictly musically speaking. As far as I knew they had no connection to the bands, and that made me happy.
But still, I couldn’t risk Tyler seeing me in hopes of watching two other bands play live.
“Sorry, just zoning.” I apologized, holding my hand out to Chance.
“Don’t worry, I’m used to it.” Chance sighed, placing his second hand tightly on the wheel.
Ow…..that fucking hurt.
“I’m sorry Chance, I try. I really do.” I whispered, surprised and hurt by his sudden frustration.
“It’s fine, let’s just go home.” Chance grumbled, stepping on the gas.
Wow, what the hell had I missed?
I’ve seen Chance mad and even pissed off, but this wasn’t like anything else.
It was rather just annoyed, but anger was evident.
My biggest fear was somehow making him feel worse so I shut up and looked out the window, my lips pressed air tight against each other.
‘I’m Sorry.’ I said over and over again in my mind.

Notes

Chance....what's up?!?!?