I followed after and sighed, "To my parents, I've been essentially dead for 3 years. Lawrence, my oldest brother, is off in California. Michael, my middle brother, is in Florida. My family has never honestly cared about me. I'm the youngest and that means that I am unnecessary. The only person I'm worried about is my ex... James. He's somewhere here in town or the next one over. I don't know. He's the one who has hurt me the worst and the reason you found me at the party alone. My friends had found me wandering through the streets and took me there to hide me. Apparently, he called my friend Anna and said that he hoped I was dead and that he had given up on me. Not that I believe that second part too much. He always did tell me he would find me no matter how far away I go," my hands were clutched together so tightly that my knuckles had turned white, "I don't think I've ever told anyone besides Anna this before," I looked over at him, I could feel my eyes heating up with tears.

My part of the conversation had lasted long enough that Lucas had managed to get dressed before it ended. He had put on a black shirt, an old green jacket, ripped jeans, and combat boots, "Well, you have nothing to worry about now. No one is going to do anything to you baby boy. If he tries to get close to you again then we take him down together. It's that simple."

"How Lucas? I've tried the police. They don't listen."

I went to the police the day I left James and tried to file a restraining order and they said without proof, there was nothing they could do for me.

It was fucking bullshit.

"Yeah well it helps when your uncle is the Chief of Police," Lucas smiled.

"Wait really? Your uncle?"

"Yeah. AJ. He’s my mom's little brother. I don't know how it happened he's literally the worst cop I have ever met but they promoted him to the chief."

"Wow, that's great."

"So if we can't deal with him then the next step is simple: Police Chief Uncle AJ to the rescue," he stood quickly and did a silly salute before grabbing my hand and pulling me to him, "Now I'm going to kiss you," he leaned and kissed me roughly, his tongue softly licking at my bottom lip.

He kissed me quickly a few more times before I pulled away, "Lucas come on. We have so much stuff to do."

"Yeah, yeah okay. Party pooper," he stuck his tongue out at me and smiled. Lucas moved over to grab his keys and wallet off the dresser. Looking around he happened to catch a glimpse of my feet, "Uh... Addi. I hate to ask this but... Where are your shoes?"

"That is a wonderful question. The ones I came in are in a pile in the other room. They're filthy, full of holes, and kill my feet."

"Okay... here," he went to the closet and pulled out an old pair of converse, and tossed them to me, "It's a good thing we are going shopping," he smiled as I pulled on the shoes.

They were a bit too big but definitely better than the ones I had been wearing, "Thanks, Luca," I stood up quickly and stretched.

Lucas smiled again and headed off down the stairs, I followed after him quickly as he turned into the kitchen and called out to Crowley, "Come on boy!"

"We're taking the dog? We can't leave him in the car that would be cruel."

"No, no I have to put him in the dog run. You didn't see it out front?" he looked up at as he clipped a leash to Crowley's collar.

"No, I can't say that I did."

"Well, I'll show you," he pulled me through the front door, Crowley leading the way.

Once down the steps, Lucas turned to the right and I finally noticed a half-covered chain link dog run that ran the length of the yard and was wide enough for me to lay down across it.

"Lucas, he's so small. Why did you build this so big?"

"He's all I had for a while. So I thought he deserved the best I could give him. I built this all by myself one weekend. He loves it," Lucas pulled the lock off and unhooked Crowley's leash from the collar. Yipping loudly he ran into the run, crawling onto a bed Lucas had placed there for him. The run was bigger and nicer than anywhere I had stayed in the time I had run from James. Of course, I had no plans to ever tell Lucas that. One end of the run was covered, almost like a small house, with food and water dishes on one side, and Crowley's bed on the other. Rain or shine the pup would stay warm and dry.

"Well he does look happy," I headed over to the Mustang, as Lucas locked Crowley in.

Saying bye to the schnauzer, Lucas walked to the car, popped open the lock then climbed in and opened my door. I said bye to the pup as well and climbed into the car, buckling up.

"Why so happy?" Lucas started up the car and backed out of the driveway.

"Well, I love the smell and feel of this car. It's so very happy and very much you. I am also full and well-rested, which I haven't been in so long, and I'm about to get my own stuff which no one has bothered to get me since I was a child," I finished, turning to look at Lucas, trying to shove the emotions I was feeling down by hiding them with a smile.