Where I Belong

"This okay?" I asked pulling into the parking lot of the clubhouse.

"So this is why my dad chewed my ass off earlier" Tony muttered mostly to himself "Always wanted to see what it looks like inside" He grinned undoing his seatbelt. "Ain't nothing special" I shrugged unclipping my belt and getting out.

"Ava? Everything okay?"

Jared!

"Everything's good Jared" But Jared wasn't interested in me he was sizing up Tony.

"Who's that?" Jared asked his eyes boring straight into Tony's. Sighing I placed my hand on Jared's chest "Stop trying to intimidate people and come have a beer with us". "Us?" Jared sneered.

"Yes Jared now stop being an ass and come have a drink with me. Wait who's with Blaze if you're here?" I asked getting that dreaded feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Relax darlin' he's safe" Slinging his arm over my shoulder he kissed the side of my head "Gotta keep up my tough act in front of outsiders. Tell your little friend he can move away from the car I ain't going to touch him". He chuckled causing me to roll my eyes.

"I'll get the drinks" Jared winked as I took a seat at the bar. "You can have a seat and chill out no one will do anything to you". I said patting the stool next to me.

"He sure knows how to intimidate a guy" Tony said as he cleared his throat and took a seat.

"So this is what it's like?" Tony asked as two beers were placed in front of us.

"What were you expecting?"

"Hey handsome".....

Oh god...

"Ava aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" Sandra purred.

"Leave the kid alone Sandra" My dads voice boomed from behind me. Placing a kiss on top of my head he sat himself down next to me. "I see you went" He whispered placing his arm around my shoulder.

"I did" Rubbing the back of my neck I turned my head so I could look at him "I might even go back tomorrow".

"Good baby that's good" Watching him closely I noticed his eyes were now focused on Tony. "Fuck kid you haven't half grown. How old are you now?".

Tony's face went chalk white his Adam's apple bobbed as he began to speak "25 sir".

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"Franko not sir and you are welcome here anytime. You ever need anything you give me a shout. Me and your old man go way back" Sliding off the bar stool my dad placed his hand on Tony's shoulder "I mean it kid anything you let me know". "Where's mom?" I hadn't seen her in days and to say I was grateful was an understatement. Facing my dad was bad but I knew the minute I saw her my emotions will be everywhere.

"Leighton's a little under the weather - now Ava he's fine just a little cold but you really should go visit her". Leaning in he hugged me to him "She's not doing so good darling. I'm going to head home you need me you call Blaze shouldn't be much longer".

He had lost my interest as soon as he told me my mom wasn't doing good. This was because of me and here I was sitting in the clubhouse not having the courage to face her.

"Ava I'm going to head home. Thank you for the beer and I guess I'll see you if you happen to swing by the gym"

"Wait let me give you a ride back" Slipping off the bar stool I searched for my keys. There was no way he was walking home from here especially not at night.

"No it's okay I'll-.."

"I'll drop him off you get yourself home. Blaze is on his way back you should be there when he arrives" Jared said

"Why what's happened?" Turning my focus to Jared I knew something was wrong.

"Nothings happened now go I'll make sure Tony gets home. Should have mentioned you were Theo's kid".

So that's exactly what I did. I let Jared take Tony home and I drove home alone. I waited for Blaze for hours but he never showed.

Turning the TV off I glanced at my watch shaking my head. He was on his way home my ass. Climbing into bed I grabbed my phone. It was 3am and I hadn't heard from him since today. Something was going on I could feel it and they were hiding it from me. Placing my phone onto the nightstand I jumped when it started to vibrate.

"It's 3am Blaze" I sighed

"Are you home in bed?"

"Yes but you aren't"

"Listen baby I don't know how to say this but I won't be home".

"It's fine I'll see you tomorrow I really need-.."

"No baby I won't be home for a few weeks. This job is going to take longer than I thought"

"Do what you've got to do. Listen I'm shattered and sore. I'll speak to you soon" Hanging up the phone I ignored it when he continued to call. I wasn't angry or upset I was just a little bit annoyed but this was his job this is what he did and I had to respect that. Turning onto my side I could hear my phone continue to vibrate as I drifted off to sleep.