Silent tears spilled onto Tiffany’s cheeks as they pulled into Satira’s driveway. They got out of the car, and Mark and Scott came outside to help carry the stuff in. Tiffany avoided their eyes as she walked into the house. Once all of Tiffany’s things were in the house, Satira pulled her car into the garage, turned off the porch light, and locked the doors. She found Tiffany sitting on the kitchen counter as she’d done just hours before, and Satira pulled a bottle of peroxide out of a cabinet. Without a word, she gently mopped up the dried blood from Tiffany’s forehead, her heart breaking as Tiffany winced.
“Is this the only major cut you have?” she asked quietly. Tiffany nodded, fighting the tears. Satira nodded, handing her two aspirin and a glass of water. “I set up the guest bedroom for you. All of your stuff is already in there. You can stay here as long as you’d like to. I could always use a roommate,” she said with a smile. Tiffany smiled her gratitude, letting the tears surface. Satira pulled her close, feeling the tears soak her shirt. “Hey, look,” she said, pulling away from Tiffany. “We can have a wet T-shirt contest.” Tiffany laughed, which was what Satira was aiming for.
“You know I’d win,” Tiffany said. Satira nodded silently.
“How are you feeling now?” Tiffany shook her head.
“Like shit. I should have gotten out a lot sooner,” she said quietly.
“I know. But you didn’t know that when it first started.”
“He swore it would never happen a second time, but look at me now,” she said in a tearful voice. “The only way I could get out was to leave. And it’s my damn apartment.”
“You can call in the morning and tell the office what happened. Just don’t tell them where you are or anything.” Tiffany nodded. “You might want to go upstairs and take Sampson and Delilah out of that box,” she added with a smile. “I don’t think they like it too much.” Tiffany nodded and hopped off the counter, heading up the stairs and avoiding the three pairs of eyes on her.
“How is she?” Scott asked as Satira appeared in the living room. Satira shook her head.
“No telling,” she said softly. “It’s happened before, but never this badly. I want to take her to the doctor tomorrow just to be safe.” Mark nodded.
“Anything we can do?” Scottie asked. Satira shrugged.
“I think she just needs some comfort and support right now. When do you guys go back on the road?”
“Not for a while,” Scott offered. “A month or so.” Satira nodded. Scottie stood and headed up the stairs. Tiffany was sitting on the bed, an albino milk snake wrapped around her arm, slithering around on her skin. He leaned against the doorway, listening to her talk to her pet, watching her intently. She looked like she was in a trace, and he stepped into the room, watching the trance break.
“What’s up?” She smiled.
“Just dreaming.” He nodded, a slight smile on his face.“You want to hold Sampson?” she asked, nodding toward the other snake slithering around in the aquarium. Scottie shook his head. She shrugged, scooting over on the bed so he could sit next to her. He did, eyeing the snake carefully. She put Delilah back in the aquarium without a word. Satira and Scott appeared in the doorway.
“Tiffany, we’re gonna go to bed. We’ll be down the hall if you need us,” Satira said quietly. Tiffany nodded. “Mark will be on the couch downstairs.” Tiffany nodded. “Scottie, there’s another couch down there, if you get sleepy.” Scottie smiled and thanked her. Satira and Scott disappeared, leaving Scottie and Tiffany.
“Is she gonna be okay?” Scott asked, once out of earshot. Satira nodded.
“It’ll take a while, but she’ll be fine. She’s a strong chick.” Scott nodded, silencing Satira with a passionate kiss. She smiled against him, her fingers catching in his long, silky hair. Her eyes met his before closing to marvel in this feeling.

***

Tiffany woke with a start and a slight scream. Her skin glistened with sweat, her breath coming in quick gasps. She heard someone move on the bed next to her, and her head snapped to the side. Scottie sat up, now wide-awake, reaching out to smooth a strand of hair from her forehead.
“It’s okay,” he said quietly. She shook her head, still breathing heavily. He pulled her close as the tears broke, feeling her sobs shake his own body. He held her tightly, feeling her calm down slowly, finally falling asleep again. His brow furled, concern reaching deep into his eyes. He prayed that he never came into contact with this Jeff guy.

***

Tiffany woke early in the morning. She quietly crawled out of bed, making sure she didn’t wake Scottie. A smile crept to her lips as she walked down the stairs, seeing Mark crawled up on the couch, snoring slightly. She stifled a laugh as she went into the kitchen. Satira was there, sitting at the table sipping on a glass of water. She shook her head.
“Did you see Mark?” Tiffany nodded. “Isn’t he just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?” Tiffany laughed quietly. Satira was happy to see her in good spirits.
“I didn’t know you and Scott had something going on,” Tiffany said, eyeing her best friend. Satira smiled.
“We didn’t until he showed up at the shop yesterday. We’ve been friends for a long time, and I’ve always liked him, but nothing ever happened until yesterday. What about you and Scottie? He stayed in your room last night.” Tiffany shrugged.
“It’s too early for another relationship,” she said quietly.
“I can understand that,” Satira replied. She looked Tiffany over. “You look like hell,” she said slowly. Tiffany nodded, tucking her hair behind her ears.
“I know. I saw myself in the mirror this morning. He did a number on my face.” She forced a smile.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better, knowing I’m in good hands.” Satira smiled.
“You know I’ll take good care of you. The guys are gonna stay for a while to make sure Jeff doesn’t bother you.” Tiffany nodded. “Are you up to working today?” She shook her head. Satira nodded. “I’ll call Logan and make sure he’s sober enough to work. If not, I’ll borrow someone from Tattoo Tom’s down the street.” Tiffany managed a small smile.
“I really appreciate this, Tira.”
“I know. And I’m glad I can help.” Satira smiled before standing to head to work. “Anything at all, you know you can ask,” she offered. Tiffany smiled her thanks and Satira left for the shop. A few seconds later, Mark appeared in the kitchen, his hair wild, mumbling something unrecognizable. Tiffany smiled up at him as he poured a glass of water.
“Morning, Mark. How’d you sleep?” she asked. He mumbled something else, and she laughed. Scott and Scottie appeared a few moments later, sitting at the table. They sat there for a while until Tiffany decided she needed a nicotine fix. Scottie stood to go outside with her, while Scott and Mark stayed at the table.
“How are you this morning?” Scottie asked, leaning back on his hands. Tiffany stretched out on the pavement in front of Satira’s house. He watched her light a cigarette, taking a long, slow draw.
“I feel like hell, and you?”
“Not bad,” he said, thinking to himself it was because he was with her. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, watching her flick her now-finished cigarette away. He continued playing with her hair, watching her eyes close. “We should probably head inside,” he said softly. She nodded, standing. He pulled her to him in a warm embrace. She leaned her head against his shoulder, breathing in his scent. He was intoxicating. His fingers ran through her hair, and he gently kissed her neck. “I’ll never hurt you,” he whispered, his breath raising goose bumps on her skin. She pulled away, smiling as she headed back to the house. It was too soon.
On to Part Five