The jeans are possibly eight or nine years old, the t-shirt is fairly new. Daniel got it online. It says Self-Rescuing Princess on it and that sort of confuses me. It's either untrue, impossible or congratulatory, either way I'm not sure the shoe fits but like all things Daniel buys for me, the t-shirt itself fits like a glove.
I woke the angel up and told him he was to replace all others in that designation now and he'd better not let me down. He swore and said I should promise him the same. He inspected me for marks and chose to go after Ben first, for caving in to a whim he can satisfy closer to home, even though we know that's a bald-faced lie. Ben apparently refused to engage him past apologizing and Loch called him out on his unintentional fracturing of what is supposed to be a family, out of fear. By choosing Caleb over Lochlan, Ben can try and somehow keep Lochlan from being too close.
Ben comes up with all kinds of impulsive plans, you see.
Lochlan went after Caleb next (God love him, he's just all good ideas and absolutely no planning, just like Ben) and apparently Caleb's been going to the gym, learning how to kick-box, which explains the new musculature and also the lovely swollen cheek that Lochlan returned with. He refused to say anything at all about that exchange. I gave him to August to be babysat for the rest of the day because I don't need him fighting my battles for me.
I went back to see Caleb (alone, because I learned from the masters about good ideas and planning, you see) and he pretended to ignore me as I stood inside the door watching him make notes on his phone.
I finally stomped my feet and he burst out laughing. God, you both are so immature sometimes.
Why did you engage Lochlan at all?
His lack of respect for Ben.
Ben can fight his own battles.
Ben won't and you know it and you exploit the fuck out of that, Bridget.
Ben also brought me over here because you asked him to! You prey on his fears about Lochlan and he feeds right into it. Jesus, who's exploiting who now?!
Nice shirt.
DON'T YOU CHANGE THE SUBJECT.
What would you have me do, then?
Don't touch Lochlan. Ever. If you do, you'll never touch me again.
That's why I make every moment count with you now. I never know when it will be the last time.
Oh, so suddenly you're done with the notes, and done feeding Ben's fetishes and done with me?
You seem to have lots of men at your disposal.
Right. So I don't need you.
But you want me.
Sometimes, yes.
That's all I need to hear, that you're still fucked in the head sufficiently to give me what I crave.
That's exploitation too, Diabhal.
Look around you, Bridget. Do you think any of this is for YOUR benefit? Stop being so innocent and open your eyes for once.
I did and I didn't like what I saw.
Then don't be surprised if nothing ever changes, love.
