230. So Epic It Hurts

Bridgeport, Present Day...

If looks could kill Leigh knew she would have murdered Eloise by now.Her brother and best friend had summoned them to their home, and as soon as they arrived they'd come clean. About everything.  From their stormy fight the night Blake ran away from home and Eloise changing Devon to their hunt last night.

Leigh was still trying to process the shocking revelation that her brother was no longer human when Eloise got to the heart of their meeting. She was scared, for her and Devon's lives. She thought the Vampire Council would do something to them, get rid of them somehow and she wanted them to speak with Thornton and explain that their hunt last night was a terrible mistake, and they didn't mean to cause a shit storm.

Krisis looked downright uncomfortable. Sure, he and Thornton were on speaking terms, but they were not close enough for him to start asking for favors. Besides, Krisis felt his father had done more than enough for him and Leigh and their kids already. He honestly didn't want to ask him for more. But he could see how desperate Eloise was, and he hated seeing her backed into a corner like this.

Leigh didn’t look thrilled either. She felt Eloise was abusing their relationship, pushing the boundaries of their friendship, crossing lines she shouldn't cross. But like Krisis, her loyalty to her best friend took precedence over her anger. Eloise had seen her through her worst and she was always there for her when she needed her. Right now she needed them, and like it or not, they were family, they had to stick together.

"I know I-" Eloise was saying now.

Leigh cut her off though. “I warned you that Cruz is trouble!"

Devon suddenly looked intrigued, "you knew about Cruz?"

Leigh tried to avoid his question, but her brother wouldn't let up.

"When did you find out about him?"

"It doesn't matter Devon, you know the truth now!" Leigh shot back defensively.

The harder Leigh tried to withdraw from the fight, the more determined Devon was to pull her back in. And from there it was downhill. Their talk turned into an argument and it escalated. Loyalties were questioned, blame and accusations were thrown back and forth.

Eventually Krisis and Eloise had to step in. But nothing they said could erase the hurt between Leigh and Devon.

Krisis thought it was better he and Leigh left. Eloise didn't try to stop them. It was probably for the best, some breathing room was much needed.

On their way home Krisis tried to cheer Leigh up, but nothing he said seemed to help. She flicked on the stereo and So Epic It Hurts filled the car. He'd written the song for her right after she vanished from Bridgeport when Jacqueline compelled her. It was her favorite song from the entire album, and she always had it on repeat. For a while he let her play the song over and over, eventually though he got tired of hearing himself, he hit the pause button on the stereo and pulled over.

Leigh glared at him for a bit before she looked away, staring at the drizzling rain outside her window.

"Why didn't you come to me Leigh?" He asked.

"What difference would it have made?"

"Probably none, but I would have loved to be there for you."

"It's nothing," Leigh shrugged her shoulders dismissively.

But Krisis knew it wasn't as simple as that. "Yes, it's everything; you are fighting with Eloise, probably not on speaking terms with Devon now."

"We'll work it out, he's just angry, that's all," Leigh replied. 

Krisis nodded. It's not Devon he was worried about. It's her friendship with Eloise and he told her this. “You and Eloise might not though. I saw the way you were with her today; you couldn't even look at her." 

"She's changed so much!" Leigh played with her hands on her lap like she always does when she’s anxious.

"You've changed too. I know I have. Krimsyn and J.D. have, Cameron and Mickey. We are all not the same people we were a year ago. A lot has happened to all of us since then. Eloise went through so much too. And she had no one to share it all with. Can you imagine how lonely she must have been?"

"That was her choice! I'm always here for her when she needs me," Leigh sounded adamant, and Krisis knew trying to reason with her when she was so emotional was pointless, but he had to try and help her fix the damage with Eloise.

"I'm just saying we've all changed Leigh. Eloise is like a sister to you, don't let anger and hurt feelings come between you. She's in trouble, she needs you." Leigh knew he was right about everyone changing. She just wished she could have a little more time to get used to it that’s all. 

"I don't know what to do, how to reach out to her. It's this Cruz, I'm telling you!"

 "We don't know that," Krisis shook his head as he shifted the car into gear. 

"Yes, it is. Before he showed up, Eloise was just fine. But now... I feel like I don't know her anymore!" Leigh explained.

"Then get to know her again, do the things you loved to do before I came along. Get her involved in your gallery!"

"It sounds like you want me to date my best friend?" Leigh smiled her first real smile that day.

“I don't have a problem with that, as long as it's me you come home to, and it's my bed you warm up at night!" He smiled back, showing his fangs, and Leigh had an overwhelming urge to kiss him.

"Hey, I'm driving," he gave her a playful smirk.

"When has it ever stopped us before?" With that, Leigh leaned in for a kiss...