Goodbye, Thomas.
I sighed, and a small tear leaked out of the corner of my eye. I quickly wiped it away with the back of my hand and gathered the few things I had.
Thomas knew I was staying at the hotel. He could just stop by, and I’d let myself go there with him again. If he were standing outside the door, I wouldn’t be able to say no.
I checked out of the hotel and drove away.
I drove around town for hours practically going in circles when I decided to go past Tallie’s place. When I saw two cars in the driveway, I knew I couldn’t stop. I wasn’t sure what kind of shenanigans she had going on, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. Most importantly I wasn’t going to interrupt her when she was busy.
I drove out to the spot where I’d left Thomas standing naked. It was the last place I figured he’d go, and I think a criminal always returns to the scene of the crime. Something like that. And that was exactly how I had felt about what I had done.
Thomas hadn’t deserved what I’d done. He was a grown man. He wasn’t the same dumbass kid that made bets to take someone’s virginity.
He was actually kind of sweet, and he was terribly hot. Not to mention the size of his cock. Were they supposed to be that big? Damn.
I shook my head and smiled at my thoughts. Shit. It hit me like a ton of bricks. The reason I was running was because, at some point, I had developed feelings for him. More likely, though, my feelings had never gone away.
I’d always wanted closure, but that hadn’t happened. Instead, we just reopened something that was never truly closed.
“Dammit,” I said hitting my palms against my thighs. I didn’t want to even admit it to myself, but I was absolutely crazy. I was still in love with Thomas after all these years.
And what had I done about it? I had sent him away.
I had to find him. I had to tell him.
Chapter 15
As I drove across town to the apartment every red light, I hit felt longer than the one before. Not to mention the fact that I every single light I came upon was red.
“Come on,” I said tapping the wheel. The instant it turned green I stomped on the gas so hard my tires squealed.
When I finally saw the apartment come into view, my heart started to flutter inside my chest. I wish I would have come up with a plan. I didn’t even know what I would say when I saw him.
I parked the car, and even though I was trying to keep my cool, I walked way too fast to the apartment door. I slipped my key in and stepped into the living room.
No one was there.
Thomas’s bags were gone. My brother was probably at work, or maybe he drove him to the airport. I didn’t know. I couldn’t think straight. All I knew was that Thomas was gone.
I rested my back against the wall. My legs felt weak. I slid down the wall until my ass was on the ground.
I stared at the sofa where Thomas had been sleeping. Why had I been so stupid? I was crazy to have pushed him away.
It was my trust issues coming back to haunt me. They wouldn’t ever let me have a normal life.
I used to blame them on Thomas, but I didn’t want to do that anymore. It wasn’t exactly his fault. Maybe I should have confronted him back then about what I’d heard, but instead, I ran and hid.
It was my fault. Just like why he was gone now. I could have said something. I could have done something, and he’d still be here.
My stomach sank as I lowered my face into my hands. Everything was starting to feel as though it was too much.
I heard the door open, but I didn’t want to look up and see my brother looking down at me.
“What are you doing down there?” Thomas said.
I swallowed hard and looked up. It seemed as though it had to be a dream.
“I umm,” I said brushing my hands on my skirt. The same one I’d been wearing since I had to hide out in the hotel. I’m so glad you came back. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this… about you. What are you do—”
“Forgot something,” he said stretching out his hand to me.
“Thanks,” I said taking his hand so he could help me to my feet. Just feeling his touch against my hand reminded me of what it felt like to have him touch me all over. Images of his hot naked body filled my mind.
He looked at me as though he was having the same thoughts of me. Even though I could feel the heat between us somehow, I managed not to touch him.
“Your brother is waiting outside,” he said quickly.
“Oh. Right,” I said waving my hand at him.
He had to go back to his home, his job. I shouldn’t have known things wouldn’t work out. He didn’t even live here for Christ’s sake.
I tried not to cry as I started to walk towards my room. “Have a safe flight,” I called out, hoping my voice wouldn’t crack.
“Wait,” he said taking several noisy steps and stopping in front of me.
“Yes?”
“Don’t you wonder what I forgot?” he said meeting my eyes. His shoulders were gently rising and falling with each breath.
I shook my head because I didn’t understand what he was asking. “What did you forget?”
He looked down at his feet and then back into my eyes. He lightly touched my cheek and took a breath.
“You.”
He pulled me in and kissed me so hard it hurt. Every bone, muscle, and fiber in my body wanted him and not just physically. I wanted him in my life. Forever.
“I wish I could take you right here, right now,” Thomas said with a fire in his eyes that was so hot I could feel the heat.
“Me too,” I said feeling that same intensity for him. “Do you have to leave?”
“I do,” he said lowering his gaze. “Come with me. For a few days.”
I shook my head. That wasn’t the kind of thing I would do. I’d never just pick up and leave. I had stuff to do.
On the other hand, it was spring break.
But I couldn’t really put everything off. I was already behind on a few classes and planned to use this time to catch up. That was all before Thomas came into my life again.
On the other hand, the only things I had to do were things I could put off since it was spring break. But I had already put them off far too long.
“OK,” I said with a smile that grew brighter and brighter. Until I thought of something. It wouldn’t work. “What about a plane ticket?”
“Maybe the flight isn’t full. We have to try.”
“Thomas,” I said softly shaking my head.
I could tell by the look on his face that he understood. All of the excitement we both had was slowly seeping from the room.
“Fuck it,” he said pulling me into his arms. “Then I’m staying here.”
“What?”
“I’m not letting you go. Not this time,” he said kissing me with more passion than ever before.
I leaned back and tilted my head, so he was forced to look into my eyes. “I don’t want you to lose your job or anything like that.”
“I won’t.”
“You’re sure?”
“Pretty sure,” he said with a sexy smirk. “I’m staying.”
The door closed sharply, and we both turned to look. My brother was standing there staring at us. “Oh shit.”
Thomas and I laughed as my brother left the room.
Epilogue
Three years later…
“Do you like this one?” I said pointing at the vanilla cake with red and white frosting.
“No,” Thomas said with wide eyes.
I puffed out my lower lip. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Too sweet and the red frosting tastes like chemicals.”
“It does not,” I crossed my arms. “And there is no such thing as too sweet. It’s cake.”
He rolled his eyes at me but then smiled. “If you like overly sweet icing and chemicals, we can get it. I want you to be happy.”
He took my hand, so I was forced to uncross my arms.
“Then we wouldn’t be sampling wedding cakes, we’d be sampling wedding pie.” He looked at me and shrugged. “What? Who doesn’t like pie?”
I shook my head at him, but I couldn’t have been more in love with Thomas if I tried. Even if he did want wedding pie instead of cake.
“Did you ask Wyatt?” I said as the bakery workers brought out another sample of cake. If I tried any more cake, I was pretty sure I was going to explode.
“I did,” Thomas said digging into the cake as if he hadn’t eaten in weeks. He pointed his fork at it and looked at me. “Now this one—this is good.”
“Why does it taste like apple pie?” I said taking a small taste. “Oh, it is good.”
“Told you,” Thomas said taking another bite. “This is the one, yes?”
“Yes. Definitely. What did Wyatt say?”
He nodded as he took another bite. I was pretty sure he was going to finish off the entire slice. “Of course. He said he’d be honored. Then he made some kind of flourish, and I had to stop myself from punching him in the arm.”
“Wyatt and I both appreciate that,” I said.
“Let’s order this shit up and get out of here,” Thomas said looking into my eyes. At first, I thought he had something intimate in mind, but then his eyes sort of crossed and he made a strange gulping noise. “Think I ate too much sugar… and chemicals.”
“Funny,” I said getting out of my chair. “Try popping your button.”
“Now who’s the funny one?” Thomas said as he stood up and pushed in his chair. He reached over so he could take my hand. “Unless you had something else in mind.”
I grinned and flashed him my sexiest look. At first, he smiled back, but then he groaned and rubbed his stomach. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Come on, let’s get you home,” I said.
Thomas placed the order and drove us across town to our place. The one we’d shared happily for the last several months.
After he had quit his job, he moved here, and we barely waited more than a month to move in together. For the most part, everything between us was perfect.
Most of the time I was embarrassed I had left him naked out on the outskirts of town, but maybe if I hadn’t, we wouldn’t be together. So, in a way, maybe I owed everything to seeking my revenge. Although it was crazy, it all worked out in the end.
Wyatt and I were getting along much better now that we weren’t living together. I never felt the need to tell him about what happened between Thomas and me in high school. It just didn’t matter anymore.
Tallie was excited to be my maid-of-honor. She was always asking me what she could do to help, which I totally appreciated.
Thomas and I couldn’t have been happier. We truly belonged together. And in a few weeks, we would be husband and wife.
We couldn’t wait to start our life together.
More Great Reads
PIPER PHOENIX:
NOVELS
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Stone - The Brother Rebellion MC - Book 1
Pike - The Brother’s Rebellion MC - Book 2
Dust & Rager - The Brother’s Rebellion MC - Book 3
STAND-ALONE NOVELS
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The Middle of Nowhere
NOVELLAS
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The Choice
JULIANA CONNERS:
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Yes, Boss
Please, Boss
More, Boss
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Sold on Valentine’s Day
Sold on St. Patrick’s Day
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Stone - The Brother’s Rebellion
by Piper Phoenix
Chapter 1
It was the last thing I thought I’d have to do at the age of twenty-five. I had put it off as long as I possibly could, but I couldn’t stand another day with that man. After everything… his words, the bruises, the emotions… honestly I was surprised he was still alive considering.
Now it was done. There wasn’t any way I could spend another minute with that creep even if it meant I’d have to move back in with my parents. Even though everyone I knew would judge me, I knew I would be safe there.
No one really knew what I had been through. I never talked about it. It made me feel like I was somehow a failure even though I knew I wasn’t the problem. But now it was time to make things right. It was time to pick myself up and dust myself off. It would take time but with their help I could get back on my feet and for that I was thankful.
What I wasn’t happy about was what moving back home would mean. I’d have to be close to the thing that had made me move away from home at seventeen years old. I was older now, I could avoid it easier, but somehow the motorcycle club always had a way of being at the center of everything.
The members were loud and hairy. All they did was drink, smoke, play with their guns, and mess around with their women. There was another thing that came along with it that no one really talked about, and with good reason… death.
I didn’t want to be around any of it, but at least at home my life wouldn’t be in danger. My dad and the MC would keep me safe if it ever came to that. Those men would do anything for my dad. Anything.
There was no way that my ex, Troy, would ever show his face around here. We’d been together for years and I could count on one hand the amount of times he’s come to my parent’s house. But now after everything if he showed up, my dad would have his ass kicked and Troy knew it. It would be the ass kicking of a life time and I didn’t think it would end with my dad. He’d call the club to help and the boys would be more than happy to assist.
“Is that everything?” my mom asked as I carried in the last box.
“Yeah… except for the things I left behind, like the TV,” I said avoiding her eyes. I could already imagine the expression she was wearing without even looking at her.
It was almost as if I could hear her head shaking as she clicked her tongue, “Josie, you know he paid a ton for that TV. I don’t know if he’ll just let it—”
“I’ll pay him back,” I said stepping into my old room which was now my new room. It was still decorated in the same pink and purple it had been when I was sixteen. “And I’m having this room repainted!” I shouted over my shoulder.
When I turned around to close the door, he was standing in the doorway looking at me. His leathery, wrinkled face was serious as it most often was.
“Is that right?” he said sounding as if he was teasing but not looking at all like he was.
“Well, if that’s OK with you, daddy,” I grinned flashing him my sugary-sweet smile.
“Come over here and give your old man a hug,” he said and held out his arms. I walked over to him and he wrapped them around me and squeezed me tight. He was a hard ass, as hard as they come, but I loved him, and he loved me. “Missed you baby girl. Glad to have you back,” he said keeping his voice low as if he didn’t want anyone to hear him being anything but tough.
“Me too, dad… me too,” I said, and it was true. I had missed him. It had been a few rough years for me. I should probably have come back sooner, but it was the club that made me keep my distance. How was I supposed to choose between two evils? But, I guess in the end I did, because here I was. Really though, I just chose my parents, it had nothing to do with the club.
Now that I was home it felt good to be here. It felt right and as long as I didn’t look out the windows towards the clubhouse, I could easily pretend it didn’t exist.
After my dad gave me one more squeeze, he left th
e room, and I started to unpack. Once I had an empty box, I started to pack up the things from my teen years. If I was going to be here for awhile, I need it to be less pink as soon as possible.
For two weeks I stayed locked inside my room. I came out at meal times but if anyone from the club came to the door to talk to my dad, I disappeared. I didn’t want to hear anything even remotely related to club business. My new motto was, out of sight, out of mind. And so far it had been working well.
But staying in my room all day and night was starting to wear on me. I knew I’d have to get out before I lost my mind. It was hard being stuck in my room all day with nothing but books, TV and the internet. The only contact I had with other people was with my parents.
I was eating dinner with my mom and dad the day I freaked out. It was probably around the one-month mark after having moved in with them. I could even remember what we were eating. My mom had cooked up steaks with a side of onions and baby red potatoes.
“OK. I can’t do this anymore!” I said dropping my fork on my plate. It clanked loudly before rattling to a stop.
“Do what, dear?” my mom asked keeping her voice calm but at the same time glaring at me to let me know she wasn’t happy about the fork hitting her good plates. But one of the things my mom was really good at was handling someone who’s temper was raging.
“Sit in this house all day!” I pushed my chair away from the table and crossed my arms. I stared at my feet, not wanting to see the look on either of their faces.
My mom shook her head, but I could feel my dad looking at me. And I knew he wouldn’t stop staring until I looked at him.
I shifted my eyes up and the look on his face hadn’t been what I expected. It looked as though he was having an idea, not that he was about to tell me how to act when I was under his roof.
Revenge - A Second Chance, First Time Romance Page 5