by Aaron Riley
The sentencing hearing came up the next day with the judge sentencing me to thirty years in prison. I kept expecting David to show up and fight for me but he was nowhere to be found. The Reavers didn't even know that I'd been picked up by the cops. Before they could even act, I'd already be in a jail cell.
I'd never let any harm come to David.
Chapter Four
David
Present
I'd gone a week without hearing anything from Harley. I expected him to be at my door every day to fight for me. Maybe he actually was respecting my wishes? Luckily I had my painting to distract me from him otherwise I might've been tempted to call Harley.
The day of my art show arrived and I barely got my painting finished in time. The thing was still drying when I put it in the backseat of my BMW SUV. Thankfully I had my black suit picked out beforehand to save time. My body was a bundle of nerves as I drove to the show. I couldn't stop sweating. My father and Lily were both going to be there to support me. I needed it.
I got to the art gallery a couple hours before the show started and hung my painting up. With everything that had happened I totally blanked on coming up with a price for my piece. With my father's money I didn't really need to sell my art. But I wanted the price to reflect my talent. Twenty thousand dollars would do the trick. Nobody would ever buy it for that much.
By the time the show started, I'd already drank three glasses of white wine. The buzz was already in full effect and I didn't feel nervous anymore. I stood by my painting and answered any questions people had. I kept looking around for Lily but she was already late. My father was never late. He always arrived when he intended.
“Now that's an amazing painting.” I turned around to see Lily standing in front of my work with a glass of wine in her hand.
“Thank you for coming, Lily, I really needed you.”
Lily tilted her head to the side as she examined my art. “No wonder you wanted to keep this under wraps. I've never seen you paint something so dark before.”
She was right. This was something totally out of my wheelhouse. I normally painted sunsets and gardens. All that strange energy I had was channeled into this—the Grim Reaper as Lady Justice. His skull was blindfolded and he held his scythe in one hand and a heart in another.
“I don't know what came over me. I just saw this in my head and had to get it on the canvas.” I poured the wine down my throat and let it warm my insides.
“And twenty thousand dollars? You sold your last painting for three hundred dollars.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I obviously don't need the money. But I can't keep devaluing my stuff because I think I'm no good.”
“Well I think you're amazing and you deserve every penny.”
I hooked my arm in Lily's and took her away from my painting. “Come on. I'm sick of answering questions about my piece. Let's go make fun of all the other art.”
Lily and I laughed our way through the gallery, consuming glass after glass of wine. Bossa Nova music played throughout the gallery. We passed by a painting of a cow—just a cow grazing on the farm. It already sold.
“People will buy anything, won't they?” Lily asked.
“If it's considered art, then yes.”
When we returned to my painting, my father was standing in front of it, pondering the meaning of life.
“Thank you for coming.”
My father spun around with a great big smile. “I'm so proud of you, David.”
“Nice to see you, Mr. Spencer,” Lily said, sidling up next to me.
“Always a pleasure, Lily,” my father replied. Lily blushed and I couldn't help but giggle. Lily always had a crush on my dad even though he was thirty years older than her. Lily always had a thing for older men.
“What do you think?” I asked my father, turning him back to my painting.
“Never thought you could paint something...so grotesque.”
I gave my father a playful shove. “It's not grotesque.”
“Well whatever it is, it's absolutely amazing.” My father's approval meant the world to me.”I remember when you were so little...”
“Not this story again.” I interrupted. He loved to embarrass me every chance he got.
Lily nudged me. “I haven't heard this one before, David. Go on, Mr. Spencer.”
My father's eyes lit up. Nothing could stop him now. “When David was little—maybe five or six—he came into the kitchen with paint all over his fingers. I went out to the living room to discover every white wall covered with his hand prints. He even managed to reach the expensive paintings.”
“He was so pissed at me,” I added.
“But if you remember, I kept it that way for a year. You gave the room some color it desperately needed. I knew you were going to be an artist since that moment.”
“So why did you try so hard to get me to work for your company?”
“I knew it was hopeless but I had to try. Somebody has to take over when I'm gone. I'm just glad you found something you love to do.” My father bent over and kissed me on the forehead. “I was willing to buy your painting but it looks like someone already beat me to it.”
I glanced at the price tag below the painting and there was a little red sticker next to it. “Holy shit! Somebody bought this for twenty grand?”
Lily shoved me out of the way to get a look for herself. “Your crazy idea worked! Drinks are definitely on you tonight.”
I couldn't believe someone thought I was good enough to spend twenty grand on. Maybe my art wasn't so bad?
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a phantom floating through the gallery. But it wasn't a phantom.
Harley had come.
My heart began to race and the gallery suddenly became a thousand degrees hotter. My father would explode if he knew Harley was here to see me. I brushed up against Lily and whispered, “Harley is here.” She looked around and I nudged her with my elbow. “Distract my father for awhile.”
Lily instantly knew what to do. “Mr. Spencer would you mind accompanying me around to look at the art.”
My father put his arm out. “It would be my pleasure.” He was such a gentleman. Lily winked at me as they both walked away.
I turned my attention to the crowd of wine drinkers but I couldn't find Harley. A tattooed biker should have been easy to spot among the rich elite. Where had he gone? This could end up in disaster if I didn't find him soon.
Harley
David meant the world to me. I was devastated when he told me that we were broken up. It was like that incredible sex meant nothing to him. How could he be so cold towards me when we had been through so much together? How could he do this to me when I sacrificed everything for him?
My instincts told me to forget all about him. There was plenty of other ass out there to keep my cock warm.
My MC did their best to keep me distracted, throwing me party after party. I was shit-faced for almost entire week straight. But I couldn't get the image of David's beautiful blue eyes out of my head. All I could do was go to my room to jerk off, dreaming of David's soft lips wrapped around my hard length.
I couldn't handle it anymore. I needed to see him again. Tell him that he was mine now and forever. Would he see me if I showed up at his apartment door again?
I couldn't risk the chance of him shutting me out. It would break me apart. I had to see him in public where he had no place to hide or run.
The talk of the town was the art show. All the rich folks of Saint Marks would crawl out of their mansions, dressed in funeral attire to gawk at dried paint. David wouldn't miss it for the world. That would be my perfect chance to strike.
I parked my Harley across the street from the gallery. I watched for any signs of David. It would be ideal if I could pull him aside outside of the gallery. But I couldn't spot him through all the old people dressed in suits, valeting their expensive convertibles.
I'd have to go into the belly of the beast for David.
I tried to m
arch right in but my leather jacket and jeans gave me away instantly. A skinny man dressed like a penguin asked for my invitation and I politely shoved him out of the way. Nothing was getting in the way of what was mine.
I'd never been to an art show before. Paintings hung on white walls and a crowd of people were talking and drinking—doing everything but actually looking at the art. The free wine was welcomed. I needed some liquid courage to face David again. I poured the white alcohol down my gullet and warmed up.
I searched for David but couldn't find him. Maybe he wasn't here?
A painting of the Grim Reaper caught my attention. I usually wasn't into art but this was my kind of thing. It was so dark and nightmarish. A little placard under the painting said: David Spencer.
He was here.
“What are you doing here, Harley?”
I spun around to find David dressed in a black suit. It hugged every muscle of his body. He was so fucking sexy. My balls were like two fiery coals in my pants. It had been a week since our last time together. Way too long in my opinion. I could steal him away to the bathroom and pull down his pants to fuck him in the stall.
“I need to talk to you, David.”
His expression saddened me. “Now is not the time. We're not together anymore. You can't just show up whenever you want.”
“I tried to respect your wishes but I can't leave things how we did back at your apartment.”
David went to open his mouth but another deeper voice came from behind him. “Get away from him, Harley.”
Mr. Spencer walked in between David and I. He was exactly how I remembered—old and gray but powerful. He was the only man I was ever scared of.
When David made me meet him for the first time, I was absolutely terrified. We ate dinner at his father's place, maids and butlers serving our every need. I was completely out of place and Mr. Spencer knew it.
When David went to the bathroom, he had no qualms about telling me how it was. “Harley, you're no good. David deserves the best and I won't let a scoundrel like you near him. If money will get you away then name your price.”
If it had been anyone else, I would've taken my gun and put it in their mouth until they begged for mercy. But I couldn't do that to his father.
“You don't know me, Mr. Spencer. No amount of money will make me stop seeing David. And we'll continue seeing each other whether you approve or not.”
David came back to the dinner table before the discussion could get even more heated. But now here he was, standing in front of me, getting between David and I again.
“This is none of your business, Mr. Spencer. This is between David and I.”
His voice raised louder. “This is my business. You're going to leave right now before I call the cops.” Mr. Spencer pulled out his cellphone from his suit jacket. Most of the art gallery crowd had turned their attention to us.
David put his hand on his father's shoulder. “Please. Don't call the cops. He didn't come here to start trouble. Harley was just about to leave.” He looked at me with those blue eyes that I thought loved me so much. But instead they were filled with embarrassment.
The skinny man dressed like a penguin pointed the security guards in my direction. It was time to go now. I left without saying another word.
David and I were done now. I knew the truth deep in my heart. But I didn't want to admit it. Whatever love he had for me was lost when I went to prison. I'd keep my distance from now on.
Chapter Five
David
I had to say whatever I could to keep my father from calling the cops. I couldn't be the reason for Harley going back to prison. Getting him out of there as fast as possible was in his best interest. I agreed that we needed to talk further. There was still feelings between us that I couldn't conceal. But now was not the time.
I slept for two days straight after the art show. I didn't want to deal with life at the moment. Lily kept calling me and I kept on ignoring her. I had sent Harley a text message that we should talk but he never responded. I really hurt him at the art show. I could see it in those damaged eyes. He'd never want to speak to me again.
My mind was mush. I didn't know what to think anymore. I knew deep in the pit of my stomach that I still loved Harley. I was never able to get over him while he was locked away. But I couldn't be with a criminal. Harley said he was innocent but there were too many things I didn't know about his MC. The Reavers were known around town for doing some unspeakable things. It wasn't so far-fetched that Harley tried to kill a member of a rival MC.
If he was such a bad guy then why couldn't I get him out of my mind?
I finally got out of bed and bypassed the bathroom. I didn't even care what I looked like anymore. I went straight to the kitchen to cook some breakfast. It was nine at night but my empty stomach craved eggs and bacon.
I cracked two eggs over the sizzling pan and laid strips of bacon down on another. The aroma twisted my stomach into knots. It wouldn't be much longer until I could finally eat some solid food.
A knock at the door stopped me in my tracks. Was I imagining it? I could barely hear anything over the crackle of the cooking food. I listened hard and heard another knock. My heart jumped at the thought of Harley being there.
I ignored the food and went to the front door. I looked in the mirror and almost vomited in my mouth. Enormous black bags hung underneath my eyes. My blonde hair was all messed up. There was no time for it now.
I inhaled a deep breath and opened the door. Lily stood there in a dark blue dress with heels. She held a brown paper bag in one hand a small black bedazzled clutch in the other. Her face turned to horror at the sight of me. “Oh dear, you look terrible.” She rushed past me before I could even say anything. She sniffed the air. “Is something burning?”
“Oh shit!” I ran to the kitchen and found my eggs and bacon burnt to a crisp. My stomach grumbled. Cereal would have to do for now.
Lily set the brown paper bag down on the kitchen island. “I let you sulk about Harley for a couple days but no more.” She pulled out a variety of alcohol from the bag: rum, vodka, tequila, and whiskey.
“Damn, Lily. Buy enough booze?”
She smiled and opened up the cupboard to grab some shot glasses. “Tonight called for an emergency.”
“You didn't have to do all this, Lily. I'm fine, really.”
Lily laughed as she poured the vodka into the shot glasses, spilling some onto the island. “Did you see how you look? You're definitely not fine.” She handed me a filled shot glass. “Now bottoms up.”
The vodka burned furiously on the way down. With no food in my stomach, I was going to feel it right away. And I wanted that.
“I'm sorry I've been dodging your texts and calls, Lily. I was so tired after the art show. I just needed some sleep.”
“You don't need to hide anything from me, David. I know you still have feelings for Harley.”
Lily could always see right through me. I guess that's what happens when you're friends for so long. “I don't know what to do, Lily. You're right, I still have feelings for him. But Harley is a criminal and still apart of that MC.”
“He's bad news, David. I always knew he was no good. But you never listened to me.”
“I know. But I can't get him out of my head. I never could. Four years and I couldn't forget him.”
Lily didn't wait to pour another shot—whiskey this time. “Down the hatch.”
Whiskey was my worst enemy. There were many times in college where Lily found me throwing up in the bathroom after just one shot. But tonight, whiskey and I were going to become the best of friends.
I could feel the buzz coming on already. “What should I do, Lily?”
“Don't look at me. When did I become the well of relationship wisdom?”
I tried to keep a straight face but couldn't hold it in any longer. The entire time I knew Lily, she had never been in a serious relationship. Mostly it was her fault. She just couldn't imagine sleeping with only one gu
y at a time. Lily had to try all thirty-one flavors. But maybe all it would take was the right guy?
“I never thought that Harley would be back in my life.”
“Me neither. People don't usually get out of jail so quick from attempted murder.”
“I tried calling him so we could talk but he never responded.”
“Can you blame him after the scene at the art gallery?'
The image of Harley's hurt face haunted my dreams. What else was I supposed to do? Let my father and Harley fight it out in the back alley? I know I did the right thing but it still hurt.
“One more shot,” Lily announced.
I waved my hand at her. “I don't know if I can handle anymore. I haven't eaten anything in days.”
“That's an easy solution.” Lily went to the pantry and pulled out a granola bar. “Here ya go. Eat that on the way to the club.”
I took the granola bar from her. “Club? What club?”
“We're going out dancing tonight.”
“So that's why you're all dressed up.” I pointed to her dress.
“What? This little thing?” Lily spun around so I could check out how good her ass looked. “I always wear this thing around.”
“I don't know if I'm really ready to go clubbing tonight.”
“You will be after one more shot.” Lily winked and handed me a shot of tequila.
I reluctantly downed the alcohol. Dancing would at least keep my mind off Harley.
“Okay let's go to a club.”
Lily got that glint in her eye when she knew that the night was going to be crazy.
Harley
I ended up sleeping at the MC clubhouse two nights in a row. Didn't seem right to be home alone. My brothers helped me forget about David by keeping me plenty liquored up. I was finally done with that man. I'd spent too many years of my life wasting energy thinking about him. There was plenty of mouths out there eager to suck my dick.