Sadie’s feisty but London could seriously hurt someone if she gets pissed enough. I think Cain’s been teaching her some techniques; not that she needed it in the first place. London’s like a princess around here with the brothers, and it could make Sadie’s life harder if London doesn’t like her. We’ve never met the real club princess, Prez’s girl; not sure if we ever will.
I sit on the other side of her and pull Avery to stand in between my legs so she can be a part of the conversation. “Sades, this is my chick, Avery.” I nod toward Avery and she beams a kind smile at my sister.
“Yeah, we met when I came to your room.”
“That’s right, my bad. Oh well. So, we thought maybe you’d want to get some food. Are you hungry?”
“Not really, Twist was kind enough to get me some food and a drink when I got here.” She fidgets as she says this and my eyes find Twist’s.
He sits there gloating like a proud fucker, yet he knows I can’t get angry at him for making sure she was taken care of and fed. Damn it, do I want to though. Fucker’s cozying right the fuck on up to my sister and she’s pregnant. What could he possibly get out of this with my sister and her kid?
“All right. So, who’s responsible for knocking you up?” Might as well ask the question I really want to know. Looks like I may be making a run out to Cali to hunt down the assclown that touched my sister but was too much of a pussy to come and meet me himself.
“Just some guy, it doesn’t matter.” She glances down and it pisses me off again.
When the hell did she become so meek? It’s only been months since I saw her. What could possibly have happened in that short period of time?
“Yes, Sadie, it fucking matters, now give me a goddamn name.”
Her lip trembles slightly. “No, Silas, it doesn’t matter. He’s gone okay?” she argues, bringing some color to her cheeks again.
“What the hell do you mean, ‘he’s gone’? Where did he go?”
“I mean he’s gone. As in, he took off. He fucking left me, okay?”
“No, it’s not okay. Tell me his name and we’ll find him,” I promise her, in full-on protective big brother mode. I’ll run this dude down and put a hurtin’ on him for messing with my sister.
Her big blue eyes pool with tears and they stream down her cheeks when she blinks. She sniffles in a breath. “That’s just it. He’s gone. He doesn’t exist. He didn’t even give me his real name when we were seeing each other. I’ve searched. You don’t think I’d look for him? It’s all I’ve been doing for months. Why do you think it took me so long to come to you? I was ashamed.”
She sniffles abruptly, taking a deep breath. “I’m ashamed, I’m embarrassed, and I don’t know what to do now. I’m scared, Silas, he’s gone and I’m left with this little baby all by myself. I can’t believe this happened to me. Why do they always leave, Silas? Am I so horrible they all have to leave?” She starts to sob, and Twist pulls her into his chest to comfort her.
He talks soothingly into her hair as he embraces her tightly. “Shush, sugar pie. It’ll all be okay; don’t you worry about a thing. You need to calm down though, baby. It’s not good, you getting upset so much.”
Staring at her, my heart hurts badly; it feels as if it could burst. This all stems back to my father. That piece of shit left and she has always blamed herself. I swear to God if I ever find this fuckwad, he’ll pay for doing this to her.
I’ll let Twist hold her. She needs a man to be strong for her right now. I’ll be that for her, but I know my brothers will help also. Twist chin-lifts to me and I raise my eyebrows.
“Let me get her settled in a guest room and we can talk later about what to do about everything,” Twist mutters, and I bite the inside of my cheek hoping the shot of pain will calm my restlessness.
I’m telling myself not to just hop on my bike right now and drive up and down every single street in my hometown to search for this creep. “She doesn’t need this sort of stress with her baby and all. She needs to rest for a while,” he tries to reason with me.
“Yeah, I guess that’s a good idea; thanks, brother.” I nod at him, then lean in closer and tenderly kiss Sadie on her forehead. “Go relax, Sades, we’ll figure this all out later, okay?”
She glances at me sorrowfully and mumbles “Thanks.” Twist leads her towards the spare rooms.
What the fuck am I going to do about this shit? Fuck.
Avery hugs me tighter around my torso and I concentrate on her for the first time since we came to the bar. “It’ll be okay, 2, you’ll figure something out. I’ll help any way you need me to.”
I smile down at her. She’s so amazing and I can’t believe I almost pushed her away. I lean in and kiss her tenderly on the lips. “Thank you, Avery,” I murmur.
“For what?” she scrunches up her nose.
“For being here, for supporting me, for just being amazing.” I hug her tightly and bury my face into her neck to breathe in her scent. Something about it seems to soothe me. I don’t know if she wears a special lotion, perfume or soap, but I can’t seem to get enough.
“Of course, 2, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
I smile and kiss her again in response. I have to admit, it feels fucking great to have someone in my corner.
Avery
“Shorty, let’s make some sandwiches and hit the sack, okay?” he suggests and stands from the barstool.
“Yeah, that sounds good.”
I follow slowly to the kitchen, my leg still healing and he prepares us each turkey and cheese sandwiches. He makes his with sloppy mayo and mine plain just as I like it. We eat standing in the middle of the kitchen like starving teenagers and he tugs me back to the bedroom.
Maybe it’s time for round two.
I undress and climb into bed while he’s brushing his teeth. I love when he walks around with his shirt off, doing regular tasks like brushing his teeth. He has no idea how sexy he is.
The toothpaste commercials have it all wrong. They should have a man like 2 Piece walk around shirtless, brushing his teeth and grumbling different things. They’d sell tons of toothbrushes and toothpaste. I’d definitely buy stock in that stuff.
He comes out yawning and the bed dips as he slides in next to me. His minds already going a million miles a minute, or else I’d be talking to him about everything prior to his sister’s stuff happening. Strong arms wrap around me, pulling my body to his muscular chest.
We lie there silent and unmoving for what feels like an hour. He eventually falls asleep, never loosening his hold on me. It’s the first time ever he’s just held me and we’ve slept. I have to admit, I loved every second of it.
***
I’m awoken by more pounding on the door. Is this going to be an everyday thing? Do people not sleep in around here? I mean it’s a clubhouse; surely you’d think they’d all be hung over and sleeping.
“Yeah?” 2 croaks, and there’s more pounding on the door.
I swear it better be a goddamn emergency at this rate. I get out of bed on automatic and run my hands down my body. Yep, I have clothes on.
2 Piece’s sleeping on his stomach with half an ass cheek hanging out of the covers. I’m not too worried about it though, because it’s covered with his tight, indigo-blue boxer briefs. Who’d have thought a badass biker would have colorful undies.
Opening the door about four inches, I peek through.
“What’s up, Bean?” Niko grins happily, and I try to slam the door closed again but he stealthily slides his foot in before I can. “No-no, Bean. Time to wake and pack up,” he grows serious, and the fog starts to clear out of my brain.
“Get the fuck out of here, Russian, she ain’t going anywhere,” 2 Piece mumbles grouchily.
Niko makes a face at me and I smirk. It’s awesome for 2 to say I’m not leaving.
“What’s going on, Niko?” I look him over; he’s all freshened up and dressed.
He always smells like a million bucks with his delicious cologne. It w
afts through the open doorway, and I inhale deeply. Ah, so good. I know, I’m a weirdo, but that’s fine with me.
“Boss called. We’re done, time to go home now. You go back to coffee and I go back to regular job with Boss.”
He smiles widely and I lose my breath.
Go home now? But I’m not ready to go home yet.
“When exactly are you wanting to leave?” I reply, nearly in a whisper.
He stares, contemplating something silently for a moment. “We go when you pack.”
Swallowing down my emotions, I hold my breath for a beat to get it together in my head. This is it. Time to pull my big girl panties on and leave the man I’ve grown to care so much for.
Who am I kidding; I freaking love him.
Turning around, I’m met with 2 Piece sitting up in bed, staring intently at me. I draw in a quick breath and utter the one thing I’ve been dreading since I’ve arrived. “It’s time for me to go back home.”
Chapter 14
“Avery Marie,” 2 grumbles, and I remain silent, still attempting to swallow my emotions away.
What’s there to say at this point? I know he won’t come to see me. He proved as much all the times before when I had to leave and wouldn’t hear from him unless I came back to town. He’s always let me know the score from the very beginning. I’m the one who’s grown too attached and can’t cope with the thoughts of not seeing him or touching him again for who knows how long.
I’m going to have to leave, to go home. I have to leave him not knowing if I’ll ever see him again, and it’s got me crumbling inside. Does he feel remotely close to what I do for him?
I get to go home, back to my boring life, to a job I hate. I’m going to go finish school, get my degree, eventually meet some mediocre man, settle down, and be unsatisfied for the rest of my life. That’s if I even meet someone. I could end up a bitter old woman who sits home, lonely, emailing people their completed tax returns and looking forward to the latest Price is Right episode.
Niko clears his throat and we both glance to him. “He can bring you another time, if you wish? I do not like the sad Bean, chin up and cheer up.”
He’s brilliant. I wish 2 Piece would bring me later, but that’s just not realistic. I mean, why would he waste time, energy, and gas just to drive me back after he gets sick of me? 2 already told me not to overanalyze stuff and to take it slow; while, in the meantime, I didn’t get to analyze jack and discuss it with him.
“It’s okay, Niko. I’ll pack my stuff and not take too long, promise.”
His face is painted with confusion, but nods anyway and I shut the door. I grab my bag and set it on the bed so I can get dressed and stuff my belongings in it.
I may as well just rip my heart out and leave it on the bed while I’m at it.
2 Piece
So, after everything we’ve gone through during her visit, she plans to just up and leave. I’m not finished with her ass yet, and she’s fucking tripping if she thinks I won’t fight for what I want. I said I wouldn’t settle for just anyone coming around and I meant it. I’d damn sure take Avery, any day of the week.
Sitting up, I rub my hands over my scruffy face to wake up more. I need to shave; my beard’s getting out of control. I normally keep it really short, but with all the shit going down, I’ve been preoccupied.
“Free bird, you aren’t going anywhere.”
“What do you mean?” Her gaze shoots up, hope dancing in her irises.
“I can’t believe you’d just up and take off after you said you’d help me with shit. I told my sister you’re my chick, and you are. I’m not ready for you to leave yet, I don’t want you to go. Shit’s been going real good with us. I’m not looking to cause problems by having you split town.”
Reaching over, I grab her wrist and pull her towards me carefully. I don’t want to hurt her leg. . She scoots over the bed until she’s sitting next to me.
Lightly, I trail my finger over the side of her face and tuck her hair behind her ear. She nibbles on her fingernail, no doubt her head full of shit. I pull her hand away from her lips; I want to see every inch of her gorgeous face.
“What about you enjoying your freedom? I was trying to talk to you about this before and you told me to take it slow, not to analyze things. I haven’t really been fretting over it, but now it’s time for me to leave and I can do nothing but worry.”
“Shh, Shorty, relax. You’re my chick and that’s all that matters, okay?”
She nods and blinks at me a few times. “Well, what happens when you get tired of me?”
“Avery, I’m not going anywhere and neither are you, damn it! You’re so inquisitive, and I love that it makes you smart, but calm down, baby. If I get tired of you, then I’ll leave you alone for twenty minutes until I miss you again. You’re not about to go sixteen hours away, when I finally have you here and by my side, where you belong.”
“You think I belong there, by your side, with you?” Her eyes become watery.
“Baby, you were made to be beside me and on the back of my bike.” She gives me a brilliant smile and tackles me onto the bed. Tears trail down her cheeks and I wipe them gently with my fingers. “Good tears or bad?”
“No, they’re totally good, happy tears. I was worried about being far away from you and not getting to see you. There’s something I have to say first though.”
“All right, shoot.”
“Ugh, how do I say this? Geez.” She takes a big breath and looks toward the ceiling.
I have to admit she has me a little worried, with all this baby talk that’s been going on around the club. I damn sure am not ready to take that step. Well, maybe one day, but just not this soon. I mean, I would be happy if she were, but upset, too; it’s just…well, I hope we get some more time together before we come to that bridge.
Eventually I wouldn’t mind having one kid maybe, after we settle down some. Right now, I want to travel the country with her on my bike, make love to her wherever we see fit, and party our asses off if the mood strikes us. I’m a selfish bastard and want to hog her all to myself for a while.
She grasps my hand into her small, feminine one and stares me straight in the eyes. “Okay, so I’m kind of falling for you. I’m hooked and it’s completely okay if you don’t feel the same way; you should just know what’s going on in my head. I want to be straight with you so we’re on the same page.” She keeps rambling on until I place my hand over her mouth. She tilts her head and scrunches up her forehead.
“Shush, woman. Of course, I feel the same way. I wouldn’t be asking you to be by my side if I hadn’t fallen for you.”
“Fallen? As in, you already fell for me and you are currently in fallen with me?”
I start laughing loudly. She’s nuts to doubt I wouldn’t be absolutely crazy about her. “Yep, Shorty, I’m in fallen with you.”
“So, you concede then?”
Damn rambling woman. “As in, have I given in to my feelings? When it comes to you, Avery, then the answer is yes. Is that good for you? Any other form of giving in is basically submission, and that’s all on you, baby cakes.”
“Oh, I’m down with that.” She grins and I squeeze her to me.
“Good, then go tell ol’ boy out there, that he’s going home alone and you’re staying with me. If you ever decide you want to go back there, and then I’ll take you myself, okay?” I tip her chin up so she’s looking in my eyes, while I let her know how serious this is.
“Okay, Silas.” She smirks and I start tickling her on her ribs until she squeals.
“Oh, that’s what that sigh was about yesterday, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, I like your name; it’s pretty sexy.”
“Sexy, huh? Yeah well, just call me 2. I don’t care if you call me Silas in here, but around everyone else, not so much.”
I don’t care for my name since it reminds me of my mother and living in California. I left that life behind long ago. I’m happy here and trying hard not to go backward.
>
“Okay, deal.” She stands, wrapping her hands around my neck, lightly scratching it and giving me good chills.
“Hurry up and go tell him, so I can fuck that tight pussy.” I smack her ass and she hightails it out of the bedroom with an exaggerated eye roll in my direction.
I’m glad we got that shit out of the way.
Avery
Leaving 2 for a few moments, I trek towards the bar to search Niko out. I can’t believe 2 finally told me how he feels. I’m over the moon right now. I hope Niko understands. It’s going to be so weird not seeing him several times a week like normal.
He’s sitting on the stool, cheesing at me as I approach.
“Hey there, Russian beefcake.” I greet and he chuckles.
“Spit it out, little coffee cake.”
Taking a seat next to him, I smile. I love the names and expressions he’s always coming up with, even if he does copy mine sometimes. I’m on cloud nine right now anyhow. He could call me a worm and I wouldn’t care.
“Well, 2 Piece kind of made it clear he wants to keep me,” I share excitably and take in his expression. He seems as if he was expecting this all along.
“Of course. He is dumb man, but not dumb enough to let you fly away.”
I roll my eyes and scowl. “He isn’t dumb.”
“I believe so, but you—you love him, yes?”
I nod and stare at nothing in particular on the oak bar. It’s true; I do love him. I never thought our relationship would grow into this. I never believed I’d need him to feel like I want to feel.
Running my nails in a few of the carved grooves, I can’t help but think of what my mother would say if she saw me now and knew I feel like I need him. She’d lecture me on being realistic and growing up. I am grown, though. I know I don’t really need him, but I don’t want to think about not having him in my life either.
“Yes, I love him,” I admit.
“I know this, man!” he cheers loudly, and I laugh at him again.
“Oh really, you know, huh?”
I rib him and he gets serious and says more intimately, “You look at him as if he is the only one able to cut your wings. That is good and sad.” His eyes flash with something, and then meet mine again. “If he is no good, you call. I will be here in sixteen hours and I will fix him.”
Oath Keepers MC: The Collection Page 33