by L. Grubb
“I hear ya, bro. I’ll distract the girls while you go shower.” I climb the dust covered, stone steps of the basement into air that doesn’t smell like death and suffering.
Making my way over to the girls, I notice all the guys’ eyes on me, but I ignore them.
“Hey, girls. Everything okay?” I ask them, taking a seat next to Lauren.
“Yeah, we’re good. Where did you go?” They both stare at me with questioning eyes.
“Prez needed us for a something. Can’t tell you though, club business.” I shrug a shoulder, leaning back in my chair in a relaxed pose. I don’t want the girls to be scared or know what just happened.
“Where’s Cobra?” Alexis questions, looking around the room for her man.
“With the Prez still, I think,” I reply nonchalantly.
I see Alexis’ brows furrow, a worried look crossing her features. “Is he okay?”
“He’s fine. Jesus, woman, relax,” I look at her, shaking my head. She’s such a damn worrywart.
I eye Champ up and down, checking for any sign of what they were doing, but he looks just like he did when he left the room just shy of two hours ago.
“If you have something to say, Lauren, just fucking say it already.” Champ sighs, running a hand over the back of his neck. I’ve noticed him do that a few times, shows he’s frustrated or annoyed.
“I have nothing to say, I was just making sure you were okay,” I huff. I don’t know what’s crawled up his ass and died, but he isn’t taking his shit out on me. No fucking way.
He just shrugs and carries on picking at a beer coaster on the table. Screw this. I get up from my chair and move across the room, and outside into the fresh air. Taking in a lung full of air, I breathe it out on a languid moan and I turn to my right and make my way to the swinging bench seat. Dropping onto the soft cushions, I slowly swinging myself.
I don’t get pissy often, but I am not condoning being spoken to or treated like shit. There was no need for the way Champ was speaking to me.
“You okay, sweety?” Alexis joins me. I didn’t hear her come out, but then again I was lost in my anger.
“Yeah, I guess.” I shrug a shoulder at her, staring at my swinging feet.
“You know you can talk to me whenever you like, right?” she says, resting her hand on my forearm.
“I know, babes. I know. Maybe later.” I grace her with a tender smile, just to reassure her that I’ll be okay.
Comfortable silence falls between us as we sit there swinging lightly, listening to the birds chirping as they fly above us under the scattering of clouds, the sun shining brightly giving them an ethereal backdrop.
“How are you now? I mean, since your mother passed,” I inquire quietly. I know it’s a sore subject, but I just want to make sure she’s okay.
“I’m good. Cobra’s helped with that. Kept me sane when I felt I was going to have a breakdown. I miss her every damn day, but I know there is nothing I can do to bring her back,” she says with a smile on her face.
I know she’s remembering the good times, which is a positive. The few weeks following the death of her mom, she was a wreck. Wouldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep and never left the house. I hardly saw her. She wouldn’t let me into her apartment and instead, I sat outside her front door, soothing her that way. She’s in a much better place now and has even moved in with Cobra. At least now I know she isn’t alone in her grief. She has someone to lean on and who will support her through thick and thin.
“He’s so good to you. You’re a lucky woman,” I tell her, a wistful smile on my face. Maybe one day me and Champ will be like them two. For now, it feels he’s just messing with my head. One minute he’s all lovey dovey, and the next he’s a complete ass. I shake my head, ridding myself of the green-eyed monster.
“Are you and Champ not okay?” she asks, a brow turned down in a worried expression.
“One minute we are and the next we’re not. I don’t know where I stand with him most of the time.” Tears pool in the corners of my eyes, and my stomach knots with the thought of ever losing him. But one thing I won’t do is let him push me around and treat me like dirt.
“Oh, sweety,” she says, giving me a sympathetic look and pulling me into her from a comforting embrace. “You’ll both be okay. I’m sure of it.”
“I hope you’re right, Alexis. I can’t be without him again.” I sniffle.
“Shall we get out of here? Do some retail therapy? We can both do with a bit of that, it’s been awhile,” Alexis suggests, pulling out of the hug and looking into my eyes.
“Sure, sounds like a plan. Let’s go.”
We venture back inside and waltz passed the guys and straight into the room me and Champ have been sharing.
I change into a pair of jeans and shirt that I left here a few months ago, grab my purse and proceed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and hair. “Ready!” I announce, walking back into the room to Alexis sitting on the bed checking her cell.
“Good! Let’s go. I have to say bye to Cobra quick, I don’t want him worrying,” she says, lifting her head from the phone screen.
“No worries.”
We walk back to the main room, straight to Cobra who’s propped himself up against the bar talking to Chip.
“We’re heading to the mall, catch you later, hot stuff.” She leans up and places a quick kiss on his mouth before linking her arm with mine.
I don’t bother with Champ. After the way he spoke to me, he doesn’t deserve a goodbye.
Walking out of the clubhouse, toward Alexis’ car, we jump in and drive away. I could do with some new clothes now I think about it, maybe get my hair done. Show that bastard what he has a chance of losing if he doesn’t get his shit together.
Shit. What have I done? I was so focused on the shit that just happened that I didn’t even see Lauren leave the clubhouse. She never said goodbye, not that I blame her after the way I spoke to her, but that’s beside the point. I didn’t even notice her walking through the main room to exit through the front doors. I wouldn’t have realized if Cobra hadn’t have come over and told me she’d left with Alexis.
“What have you done now, brother?” Cobra asks me, swigging from his bottle of water.
“May have spoke to her like shit, drove her away.” I hang my head in shame.
“Why the hell would you do that for?” he asks me incredulously.
“I don’t know. My head was still stuck in the basement, I wasn’t paying attention to what I was saying, I just said it.” I run a hand over the back of my neck, dread pooling like lead in my stomach at the thought of her upset at me.
“You’re a dick, do you know that? She’s a nice girl. She looked pretty down when she left, on the verge of tears even. Whatever you said really hit her, you know.” He shakes his head at me, a scowl on his face.
“I can imagine.” Sarcasm will get me nowhere, but at the moment all I give a shit about is thinking of a way to apologize to Lauren. I should never have spoken to her like that. She was just making sure I was okay, and I threw it back in her face.
“Don’t get snarky with me, Champ. You’re the fuck-up here, not me.” He points a finger in my face before standing and leaving me to my own devices.
I sit there, lost in my own thoughts for well over an hour. Will she forgive me? She has to, I won’t take no for an answer, I’m not letting her run again. Never again. She’s mine.
I’ve tried calling her a few times, but it goes straight to voicemail. Avoiding me? Probably. This just irritates the shit out of me and makes me more agitated.
“Hey, baby. What you doing sitting here all by yourself?”
I look up when I hear the scratchy, whiney sound of Titter, one of the club whores. “Nothing that concerns you, Titter. Go away.” I throw a glare at her, narrowing my eyes in warning.
“Don’t be like that. We could go have some fun.” She trails a nail down my forearm, making me shiver with disgust.
“Get away from me.” I stand
abruptly, knocking my chair over in the process. I’m not having some jumped up girl making the moves on me, trying to get me in deeper shit with Lauren than I already am.
I turn and walk away, heading straight for the bar. “Whiskey shot, Marcus,” I call to him when I approach.
When I have the shot glass in hand, I tilt my head back and pour it in. I relish in the burn in creates down my throat, through my chest, ‘til it’s a heated pool in my stomach which eases my nerves. “One more.”
I do the same again, shaking my head as my mouth becomes aflame.
“Dude, alcohol isn’t going to make your shit go away. Go to her apartment if you have to,” Cobra says, slapping me on the back as he walks passed.
Ugh, he’s right. I need to sort this mess out before it gets too far and I lose her for good. That shit is never going to happen.
I find a prospect. “Lomax? Drive me somewhere. I’ve had booze I can’t drive or ride.” I walk toward the main door, showing him no isn’t an option.
“What car?” he asks when we reach the courtyard.
“Any. I don’t give a fuck.” We choose the red Chevrolet closest to the gates and hop in.
I’ve been standing outside her apartment building, alone, for well over an hour. I’m completely tongue-tied. I’ve not had to say sorry to anyone in a long time, and it’s frustrating that I find it so difficult to say. It’s just a word for fuck sake.
I blow out a breath of air and swallow the copious amounts of saliva that’s building in my mouth from nerves. I have a horrid feeling she’s going to slam the door in my face. This won’t be pretty.
Sighing, I step to the building’s front door, and as luck has it, someone walks out as I finally go to buzz Lauren’s number.
“Thanks,” I mumble to the couple that let me in. I take the stairs two at a time, heart pounding in my chest as I get closer to her door.
Standing there in front of her front door, a nervous energy courses through me, curdling my stomach and making my chest tight. Fuck, I don’t do nervous, never. Not when we’re on a run, in sticky situations and never with women.
Fuck it. I rap on the door twice and lean against the door jam, crossing my arms over my chest.
The door flies open and I nearly fall over from the force.
“What do you want, Champ? I’m busy,” Lauren says, standing in the doorway making it clear that I’m not allowed in.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to talk to you the way I did, it was wrong of me.” I chew my bottom lip as I wait anxiously for her to talk. She just stares at me while an uncomfortable silence sits between us.
“I won’t be treated like that...from you or from anybody.” The fire in her eyes burns brightly, staring daggers at my face. “You were out of order, Champ.”
“I know I was. I’m so sorry. Please, just let me in.” I’m not beyond begging right now, I love this girl and, by God, I am going to fight for her.
She sighs before turning and walking inside. I follow at a respectful distance, the anger that surrounds her makes her unapproachable. Why is she still so shitty even after I’ve apologized? Surely she shouldn’t be this angry at me for that. I mean, fuck, I said sorry...twice!
“Look, I’m not saying sorry again. I’ve said it twice. I love you and all, but you have no reason to be this angry over a small remark that I’ve apologized for.” I shake my head, turning to leave. I actually can’t be bothered. I’m not standing here like a fish out of water just to appease her.
“Wait!” she exclaims, taking a small step towards me. “Let me explain.”
She walks over and sits on the couch, elbows on knees and head in her hands. I take the recliner; I don’t want her attacking me like a feral animal because she’s angry.
“I have all this pent up anger inside of me, ever since I was taken and treated the way they did. I can’t seem to trust or believe anyone. I’m self-conscious when I never used to be, and I’m not used to feeling this way. You did piss me off though, but I’m like a volcano ready to erupt. Plus, you made me feel like utter shit. I did absolutely nothing wrong and you went at me like an asshole.” She finally takes a breath and stares down at her carpeted floor, biting her plump lip.
My dick stirs in my pants at the side. Dammit, not the time or place for that! “I understand that. But running from me isn’t going to help you, is it? It’s going to make shit worse. I don’t want to be angry at you, but I am. You won’t let me in, yet you tell me you love me? How does that make any sense, sweetheart?” I sigh, knots are tightening in my stomach with...I’m not sure…nervousness…anger? No friggin’ idea.
“I want to. I really do. It’s just hard. You have to understand that, especially after all the shit I went through.” Her voice rises as she rambles on.
This shit isn’t getting us anywhere.
“Just stop, Lauren. This isn’t getting us anywhere.” I want to punch the wall with the amount of frustration I’m feeling. “I’ve said I’m sorry, and that should be enough. It wasn’t even as bad as you’re making it out to be, but you’re making me feel like shit.”
Okay, maybe that sounded a little bit harsh, but it’s the truth.
“Forgiven. Please, just don’t speak to me like that again,” she whispers.
“I’ll try, but I am a guy.” I try humor to lift her mood, and I’m rewarded when she chuckles lightly.
Moving onto the sofa, I pull her to me, tucking her head under my chin and wrapping my arms around her slim body. “This is where you belong, baby. Wrapped in my arms,” I whisper into her hair, giving the top of her head a lingering kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Champ.” I hear the smile in her words, and they warm my chest.
We sit there, all cuddled up for a while before I hear the soft snores of Lauren sleeping. I feel all warm and gooey inside again, for a minute there I thought I’d lost her.
Shifting slightly beneath her, I stand up, picking her up and carrying her to her bed. I can do with a sleep myself. This stress has caused tiredness to flood my body. I couldn’t think of a better thing to do right now than to be pressed up against her, even if it is just sleeping.
I wake to the feeling of sweat covering my body, my body feeling like a furnace at full heat. I realize pretty quickly that it’s because I’ve managed to wrap myself fully around Champ in my sleep.
Disentangling myself from his heated body, I scoot off the bed to the bathroom, dying for the toilet. Relieving myself quickly, I wash my hands and brush from my teeth the grime they’ve accumulated during the day and in my sleep. Nothing worse than morning breath, if you ask me.
When I return to the bedroom, I notice Champ isn’t in bed where I left him. My heart plummets thinking maybe I dreamt him being there. Wouldn’t surprise me, my mind is damn crazy when it’s sleep induced.
Looking down to check my attire, I just shrug and leave the room, he’s probably long gone anyway, but when I round the corner to my kitchen, he’s standing there, shirtless, might I add, holding two mugs of steaming coffee which I could smell from the bedroom. Not only that, Mr. Domesticated here has bacon sizzling in the pan on the stove and toast in the toaster.
“Good afternoon, Lauren.”
My head snaps up from ogling his abs, and notice his eyes dancing with mirth. Is he laughing at me? My cheeks warm from being blatantly caught staring. Oh boy. “Afternoon,” I reply, sleep still lacing my voice. “Sleep well?”
“Yep. I always do when I’m sleeping next to you.”
Is he flirting with me? That’s new.
“Aww, aren’t you the sweetest?” I mock, laughing at him with good humor.
“You know it, sweetheart. Bacon, eggs and toast okay?” he asks, turning back to flip the bacon and to add the eggs to a separate pan.
“Sounds good to me,” I reply, seating myself on a stool at the breakfast bar.
I stare at his ass. He has a good ass, firm but enough fat to be able to squeeze. That thought makes me salivate.
; “Here.” He places a plate in front of me, the food steam drifting up my nose. Smells fucking delicious. I moan languidly as I take my first bite. “Hot damn, you’re an amazing cook! Who knew?” I laugh humorously.
“I don’t get to cook at the clubhouse. Kristine would have my nuts in a jar if I used her kitchen.” A visible shiver wracks his body, and I laugh at the thought of Kristine, the Prez’s Old Lady, waving a spatula at him while dishing out the threat.
“Not funny, babe. She’s scary as shit when she wants to be.” He shakes his head at me before joining me at the breakfast bar.
We eat in comfortable silence, every rub of his elbow on mine sends electric shocks through my system, goose bumps rising along my skin.
After finishing such a delightful breakfast, I rinse our plates in the sink and add them to the dishwasher.
“What’s on the agenda today?” he asks, lapping up the last of his coffee.
“Nothing. Absolutely nothing. It’s Sunday so it’s my day off work,” I tell him, pouring the remainder of my coffee down the drain. He’s a great cook, but awful coffee maker.
“We’re having a barbeque at the clubhouse if you want to come?” he asks, fluttering his eyelashes at me...his way of pleading.
“Why not. Is Alexis going?” I ask, cleaning the mess he made of my kitchen.
“Well, Cobra is going, so I guess she’ll be there too. Those two are joined by the hip anyway.” He laughs and I join in. He has a point there.
“Okay, when shall we leave?” I look down at my watch and notice it’s already three in the afternoon.
“We have a few hours and I know how I’d like to spend them.” The look in his eyes gives away exactly what he’s about and all my blood rushes south, my pussy heating and pulsing at the thought of his hands and dick in me.
I bite my lip to stop a moan escaping.
He stalks toward me before effectively pinning me back against the kitchen counter. The heat of his body seeps into mine, my nipples pebble under my shirt, and I see Champ staring at them, his eyes darkening with desire. Oh boy.