by Marie, Kay
After I shower and get dressed, I head to the main room to find Sketch. As soon as I walk in, I want to walk right back out.
“Buster,” Lexus draws out, stalking toward me.
“Shit,” I mumble. “Not now, Lexus. I got somewhere to be.”
“Aw, baby, stay with me. I’ll make it worth it.” She slides her hands up my chest. I grab her wrists as she reaches my shoulders.
“I’m not interested,” I growl out, shoving her hands down. I storm out of the clubhouse, hoping Sketch is out here. Jackpot. He’s at the picnic table talking to Raze and Minx.
“What’s got your panties in a bunch?” Shade calls to me.
“Fucking Lexus, can’t take no for an answer.” Him and Raze both laugh, understanding how annoying that girl can be. Minx rolls her eyes. She does her best to ignore the cut bunnies.
“B, I heard you have a date tonight.” She’s eyeing me curiously.
“Yeah, Cali agreed to go to dinner with me.”
She jumps up, squealing and throws her arms around my neck, squeezing me in a hug.
“Fuck, Minx, calm down. It’s just dinner,” I tell her.
“Just dinner,” she mocks. “She told me what happened between y’all. If she agreed to dinner with you, that means something. I’m pretty sure she still has feelings for you.”
“I won’t get my hopes up,” I whisper. I hope that’s what it means. Minx gives me sad eyes.
“You ready?” Sketch stands from the table.
“Yeah, let’s go,” I respond. For the first time in a long time, my stomach twists with nerves. It rarely happens, but when it does, Cali is involved.
“Good luck, B.” Minx hugs me again before sitting back down with Raze, who gives a chin lift.
I jump in my car while Sketch climbs on his bike and we take off. I drum my thumb on the steering wheel the whole drive over, my nerves working in overtime. I arrive at the pizza shop five minutes early. Cali said it was right by her bakery and she wasn’t lying. It’s right across the street from it. I didn’t notice when I went to A Novel Bunch since I was so focused on seeing her. I watch in my side mirror as Sketch parks his bike in front of the bakery, and I head inside We Knead Pizza to grab a table. The entire time, I’m hoping I don’t look as anxious as I feel.
10
Cali
I’m supposed to meet with Ryan in ten minutes and I’m hiding in my office at the bakery. Yury is here and will be staying here while I go on my date. If I can even call it that. I’m not sure if this will be considered a date. I glance at the feed of the security cameras. One of the Savage Menaces parks his bike right in front of the shop. I leave the office and walk to the front of the shop. Wren and Emma make catcalls at me from behind the counter.
“Oh, stop,” I tell them. They both chuckle.
“Seriously, girl. You are hot,” Wren says to me. I’m wearing distressed jeans with knee-high boots and a long sleeve top that twists in the back. The twist shows off a good portion of my skin. It’s sexy without being too sexy.
The door opens and Wren’s eyes are the size of saucers. I turn around and the biker is walking toward us.
“Hey ladies.” He gives us a flirtatious smile. His eyes find Wren and her cheeks flush pink. “I’m Sketch.”
“Look somewhere else, dude. She has a boyfriend,” Emma tells him. Wren’s cheeks turn a deeper shade of pink and Sketch breaks eye contact with her, turning to me.
“Cali, right?” I nod. “Buster is at the pizza shop.”
“Thanks,” I respond.
“Have a good time. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Emma sing songs and throws me a wink.
“And what wouldn’t you do?” I tease her and she grins.
“Keep an open mind. You both have changed a lot since you last saw him,” Wren reminds me.
Sketch places an order as I walk out of the bakery. I stop at the edge of the sidewalk and glance at the pizza shop for a moment. Am I ready to talk to him? I spot him through the window. He’s sitting at a table, facing the window. He’s tapping his foot. It’s a nervous habit he’s had since we were little. Not much makes him nervous, so it seems as if our meeting has him as nervous as I am. The thought makes me smile and with a little more courage, I cross the street. When I walk in, he’s talking with the waitress. As she walks away, his eyes find mine and I make my way over to him.
“Hey,” I whisper as I come to the table. I notice his eyes dilate as he takes me in.
“Hey.” There’s a gentleness to his tone like he’s afraid one wrong word, I might shatter. He stands and moves to pull my chair out. Some things never change. I’m curious how many other women he’s been this way toward. I shake the thought away quickly. I don’t need to think like that. Hold your head high, Cali. I tell myself.
“You look great, Cali,” he tells me as he sits back down. “I ordered your favorite, thin crust supreme.”
“Thank you.” I smile. As I’m about to say more, our waitress walks over to us and sets a drink down in front of him.
“Can I get you something to drink,” she asks once she’s done gawking at Ryan. I roll my eyes. He has his Savage Riders cut on. I’m sure it gets him all types of attention.
“I’ll have a sweet tea please,” I reply. He keeps his eyes on me the entire time. I smile on the inside, trying to stay neutral on the outside. I don’t want to tell him I liked him doing that. The waitress writes it on her notepad and walks away.
“I’m really proud of you,” he tells me. The corner of his mouth pulls in a sexy half-smile. I both love and hate that smile. “You have wanted a bakery since I first met you. Now, look at you.”
At that, I can’t help but smile. I’m honestly surprised he remembers that conversation.
“I’ve worked my butt off to get to where I am,” I tell him.
“I don’t doubt that.” Our waitress comes back with my drink, pausing our conversation again.
“Your pie should be out soon,” she says only looking at Ryan. His eyes are still on me when he responds.
“Thank you.” The waitress pouts at his lack of interest and walks away.
“What size did you order,” I ask him.
“The biggest one they have.” He chuckles. We both love pizza so I’m not surprised. “Whatever is left over, one of us can take home.”
He’ll eat at least half of the pizza alone, maybe more.
“How have you been? Are you seeing anyone?” There’s a look in his eye I can’t quite place.
“Do you actually think I would have agreed to meet with you if I was seeing someone?” I say it with a bit of sass.
“No, I guess not.” He smirks at me.
“The bakery has been my life for the past three years. I honestly don’t do much outside of work.” There’s no sense in lying to him. His expression turns somber.
“Cali, I want to apologize to you. Nothing I say will change the choices I made when we were younger, but it’s something I’ve regretted every single day since.” I didn’t anticipate this conversation happening so soon.
“Then why didn’t you call, or hell, even text?” It comes out harsher than I intend but my heart is still bruised.
“I was so ashamed of myself. Then it got to the point where I didn’t think you would even want to hear from me. I was young and stupid, and I had no idea what I was doing. As a result, I lost the best thing that ever happened to me,” he explains. “I’ve let a lot of time go wasted. I can’t change what I did, but if you’ll let me, if you’ll give me the chance, I’ll do whatever I can to make it up to you for however long you’ll have me.”
A flood of emotions washes over me and I’m suddenly not hungry anymore.
“Cali,” he whispers my name and I peer at him over my shoulder. “What do you think?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. I’ll need time to think about it.”
“Of course. I don’t want to rush anything. Take your time. Just,” he pauses. “Thank you.”
“For w
hat?” I look at him confused. I’ve never seen him like this. He’s changed quite a bit since I last saw him. Naturally, the waitress chooses this moment to bring out our food. I turn away from them, afraid tears will fall from my eyes.
“For this. For having dinner with me,” he says once the waitress walks away. He glances down for a second. “I’m sorry if I’m being too blunt. If I’ve learned anything in the last few years, it’s that time is valuable and I’ve already wasted too much without you.”
“I truly appreciate the bluntness, even if it’s a lot to take in. It’s just, you leaving,” I try to find the right words to say next and word vomit. “You broke me when you left. You didn’t call, text, nothing. At first, I wasn’t sure what to think. Maybe you were in an accident, maybe you were with another girl. After a couple of days of not hearing from you, I reached out to Ellie and she told me you moved away. I had to play it off like I knew and like our breakup was mutual. Meanwhile, I was dying on the inside. You had been my best friend since I moved here. You have had my heart since not long after. And you just left.”
Tears are pouring down my cheeks. I didn’t want him to see me cry, but there was no stopping it.
“Cali.”
I put my hand up, stopping him. “Don’t, Ryan. I appreciate you apologizing but I need time.”
I stand to leave and he stands too. He looks me in the eye and it’s like he’s staring into my soul.
He nods. “Take your time, Sólnyshka.”
I turn and walk away before he sees more tears fall. I make it all the way back to my apartment before I completely fall apart.
11
Buster
Watching Cali walk away as upset as she was was hard as fuck. I would have gone after her if I hadn’t agreed to give her time. I didn’t expect her to leave like that, but I also didn’t intend to have that conversation so soon. I couldn’t help it, I needed to apologize and I didn’t understand the can of worms that would open.
I knew I hurt her when I left, but seeing the hurt on her face today cut deep. I get a box for the uneaten pizza and pay my tab. The waitress smiles at me, trying to get my attention. I ignore her and walk out of the pizza shop, walking right to A Novel Bunch. I walk in and Sketch is standing at the counter talking to the baristas. Their smiles fall when I walk in.
“Anyone want some pizza?” I give a fake laugh. I walk to the table closest to me and let myself fall into the chair.
“That bad, huh?” Sketch sits across from me.
“What happened, Buster?” That comes from Wren.
“I fucked up. I knew I hurt her when I left, but I didn’t understand how bad I had hurt her.”
“I’m going to be one hundred percent honest with you,” the other girl, I’m pretty sure her name is Emma, says. “I don’t think she ever stopped loving you. You showing up like you did, opened old wounds. Give her a couple of days.”
Sketch flips open the pizza box and grabs a piece, leaving it open. He’s trying to be stealthy, but I spot him watching Wren. She turns to me but before she can say anything, gunshots ring out and glass shatters.
“Get down,” I shout, pulling my gun out before I hit the floor. Sketch grabs Wren, pulling her to the ground and shielding her. I look toward the front window in time to see a white van driving away. “Son of a bitch.”
“Where is Calina,” a man with a thick Russian accent asks. I jump up off the floor.
“She left to go home about ten minutes ago,” I respond, leaving out how upset she was. It’s best not to get on this guy’s bad side. “Emma, are you alright?”
“I think so,” she says on a shaky breath, still hiding behind the counter.
“The shooters are gone, it’s safe to come out,” I tell her, walking to where she is. She’s sitting on the floor, hugging her legs.
“Are you sure,” she stutters. I crouch next to her.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“I’m going to have to call Cali, aren’t I,” she asks, turning to face me. I give a light chuckle.
“Yeah, probably,” I tell her. She sighs, slowly standing. She stares at the front of the bakery and her eyes go wide.
“Holy shit. She’s going to freak.”
“Ms. Emma, are you alright,” the Russian guy asks her.
“Yes, Yury. I’m alright,” she replies to him and turns to me. “That’s Cali’s bodyguard.”
“Buster,” Sketch calls. I walk over to him.
“What’s up?”
“I called Prez. He said to get to the clubhouse asap,” he tells me as the cops pull up. This is gonna be fun.
Once we were done dealing with the cops, we left the bakery. Since it’s Cali’s shop, she had to come back and talk to them too. I kept my distance and let Sketch and the girls talk to her. I didn’t want to leave her, but she had her bodyguard watching after her. As soon as we walk into the clubhouse, Bull is signaling for Church. As soon as everyone is settled, he gets started.
“Sketch called and said there was an incident. What happened?” Bull requests.
“We were hanging out at A Novel Bunch bakery. The girl who owns it is someone I’ve known since I was young. Some guys in a white van drove by and shot at the place,” I explain to him. “No one was hurt.”
“Did you see the guys in the van?”
“No, the men had masks on,” Sketch tells him. Bull nods.
“We’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing until we get confirmation it’s the cartel or not. If anyone wants their family to stay at the clubhouse, go ahead and bring them in. We have plenty of room,” he tells everyone. He hits his gavel down, dismissing us from Church. As soon as I get my phone, I send Cali a text.
To Cali: I said I would give you time, but I need to know you’re okay.
I don’t expect to get a response back from her right away so I put my phone in my pocket and head over to the bar. Lolita is there, putting clean glasses away.
“Can I get ya a drink,” she asks me.
“Yeah, let me get a Jameson on the rocks.”
“Rough day?”
“Something like that,” I tell her as she sets my drink in front of me.
“I can help with that,” Lexus says behind me. She runs a hand across my back. “Let me help you forget whatever is bothering you.”
I throw back my Jameson, trying to ignore Lexus. My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I ignore it too.
“Lo, let me get another,” I say, sliding my glass toward her. She fills it up and slides it right back. I shrug Lexus’s hand off me.
“Get lost, Lexus.” She does the opposite and slides up next to me.
“Give me a little bit of your time and I’ll make you feel better,” she whispers in my ear. Diesel sits on the other side of Lexus. He takes her hand and pulls her into him.
“I don’t understand why you waste your time on him,” he tells her in a softer tone. “Why don’t you and I go have some fun.”
I shake my head as the two of them walk off together. I finally decide to pull my phone out and Cali texted me back.
From Cali: I’m okay, thank you. Bakery will be closed for a while. My papa is taking care of it. In the meantime, Emma, Wren, and I will be staying with Minx.
To Cali: That’s good. I’m sorry about your bakery. Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.
As soon as I send the text, Minx walks into the clubhouse. She walks toward me but Raze stops her about halfway. I take the time to head to my room to avoid talking to her, but not before grabbing the bottle of Jameson from behind the bar. I’m sure Cali has already told her everything and I’m not in the mood to talk about it again.
I lock my door so no one will try to come in. You can never be too sure with these fuckers. I turn the TV on and lounge back on my bed. I stare at the TV, but I’m not paying any attention to what’s on. Today went nothing like I expected. I want to drown my thoughts in Jameson. Tomorrow is a new day.
12
Cali
On top of d
inner with Ryan being a complete fail, my bakery was shot at. It’s one thing after another and I’m not sure I can handle much more. I was talking on the phone with Minx when Emma called me to tell me what happened. Once I told Minx, she insisted the three of us come stay at her house. I had Yury follow us to our apartments to get clothes and to Minx’s house before relieving him for a few days. I told Papa about Minx’s father being the President of the Savage Menaces and how her house will have Menaces protecting it at all times. I’m pretty sure it’s the only reason he let me send Yury home. He didn’t give me details, but he said he would take care of my bakery.
When we got to Minx’s house, she set Emma and me up in her room and Wren in Rivet’s room.
“How did dinner with Buster go,” Minx asks me. We’re all sitting in her living room hanging out, trying to wind down. Emma and Wren’s eyes shoot to me.
“Not well,” I tell her. I let out a heavy sigh. “He apologized. He also told me he wants to make it up to me.”
“What did you say to that?”
“I told him I need time. This has all been a lot to take in. Yes, I still love him, but can I trust him again? Do I want to be with him again?” I didn’t mean to blurt all of that out. Minx is staring at me like she gets it.
“I may have only known him for a short time but I can guarantee he’s not the same guy he was before he moved to Arizona. If anything, the shit he saw me go through changed him. He’s been like a brother to Riv and I since we met him. If anything, get to know him again on a friendship level,” she tells me.
I nod. I should be able to do that.
“Alright, enough about Cali and Buster. Y’all should have seen the way Sketch was watching Wren,” Emma says enthusiastically. Wren’s face goes pink.
“What?” Minx shouts.
“I have a boyfriend, so I was trying to ignore him,” Wren says.
