by Sam Crescent
“I’m sick, Alfie, not broken.”
“True, but maybe after this you’ll start to trust me.” He got her naked and tried not to pay attention to her body. She was sick, and thinking about her, sex, and more sex, wasn’t going to help the situation.
He’d not been with another chick since he’d started to be with Chloe. Women complicated things, and he often spent as little time around people as was humanly possible for him.
With her naked, he grabbed the soap, and the bubbles he’d put into the water hid her from view.
“You’ve seen me naked now,” she said, sniffling. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”
“What’s bad is I’m going to have to make it up to you.”
“What?”
“One day you’re going to see me naked.”
“You still think we’re going to have sex?”
“And you don’t? This is all about the trust thing, isn’t it? You don’t trust me, and you never will.”
“Alfie?”
He got up. “Look, I’ve not been a good guy. I know that. I’ve not even had amazing intentions when it has come to you. I’ve fucked up at every single turn, but I’m not going to do that now. I’m here, Chloe. I’m here, and there’s nowhere else I’d want to be. I’ve not been with anyone else, and I never will. How about that for commitment?”
“What exactly are you saying, Alfie? Be careful, I may not remember it all.”
He smiled. “I’m saying, Chloe Decker, that you and I are officially dating and have been an item for some time. You’re my girl, and I’m your guy.” He leaned in close but then thought better of it. “I’m not going to kiss you.”
“Probably for the best.”
“This makes me your first kiss, your first orgasm, and now your first boyfriend. You know I’m going to be your first dick as well.”
“You say something so sweet and then screw it up. I find it surreal you’ve gone from hating me, to liking me.”
“I guess spending time with you, I was able to see the error of my ways.”
“You know I never thought of myself as better than you or the club.” Her voice was croaky from all the heaving.
“I know now.”
“I don’t make friends easy. I’m awkward, weird, and I’m not a lot of fun to be around. I like to cook and read books.”
“I know. I think it’s sexy to watch you read.”
She laughed and then groaned. “I hope this is all a dream when I wake up.”
“Don’t worry. I’m going to go and make you some soup when we’re done.”
“Do you know how to cook?” she asked.
“Not a chance. I know how to walk to the diner, order soup, and come back and take care of you.”
She rested her head back against the bath. “Thank you, Alfie. You know, you’re my very first friend as well.” She took his hand, linking their fingers together.
“I need to wash your hair.” Alfie didn’t like the guilt that flooded him from her saying he was her first friend.
“I always wanted to be, you know,” she said, sounding more tired than he could recall.
“You always wanted to be what?”
“Your friend. I would wish to be included in your gang. I know I was a girl and my father was branded the way he was, but I knew I’d make a very loyal friend. No one ever gave me the chance to prove it though.” She sighed. “Thank you for giving me the chance and not letting me push you away.”
“You can’t sleep in the bath, princess.”
“I’m going to treasure this with you always.”
Alfie finished getting her cleaned up, and put her to bed.
On the way downstairs, he offered to go out and get some soup. He needed to clear his head.
He didn’t know what was happening to him anymore. Not when it came to Chloe. What had started out as a revenge trick was becoming a little more complicated.
Alfie knew deep down he should just walk away. With his dad now involved, his options were limited. The moment his dad proposed, Alfie didn’t have any way out.
Do you want to?
This again was fucking irritating. Whenever he was away from Chloe, he couldn’t stop thinking about her, and imagining life without her sucked, which in itself was fucking insane. Crazy insane. He’d spent so much of his life hating this chick, and now, he actually enjoyed spending time with her.
When did it all change?
What the fuck happened to him?
Nothing made any sense, and now he was walking to the diner to go and get soup.
Ian and Riley, even they didn’t mind hanging out with Chloe.
Entering the diner, he ordered a couple of cartons of their chicken soup and some burgers for him and his dad.
The club had noticed a change in Eagle though as well. He spent a great deal of time with Lily, and it would seem that woman would make a good, honest man out of anyone.
Waiting for his order, he noticed Kurt lurking around outside on his cell phone. It was the first time he’d seen the man since his apparent cheating.
Grabbing his order, Alfie headed outside just as Kurt finished up a call.
“Hey, kid,” he said.
“Kurt.”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m taking some food to—” He didn’t know what to say. “What are you doing here?”
“I can’t do it. I’ve got to try and win Lily back, man.” Kurt ran fingers through his hair. “I’m not going to come crawling back to the club.”
“Are you high?”
“No. I mean, I’ve had a couple of joints.”
Alfie looked toward his arms, but in the darkness couldn’t see any signs of track marks. It didn’t look good.
“I’ve got to go.”
“I’m heading over to Lily’s. I bet she’s missed me. She always loved me, and I know I can win back her love.”
Alfie paused, counted to ten, and turned. “It’s not a good idea for you to go to Lily’s.”
“Why the fuck not? Look, kid, you may be Eagle’s brat, but I don’t have to sit around and put up with your shit.”
“She’s moved on, and you need to get out of town.”
“Moved on? That’s not possible.”
“She has. You coming back here, it’s only going to upset her.”
“Who?” Kurt asked.
Alfie stared at the man. If Kurt decided to start something, he would be able to take him, no doubt about it. Kurt wasn’t a fighter. He acted all hard, but he’d also seen this guy curl up into a ball and beg for whoever it was to stop hurting him. He’d cried like a little girl, and what made it worse, it had been a friendly play fight and Kurt had gotten knocked down by accident as he’d not even been part of it. That was why none of the club liked him, why they tried to avoid him like the fucking plague.
“You need to leave.”
“It’s Eagle, isn’t it?” Kurt asked.
Alfie said nothing. If Eagle married Lily one day, the entire town would know. With Kurt here now, he was surprised he didn’t already know.
“You think I didn’t notice the way he’d look at her? How he’d react whenever she was around? That piece of shit couldn’t stand that I had her. Could he? I knew he had a thing for her, but I figured he got over that shit when he was banging all the other women he liked to party. If he thinks Lily will go to him, pick him over me, he’s got another think coming. There’s no way, and I mean no way, I’m letting that happen. He couldn’t keep his dick in his pants for two minutes.”
“Neither could you, and last I checked, my dad is being faithful. You don’t have a chance at this, Kurt. You should back the fuck away. Or you will get hurt.”
“Is there a problem here?” Eagle asked, coming toward them.
His father looked menacing.
“You took way too long with the soup, son. Lily said to check on you.”
Alfie nodded toward Kurt.
“You should get out of town, Kurt. You’re not wanted here.”
“You mean because you’re so busy fucking my wife.”
“She’s your ex-wife, and I always knew she deserved better than you.”
“You’re going to regret this, you piece of shit. Both of you. You think you can do that to me, ruin my life and then take my place in my family? You’ve got another think coming.”
Alfie tensed up, ready for a fight, but instead, Kurt got into his car and left, without even throwing a punch.
“He was heading over to Lily’s. I didn’t know what to say,” Alfie said.
“It’s fine, son. He didn’t hurt you?”
“Please, Kurt couldn’t hurt anyone.”
“He could if he really wanted to. A coward he is, and he’ll always take the easy way out. That’s who he is. It’s why I’ve always kept a close eye on him. I’m going to have to keep a couple of guys on his ass. I wouldn’t put it past him to go and tell another club our secrets.”
“He’d do that? Seriously? Being a rat, he’d be killed within seconds.”
“True, but I’ll see how he reacts. Come on, let’s get this to the girls before the soup is cold.”
By the time he got to Lily’s house, the soup was just warm enough for them to eat. He left Eagle to tend to Lily while he went upstairs to Chloe’s bedroom.
She was curled up, looking so pitiful and exhausted.
“Hello, beautiful,” he said, waking her.
Chloe opened her eyes and gave him a smile. It was so fucking sweet.
“You look like death.”
“That’s what every single girl wants to hear, just how bad they look. You’re so sweet.”
“I am sweet. I’m here with you, aren’t I? I come bearing offerings.”
“Of?”
“Soup.” He helped her to sit up, and even sick, he could see a beauty to her. Why hadn’t he noticed this before? His hatred of her had really gotten to him, and he’d fucked up in so many different ways.
“You went to the diner?”
“Yes.”
“They have good soup.”
“That they do, and now you get to have it. Open up for Alfie.”
She chuckled, opening her mouth as he fed her. “This is so surreal.”
“Why?”
“I’m sorry, I just, it’s like I’ve stepped into an alternate reality.”
“Where I, the king of the bikers, am feeding you?” he asked.
“My bully is feeding me. You’re here in my room, and you’re not trying to hurt me.”
I was. I was going to make sure the entire world saw you, and now I know how fucked up that was.
“I like your company so much, Alfie,” she said.
“I saw your dad today.” The guilt was too much.
“Kurt?”
“Do you have any other dad?”
She chuckled. “Fair point. I’ve not seen him in so long. How is he?”
“He knows about Eagle and Lily.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“I don’t know. I honestly don’t fucking know anything anymore. Do you think he’ll do anything stupid?”
“I have no idea. I’d say no because he loves Mom, but now, I mean, she told me she caught him in bed with strippers.”
“You and your mom share everything, don’t you?”
“Yeah, we’re close. She’s my best friend. You’re not close with your dad?”
“He’s got to be president. He has to show the club he’s the right one to lead them. It makes any kind of a relationship tough.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m not. I’m happy.”
“I’m happy you’re here and that we’re no longer fighting.”
“I’m happy to call you mine,” he said. “It’s still nice to see that no matter how sick you are, I can still get you to blush.”
“It’s not hard to do,” she said, laughing.
“Eat up. You’ve got to get well so we can get back to scaring the school.”
“It is fun to walk down the main corridor, holding hands, while the entire student body looks on with their mouths open. I always wonder if a fly is caught or something.”
He chuckled. “Who would have thought out of everything I can do, it would be this, with you, that has them the most shocked.”
“I’m guessing, and it is just a guess, they already had a girlfriend in mind for you to pick.”
“So you are admitting to being my girlfriend?” he asked.
“You told me I should, remember. I’m simply trying it out.”
“And? Do you like it?”
“I could get used to it.”
That was fine by him.
Chapter Nine
Three months later
Chloe entered her home on Saturday feeling a little … different. She’d been dating Alfie, officially, for three entire months, and had decided to trust him the night he fed her soup. Well, she had taken their relationship to the next level as she’d just snuck out of Ian’s bedroom, but it hadn’t been Ian she’d been with. It had been Alfie.
He’d taken another first from her.
Many firsts last night.
Her virginity now belonged to him.
As did her first real party.
Sex at a party.
Sex in a stranger’s bed.
Sex in his best friend’s bed.
Drinking.
Dancing.
He’d made sure she had fun, and well, the soreness between her thighs was a testament to that.
“You stayed out all night,” Lily said, leaning against the doorway in the hall.
“Hey, Mom.” Her hands were shaking, so she clenched them into fists. “Morning.”
“You were out all night. Ian’s party must have been really something.”
“There were kids from high school, and it was fun.”
“Fun?” Lily asked.
She couldn’t do it anymore. It was like her mother knew and all this was for her was the torture she intended to inflict until she knew the truth. “I had sex with Alfie last night.”
The moment she said it she slapped a hand across her mouth. She wanted to run to her bedroom and hide, but she stayed perfectly still, rooted to the spot, unable to move.
Lily paused and didn’t say anything.
They stared at each other, neither of them breaking their silence.
Finally, a knock at the door interrupted them.
“I’ll get it.”
Her mother put the coffee in Chloe’s hand and opened the door, only to find the guy of the night before, standing right there.
“Hello, Lily, I’m here to see Chloe.”
“Hello, Alfie. It would seem my daughter has more to tell me than I realized. You have two minutes with her, and then I want her in the kitchen and you’re to go home. You both better hope you used protection last night.” Lily took her cup from Chloe’s hand, leaving them both alone.
Alfie stepped into the hallway and closed the door.
“You snuck out.”
“Yes.”
“Look at me, Chloe. Don’t hide from this.”
“I wasn’t quiet enough. I only just got home.” She tucked some of her hair behind her ear and wrapped her arms around herself. “I wasn’t going to sleep with you last night.”
“Neither was I. I just wanted us to have some fun, and I don’t want you to freak out about last night.”
“I’m already there.” She pressed her lips together. “I don’t know what you want from me, Alfie.”
He stepped toward her.
She didn’t move.
He stroked his fingers down her cheek. “I’d like you to look at me and realize that … last night meant everything to me.”
She stared into his eyes, wanting to believe, and as he looked right back at her, she saw it.
“You did?”
“Chloe, I’m not a great guy. There are things you don’t know about me. What I’ve done. What I’m capable of, but believe me when I say, when it com
es to you and this now, I’m one hundred percent committed. I want this. I want you. Being your first everything is all I want from you.” He cupped her face, tilting her head back so she had no choice but to look him in the eye. “You’re my girl, just as I’m your guy.” He slammed his lips down on hers, and she let out a little moan.
“Do not have sex in my hallway,” Lily said, calling from the kitchen.
Chloe tensed up, and Alfie laughed.
“We won’t,” he said. “Can I come by later?”
“I have a feeling I’m going to be grounded.”
“So, I can get Dad to distract her, and I can sneak in.”
“This is so wrong, but yes, I want to see you.” This time she held him as she kissed him hard.
He groaned. “I better go, as otherwise I will be taking you.” He stepped out of the door and smiled at her. “Last night was the best night I ever had. No doubt about it, and I’m going to want to repeat it.”
“I’m kind of sore.”
“I won’t repeat tonight. I’ll let you rest.” He held her hand, giving it a squeeze, before letting her go. She watched him walk away, on cloud nine, dizzy with desire, and happiness, and just everything in between.
Closing the door, she found a coffee waiting for her in the dining room.
She took a seat and waited. Lily hadn’t spoken yet. Picking up the cup of coffee, Chloe took a sip. It was red-hot.
“We used protection,” she said.
“And it didn’t break?”
“No, it didn’t.”
Lily took a breath.
“I … I wanted to. Alfie didn’t force me or convince me. I really did enjoy last night, Mom.”
Lily turned to her with a smile, and there were tears in her eyes. “You reminded me so much of what it was like the first time with your father.”
“Ew, Mom.”
“I know. I know. I had no one to talk to. Of course, everyone thought I was insane. Your father, he wore the leather cut, and he’d brag all day about how he was going to prospect and earn his patch. I didn’t care about the biker element. My parents hated it, but I didn’t. I knew his heart was sweet, at the time. He had so many plans for all of us.” Lily put her hands against her face. “I know you and Alfie have come a long way, but is this really what you want? Have your plans changed for leaving town when you graduate? To go to culinary school? It’s what you’ve dreamed about for so long. Has it all changed?”
