“Aww, isn’t that sweet. Well, then how about if we have it at your house? We can all bring something so you two don’t have to do all the work. Kind of like a potluck.” Kristi grinned. They both gave me a hug goodbye.
“Okay, we’ll leave you two lovebirds for now. See you tomorrow morning, toots! Don’t forget, it’s your turn to bring coffee!” Alesha called out as they walked toward their cars, whispering excitedly.
“Who are you sacrificing to the estrogen train?” I nodded in their direction as I fought a grin.
“Oh, I think it’s a perfect job for Truth and Slice.” His smirk turned wicked, and we both cracked up.
“They won’t know what hit them!” My hand slapped over my mouth in mirth.
“Let’s go. I have a surprise for you.”
“Ooo, I love surprises! What is it?” I jumped up and down a little as he hopped down from the tailgate.
“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.” He shook his head and helped me up into the sexy, jacked-up beast. In the last few weeks, I’d only driven it on the days he had to work, because it made me nervous.
Sticking out my bottom lip, I pouted. He flicked my lip lightly before leaning in to suck it into his mouth. Instantly, I was in full-on attack mode. My hands clutched at the hood around his neck, and I tried to climb back out of the truck.
Breathless and panting, I fought for control as he pulled away. “That’s not fair.”
“Baby, all’s fair in love and war.” With a wink, he tucked me into the truck and closed the door.
Love and war? Was he trying to say he loved me? Wasn’t it too soon for that? Listen to me. Like I didn’t know I was head over heels for him already.
But I was realistic. I knew myself and how I tended to fall for guys too easily. Something that had come back to bite me in the ass repeatedly. My dad had always told me my heart was too open and soft. I loved with all my heart and lost myself quickly.
The thing was, with Styx, I didn’t feel like I’d lost myself. He made sure I was safe, but he encouraged me to be strong and independent.
The truck started, making me realize he’d gotten in. Tossing a glance his way, I studied him. I’d never get tired of his hulking form. He was majestic. Like a Viking warrior of old. Especially with his hair braided back like it was that day.
“What?” he asked with a puzzled but amused expression as he side-eyed me. Watching him handle the monster of a truck was as sexy as seeing him… ugh! I needed to keep my mind out of the gutter.
Trying to distract myself, I stared out the window. His favorite band was playing over the speakers, and I remembered him saying the guys were all supposed to go see them soon. “When is this concert?”
“Next Saturday night. I had to switch shifts to go, but I wasn’t missing it for anything. You’re gonna love them. My brothers from the Iowa chapter were in the military with some of them and scored us exclusive backstage passes. We’ll be partying it up with Straight Wicked. It’s so fucking surreal.” He sounded like a kid talking about it, and I couldn’t help but be drawn to his excitement.
“Wait, I’m going?” He’d talked about it off and on over the past few weeks, but he’d never mentioned me actually going.
Incredulous, he gaped at me. “What the fuck? Of course you’re going!” He seemed to pause as his focus returned to the road. “Um, unless you don’t want to. Sorry, I guess I assumed….” His voice trailed off.
“Huh? No, I mean, of course I want to go! It’s just that y’all had the tickets before we met, and I didn’t think you’d have one for me.” Shrugging like it was no big deal, I bit back my own excitement. It was the first live concert I’d be able to say I’d been to. Meeting the band members was something I’d never guessed in a million years would happen.
“We all got plus one tickets just in case. Joker and Hacker got us the hookup. I’m sorry I wasn’t clear about you going and that I didn’t ask if you wanted to go.” His eyes briefly found me, then his hand clasped mine and held it on the center console.
“I can’t believe I’m going to a concert!” I was damn near giddy.
“You’ve never been to a concert?” he questioned.
Shaking my head, I squeezed his hand. “This will be my first.”
“And it’ll be with me.” The corner of his mouth tipped. “I get to pop your concert cherry. Fucking awesome.” He made a goofy face, and I shook my head at him, trying not to giggle at his silliness.
Our conversation had distracted me from the direction we were going, so I was surprised when we pulled in the lot. “What are we doing here?”
“Getting you a car,” he said smugly, exiting the truck.
Dumbfounded, I could only sit there.
“Let’s go,” he said as he opened my door. Effortlessly, he lifted me down from the height of my seat.
Furiously whispering, I pulled at his arm. “Styx! I can’t afford a new car right now! I’ve been looking at some older cars online. What are you doing?” I asked as he shook his head and pulled me along with him to stand next to a shiny Toyota 4Runner.
“What is this? You’re crazy, I can’t afford this!” It was a fancy off-road edition. Okay, I’d secretly coveted this exact vehicle, but how did he know?
“This is exactly what you want though,” he patiently stated.
“How would you know?” I shouted, then looked around, embarrassed.
“Gwen. Every time you’re online looking at shitty cheap cars that won’t last you a year, you’re looking at these.” Crossing his arms, he raised his brows, daring me to argue.
“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I can afford it!”
“Why not?”
“I have rent and a few credit cards,” I ticked off. “Plus my student loans I took out, even though they’re small.”
What my dad said about me giving up my full-ride scholarship to Stanford was true. I’d been able to apply for a few scholarships when I decided to go to UT, but it had left me with the need for a few loans.
“About that,” he began. “If you moved in with me for real, you wouldn’t have rent.”
He said it like it was no big deal. Slack-jawed, I stared at him.
“Jesus, Gwen. You’ve been staying with me every night since Christmas. It’s merely a technicality to turn in your notice to your landlord. Most of your stuff has slowly migrated to my place anyway.”
“Yeah, but—”
He shook his head as I started to argue.
“Look, I could easily afford the payment for you, but I know you and I know you wouldn’t want that. So if you quit being stubborn, you can afford it yourself. Hell, your rent is probably more than the payment on this would be.” He pursed his lips, waiting for me to try to deny that everything he said was true.
Resigned, I crossed my arms too and turned away with a worried frown.
“What is it that’s really bothering you?” he pressed.
With a sigh, I turned back to face him. Holding his crystal blue gaze, I pushed aside the sappy whimper that wanted escape from looking at him. My voice was small as I explained. “I got that apartment after Mitch and I split. It was my first place I’d ever had on my own. I’d moved from my parents’ home into a dorm room with a roommate, to a house with my friends, to Mitch’s house. That apartment represented my independence and freedom. Even though it’s small and not super fancy, for the last year it’s been mine.”
His expression softened as he clasped my biceps and pulled me closer. “Babe. I’m not asking you to give up your independence. I love who you are. I just love having you with me—knowing you’re safe.”
Biting my lip, I studied his sincerity. Jumping in with both feet, I opened my mouth to answer him. That’s when the salesman approached us.
“Good afternoon, you two. Would you like to take this beauty for a test drive?”
Without looking at the guy, Styx watched me, waiting for my answer.
Holding his gaze, I smiled.
“I’d love to.�
�
The brilliance of his smile blew me away.
“Eyes Of The Devil”—Seether
“Hey, bro, I’m sorry it took me so long, but I finally dug up something on your girl’s ex, the dumbass cop. Not much to tell you other than the guy is a real tool. Seems he has a serious problem keeping it in his pants. And then some.” Check had caught me when I went into the clubhouse the day after we bought Gwen’s SUV.
It was my second day off, but Gwen was in school, so I went to visit with my brothers who were there for the day. Check had come by to drop off some shit for Smoke.
“How the fuck did you find that out?” That didn’t sound like something that you’d be able to simply look up. Who would be that reckless to have their shit out there where everyone could find it?
Check gave me a flat expression and simply blinked at me. Okay, so it probably wasn’t out there where anyone could find it. Check wasn’t just anyone.
“Fuck, I don’t know why I’m questioning you.” I pointed a finger at him. “There is something wrong with you, dude. Too fucking smart for your own good. You find the most abstract shit in some weird-ass places. How does your mind even go the places it goes?”
“You’re telling me my mind goes weird places? Have you met Slice?” He gave me a come-the-fuck-on expression.
“That’s another strange dude. But I still love all of y’all.”
“Aww, man, I love you too.” He grinned and handed over a thumb drive. “By the way, I’d look at that when Gwen wasn’t around. And in case you’re wondering, they were dating during a lot of that.”
The drive lay in the flat of my palm as I looked down at it. Looking up at him, I started to speak, but he thumbed over his shoulder. “My computer is in my room if you wanna use it.”
I slapped the side of his arm and squeezed. “Thanks, bro.”
“No problem. Still haven’t figured out who Billy is. Also don’t know why you don’t just ask her.”
“Maybe I will. Things have calmed down a little.”
“Any more threats come through?”
“Not so far. Knock on wood. Maybe they’ve accepted we’re together.” I shook my head and shrugged.
“Hmm, so you’re together-together?” he teased.
“Well, she agreed to move in with me.”
His laughter rang out across the clubhouse. “Shit, she already was. I think she was the only one who didn’t see that.”
A snort of laughter escaped me. “Truth.”
“You talking about me?” Truth had snuck up behind me, causing me to jump.
“Goddammit, stop doing that.” Exasperation was heavy in my words.
“I didn’t do anything.” He scratched his beard to hide his grin. Fucker knew exactly what he’d done, because he did it all the time.
“What are you doing here anyway? Why aren’t you working?” Though I figured it was his lunch, I tossed my head the direction of the shop.
“Lunch break.” He shrugged as he held up the sandwich. Taking a bite, he stood there. After swallowing, he motioned toward the thumb drive I held. “What’s on there?”
“Weird shit,” answered Check with wide eyes. Then he tapped his temple.
“Okay, I gotta see this.”
“What are we looking at?” Lock, Slice, and Clay came walking up.
The nosey bastards all followed me to Check’s room and watched as I plugged in the drive and opened it.
“Holy shit,” I said as I began to open the files.
“Daaaaaammmmmnnn,” said Truth, “I thought I was a kinky fucker. Who the hell is that?”
“Gwen’s ex,” I muttered.
There was image after image of the little dickwad, who was into some really strange BDSM shit. Like, to each their own, but damn was right. He must’ve been with at least twenty different women in the pics too. Some looked like stills from videos. “There are videos too?” I looked over at Check.
He nodded. “Yeah. There’s a file of those too.”
“What the fuck? Why is all of this videoed and photographed?” Incredulous, I questioned no one in particular.
“Maybe the asshole likes to watch it afterward?”
We all looked at Truth.
“What?” he asked. “You think maybe it was him harassing Gwen? Since there were all those pics of y’all? Still don’t know why you didn’t share them with us. Could’ve been some clues in them.” Truth took the final bite of his sandwich.
Glaring at him, I gritted my teeth. “You would be the last person I’d show those to. Any of y’all. That’s my ol’ lady you’re talking about,” I clarified.
He tsked. “So distrustful. And me, your own brother.”
All I could do was roll my eyes.
“Your ol’ lady, huh?” Lock grinned.
Sighing, I leaned back in the chair. “Well, I haven’t officially asked her, but yeah.”
“Like that’s a surprise.” Check chuckled. “This big Viking-motherfucker has been all crazy about that chick since the day he brought her to that family day. She’s been to every single one that he wasn’t working since. Thinks no one’s noticed.”
Trying not to smile, I looked down. “What the hell ever, man.”
“So what does all this prove besides Mitch, her ex is a cop, a cheater, and a kinky fuck?” Slice questioned.
Truth elbowed him. “Nothing wrong with being a little kinky.”
Sighing, I ran my hand through my hair. “Not much. But it does make him questionable when added to how he was harassing me and trying to get her back.”
“Any trouble with him lately?” Truth asked.
“No. Think he backed off after I brought up police harassment.”
“So we’re still not any closer to figuring out who it was?” Lock asked as he cleaned his nails with a knife.
“The camera at the school had a shitty angle and the resolution was crap. All we gathered was it was someone with dark clothes and a hood. Could’ve been a guy or a chick. Who knows? No cameras at the apartment complex either. Nothing on the knife from the door, so they must’ve worn gloves.” Check looked irritated. He hated when he was unable to ferret out information.
“What about Grace?” Lock asked as he leaned a shoulder against the wall.
“It doesn’t seem like something she’d do. Anyway, she’s pretty much out of the picture.” My hand stroked my beard as I thought.
“Pretty much? What does that mean?” Slice asked.
“Well, she came by the hospital a while back wanting to try to work stuff out. I sent her packing.”
“She was pretty vindictive when y’all were together. And jealous. She hated the time you spent with us, remember?” Check reminded me.
“True, but I don’t see her doing that. I don’t see her being smart enough either.”
“I’m still going to look into her. I should’ve done it before. I’m sorry. I’ve been so distracted.” Check was beating himself up, and I felt bad.
“Don’t, man, you’ve had a lot going on with your business and stuff for the club. I understand.” There was something else going on with him, but he hadn’t said anything. No surprise. He was generally pretty private.
“Well! This has been fun, but lunch break is over, and we have a lot of shit to do. Let’s go grab Clay and head back to the shop,” Truth announced.
Lock nodded. We all said our goodbyes, and they left. Slice went with them.
“We’ll figure this out. I’ve been a little off my game,” Check admitted as he dropped to the edge of the bed.
Taking the small window he’d opened, I decided to pry. “Everything okay with you, bro?”
“Huh? Oh, yeah. Just been busy. That’s all.” He nodded but didn’t make eye contact.
“You sure?” I prodded.
“Yeah.” He ran a hand through his hair and looked away. “No,” he quietly said.
“You wanna talk about it?”
“I don’t know. Maybe later?” He sighed.
“Anytim
e. All you gotta do is let me know when.”
“I appreciate it, bro. I really do. Thanks.”
“Of course. Hey, I figured I’d take advantage of this weather, since it’s supposed to get cold again tomorrow. You wanna go for a ride with me? Or do you have to get back to work?” He looked like he could use the wind therapy.
“You know, I think I will. All the rest of that shit can wait.” He stood. “Let’s go. Time’s a wasting,” he joked, but it didn’t seem to reach his eyes. Yeah, a ride was just what the doctor ordered for him.
Hell, for both of us.
“Play That Song”—Train
“Okay, class, remember you have your test on Monday. Use this weekend to practice what we’ve been working on this week. Have a good weekend!” The bell had rung, and I knew none of them was listening to me. They were too excited to leave for the weekend.
After they all filed out of the room, I worked on entering some assignment grades and preparing for Monday’s test. By the time I was done, it was much later than I’d thought. Kristi and Alesha would be over later and had told me they’d be leaving right after school to pick up last-minute things.
Gathering up my bag and my keys, I locked my classroom door and grinned as I walked down the hall. “Have a good weekend, Barbara!” I tossed in my coworker’s door as I passed.
“You too!” she returned, but I was already on the move. Going to and from work was nearly as fun as my time with Styx. Because it meant I got to drive my new SUV.
Except when I got out to the pretty white vehicle, my heart dropped. It was covered in eggs.
It looked like five dozen eggs were all over my car. At first I wondered how Kristi or Alesha hadn’t seen it. They would’ve told me.
As an egg with half a shell slid down to the ground, I realized it must’ve been pretty fresh. Quickly, I looked around, trying to see if anyone was wandering around. Of course, there was no one.
“Why? Why isn’t anyone ever around when you need them? I can’t believe no one saw this happen!” I cried, distraught.
It couldn’t possibly to be the work of my stalker, though. Eggs were a juvenile thing, so it was more likely it was some disgruntled students. My heart hurt that any of my students would’ve done that to me.
Styx and Stones: A Demented Sons MC Texas Novel Page 20
