With that, my dad turns and heads out the door. Bones rises to his feet, giving me a disappointed headshake before following him out.
I sit in the meeting hall for another moment or two before pushing up from my seat and heading to the bathroom.
Once inside, I kick the door shut behind me then stare at myself in the mirror. Christ. I’ve definitely looked better, that’s for sure.
I rummage around in the medicine cabinet, pull out a first aid kit and begin cleaning myself up. Some gauze, warm water and an ice pack later, I… still look like fucking hell. But I’m already running late for dinner.
When I step out of the bathroom, I run straight into Ace. He studies my face, his brows dipping in concern.
“The fuck happened to you?”
“Got in a fight with the table and lost,” I scoff, pushing past him and making my way out of the clubhouse.
He follows right behind me, keeping his words to himself until we’re outside, out of earshot.
“Where are you off to? Need some company?”
“Dinner,” I answer shortly.
“With her?”
I don’t respond; I just fire up my bike, but he moves closer, until his hands are resting on my bike and he’s looking me straight in the eye.
“Look, man, I get it. I mean, she’s beautiful and seems like a sweet girl.”
“Careful,” I grit through clenched teeth.
He lifts his hands in defense and shakes his head. “But you’re playing a dangerous game. You keep giving your old man a reason to watch you close, and you’re putting her directly in his path. I know you don’t want that.”
He’s got a point, and it fucking irritates the shit out of me. What am I supposed to do, though? I can’t be in two places at once, and if I have to choose where and how I spend my time, it’s with her. Always. I’ve lost too much time with her already; I’m not willing to lose another second. Ace isn’t wrong, though. My dad is suspicious, and my reaction in there didn’t help.
Raking a hand through my hair, I let out an irritated sigh. “I hear you. I’ll… I’ll figure something out.”
Ace watches me for a second, like he doesn’t quite believe me, then nods. “Alright, man. Tell her I said hi.”
I scoff at that, then back the bike up before taking off down the road. Life feels like a house of cards—one wrong move and everything will come tumbling down. Maybe it doesn’t evenrequire a wrong move, though. In this life, my life, it’s simply inevitable.
Pushing the bike faster and faster, as if I can outrun any threat to us, I head for home, my real home. The one that’s always been my safe space. I used to think that was because of Mom, because of our makeshift family, but now I know that comfort I felt, that safety, had way more to do with Naomi than even I understood. Because being with her… seeing her? It’s like coming up for air after drowning. As if she only exists for my joy.
I turn into their quiet neighborhood and spot her in the front yard, pulling weeds from a flower bed. Slowing down, I pull into the driveway beside Nick’s car. I didn’t know he’d be here tonight.
It takes everything in me not to hold out my arms so Naomi can run to me. My fingers twitch and tingle, begging to feel her skin beneath them. But when she sees me, she jumps up and runs towards me anyway—before thinking better of it and slowing her steps. She looks around to ensure no one is watching then starts hurrying over to me once more.
I swing myself off my bike and pull her in for a hug. I release her faster than I want to and resist the desperate urge to taste her lips . Despite us waking up together and spending hours between the sheets this morning, it’s never enough. She’s more than just a drug—she’s addiction embodied.
“Hi.” She smiles shyly, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
“Hey, Peaches,” I say with a barely there smile.
Her smile slowly falls as she studies me, concern stealing over her face. “What happened? Are you okay?”
I do my best to smile and wave away her worries. “I’m good.”
The front door opens, and I hear Nick’s loping footsteps before I see him.
“What’s up fucker?” He grins as he closes the distance between us, pulling me in for a quick hug.
“Hey, man. I didn’t know you were gonna make it.”