I drink my coffee and think about the past couple of days. Not just the sex—though that was incredible—but the way she looked at me after, the way she curled against me like she belonged there, the way she made coffee before she left because she knew I'd wake up alone and might panic.
She sees me, really sees me, and she's still here.
That means something.
I finish my coffee and clean the mug, leave it in the dish rack exactly where hers is.
Then I grab my cut and head out.
The ride to the clubhouse is cold and fast. The morning traffic in Dublin is light and I make good time.
My mind is quiet for once, no spiraling about what I've done, no second-guessing my choice.
Just the road ahead and the certainty that I made the right call.
The clubhouse is busy when I arrive. It's mid-morning and guys are already working in the garage.
I park my bike next to Tank's and walk inside.
A few heads turn and I feel eyes on me. Word's gotten around that Everly and I are together.
The club always knows everything.
But I don't care. Let them look, let them talk.
Tank's at the bar and he sees me walk in. He grins and shakes his head.
"Well, look who finally decided to show up," he says.
"Fuck off."
"Nah, I'm happy for you, brother. You look different."
"Different how?"
"Less like you're about to bolt at any second. More like you actually slept."
"I slept."
"I bet you did." He hands me a beer even though it's barely ten. "You know Diesel's not going to let this go quietly, right?"
"I know."
"You prepared for that?"
"As prepared as I can be."
"He's going to test you, probably try to scare you off. Might even fly out here to do it in person."
The thought makes my jaw tighten but I don't back down. "Let him try."
Tank studies me for a second. "You mean that."
"Yeah, I mean it."
"Good, because she deserves someone who's willing to stand. Not someone who's going to fold the second things get hard."
"I'm not folding."