And it was at this point that I realized the truth. Garrett might have done a good thing extending the olive branch for a chance at romance.
But there was nothing there.
Which was a damn shame, and also really fucking odd, because there was no denying the intensity of our chemistry on the first night. Was that an illusion? Was that just a one-night fling that didn’t need to be extrapolated any further?
Or was tonight just a comedy of errors?
No, I suspected I knew the answer. Or at least, I suspected what I figured to be the answer.
“So, am I crazy for thinking that this wasn’t the greatest idea?”
I was surprised to see that Garrett didn’t look pleased with the news. I hadn’t had a bad time, per se, but it seemed obvious to me our whole dynamic from that first night a month or so ago was based on the danger and thrill of hooking up with each other. Without that, with just a chance to make a genuine connection, it just seemed like we were two very different people.
And it wasn’t helping matters that wherever I went, Garrett hated it, and wherever Garrett went, I hated it.
“A little bit,” Garrett said. “I suppose you’ll leave me no choice but to accept it, huh?”
I was surprised at how he took the news. I couldn’t imagine many women rejected him, and for most guys like him, when a woman said no, they just moved on with barely an acknowledgment that the person had even existed. I supposed context mattered, but still.
And that didn’t even account for how we had gone out. I didn’t expect Garrett to be like this. A part of me, taken aback by this version of Garrett, wondered if I needed to back up and just say we needed to try again in a week or so.
But there was one thing that was not changing between now and next week, next month, next year, or the near future.
“Even if we do everything perfectly and you’re a gentleman and you treat me like an angel, Mason won’t let this go by easily,” I said.
“So fuck him.”
What?
“You’re an adult, Hannah. You don’t have to let him control everything you do. It’s great he’ll kick ass and take names for you, but that doesn’t mean if you want to do something, you should use his presence as an excuse not to do it.”
“I know,” I said. “But he is going to be a fucking nightmare for both of us. And I can’t pretend that wouldn’t be a factor.”
“He’d have to man up and stop being a bitch,” Garrett said. “He and I will never be the best of friends. I think he and Connor, for example, are much closer. And I’m sure he’ll be angry at you. But he’s not going to abandon you if we become a thing. He’s not going to just suddenly become a monster to us.”
He's right. I just wish it was as easy as what he was saying.
“This is all that I promise,” Garrett said, finishing his beer. “I know it takes two to tango and blah blah blah. If you don’t want this to be a thing, there’s nothing I can do about that. But if that’s the case, I’m still going to be a man and take responsibility. I’ll still be the father to the kid. Whatever it takes.”
He stood up.
“When I asked you if you were keeping it, I wasn’t suggesting that you get an abortion. I was just genuinely surprised someone in your spot would choose to keep it. But if you are, then I’m keeping my side of the deal.”
Now I was really left wondering if I’d made a mistake. I suppose I could always backtrack.
But it was at that point that Garrett nodded, thanked me for coming with him to Albuquerque, and headed out the door. The roar of the bike filled my ears a few moments later, and just like that, I was alone in the Reapers bar.
And this time, I was the one that had put myself in this spot.
Garrett
Monday Night
The workday had ended, and I sat on the porch of the clubhouse, sipping whiskey. The others were still shutting down the shop, but I’d already cleaned out my station and wanted a chance to kick back.
In something like eight months, I wouldn’t have a whole lot of chances to relax. Not if I was going to be the man I needed to be.
The door to the clubhouse swung open from the inside. I jumped a bit and went wide-eyed at the sight of Butch.
