My statement angers her further. "Let me cool down?"
I try to stay calm and focus on keeping my tone steady. "Yes. But you didn't call me either. And you didn't take my calls."
"You mean the calls where you left me voice messages where I could barely hear you slurring over the sound of music and girls around you?" she hurls back.
My pulse bangs between my ears. My heart pounds so hard, I think it'll rip out of my chest.
She shakes her head, asserting, "The only way this is going to work is if we keep it professional, so promise me you're going to keep it professional between us."
The last thing I want to do is be professional with Willow.
She adds, "I owe Jax a debt, and as stated, you don't have a lot of other options. Now, I need to finalize this contract with you to fulfill my debt to him. So, can we please focus on business?"
Everything sinks in. How badly I hurt her. Why she's never going to forgive me. And how my sins aren't redeemable.
When I can't handle looking at her broken gaze any longer, I cave. "Okay."
She looks more than relieved at my agreement. Squaring her shoulders, she puts her finger back on the contract in the payment section, and says, "This is the only thing that's not normal. Are you going to sign?"
There's no debate. I've burned too many bridges and sunk too many ships. This is a final gift, if anything, even though Jax wants to rip me off.
I sigh. "Yes. I'll sign."
She gives me an approving nod, then turns to the page with the "sign here" flags.
I take the pen she offers me and then scribble my signature.
As soon as I'm done, she puts the stack of papers aside and pulls out another contract. "This is your contract with me."
"Am I paying you double?" I tease.
Her face turns serious. "You're paying me triple until I get my sixty grand back. I don't care if it comes from you or my other two riders. However, once it's paid, my fee will revert to normal terms. And it's the only way I'm taking you on, Wyatt."
I don't even glance at the paperwork, saying, "Sounds fair to me."
She turns the page and taps it. "Sign here."
I sign it and ask, "Is there anything else?"
She reveals, "Expect meetings next week with sponsors."
"Okay. Anyone I need to be aware of?"
"No, but I'll make sure they're lined up. I need you clean, presentable, and sober. And for the love of God,do notshow up with bruises or cuts on your face. Do you think you can stay out of bar fights between now and then?"
My ego tanks. She shouldn't have to ask me that question and not know the answer. I sit taller in my chair. "Yeah, don't worry."
"Okay. I'll let you know when the meetings are set up." She rises.
I do too, nervous energy filling me.
She steps past the desk, and I grab her wrist.
She stops and swallows hard, glancing up at me.
"Thank you, Willow."
She doesn't say anything, just nods.
