I awoke the next morning and realized I needed a change of scenery, so I called my brother and let him know I was coming for a visit. I’d already made a reservation, so he couldn’t say no, even if he wanted to.
I packed quickly and headed downstairs to find Sierra pulling muffins out of the oven. “You baked?”
“I couldn’t sleep. Where are you going?”
“I’m going home for a few days. I need to get this thesis written.”
She cocked her head. “Is everything okay? Why do I get the feeling this is more about one very hot biker and less about your thesis?”
“Well, my arrangement with Orion is over, so it doesn’t matter either way.”
“He dumped you?”
“We weren’t together,” I pointed out.
“What a fucking asshole,” she hissed.
“Claws in, Sierra. It’s for the best.” I snagged a muffin out of the tin. “I was so distracted by his peen, I wasn’t paying attention to my own life.”
She handed me a mug and I poured coffee into it. “Well, I still say he’s an asshole if you’re having to run home to escape.”
I smiled. “I miss my family, so it’s a good excuse to see them.”
“Are you okay, though?”
“I’m good, honey. I promise.”
“Well, I’m gonna head to work. Text me your flight info and I’ll pick you up when you get back if I can.”
“Sounds good.”
Sierra headed out and I ordered a car. The flight left a lot to be desired, with turbulence galore, but once I was on the ground, I started to relax. There was something about being home. I made my way out of the airport and grinned, making a run for Rabbit.
I dropped my bags and he lifted me off my feet in a bear hug. “Hey, sweetheart.”
“Oh my god, I’ve missed you.”
He chuckled, setting me back on the ground. “Back atya. Come on, I’m parked illegally.”
“You always were a rebel.”
We walked outside and Rabbit threw my bags in the back of Tristan’s truck while I climbed inside, and then we pulled out of the airport.
“So…”
“So?” he asked, glancing at me, then focusing back on the road.
“How’s Parker?”
“Fuck me,” he ground out. “You gotta start in immediately, Raquel?”
I shrugged. “Well, damn. I thought for sure she’d have come around by now.”
Rabbit had been in love with Parker Powers from the second she’d arrived on the scene with Willow and Jasmine. Both women were married to Dogs and I was certain Parker would fall for Rabbit to round out the group. Apparently, I was wrong.
“You and I are supposed to have a thing, remember?” he pointed out.
“Yeah, I torture Tris with the illusion of that whenever I can.”
