“Vee is my only priority. And she wants to be left alone. I plan to make sure that she gets just that.”
I laugh, sharp and broken. “You expect me to believe she just wants to disappear?”
“She didn’t disappear,” he says. “She chose herself. She chose to take the time to do what she needs for herself. The three of you really fucked with her and it’s taking everything in me not to kill ya’ll.”
The words hit harder than any punch. But I know she’s okay and she’s still in town. Still close.
“Tell her I’m not going anywhere,” I say quietly. “I’ll wait. However long it takes, I won’t stop messaging her. I’m going to be there for her when she finally answers.”
He studies me for a long moment, then leans in just enough for me to hear him clearly.
“Come back again,” he warns, “and I won’t hesitate to start a war.” With his parting threat, he turns and heads back toward the clubhouse, the gate closing behind him, cutting off my chance to sneak inside.
I stand there long after he’s gone, fists clenched, heart splitting open. She thinks she’s going to keep me away, but she has another thing coming. Finally, I turn and head back to my car and get inside. I need some sleep; then I’m going to come up with a plan to get Veronica to listen to me. To understand that she’s it for me.
Chapter 15
Vee
Thedoorclicksshutbehind my brother, and the sound ricochets through the room. He steps back into the clubhouse, the weight of the world resting on his shoulders. I’ve been pacing the small room for ten minutes straight, pretending I’m not watching the door like it might explode. My heart pounding in my chest and the queasiness in my stomach make me doubt my whether I made the right decision coming here or not. As much as I wanted to go out and talk to him, I couldn’t. I can’t give him hope that there can be an us, and I know I’d fall prey to his sweet words.
“Well?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest. “What did he want?”
My brother exhales slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. “What do you think he wanted.” It wasn’t a question, more of a statement.
I know the answer. I just can’t bring myself to say it.
“I hate to tell you, Vee, but that man isn’t running from you. If anything, he’s charging straight for you, like a head on collision.”
“But he needs to go. It’s not going to work between us. I can’t choose.”
He shakes his head once. “Not him. Not now. Maybe not ever. That man is in love with you, whether he’s admitted it to you,or not.”
I drop down onto the couch, not even caring that just last night someone was being fucked on it. “Please tell me you told him not to come back here?”
“I told him you want to be left alone.” He sits down beside me, placing his hand over mine. “I love you, VeeVee, and you will always be my top priority. If you want to hide out here, you can for as long as you need.” He pauses, studying me. “But that man isn’t going to let you hide for long.”
“He will,” I whisper, holding back the sob that wants to break free. “He’ll get tired of waiting. He’ll move on. He’ll realize that I’m just some woman, and that his brotherhood is more important.”
My brother’s eyes soften, and that somehow makes it worse. “You’re wrong, VeeVee.That man isn’t going anywhere, brotherhood or not. Just think about it. He’s here showing you how much he wants you, while the other two haven’t done shit. I like him.” With those parting words, he stands and heads toward his office, leaving me alone to stew in my own thoughts.
But his words echo in my head. I should give Josh a chance. And as much as I want to, I can’t. My heart belongs to three men, and I refuse to choose between them. It’s all or nothing.
Standing up, I wipe away the tear that’s sliding down my cheek and head to my room. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, my eyes drift, over to my phone on the nightstand. It’s still plugged into the charger, and I pick it up, powering it on.
It’s like opening a floodgate.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
Texts stack on top of each other. Missed calls. Voicemails. My screen glows like it’s screaming at me. Mad at me for ignoring it.
Josh’s name keeps popping up. Texts, voicemails, missed calls. Even Luke has tried to contact me. But Hank hasn’t. Not even once. That sends a pang of heartbreak ripping through me. His silence hurts the most.
Then I see messages from my best friends. My throat tightens. I didn’t tell them. I just vanished. And suddenly I feel selfish, small, and unbearably lonely. With all that’s happened since knowing them, I, of all people, know I shouldn’t have just gone off the grid with them.
Ash: Where are you?
Arizona: Please just tell me you’re safe.
