His words slam into me like I took on a train head-on, my heart sinking as the realisation that I mean nothing to my father hits home.
He doesn’t care.
Through the haze of unshed tears, I dig through my bag for my phone, scrolling through my contacts list. My finger hovers over the call button as I stare down at Killian’s name. I haven’t seen him in over a week since the night I tried to kiss him and there’s no doubt he’s been avoiding me just as much as I’ve been avoiding him. But he told me to call him whenever I needed him and I’m sure that offer still stands, no matter where we stand with each other right now.
He’d help me, right?
I hit the call button but I end the call before it has chance to connect. I can’t involve him in this. If Killian knew what Daniel tried to do to me, he’d kill him without thinking twice and I can’t give my father any more ammunition against theclub and a reason to put Killian in jail, my father would love that.
Besides, it’s not his problem.
It’s mine.
For the next hour I’m paraded around like a trophy, forced to smile and pretend like I’m having a good time when it’s exactly the opposite.
Fi knew instantly that something was wrong, and like a superhero, she swooped in and stole me away from my date, the indents from his fingernails still embedded into my skin. I’m surprised he didn’t break the skin with how hard he was digging them into me as if hurting me was a form of entertainment for him.
On more than one occasion he’s tried to kiss me and the thought makes me sick to my stomach. I don’t want to be within a thousand miles of him and he knows it. He’s making tonight as uncomfortable for me as possible.
He’s trying to break me.
But I’ll be damned if I let him succeed.
23
“Fuck, man.Seriously?That’s three in row,” I complain as the black 8 ball drops into the corner pocket across from me.
Drew chuckles from where he’s perched on the stool at the bar, watching Jett hand me my ass at pool.
Jett straightens, wearing a grin. “No one likes a sore loser, bro.” He walks over to me and pats my cheek. “Suck it up, buttercup.”
I swat his hand away and he only laughs harder.
“Another game?” he asks.
I toss my cue stick onto the pool table. “Fuck no.”
“I will.” Drew hops off the stool, nearingthe table.
“Good luck, little cobra, you’re gonna need it, this prick’s a hustler.” I grab my beer off the bar and toss it back.
Drew shoots me a glare at my use of the nickname he hates and it makes me smile for the first time in a week.
“At least someone’s finally managed to get a smile out of your moody ass,” Jett comments. “You’ve been miserable all fucking week. Barely seen you.”
I shrug. “Been busy.”
“Bullshit.”
It is bullshit and everyone can smell it. I’m fucking rolling in it. I’ve avoided my crew to avoid conversations like this. Conversations and questions I don’t wanna answer but it’s impossible to lie to my brothers. They know me too well. I’m just glad it’s just Jett and Drew I’m up against tonight. I don’t think I could face my entire crew.
Myles is spending the evening with Allie. Ray and Rita have gone away for the weekend to the mountains. Cruiser is doing a shift at The Ape Hanger, giving Jett the night off. The prospects are off god knows where together, and fuck knows where Alex is.
It’s rare to see the clubhouse so quiet, but tonight it’s welcomed.
“So come on, out with it.” Jett turns to me, leaning up against the pool table, clutching his cue. “What the fuck happened between you and Kaia? What did you do?”
“I love how you assume it was somethingIdid.”
