“Maybe that’s the problem. It’s time for things to change.”
“Change how? I think we’re fine.”
“Really, Rose. We’ve been fucking around exclusively for two years, but if someone asks, I’m supposed to tell them we’re just friends.”
“Everyone knows we’re together, so why is it so important that we have a title?”
“Everyone but you. How long do you expect me to play this stupid ass game?”
“It’s not a game, Russell. I told you in the beginning that I never wanted to get married. You were cool with it then, and I can’t help it if you changed your mind.”
“I was never cool with that shit, but I thought you might change your mind.”
“Whose fault is that? Look, we’ve talked about this before. That whole marriage, kids, house, white picket fence ain’t for me. I’ll never change my mind.”
“I want to get married, Rose, and I want to marry you, but if that’s not what you want, I can’t force you.”
“I’ve been telling you this whole time that it’s not what I want.”
“Then maybe it’s time for me to face the music and stop wasting my time and yours. I hope your appointment goes well in the morning.”
I rolled over and gave her my back. About a minute later, the bed shifted, and I heard her moving around before my breathing was the only thing I could hear.
I couldn’t believe she’d actually left. Rose was gone.
Rosemary Abrams
One Year Later
Onyx City Mayhem Motorcycle Club’s first annual fundraising gala was tonight, and I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous. It had been a year since Russell and I called it quits on whatever we were doing, and I’d moved offThe Compoundand into my own apartment. I’d only seen him a handful of times, which was very intentional on my part, and each time, I regretted not handling him with care.
The thought of seeing him, all dressed up in a tuxedo, made my nipples hard and my pussy wet, not that seeing him in a pairof camouflage pants and a white T-shirt didn’t have the same effect. I missed him, but I would never say it out loud or admit it to anyone but myself.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my bedroom and admired the view as I smoothed the front of my dress down. I chose to wear a black, off-the-shoulder, fitted dress with a long split right down the middle. Although I had a date, I couldn’t wait to see Russell’s reaction.
The doorbell rang, alerting me that my date was here to pick me up. I took one last glance in the mirror, grabbed my phone and purse, and headed to confirm it was Preston. I looked at the monitor on the wall near the door and saw him waiting.
He had never been inside my apartment, and today would be no different. I pressed the button and spoke into the monitor, letting him know I’d be right down. A few minutes later, I stepped off the elevator to see him still waiting at the entrance to the building.
He smiled when he saw me, and I returned the smile. I pushed the door, and he took the handle to hold it open for me.
“You look beautiful,” he said, releasing the door and taking my hand in his.
“Thank you, and you clean up pretty well too.”
He leaned in to kiss my cheek before we headed to his car, which was parked right in front of my building. Once I was safely secured in the passenger seat, Preston slid behind the wheel, and we were on our way.
Although my sisters knew I was dating, none of the men I’d gone out with had stuck around long enough to be introduced to my family. Everything would seem to be going smoothly until, one day, they’d call and end things. It was strange, but I didn’t care enough to press them for reasons.
Preston had been around for a couple of months, so I thought the least I could do was bring him as my date to the gala. I was alittle nervous about how my family and Russell would react, but I had a right to move on with my life.
I’d met Preston two months ago when he was coming out of Onyx City Grill as I was going in. He held the door for me and struck up a conversation by giving me a compliment. I thought it was cute, and he ended up paying for my food.
We exchanged numbers before parting ways and talked on the phone a few times before meeting up again. He was cute, funny, and had manners, so I figured we could hang out.
“What are you over there thinking about?” Preston asked.
“Honestly, I’m wondering how my family will react to you.”
