Another silence. Then, finally, he stammers, “I think you’re making a mistake.”
“No,” I reply, my tone sharp. “You did when you screwed my best friend, but I think I should be thanking you because this is only the start and my life is already improving. I’ll message you soon about moving my things out. Bye.” I end the call. Relief washes over me in waves.
There’s a clap by the door. “I’m so proud of you.” Rage’s face brightens, and I see he means it. “You stood up for yourself. That took courage, but you did it.”
Emotions swell, and I can’t stop the tears from cascading down my face. He strides over and pulls me into his arms, and I soak in his warmth... his strength. Without him, I would never have had the courage or the confidence to speak my truth.
“I’m crying, but I feel good,” I admit, my voice muffled against his chest. “That part of my life is coming to a close, and I think I really needed to confront Tyler, but the relief I feel now that conversation is done is incredible.” I pull back slightly and look up at him. “I need to go this week to get my things. If you’re free, can you come with me?”
He kisses my forehead. “I’ve always got time for you.Always.”
I can rely on him, and I love that about him. To have that one person to lean on makes a whole world of a difference. Everything doesn’t seem so hard when I have him by my side. I’m so lucky to have met him. He treats me like a queen. I thought an older man would be more mature. That is not the case at all.
I grab his hands in mine and kiss his knuckles. I look up into those big, beautiful, soulful blue eyes and say, “I need you to know I appreciate you. You didn’t even know me, and you stepped up to help a stranger. You were there when I neededhelp, and I will be forever in your debt.” My eyes are blurry.Damn it.
He brushes the tears as they fall down my face. He starts to speak, but I cut him off. “No, let me finish. I need to tell you.”
He nods.
“I’m a mess,” I laugh through the tears. “I would never have gained the strength to realize that I do deserve better. It took you to remind me of that. A stranger, a person I now call one of the people I’m closest to. You have the biggest heart, and everyone around you is lucky to call you a close friend.”
His eyes soften. Standing on my toes, I plant a kiss on his cheek. I lean in for a hug and hold on tightly. We embrace the moment.
I inch back just enough to hold his gaze. “You and I have always been about honesty, and I had to tell you how I feel because without you I would not have grown so quickly. It’s a joy to start feeling like myself again and not be miserable. It’s a breath of fresh air I’ve needed for so long, and I have you to thank for that.”
He cups my face. “As I said, no matter what, I’m always going to be there for you. All I did was remind you of the strong person you are, because he stole that from you.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him into a kiss, pouring all my gratitude and affection into it. We were supposed to take things slow, but this feels right. “I enjoy spending time with everyone, but can we just chill out here together?” All I want right now is to be in his arms.
He gives me a cheeky grin. “Of course. I’d prefer to just spend time with you anyway.”
I like that I’m one of his favorite people too. We hop into bed and I snuggle into his side, where I belong.
“I’m excited to get back into making orders.” My business makes me happy, and now that I’m moving forward in my life, I’m excited to make some new pieces.
“Why don’t we go and get all your things tomorrow? Then you can start working on your business.”
“I’d like that.” I bite my bottom lip and question whether he’ll even care, but I ask, “Would you like to see some of the jewelry pieces I’ve made?”
He smiles. “Yes, sure. Show me.”
My heart flutters as I proudly show him the posts from my business Facebook page. I show him the rings, bracelets, and necklaces I’ve made. Then I send Tyler a message saying I’ll be there tomorrow.
TWELVE
TROUBLE IN PARADISE
Rage
Running up the hill,I’m panting. Sweat clings to my skin as I force my legs and arms to move faster, but I feel awful today. I barely slept last night, knowing the fight is tonight, and now Rose wants me to go with her to grab her things from her house. I don’t want to fuck up whatever we have, but going from never having to manage my anger to suddenly being a perfectly controlled man is going to be a struggle.
I’ve dealt with shit my whole life. It’s just not as easy as she thinks to let go and move on. That anger is a part of me as much as my blood and veins. With Rose, I feel a happiness I haven’t known for so long, though it frightens me. Will being with someone make me vulnerable... less of a fighter?
I’ve lived in violence since I was a teenager. I didn’t tell her, but when my parents were having fights before my dad left, he used to throw furniture and punch walls. He never laid a hand on my mom, but it was still abuse. When I found out that happened to her too, it pissed me off because I remember feeling scared when I was a kid.
Rose calms that savage side of me, but who am I without it? My nickname is Rage. To fight is what’s expected of me, but it’s going to cause problems between us. I’ve been honest about it, and she’s still chosen to stay at the clubhouse with me. Does that mean she’s okay with it now and she’s letting it all go? Or does it mean she hasn’t experienced me fighting yet, so her reaction could actually be a lot worse?
She’s easily spooked. It cuts me up inside because I see the flicker of fear in her eyes when we talk about my fighting or my temper. It’s like a shadow that crosses her face, a tortured look that she tries to hide but can’t quite mask. I don’t want to be the reason she feels that way.
