“This.” He gestured between them, frustrated, raw. “You. Me. Talking like we didn’t burn each other down.”
Her heart twisted. “We didn’t burn…”
“Yes, we did.”
He turned away, heading for the door.
“Noah, wait…”
He stopped with his hand on the handle, shoulders rigid.
For a moment, she thought he might turn back. Say something real. Let her in.
But he didn’t.
He walked out before he said something he couldn’t take back.
The door shut behind him with a soft click that felt louder than a slam.
Avery stood in the middle of Sweet Treats, chest tight, eyes burning.
He was still hurting. Still angry. Still hers in ways neither of them knew how to handle.
The past was bleeding into the present.
And the chemistry between them was thick enough to choke on.
Chapter 11
Rook
Rook rode back to the clubhouse like the road was trying to shake him loose.
The wind cut at his face. The engine roared beneath him. But none of it drowned out Avery’s voice.
“You didn’t ask me to stay.”
He felt that line like a blade sliding between his ribs.
By the time he pulled into the lot, his pulse was a hammer in his throat. He killed the engine, swung off the bike, and stalked inside without looking at anyone.
But the club noticed. They always noticed.
Stone was at the bar, sorting through paperwork. Grim leaned against the pool table, cue stick resting on his shoulder. Fish lined up a shot. Havoc and Ledger were arguing about something stupid. The second Rook walked in, the air shifted.
Stone straightened. Grim’s smirk faded. Fish lifted his head. Havoc muttered, “Oh, hell.” Ledger closed his book.
Rook kept walking. He didn’t make it far.
Stone stepped into his path. “Stop.”
Rook didn’t. “Not now.”
Stone’s grip tightened on his arm, not enough to restrain but enough to anchor him. His expression shifted from concerned brother to President.
“Before you disappear into your own damn head,” Stone said quietly, “we’ve got a problem.”
Rook stilled.
