Page 40 of Fifty

“What?” my voice feels weak against the sound of the rain.

“We need to talk,” he answers and I hear his heavy footsteps moving closer.

I push out a breath, feeling the weight of my decisions pouring down over me, just like this heavy rain. I know this is my doing, but he should have come to me first. Why did he start a fight with Shark at the club?

“Stop,” I say, finally looking up to meet his darkened gaze. “Please don’t. I can’t do this right now,” I say as droplets begin to run down my cheeks, my hoodie now drenched.

“Just get in the truck. You’re soaked,” he requests.

“No. I’m taking my car and I’m going home,” I answer and he stops in his tracks.

“I’ll follow you. We’ll talk there,” he assumes it’s an invitation.

“No, Fifty. I need the night,” I explain and his eyes go wide, a familiar softness reappearing. And for a split second I almost reconsider, but I shake my head, forcing the thought to vanish. I knew he was a fighter, but I never thought I’d be the cause of it. I need time to process what happened here tonight.

“You’re shitting me, right?” a smile breaks on his lips and I quickly shake my head, so he’ll know I’m serious.

“I need a minute to clear my head. This is all going so fast, and I never got a chance to tell you, and… well, now you know,” my voice trails off. “I never meant to keep it from you. And I really never meant for it to cause a fight between you and Shark,” I admit.

“Alright,” he gives. “You’re right. I guess we’ve both got a lot to think about. Let’s get out of this fucking rain before we both drown in this parking lot. I’ll follow behind you, to make sure you get home safe, then I guess I’ll head back to the clubhouse. We can talk tomorrow,” he says, even though his eyes seem to be searching my face for some sign that I’m going to change my mind.

“Okay,” I nod in agreement before finally moving my soggy feet and climbing inside my small, but dry car.

I start the engine and crank the heat. His headlights fill my rearview mirror as I pull out and onto the wet road. The drive only takes minutes, and he follows closely until I pull into the small parking lot when I reach the apartment complex. I drive into an empty space and cut the engine, feeling the weight of the darkness now surrounding me. How could I have let this happen?

I’ve lost my job.

I’ve lost his respect.

And even worse, I’ve probably lost any future I could have had with him.

Twenty-Six

Fifty

Ipull the truck over as soon as I round the corner. My knuckles are white from my grip on the wheel. Why did I give in and let her get off so easy? I should’ve fucking reamed her out for lying to me, but one look at those big green eyes and I caved. I couldn’t do it.

“Fuck!” I finally let my frustration lose, filling the quiet cab of my truck with my own voice.

I’m pretty sure she got fired tonight, and honestly, I can’t say I’m upset about it. But I’m pissed that I was the cause. She should have quit. No, she never even should’ve been working in a shithole like that. If I had known, I would’ve paid her rent or whatever bills she needed the extra money to cover.

What’s worse is her refusing to talk to me tonight. I’m sure she’s got a million things running through her mind, the same as me, but the fact that she pushed me away has my fuse lit again. I’m fucking pissed.

I know it’s late and I’m sure the party is raging back at the clubhouse by now. I can’t go back there tonight. It would really help to have a female perspective. I grab my phone from the cup holder and type a message to Ayla, crossing my fingers that they didn’t go to the party tonight.

*You up?

It takes all of thirty seconds for my phone to buzz. Glancing at the screen I see a new text from Kane.

*Seriously? Did you just text my girl asking if she’s up?

I can’t help but laugh out loud at his response. If I was anyone else, I could see his concern, but he knows that Ayla is like my little sister. He’s even made the joke a few times himself. I type back a quick response.

*You know it’s not like that. I just need someone to talk to. You up for a visit?

He answers quickly, and I read*Come on over. I’ll pour you a drink.

*Be there in ten.I type back before dropping my phone back into the cup holder and shifting into drive.