Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74022 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“I haven’t seen Chantelle around the last few days.”
It’s casual. At least, I think it is.
“She don’t wanna see me right now.”
“Oh,” I say softly. “Oh, did you have a fight?”
He stares at me. “No. She just thinks I have feelings for you and doesn’t want to get hurt.”
Boston is straight forward. No holding back. If you ask him something, he’ll tell you the truth, or the truth as best as he knows it. He’s not a liar, and he’s not dishonest. I like that about him, but it also means sometimes you hear things you don’t want to hear, which can be a truth that feels brutal. Even if it is for the best, because it’s the truth.
“Oh,” I say softly, rubbing my arms. “I told her there was nothing going on between us ...”
“Know that,” he mutters. “But I kicked her out when you were upset, didn’t even look at her. Treated her like crap.”
Poor Chantelle.
“Did you explain any of this to her?”
“She wants to be friends, that’s it. Done talkin’ about it.”
He sounds hurt, and that sucks, because I don’t want him to hurt over some misunderstanding to do with me.
“Why don’t you just tell her there is nothing between us?”
“I did.”
Oh.
Shit.
That kind of hurts. An unexpected hurt. What I didn’t see coming. I feel almost blindsided by the confession. I swallow, because while I guess I knew that, I didn’t expect him to say it so ... freely.
“Then maybe tell her again ...”
It’s the best I’ve got.
Boston stands, and looks down at me. “Can’t do that.”
“How come?” I say, looking up at him.
He stares at me, for a long, long moment. Then mutters, “Because I don’t know if it’s true.”
With that, he walks away.
And I’m left gob-smacked.
And no doubt as equally as confused as Chantelle.
What the hell just happened?
~7~
NOW – BOSTON
Fuck.
Shit is fucked.
I growl and slam the beer down on the bar at the club, frustration bubbling in my chest. It’s a never fucking ending cycle with this club. We’re dealing with shit left right and center. We finally get past it, deal with Saskia’s ex and all the bullshit surrounding him, and now we’re back onto Slater, and entering what could be an extremely fucked up situation, to find a woman he lost.
Don’t mind the man wanting a woman, but fuck, more death, more violence, I’m fucking done with it.
“Still fumin’ about the fact that we gotta start goin’ deep with Slater,” Malakai asks, sitting down beside me and glancing at me, eyes hard, scanning my face.
“Fuckin’ tired of it, Prez. Not gonna lie. Feels like a never endin’ cycle.”
“I feel you, brother. But we made a promise to Slater for his help, and I’m goin’ to follow through on that.”
“Just got done with Saskia, and she’s finally recovered and shit was comin’ good again. Only so much shit anyone wants to deal with.”
“Yeah,” Malakai agrees. “I know.”
“I’ll deal, just in a fucked off mood.”
Because it has been weeks since I’ve spoken to Chantelle. Weeks since I arrived at her house drunk, spilled my fucking guts, and told her I was confused about Penny and her. And that I thought it was best if I didn’t see either of them. She looked hurt, and I fucking hate that. Mostly, I hate not having someone to hang with. I still see Penny at home, but I try and keep my distance.
Feels like I’ve lost two friends doing the right thing.
But I had to fucking do the right thing.
I rarely let women in—I fuck, I leave.
But I ended up letting two in, and got myself in a tangled fucking mess I had to step away from.
“You still stickin’ clear of Chantelle and Penny?”
Malakai knows. Everyone knows. Saskia is with Mason—it didn’t take long for news to spread. Not to mention Penny is friends with Amalie. Eventually, the club was going to find out I had two girls on the go.
“Yeah,” I mutter.
“Don’t seem like that’s makin’ you very happy.”
I glare at him. “I wasn’t goin’ to continue fuckin’ around with both of them. Not into lettin’ people get hurt, regardless of what anyone thinks. It’s for the best.”
“Not sayin’ it’s not for the best, it is. Might be time to distract yourself with somethin’ else.”
“Tried that,” I mutter. “Not interested.”
He slaps my shoulder. “Can’t help you on this one I’m afraid, brother.”
Fucking no one can. Because I put myself in this mess.
“Slater is rollin’ in soon, figure it’s safe for him to join the club again now the danger has passed. You comin’ to meet him? Appreciate if you did.”
I stand, finishing the beer and nodding. “Fuckin’ of course I am.”
Malakai nods, and we go into the living area where Maverick, Mason, and Koda are playing pool and laughing about some fucking thing. They stop when we walk in and drop what they’re doing, walking over.