LORI:

The man purchased a home right next to mine. I mean, literally less than twenty feet from my place. He was actually crazier than me or just as crazy. He could not be believed or was it me that was being ridiculous.

Even though he said I didn't have to bring anything, I still wanted to get something. He didn't seem like a wine drinker, so I bought a case of his favorite beer and a cactus, since that would be harder to kill. I arrived five minutes after eight dressed in a mid-thigh skirt, sandals, and with my hair pinned up.

I knocked twice. Before I could put my arm back down, the door opened and there stood, Apollo in a button-down shirt, new jeans and boots. His normal attire included old shaggy jeans, a t-shirt and boots, but tonight he looked different. His shoulder length hair was even parted to the side with some sort of semblance of a style.

"You're beautiful," he greeted me.

"You don't look so bad yourself." I smiled and walked inside. "Here's your housewarming gift."

"Thanks," he said while accepting my presents. "Come on in."

We walked to the kitchen, where he put the beers in the fridge and then carried the cactus outside.

"The food is almost done." He waved for me to sit on the new bench that wasn't there this morning. "Dinner tonight will consist of my homemade burgers, well done, honey baked beans, corn and for dessert, Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream."

I couldn't help but laugh out loud. "You must have been talking to Shay."

"Yup." He nodded as he checked the grill once more before he sat down next to me. "I'm glad you came."

"We'll see if I regret it soon enough," I replied with honesty.

Connor nodded his head and said, "I forgot the music."

He hopped up, grabbed the remote and hit play. Calvin Harris music started to crank out around the entire yard. The man had surround sound speakers installed. I was such a geek because I was impressed.

The upbeat tempo kept things light as he prepared our plates and then took us under the Gazebo with sheers draped over the top, creating a romantic scene. The food smelled and looked delicious, so I was semi-excited to eat.

"Ready to break it in?" Apollo smiled.

"Who are you? Smiling, buying houses and cooking?" I asked.

His eyes met mine and he said, "That's what you're going to find out tonight."

We started to eat and half way through my burger since he had demolished his, Connor said, "So here's my proposal. You and I started on a bad note. We can both agree to that. No matter what the situation was before, it didn't end well for either of us. Right now, we have an idea about each other as an individual. We know some facts, right? We might even know a little more about each other than others that aren't close but there are things behind our veils that we don't know. So, my proposal is that we, you and me alone, get to know each other so that we can give the other a fair chance. Not know each other through our friends or what we heard, but just us one on one."

I sat back in my chair and continued to chew on my food before I spoke. "So, you're saying – let's hit the reset button?"

"Exactly." He nodded. "We start from scratch."

"That won't work," I said as I shook my head. "I mean, it sounds good but how do you erase our past. That's the very thing that has brought us to where we are now."

"Right, which is nowhere." His brows pushed together. "It's like we're stuck in this time capsule and we can't move forward or back so I'm saying blow up the fucking capsule and let's move forward."

"Connor," I breathed. "Don't you get it? I can't be caught up in you again. I had to give you up and any possibility of being with you...so that's what I mean when I say we can never happen."

It hurt to say that after the meal and ambiance he created but he needed to know. The music changed again and Unsteady by X Ambassadors came on. Connor stood up and held out his hand for me to take.

"What?" I asked but he didn't answer, just jerked his hand.

I took it and he led me to the solid ground with pavers in a circular shape. Connor grabbed my other hand and we started to sway to the music.

If you love me, don't let go.

To my utter surprise, Connor sang each verse in my ear.

Hold on, hold on to me. Cause I'm a little unsteady.

My face was pressed against his chest as we swayed to the beat of the three-minute song. His voice resembled Sam Harris in the band because I knew Connor meant every word. He wasn't just singing a song; he was singing it to me.

When it ended, he continued to have us sway to the next song but I pulled away and said, "Okay, Connor. We'll try it your way. Start from scratch. Clean slate with no blemishes."

Hi eyes lit up as he picked me up and swung me around like I had just won a million dollars.

"Okay, Okay," I screamed. "You're going to make me dizzy."

"Fuck, sweetness." I slid down his hard body and those thick arms were still around my entire body.

"From scratch, Connor." I tried to push away from him but he just stared.

Finally, he nodded his head and said, "My name is Connor Locklear but everyone calls me Apollo. What's your name sweetness?"

"My name is Loriline Barrister and everybody calls me Lori," I replied.

"So, I just moved to the neighborhood and I'm a member of a biker club, called the Legion of Guardians. They are a bunch of men and won't be able to help me with the interior decorating but I was hoping you could. I'm new to the neighborhood." He tried to add that in.

"That so?" I nodded. "I'm not sure you'll like my taste."

"Your place is very nice and modern. I've seen your yard and if that represents your taste, then I approve."

"Be careful what you ask for," I tried to warn him.

"So, you'll help me?" he asked.

"Okay, Connor," I agreed. "What's the budget?"

"We'll discuss that over breakfast tomorrow," he said.

"Breakfast?" I asked.

This man thought he was about to occupy all of my time and he thought he was slick at that.

"Yeah, I'd like to have everything renovated and done before Shay and Bronx’s wedding in December. I've offered for them to have their reception here."

"Oh, okay. Then, yes, time is of the essence," I agreed.

"So, breakfast tomorrow and we can share secrets about our childhoods."

I laughed. He was good. I had to give him that.

"Well, since we're having a working breakfast, we should probably call it a night," I suggested because he was giving me those bedroom eyes.

"Haven’t had dessert yet," Apollo added.

"Ah, yes. Got to have Ben & Jerry's." I pulled away from him and went towards the kitchen. "I'll get it."

Grabbing the one pint-size ice-cream and two spoons, I went back outside, where Apollo was sitting on the bench. Giving him one of the utensils, we began to eat until it was empty.

"Oh my God." I laughed. "We just crushed that ice cream."

"We, that was mostly you." He denied my allegation.

"Fine. Can we make it a late breakfast so I can run that off?" I asked.

"There are other ways to work that off." He was definitely offering.

"Yeah, friend. I'm sure there are." I patted his thigh. "Okay, this has been fun. Really. But I got to go home and handle some business."

"What sort of business?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

I was at the gate of his yard, when I yelled back, "Not that It's any of your business friend but my battery-operated boyfriend just got new batteries...night."

"Fuuuuucccckkk," Connor groaned.

The next morning, I woke up to banging on my door. Connor was at the door with grocery bags and a smile.

"Rise and shine, sleepy head." He walked in after I opened the door. "We got work to do. That B.O.B. kept you up late, huh?"

"Shut up!" I snapped back. "Do you have coffee?"

He handed me a cup from under the bags he had on his wrist.

"God, I love you." I sighed as I took a sip. "I mean, not love but you know. For the coffee."

"Yeah, sure." Connor put the bags in the kitchen and began to unpack them as I sipped on the blessed coffee.

"So, what's your color scheme?" I asked in between each sip.

"Here, I've picked some colors out of the hardware store book. The pages are folded," he said, as he moved around the kitchen like he knew where everything was located.

Impressive.

The man cooked bacon and cheese omelets with diced onions, peppers and mushrooms. That was to go with the dollar pancakes he whipped up and my choice of orange or apple juice. Just like he said, we discussed our childhoods, our parents and how we thought our upbringing shaped our lives. Connor, to my surprise, was much deeper than I'd ever given him credit for. I knew he wasn't a dumb man but all I saw was the brooding, mysterious biker and that alone made him attractive. Yet here he was cooking, discussing how his mom and dad had passed away when he was young and about his time in the army. He said his father worked hard and kept to himself while his mother stayed in a state of depression throughout her life. Connor even discussed some of his issues, how they had manifested and even the triggers.

Yeah, I had somehow been unaware of these facts.

For the next couple of weeks, Connor and I sort of stayed in our own bubble of his house and mine, plus the hardware, furniture, appliance, and carpet stores in and out of town. His budget was huge for each thing so he got what he wanted or mostly what I recommended. Connor was adamant about wanting a man cave for his basement. He even had it sound proofed, so he could play and do whatever he wanted in his cave.

Everything was complete within three weeks and after we toured each and every facet of the house, I flopped on his leather couch and said, "Well, this is awesome, Connor."

He sat down and picked up my legs, then looked around the room.

"I love it," he said. "Thanks so much."

"No problem. This was pretty cool." I sighed and said, "Well, now that my job is done, I can go back to my life."

"Uh, not really. There are a couple of other things I will need your help with that I might not have mentioned." Connor squeezed my calf.

"Wait, one minute." I pulled my legs away from him. "This was a one-time thing."

"Well, remember what it's for. I need help with the reception. I haven’t got the faintest idea about this shit. Kylie is supposed to help me but she looks ready to pop any day now.”

"Oh yeah. Sure." I nodded. "What's the other thing?"

"Come on, I'll show you." Connor grabbed my hand, leading me towards the door. "Grab that helmet right there."

Snatching it as he pulled me through the door and to his bike, I slid on behind him with the helmet secured. Twenty minutes later, we rolled up to a car dealership and Connor explained that he needed a quality vehicle; so all of them were big ole' pickup trucks. Different brands but all the same type, all trucks.

"Connor, why do you need me here?" I asked once I swung my leg off the bike.

"Friends go with other friends to make major purchases in life." He tagged my hand and we spent the better part of the day at the dealership as we both started to negotiate with the salesman.

The man was trying to say the Kelley Blue book value wasn't accurate because anyone can post prices. I knew that wasn't right so I chimed in on their conversation and even stood up to leave.

"Look, I'm not about to sit around here and argue with this con artist. Let's go where Razor suggested because at least it’s Guardian approved and you know he won't try to screw you over." I made my way to the door.

The guy looked at Connor, who shrugged and said, "You heard the lady."

"You're a Guardian?" the salesman asked Connor.

"Yes, he is. The Sergeant of Arms, as a matter of fact," I chimed in again.

"Man, you didn't have on your cut. You're Apollo, right?" His eyes brightened and he stood up. "Come on, man. I got something for you. Any Guardian is a friend of mine. Helped my cousin out of a situation. I'll never forget that."

Connor grabbed my hand and we went to the back where he had some of the nicer trucks. He pointed to at least ten trucks and said, "Any of these you want for five thousand off that Kelley Blue Book value sheet ya girl got."

"What?" I whispered. "Are these new?"

"Brand-spanking new." He nodded. "No more than twenty-five miles on either of them."

They ranged from the luxury foreign trucks to the top of the line American brands. I pulled on Connor's arm and asked, "Which one do you like?"

"Not sure." He looked around. "Which do you think would better suit my lifestyle?"

I laughed.

"Your lifestyle?" I asked. "Connor, all I know about your lifestyle is that you're a Guardian and y'all do some secret shit like helping get people out of 'situations'. I know you work at the garage sometimes on bikes, you go to the gym and act like you go grocery shopping but you only buy for one meal."

"You know I just purchased a home, so that should tell you something." Those eyes bore into mine.

My head nodded to break the connection.

"Right.  And we mustn’t forget you're going to be carting around your god-kids, right?" I asked. "Well, in that case you're probably going to want to get something that has a back seat and a flatbed, like this one or that one."

"Perfect," he said as he headed towards the two trucks. "Now, the foreign or American one."

"Well, the foreign one has nice amenities but so does the American one. I think it'll come down to maintenance," I answered. "You want to have to order parts or get them cheaper and quicker by getting them local? Wait, you work on cars, you should know this."

"How do you know it?" he asked.

"I have a foreign car and it's a bear trying to get parts quickly to fix it," I admitted.

"Okay, then. Let's test drive them and see."

Typical guy.

We took both trucks out for a drive and each time, Connor drove there and then let me drive back. Hands down, we both agreed on the foreign truck. It was a better drive and they lasted longer. Although, the American truck had more, Connor liked the drive better and with the price, it was a steal.

Since I couldn’t drive the bike back to his place, I had to drive the truck which was crazy since it was his very first vehicle purchase. The man should have been the one to drive it first then he could have picked up his bike later but he gladly tossed me the keys and we rode off.

There were things like that, that made me see how unselfish he actually was. His entire house, the reception and everything wasn't necessarily for him but others. His Guardian family meant something to him, which definitely meant something to me.

My family on the other hand had become very suspicious about how much time I had been spending with the new neighbor.

"So, does he have a name?" my mom asked one day.

"He does, Mom." I nodded in any attempt to play coy.

They did not know that I had cut myself that dreadful evening because of my reaction to his words. I'm sure they knew it had to do with a guy but I never said who, though Manor was too small of a town to not know. However, this was my fear all along. We'd get close, like for real close, and then everybody else would get in it with their thoughts and opinions. It would get all fucked up from there.

"You going to share?" she asked in a quiet voice.

"He's my new neighbor and his name is Connor," I said. "He's friends with Bronx and Razor and right now, we're planning the reception party for Shay's wedding. It's going to be at his house."

"Oh, I see." Her head nodded, then recognition of the name sunk in. "That's Apollo. The love of your life, Apollo?"

I shook my head in the negative. "No, he's not the love of my life. That died. Now, he's a neighbor and we’re working on a suitable friendship."

"Honey, I hope you know what you're doing?" Her eyes grew wide. "I just don't want..."

"Mom, don't worry. I won't say I know what I'm doing but what I'm not doing is what I did before. I'm not infatuated with him, it's not a figment of my imagination and at this point in life, the only thing I can handle is a friendship." I tried to reassure her.

"Good to hear, dear." She smiled. "See you're growing up a bit too much for me."

We laughed as we waited for our nails to dry under the blue lights. Then we grabbed some ice cream and cookies to end our day. As we were stopping in one last store, I went to turn and show my mom the Honky Tonk boots I was saving for and bumped into a hard body.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." I looked up and gasped. "Connor, what are you doing here?"

"Connor?" my mom repeated and her head popped up from the fray of shoes on the floor.

"Fancy seeing you here, sweetness." Connor smiled at me. "Nice boots."

My mom sidled up next to me and said, "Honey, who's your friend?"

"Mom, this is Connor Locklear.  Connor, this is my mom, Hanna." I motioned towards the both of them.

"Oh wow, it's an honor to meet you ma'am." Connor was pouring on the charm.

He grabbed her hand to kiss it and then his long hair lingered on her palm. Mom acted like she had almost died, grabbing her heart and everything. My eyes definitely rolled around my head a few times. The woman was blushing.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him.

"Had to get a shirt for the party next weekend. Someone told me all I had was torn t-shirts and those wouldn't work."

I laughed since I was the one that had told him that.

"Glad you listened to her." I laughed. "She's smart."

"Yeah, she is." He nodded. "Figured I’d get some new brown boots too. Y'all in a rush? I'm not good at this sort of shit. Sorry, I mean shopping." He eyed my mom.  "Help a guy out?"

"Oh, sure." My mom basically hip-checked me out the way, grabbed his arm and led the way. "We're in no rush."

After they picked a pair with my nod of approval, we got in line where my mom and Connor chatted away. I could not believe the two of them acting like they were best friends. He was telling her about his renovations and that she should come by the next time she was around and he'd love to get her opinion.

Really?

I walked ahead of them to my car and started to get in, when a hand stopped me.

"Where you going?" Connor asked as he pulled me from the door.

"Home," I said.

"I was thinking we could get some dinner, since we're all out." He was smiling.

Uh, hell no.

"I'm a little tired, right now." My mom's face literally turned to a frown. "But, I'm sure my mom would love to go out with you."

"Yes, honey. You should go on home.  Connor and I can go eat and chat about you and his new house." She chimed in while feeling my head.

"You sure?" Connor asked me.

"Positive," I snapped back. "Enjoy."

"I'll talk to you later, then." He was eyeing me warily.

"Okay, honey. I'll call you tomorrow." She beamed.

Oh my God.

I went home and texted Shay and Lori about the two of them. They both just texted back with LMAO.

Great.

I went up to bed early because there was no point in talking to myself or drinking alone. I tried to use B.O.B. but I couldn't really get in the right head space for that.

Around ten o'clock, the doorbell rang but I knew who it was and I did not want to be bothered. Ten minutes later, something small hit my window. Then again and again. The man was unbelievable.

"Lori, open the door or I'm climbing up there," Connor yelled.

Shit.

He'd do it, too.

Opening the door, I stood in it and said, "Connor, this could have waited until tomorrow."

He jogged up the steps with a familiar box in hand and said, "Wanted to give you something."

"This could have waited," I repeated.

When he reached me, the back of his hand extended to touch my forehead.

"No, this couldn't wait." He pulled the ice cream out of the same bag that had the box of shoes that I had said I wanted.

"What is this?" I looked inside the box. "Are those the honky tonks?"

"Yeah." He laughed.

"You got them?" I yelled. "For me?"

"Who else would I get them for?" He smiled.

"I don't know who else you see in your spare time." I grabbed the box and turned to go inside. "A woman should never assume."

"My spare time?" he asked. "I spend all my spare time with you."

"Yeah, for now. We've been working on some projects and what not, but...wait," I turned towards him. "What's this for?"

"I can't buy a friend a gift?"

"Uh, yeah but only if it's like some sort of occasion," I answered. "A birthday or something."

"Look, that's bullshit." Connor looked like he was getting frustrated. "I bought it because you've been helping me out with my house, the car and this damn reception. So, it’s a thank you."

My eyes stayed on the boots and they were beautiful! Absolutely stunning but...

"Okay, I accept your thanks." I hugged the shoes and nabbed the ice-cream out of his hand. "I love them."

Marching towards the kitchen I grabbed a spoon, then without skipping a beat, I kept going towards the living room to plop down on the love seat. Those boots were so nice, I put my foot inside one and then the other with baggy pajama pants and all. They were light brown with a three-inch pointed heel, small open toe and steel latches that stopped two-inches above the ankle. As I walked around trying to feel them out, I happened to look up and saw that Connor was recording me.

"Oh my God, what are you doing?" I laughed.

"Watching you model the shoes."

"That camera is not even pointed at the shoes." I walked over to him to grab the phone but he moved it above his head.

This caused me to climb on him in order to get at the phone and it wasn't until I felt his lips on my stomach that I froze. His strong hands were on my hips and moving to my butt as each peck grew lower.

"Connor," I cleared my throat.

He paused and then he lifted me off of him so I was sitting on the sofa next to him.

"Sorry." He stood up. "Can't fuck up when we're so close."

Before I could ask him what he was referring to, he left.

Okay... What was that all about?

The next few days, I hadn't seen Connor at all but we texted and coordinated things that way.  It worked but it seemed weird. I think I missed him.

I had invited Vita to the shin-dig we had this weekend and she was beyond excited to get out of the house and meet some hot guys. I just hoped she wasn't disappointed with the selection. I mean, she was very particular and her Latin roots gave her an exotic look that was perfect. She told me that she was equal opportunity when it came to good men. That was a good thing, and if she did like our crew and hung out, she'd fit right in with the other ladies.

Saturday had come and the party was already in full swing by the time I arrived, which was fashionably late. I had an eyelash mishap and had to open another pack of my contacts. When I finally arrived, all the ladies were there including Phoebe and Vita.

"Lori!!!!" they cheered. "You made it."

Yup, they were already tipsy, except for Kylie who was due in a couple of weeks and Phoebe who was definitely showing.

"Wow, you guys look fantastic," I exclaimed.

"Girl, look at those shoes," Shay hollered. "I love them."

"Ohhhh, yes." The other ladies chimed in as I modeled them.

"They do look cute on you," Apollo said, almost scaring the hell out of me sneaking up behind me.

"Thanks." I smiled.

"Oh," Vita murmured.

"Nope," Shay shook her head at her as if to say he was off limits.

I couldn't in good conscience say he was or wasn't, so I ignored the exchange between the two women and focused on him.

"Did you get everything done?" I asked him.

"Yeah, it looks like we're almost settled. Thanks for your help." He dipped down. "You're beautiful."

Then he turned before I could say anything back to him. "Ladies."

"Hey Apollo," Kylie and Shay called, and the others waved.

"Save me a dance, Lori," he said as he brushed passed me.

"Well, well." Shay was beaming. "What's up with you and the new Apollo? New clothes, new truck, house and shit."

"Nothing is up, Shay." I glared at her. "Those are things he initiated on his own. No idea where that's coming from. I thought you'd know."

"Nope." She smiled.

"Well, I don't care. It looks good on him," Kylie added.

"I'll say," Vita nodded.

Shay whispered in her ear and said, "He's taken honey. Believe me on that."

"No, he's not." I finally decided to address that.

Shay raised an eyebrow and said, "Ladies, did Apollo say anything more than hi to anyone over here besides Lori?"

"No," they all said at varying times.

"Where did his interest lie?" Shay was pleased with herself.

"Well, don't look now, but apparently someone else is trying to get their claws in him." Phoebe pointed towards Apollo, Shiz and Swag, the Norristown Guardian President.

"Fuck, that's that goddamn nurse of his. She hasn't been around in months?" Shay muttered.

"See," I chuckled. "Not mine. We're trying the friend’s thing. I told you guys."

My heart on the other hand felt like a dagger had just pierced through it but I was the queen of masking shit. Shay knew it because she smirked and shook her head. Kylie did too but she knew this venue was not the place to discuss it.

"Who's the guy with the goatee?" Vita asked.

"Oh, that's Swag. He's the President of the Norristown club and good friends with Razor." Kylie nodded.

"Y'all know anything else about him?" She was seemed very interested.

"Not much but according to the guys, he a good one," Shay said. "He's solid."

"Hmm, okay then." She pushed her boobs together and said, "I'm going in."

"Wait, you're just going to go up to him and say what?" Phoebe asked with wide eyes.

"Hell no." Vita shook her head. "Watch."

She strutted over there, bumped him and said something to the bartender. He turned around with a scowl on his face and when he saw her, they exchanged words that didn't look too friendly. Then Vita rolled her eyes and strutted away, back over to us.

"What the fuck just happened?" Shay asked in shock.

"Well, ladies. Here's the play by play. I bumped him on purpose, he turned and saw it was me but I told him to watch where he was going. He reminded me that I bumped him and I told him when he sees a lady coming, he should move his ass. He then said that he hadn't seen a lady, which I told him, he'd probably wouldn’t know what one looked like if she smacked the shit out of him. At first, he didn't take the bait, but then when I grabbed my drink, he asked how could the offer get opened again and I told him the night was young and sashayed my butt back over here."

"You're shitting me," Kylie said.

"No lies over here, mami," Vita answered.

"Wow, you're good," Phoebe uttered in shock.

"Well, he's looking for a woman, not a fuck. Just keep that in mind," Shay nodded. "I don't know you but these men are intense, serious and don't play many games. Believe me, I learned the hard way."

"Yeah," Kylie chimed in.

"Thanks," Vita nodded to Shay. "I know the type well. I fucked up with one before and I won't do that shit again."

"Girl, you're in for a ride," I noted. "Here he comes."

"Ladies," Swag greeted us. "Kylie, Shay, Lori and you are?"

He was talking to Phoebe.

"I'm Phoebe."

"She belongs to Goliath, the recruit," Shay added.

"Oh man. You're Goliath's woman. That man is skilled. Razor's lucky to have him," Swag acknowledged. "He won't be a recruit long."

She beamed, then he turned his gaze towards Vita and said, "Lady, you make it a point of bumping people?"

"No, not at all." She raised a challenging brow.

"So, you bumped into me to get my attention?" He was in her space. "I tagged you when you hit the door. That game wasn’t necessary."

Oh shit.

"You tag and say nothing?" Vita thought she had him.

"I didn't say that. The night is young." He leaned in and whispered something in her ear, pushed off the table and left.

"Oh shit." Shay shook her head.

"Looks like he got your number," Kylie added.

"What'd he say?" Phoebe asked, like a kid in a candy store.

Vita's face was bright red as all the blood came rushing to her head. "Uh, he said..."

Then she took off.

Shit.

We all looked at each other and then I followed her so I could stop whatever she was about to blow up.

"Hey," she yelled at Swag who was in the back hall full of people waiting for the bathroom. "I'm nobody's biker groupie! Who in the hell do you think you're talking to? Do I look like a biker groupie?"

Oh my God.

Swag's lips turned up on one side as if he was waiting for this.

"Never said you were, suga," he replied.

"You said you don't fuck biker groupies but you'd make an exception for me." She was in his face and he had her by several inches.

"Well, that was just in case you were." Swag was still smirking.

"Fuck you," she said and went to turn back.

He grabbed her arm and pulled her into him, then twisted so she was against the wall.

"I don't play games sweetheart but when I do, I play to win." He had her pinned. "Fuck you think you were dealing with?"

"Uh," Vita muttered.

"Clearly you don't know me but you will." He dipped into her back pocket, pressed some buttons on her phone and said, "The name's Swag. When you ready to talk and not fuck around, call me."

"What makes you think I'd call you?" she snapped back.

"I don't, but if you do, I’ll know you're serious and done with your games." He nipped her ear. "Plus, your curiosity is peaked and I got just the thing to settle that."

Swag pulled back with that goateed smirk still in place.

Vita snatched her phone back from him and muttered, "Whatever."

Her boots stomping away from him could be heard outside. My shoulders lifted when Swag caught my eye and I followed her back to the ladies.

“Y’all alright?” Phoebe asked.

“Yup, just peachy.” Vita laughed.

Shay eyed me with the, ‘told ya so’ look and Kylie kept the smile on her face.

“Where’s Dessy?” I finally noticed we were missing someone.

“Working. She said she wasn't missing out on these tips. That about pissed Bear all the way off, so he's standing guard near the bar.” Shay pointed. “That man is going to blow a gasket trying to keep up with her.”

“Such an unlikely pair,” I mused.

“Actually, she's into that lifestyle and he was low-key looking for someone. Well, that's what I heard.”

We all turned to look at Kylie.

“Care to dance?” A tall guy with a baby blue button-up shirt, crisp jeans and boots tapped me on the shoulder.

“Oh, uh...” I didn't finish.

“Yeah, she’ll dance,” Shay yelled.

“Come on,” he smiled. “One dance.”

“Alright.” I rolled my eyes at Shay.

We twirled around to the upbeat song a few times and surprisingly enough, the man knew his moves. He handled me with grace and strength, which made him a tad bit more attractive.

The song changed and he was about to say something but Connor cut in and asked for a dance.

“Sure, pal.” The guy nodded.

Uh, well. That sort of sucked.

“You look beautiful.” Connor grabbed my hands.

“You said that already,” I retorted.

His head pulled back as another upbeat song started to play.

“Something wrong?” he asked.

“Nope.” I kept moving and avoiding eye contact with him.

It was juvenile and childish so I talked myself in to trying to act like more of an adult. If he could buckle down and man up, then I could too.

“Are you enjoying tonight?” I asked with a smile.

“Yeah, I guess.” He nodded as he swung me around. “Now I am.”

“Vita, my friend from work, sorta got into with Swag.” I laughed.

“Hmm, don't strike me as the type to play those sort of games,” Connor noted.

“Yeah, that's what Shay told her.” I laughed. “He got her good though. She's going to call him but then again, maybe not.”

That woman could be just as stubborn.

“So, Goliath? He’s solid?” I asked.

Connor looked at me and said, “That's what you want to talk about? Why don't you tell me what's bothering you?”

I laughed.

“Nothing is bothering me. I mean, why does something have to be bothering me?”

I stopped moving and so did he.

“Want to have this rodeo here?” He was getting upset.

“Actually, no. I've had my share of rodeos with you before!”

And on que, someone tapped me and asked me to dance.

“Hell, yes.” I slapped the stranger’s hand with mine and we danced for another few songs.

After a while, I got thirsty and went over to the bar to chat up Dessy and get a drink.

“You missed it,” I whispered.

“What?” She leaned over the bar.

“Vita, my friend from work got into it with Swag.” I was still laughing about that.

“Vita, that friend from work?” She pointed.

Oh God.

Rihanna's song, Work, was playing and Vita was in the middle of the floor shaking her ass to the beat and damn, she was good.

“Shit, tell her to teach me how to do that!” Dessy laughed.

My head swiveled to Swag who was leaning against the bar, with a toothpick in his mouth, eyes on her and seemingly enjoying the show. If it wasn't for the pulsing vein in his neck, I wouldn't have known any different but I knew well-contained rage. I’d had plenty of it.

“Yo, I miss all the good stuff.” Dessy kept looking.

Some bold man decided to dance with Vita and she backed up on him while twirling her hips and he nearly buckled. His hands grabbed her hips and the woman had the nerve to turn towards Swag, staring him dead in the eye as she continued to move around on the guy.

“Oh shit,” Dessy muttered.

Swag pushed off the bar and headed to the dance floor. Vita quickly pushed the other guy away and immediately started to dance around Swag. He didn't look like he was happy but when she came back to his front, held on to his neck and shimmied her ass around his crouch. Those eyebrows went back into place.

One of the guys yelled, “Go Pres.”

He shook his head and Vita worked it on him until he pressed his hand in her stomach and pulled her against his body.

It wasn't clear what was being whispered but they were in their own world. As the song finished, she turned around to face him, smiled and almost walked off but Swag was having none of that.

That girl would learn. He was a Guardian. Those men did not play that shit.

He pulled her back against him, placed one hand on her ass and squeezed. Some words were exchanged but she went out the front door with him.

Dessy laughed and said, “Let me go get these drinks. Y’all are some entertaining folks.”

“Alright.” I grabbed my drink and headed back to the girls.

“I'm about to retire. Me and the little one are tired.” Kylie waddled over to me.

“Okay, girl,” Shay said. “Be safe.”

“Can Razor leave?” Phoebe asked.

“When this one leaves, so does he,” Shay replied.

“Gotcha.” Phoebe nodded.

“Let me check on Vita cause I'm about to retire myself," I informed the group.

"Really, y'all are party poopers," Phoebe whined.

"I'm staying. Don't worry, we'll have fun," Shay smiled.

I kissed everyone and made my way to the front. The trucks, bikes and cars were lined up on the outside but Vita was nowhere to be found. Until I heard a raised voice.

"What do you mean, your place or mine?" Vita snapped. "I'm no biker groupie. Told you that."

"Listen, suga. I'm not here to argue semantics. You dry humping guys over there and looking at me like you want it. Here I am. You want it or are you still playing?" Swag asked.

Nothing was said for a minute and then Vita said, "Look, Swag. No games and no funny shit. I saw you, liked your style but that whole biker groupie comment was a turn off. So, no. I guess I don't want it."

"Lies," he countered. "You just don't want to admit that I beat you at your own game. You come sashaying your ass in my face, dressed like that, and you expect me to think you're something different." He paused. "Give me a fucking break. I was born at night, but not last night."

"Well, Swag. I won't give you a break, my pussy, these lips or suck that dick on any night," Vita clarified and started to walk off.

"Vita," I called her while waving near the door.

He was close behind her but not in a hurry.

"Hey," she waved back. “You ready to go. I need to get the fuck outta here. You said Manor had good guys. Ugh." She huffed.

"They are good guys, for the most part. A little rough around the edges." I tried to defend them.

"Rough?" She shook her head. "The man just called me a whore. I'll say."

I laughed out loud and said, "Sorry, your night was a bust."

"Not a bust, I have a number I'll never use, got to do my Rihanna dance that I only practice in the mirror and met some cool chicas." She laughed as we walked to our cars.

"Okay, Vita." I waved. "Be safe."

"Alright, lady. I'll see you at work on Monday." Vita waved back.

"You work with her?" The deep voice said as I went to get in my car.

I turned to see Swag leaning against a car across from mine.

"Yeah," I nodded.

"Fuck." He shook his head. "Do I want to know more about her?"

"Well, it depends." I laughed. "Do you want to kick yourself now or meet up with her later after a few apologies?"

His laugh was thick and hearty. A good laugh.

"Both," he managed to say.

"Her name is Vita. She's a senior engineer at my job, going for the VP position and this is her first time going out in about four years." I cringed as Swag put his head down and contemplated his feet. "I probably shouldn't add that she has her shit together; her own house, car, and property."

"Fuck me." He shook his head. "Sad thing is when you're so used to the wrong thing, when the right thing finally comes to you, can't even see that shit for what it is. Keep saying I want to settle down and clearly of all the fucking women, I push the good one away."

"Well, maybe all hope isn't lost. You know." I shrugged. "In the six months that I've worked with her, she's always been fair."

Swag shook his head and muttered, "Fucked up."

"How about this? I'll give you her number and you see if you can right the wrong." I pulled out my phone and searched for her name. "Ready?"

When I looked up, he was eyeing me with closed brows and a curious glint. "You and Apollo ever get y'alls shit together?"

"What?" I coughed. "Me and Apollo?"

"Yeah, I heard you left and now you're back. He already warned everyone off of you, so I'm wondering if you and him ever fixed what was broken."

"He did what?" I gasped. "I, uh..."

It was my turn for my head to shake.

"I'll take that as a no." Swag raised his hand. "I just thought it was a kind thing for you to do and wondered if he had fixed the shit he fucked up, since you were talking about second chances and all."

Dammit.

"Hmm, maybe those aren't for me." I showed him my phone so he could copy the number.

"You're too young to be this cynical. Believe me, if Apollo is warning my guys off of you, he's trying to make it right. I've known him a bit and he's a complicated dude. However, when Razor needs something done, Apollo is his guy because not only is he loyal but he won't stop until it's done. No matter what that shit is." Swag copied the number. "Thanks Lori. I hope to see you around."

"Yeah, have a good night." I opened my car door and drove home.

I did not wait up to hear his motorcycle come home nor did I cry because he did not come home by three in the morning.

That would have been stalker-ish. If I'd fallen back into that cycle, it was time for me to make some more changes.