Chapter Seven
Jagger
“Come home with me.” The words are out of my mouth before I have time to register what I’m saying. Her brows furrow in confusion. Shit. I’m all over the place. “I want you to explain everything. And I mean every last moment.”
She agrees with a slow nod. That’s all the permission I needed. Reaching for her hand, I pull her along behind me. “Jag.” My name is raspy in the soft tone of her voice, but we can’t do this here. I can’t hear her while we’re surrounded by people, by the music. Even as I think that, I know I’m lying to myself because I want her alone. I need to be with her to really see her truth. It’s the only way she’ll let me in.
“Not now, Pixie.” She obeys, following silently behind me. Her slim frame heats my back as I grip her hand. I can’t let her go again. I made the mistake of watching her walk out my door two years ago, then again today when she left the studio. This time I’m going to make sure she stays.
We make our way toward the bar where I find Slade with two tatted-up women pawing him. “Dude!” He hollers. Then his gaze falls to Ava.
“We’re heading out.” I do not need him to fuck this up. Shockingly, he nods without a word. The tension that swirls around me and Ava is at an all-time high. I tug her along beside me as we make out way to the door of the bar. Once we’re outside, I turn to her. “Did you drive here?” I ask, meeting those gem-like green orbs that pierce me in every which way. My mind, my heart, my very soul.
“No.” One word, it’s low, whispered, but I hear her. I’ve always heard her. If only she trusted me enough to tell me everything, we wouldn’t be doing this, but we’ll be stronger for it. I’ll make sure of it. Pulling the door open to my Jeep, helping her up, I wait for her to buckle her seat belt. Once she’s secure, I round the truck and slip into the driver’s seat.
“Jag—”
“Not now, Pixie. We’re going to my place. You’re going to explain yourself. I can’t listen to this while I’m driving. I’ll fucking lose my shit.” My growl is all she needs to shut the fuck up. I’m not angry, I’m in shock. Who wouldn’t be when they’ve just found out they lost a child they didn’t know existed?
My mind replays that in earnest. My body tenses with confusion.
The silence gives me time to think as we make our way through the quiet streets. It’s only eleven, and the dark sky twinkles with stars overhead. A beautiful evening for an ugly confession.
Sneaking glances at Ava, I notice her worrying that plump lower lip between her teeth. This is not what I expected when she walked into my store earlier today. It’s also nothing close to what I’d envisioned my night turning into.
I wanted to lose myself in alcohol. And as much as I planned going home with a stranger and fucking my anger out on her, it would be Ava in the back of my mind. It always is.
She’s part of who I am. When I met her almost eight years ago, she was a broken girl of twenty who’d run away from home. Looking for a place to stay and a job, she focused on what needed to be done. To survive. Shattered by a life I had only gotten small glimpses of, her fierce nature and determination made sure she flourished as an artist. Perhaps that’s what made me fall for her. Her strength was like a drug, I needed her.
Her physical appearance is somewhat boyish. With all the ink, piercings, and her short pixie-like haircut, she came across as someone who didn’t take shit. And she never did. Not from customers in the store, not even from me. With those green eyes, rosy lips, and pert ass, she had offers every night, but I was the one she went home with. She chose me. This time, I’m choosing her.
Now, she’s filled out, her breasts are bigger, she’s got more curve in her hips, she’s even more perfect than before. But her eyes still hold the conviction, strength, and passion I was first entranced with.
As soon as she walked out of my studio earlier today, I felt that emptiness from losing someone you love, the same feeling I got when she walked out two years ago. After all this time my heart and mind is still firmly locked on this woman.
Everywhere I went, she’d haunt me. Memories of her would attack with vengeance. Now, all I can hope for is the truth. We need to move forward, but before we can do that, we need to close off the past.
I pull up to the drive, pressing the button and allowing the gate to slide open. My apartment is in a small block of four. I’ve lived here for most of my adult life. The neighbors are quiet and mind their own business which I like.
As soon as I pull into my parking space, I inhale deeply. I can’t stop wanting her to stay. I’ll just have to make it happen.