Chapter 14
“Avery Marie,” 2 grumbles, and I remain silent, still attempting to swallow my emotions away.
What’s there to say at this point? I know he won’t come to see me. He proved as much all the times before when I had to leave and wouldn’t hear from him unless I came back to town. He’s always let me know the score from the very beginning. I’m the one who’s grown too attached and can’t cope with the thoughts of not seeing him or touching him again for who knows how long.
I’m going to have to leave, to go home. I have to leave him not knowing if I’ll ever see him again, and it’s got me crumbling inside. Does he feel remotely close to what I do for him?
I get to go home, back to my boring life, to a job I hate. I’m going to go finish school, get my degree, eventually meet some mediocre man, settle down, and be unsatisfied for the rest of my life. That’s if I even meet someone. I could end up a bitter old woman who sits home, lonely, emailing people their completed tax returns and looking forward to the latest Price is Right episode.
Niko clears his throat and we both glance to him. “He can bring you another time, if you wish? I do not like the sad Bean, chin up and cheer up.”
He’s brilliant. I wish 2 Piece would bring me later, but that’s just not realistic. I mean, why would he waste time, energy, and gas just to drive me back after he gets sick of me? 2 already told me not to overanalyze stuff and to take it slow; while, in the meantime, I didn’t get to analyze jack and discuss it with him.
“It’s okay, Niko. I’ll pack my stuff and not take too long, promise.”
His face is painted with confusion, but nods anyway and I shut the door. I grab my bag and set it on the bed so I can get dressed and stuff my belongings in it.
I may as well just rip my heart out and leave it on the bed while I’m at it.
2 Piece
So, after everything we’ve gone through during her visit, she plans to just up and leave. I’m not finished with her ass yet, and she’s fucking tripping if she thinks I won’t fight for what I want. I said I wouldn’t settle for just anyone coming around and I meant it. I’d damn sure take Avery, any day of the week.
Sitting up, I rub my hands over my scruffy face to wake up more. I need to shave; my beard’s getting out of control. I normally keep it really short, but with all the shit going down, I’ve been preoccupied.
“Free bird, you aren’t going anywhere.”
“What do you mean?” Her gaze shoots up, hope dancing in her irises.
“I can’t believe you’d just up and take off after you said you’d help me with shit. I told my sister you’re my chick, and you are. I’m not ready for you to leave yet, I don’t want you to go. Shit’s been going real good with us. I’m not looking to cause problems by having you split town.”
Reaching over, I grab her wrist and pull her towards me carefully. I don’t want to hurt her leg. . She scoots over the bed until she’s sitting next to me.
Lightly, I trail my finger over the side of her face and tuck her hair behind her ear. She nibbles on her fingernail, no doubt her head full of shit. I pull her hand away from her lips; I want to see every inch of her gorgeous face.
“What about you enjoying your freedom? I was trying to talk to you about this before and you told me to take it slow, not to analyze things. I haven’t really been fretting over it, but now it’s time for me to leave and I can do nothing but worry.”
“Shh, Shorty, relax. You’re my chick and that’s all that matters, okay?”
She nods and blinks at me a few times. “Well, what happens when you get tired of me?”
“Avery, I’m not going anywhere and neither are you, damn it! You’re so inquisitive, and I love that it makes you smart, but calm down, baby. If I get tired of you, then I’ll leave you alone for twenty minutes until I miss you again. You’re not about to go sixteen hours away, when I finally have you here and by my side, where you belong.”
“You think I belong there, by your side, with you?” Her eyes become watery.
“Baby, you were made to be beside me and on the back of my bike.” She gives me a brilliant smile and tackles me onto the bed. Tears trail down her cheeks and I wipe them gently with my fingers. “Good tears or bad?”
“No, they’re totally good, happy tears. I was worried about being far away from you and not getting to see you. There’s something I have to say first though.”
“All right, shoot.”
“Ugh, how do I say this? Geez.” She takes a big breath and looks toward the ceiling.
I have to admit she has me a little worried, with all this baby talk that’s been going on around the club. I damn sure am not ready to take that step. Well, maybe one day, but just not this soon. I mean, I would be happy if she were, but upset, too; it’s just…well, I hope we get some more time together before we come to that bridge.
Eventually I wouldn’t mind having one kid maybe, after we settle down some. Right now, I want to travel the country with her on my bike, make love to her wherever we see fit, and party our asses off if the mood strikes us. I’m a selfish bastard and want to hog her all to myself for a while.
She grasps my hand into her small, feminine one and stares me straight in the eyes. “Okay, so I’m kind of falling for you. I’m hooked and it’s completely okay if you don’t feel the same way; you should just know what’s going on in my head. I want to be straight with you so we’re on the same page.” She keeps rambling on until I place my hand over her mouth. She tilts her head and scrunches up her forehead.
“Shush, woman. Of course, I feel the same way. I wouldn’t be asking you to be by my side if I hadn’t fallen for you.”
“Fallen? As in, you already fell for me and you are currently in fallen with me?”
I start laughing loudly. She’s nuts to doubt I wouldn’t be absolutely crazy about her. “Yep, Shorty, I’m in fallen with you.”
“So, you concede then?”
Damn rambling woman. “As in, have I given in to my feelings? When it comes to you, Avery, then the answer is yes. Is that good for you? Any other form of giving in is basically submission, and that’s all on you, baby cakes.”
“Oh, I’m down with that.” She grins and I squeeze her to me.
“Good, then go tell ol’ boy out there, that he’s going home alone and you’re staying with me. If you ever decide you want to go back there, and then I’ll take you myself, okay?” I tip her chin up so she’s looking in my eyes, while I let her know how serious this is.
“Okay, Silas.” She smirks and I start tickling her on her ribs until she squeals.
“Oh, that’s what that sigh was about yesterday, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, I like your name; it’s pretty sexy.”
“Sexy, huh? Yeah well, just call me 2. I don’t care if you call me Silas in here, but around everyone else, not so much.”
I don’t care for my name since it reminds me of my mother and living in California. I left that life behind long ago. I’m happy here and trying hard not to go backward.
“Okay, deal.” She stands, wrapping her hands around my neck, lightly scratching it and giving me good chills.
“Hurry up and go tell him, so I can fuck that tight pussy.” I smack her ass and she hightails it out of the bedroom with an exaggerated eye roll in my direction.
I’m glad we got that shit out of the way.
Avery
Leaving 2 for a few moments, I trek towards the bar to search Niko out. I can’t believe 2 finally told me how he feels. I’m over the moon right now. I hope Niko understands. It’s going to be so weird not seeing him several times a week like normal.
He’s sitting on the stool, cheesing at me as I approach.
“Hey there, Russian beefcake.” I greet and he chuckles.
“Spit it out, little coffee cake.”
Taking a seat next to him, I smile. I love the names and expressions he’s always coming up with, even if he does copy mine sometimes. I’m on cloud nine right now anyhow. He could call me a worm and I wouldn’t care.
“Well, 2 Piece kind of made it clear he wants to keep me,” I share excitably and take in his expression. He seems as if he was expecting this all along.
“Of course. He is dumb man, but not dumb enough to let you fly away.”
I roll my eyes and scowl. “He isn’t dumb.”
“I believe so, but you—you love him, yes?”
I nod and stare at nothing in particular on the oak bar. It’s true; I do love him. I never thought our relationship would grow into this. I never believed I’d need him to feel like I want to feel.
Running my nails in a few of the carved grooves, I can’t help but think of what my mother would say if she saw me now and knew I feel like I need him. She’d lecture me on being realistic and growing up. I am grown, though. I know I don’t really need him, but I don’t want to think about not having him in my life either.
“Yes, I love him,” I admit.
“I know this, man!” he cheers loudly, and I laugh at him again.
“Oh really, you know, huh?”
I rib him and he gets serious and says more intimately, “You look at him as if he is the only one able to cut your wings. That is good and sad.” His eyes flash with something, and then meet mine again. “If he is no good, you call. I will be here in sixteen hours and I will fix him.”
My eyes tear up and I groan. What is it with me crying so much here lately? I’m like an emotional goofball. I blink them back and lean in to hug him tightly.
“I love you, Nikoli,” I whisper into his muscular shoulder. He always feels solid, so strong when I touch him.
He clasps me tightly, speaking close to my ear, “I love you, Bean. You will always be mine first. I just lend you to him.”
The first tear runs across my nose and I try to suck it up. I have to be strong and show him I’m making the decision I want or he won’t leave me.
“I know that, Niko, I envy the girl who’ll capture your heart. I know you’ll treat her like gold.”
“Shit, gold? Nope, I will treat her as printyessa.”
I know he’s trying to lighten the mood for my benefit. It’ll be so hard not having him close. Niko is fiercely loyal and caring. He’s been a wonderful friend to me.
“Yeah, yeah, be safe and text me when you arrive.” I shove myself off the stool and step a few paces away from him.
“I send picture of my bicep.”
“Oh God, 2 Piece is going to love seeing your messages,” I groan and shake my head.
“You know this!” He smirks as I backtrack to 2 Piece’s room.