“Listen to me. Hell, three days ago you still hated my ass. I gave you my word. This is a new start. None of the shit from before matters. But you gotta understand that bitches like Oaklyn aren’t going anywhere. Not until she moves on or the brothers get tired of her. As long as she doesn’t cause any problems.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “You didn’t see the way she was looking at you.”
“Sweetheart, I saw and chose to ignore her. She’s just curious. I knew she wasn’t the type to get clingy. She’s wondering what it is about you that had me blowing her off just because you called and wanted me home. Do you know how good that felt to be needed by you?”
“Abel…” I get choked up when I meet his velvety blues. Could he already be feeling something for me? “I still don’t like the idea of her being around you.”
“I don’t like the thought that you could
be carrying Axel’s baby and not mine but I’m here ready to look past that.”
“So you know.”
“Yeah. I know.” He cuts off when our food is served. I lost my appetite at the mention of Axel and the possibility I could be pregnant with his child. “We’ll discuss it tomorrow.”
I nod and bite back my tears. Axel has no place between us. Not anymore. Abel’s men and whore don’t return to our table and we eat in silence.
I excuse myself to the bathroom while he goes to pay our tab.
When I go to the sink to wash my hands I look up and see Oaklyn behind me in the mirror. “What?” I snap.
“I get that you don’t like me. I’d hate me too. If it is any consolation to you, I’m about eighty percent sure that when he was with me, he was thinking about you.”
“He probably was.” I shoot her a fake smile.
“Just treat him right.”
I scoff. “Seriously, where do you get off?”
“Under your husband. At least I did. But I know when I’ve lost.”
I shake my head and make for the door before I slap this bitch.
“He’s in love with you.”
“I’d hope so, we’re expecting a child together,” I say the words for the first time aloud and oddly I like the sound. I don’t wait for a response. I don’t want one. I’m going to get on the back of my husband’s motorcycle then I am going home to sleep with him. “Have fun playing musical dicks.” I leave her standing in the bathroom and bump into ATL outside the door.
“Everything okay? I mean you didn’t kill her, did you?”
“Not yet.”
His eyes go big and then he chuckles. “Okay. Okay. You got jokes. I like you. Just take care of my Prez.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“No doubt.” He grins at me, and I set off to find Abel so we can go home. I need a bath and to relax. I need to forget that he’s fucked that bitch.
I find him waiting by the front door for me. “You good?” I stare at the man I married. The man I keep inviting between my legs. He’s rough. Dirty blond hair that’s starting to grow out and facial scruff that could us a good shave. Tattoos up and down his strong arms, ink that means something to him. Abel has pride for where he comes from. There’s a road sign on his left forearm that reads Drag Creek behind the scene of a skeleton on a motorcycle. It represents his past—where he’s been. I’m his future.
“Yeah. I am. Take me home, babe.”
“Babe?” He pauses outside the door and lights up a cigarette.
“Yeah. Is that okay?”
“You can call me anything you want as long as you keep looking at me like that.” Taking a drag off his cigarette he shoots me a wink.
“And how I am I looking at you?”