Anguished (Crimson Elite 2)

She doesn’t answer, I didn’t think she would. And she isn’t home. Or she’s doing a very good job at hiding and ignoring me. My driver was gone when I left the wedding, and I had to call Creed to come and get me. He’s been driving me around for a while hoping I can find her. Hoping somehow I can make things right, and take things back to where they were. Our normal. Even if the possibility of that happening is slim, I have to try. I want to try.

“Why do you care? You said she was just a fling. Someone to help you forget and give you what you need?” Falcon asks through the cell. Creed stays silent driving to the club. I’ve looked everywhere, even went to her work which is closed today hoping she’d be there.

“Because I like what we have. What does it fucking matter?”

“Exactly. What does it matter? Find someone else and leave the woman alone.” Before I can say anything back, Creed ends the call.

“He doesn’t fucking understand.” We come to a stop out the front of the club. It’s just before clients start to arrive, so all our girls are here and Johnny’s behind the bar.

The music isn’t on and all the boys are inside. Darby’s waiting for me to walk in.

“You weren’t meant to be in, but I knew you would be.” He pulls out a few bottles of whiskey and places the glasses on the table, while Falcon steps in sitting down too. Creed stands at the door not interested but is here for support in his own way.

“You don’t want to lecture me?” I ask surprised. Falcon gets straight to pouring the drinks as he sits back with his glass to his lips while I look at Darby.

“I’m sure you had your reasons, but why do you think you never told Selena what you do? We think it’s because you didn’t trust her.”

Maybe Darby’s right.

“And, you haven’t tried to escape to the beach at all lately,” Falcon chimes in. I love the fucking beach. I like to surf it helps me forget. Everything.

“All we’re saying is maybe the red-haired woman is good for you.” Creed scoffs at Darby’s words. We all turn to look at him. He shakes his head and walks out not saying a word.

“I’m pretty sure that ship has sailed. Especially after what just happened.”

Darby shrugs and Falcon for a change stays quiet.

“You know what Selena is, now be thankful you dodged that bullet,” Creed says walking back in with another bottle in his hand.

And that’s how I spend the rest of the night. Fucked up in my office with those around me who really fucking care.17StormClean break, it’s better for both of us. At least that’s what I tell myself as I sit on my old green couch while my mother proceeds to tell me all about my ex Matthew, and how many times she’s seen him, and how many times he’s asked about me. Kill me now. She never saw the flaws in that man but I sure as shit did, and thankfully before it wasn’t too late. Otherwise, I would have never left this place and stayed just like everyone else in it.

“You should go and see him while you’re in town, I hear he’s still single,” Mom says as she carries in a tray of tea. I hate tea, but I love the smell of it because it reminds me of her. She starts to pour us each a cup knowing full well I won’t drink it, but continues anyway.

“I’m fine, Mom.”

She shakes her head. “You’re living in the city by yourself, it has me worried.” I smile and cover her hand with mine. She only wants what’s best for me even if it’s not what I want.

A knock comes on the door. I know who it is and so does Mom without even saying it. “You already told her you were here?” I nod my head, of course, I did. I tell Melissa everything. Sometimes that annoys my mother, actually, more often than not it annoys her. “And I suppose you plan to go out?” I smile. She looks me over, I’m still in the dress I had on for the wedding. “But you plan to stay the night, right?”

“Yes, Mom.” She pats my head before she walks off.

Melissa walks in without anyone getting the door for her. When she sees me, and what I’m wearing, she stops and looks me up and down. “What the actual fuck.”

I nod my head. She already knows what’s happened, I told Melissa when I called her. Repeating what she said probably isn’t the best idea.

“You didn’t tell me you looked like this. That man is crazy to walk away from you.” I don’t reply, it’s not something I want to talk or even think about right now. “Well, how about you come out with Howard and me.” When I stand she shakes her head. “Not wearing that. We are going to Roger’s after all, and that bar doesn’t deserve a dress like that.”