“I appreciate the invite, but I should go.” Even though I was tempted to stay and see for myself how Cat was doing, I knew they both needed some time. “I’ve got some things going that need to be dealt with.”
“Oh?” Concern marked her face. “Is everything okay?”
“Nothing for you to worry about.”
“Really?” Her brows furrowed into a pout. “You’re gonna give me that again?”
“Giving you what I can.”
“Well, that’s enough for me—just as long as you’re okay.”
“I’m more than okay.”
I lingered for a moment, just staring at Rebecca.
It amazed me how at ease I felt with her.
Even though I’d known her for almost a year, only recently did we start getting to know one another, and I couldn’t deny that I felt more drawn to her than I had before. Like she could read my mind, she stepped closer, then eased up on her tiptoes and kissed me briefly on the lips. “Thanks for coming tonight. It meant a lot.”
“I’m just glad it all worked out. I’ll be in touch when I can.”
“I look forward to hearing from you.”
Without saying anything more, I turned and headed back to my truck. My mind was reeling on the way back to the clubhouse. The past few days had been a nightmare. Between Mia and Camden and their bullshit, and then tonight with Cat and the crazy grandmother, I felt like I’d been to hell and back and was in dire need of a drink.
When I pulled up to the clubhouse, I went to the bar, grabbed a fifth of Jack from the bar, and carried it straight to my office where I tried my damnedest to drown my woes.
Sadly, there wasn’t enough booze on this fucking earth to rid me of the insanity that was going through my head.
I was beyond frustrated, pissed, and flat-out stunned by the situation with Camden—which pissed me off even more. I’d always prided myself on being a man who could see through the bullshit.
And I should’ve seen that coming. I should’ve known all along that Camden was up to no good, and I certainly should’ve known something was up with Mia. I was just too stuck in my own fucking head to notice that she had feelings for me.
Now, she was finally free for the claiming, and I didn’t have a clue what the fuck to do about it. So, I did the only thing that made sense.
I drank, and then I drank some more.
I was halfway through the bottle when I remembered the stack of Mia’s letters I had stashed in the bottom drawer of my desk. I pulled them out and started sifting through them until I found the one I was looking for.
It was dated back when I was stationed at Fort Jackson.
I was in the midst of basic training, and it wasn’t going well.
In fact, it fucking sucked.
Basic was the perfect mixture of an insane asylum, a fucking prison, and kindergarten. Physically, it was a breeze, but mentally, it was a goddamn nightmare. It wouldn’t have been so bad if we didn’t have so many who were intent on making our lives a living hell.
Fuck, I couldn’t understand how some of them could manage to tie their fucking shoelaces. There were days I wanted to give up and call it quits, but thankfully, Mia’s letters got me through it.
She had sent a hand-written letter every couple of days, and each one had given me a little insight into what was going on in her life, which made me feel like I was still part of it. I opened the letter and a numbness fell over me as I read what she’d written.
Thatch,
I’ve been missing you more today than ever, and I’m not really sure why. Maybe it’s the fact that you’re so far away, and I’m so used to sharing my day with you. If you were here with me, I’d tell you how my roommate has been driving me crazy. I never knew a person could be so messy until her. I’m pretty sure there’s a pizza box under her bed that’s been there since the night we moved in. Also, she snores, and not one of those soft, little snores. This girl sounds like a man.
I can’t tell you how much I wish you were here. I would take you all around campus and show you all the cool places I’ve found. I really think you would love it. We could even take your bike out and tour the city. It would be so much fun. I always have so much fun when I’m with you.
How are things there? Are the guys getting it together, or are they still being a total pain? I can’t wait to hear all about it when you come home. Maybe we can take another drive out to the lake and talk. I still remember the last time we did that. I’m smiling right now just thinking about it. That was some kiss. I’m sure we made quite an impression on those kids when they saw us making out like that. If I know you, I bet you’re smiling now, too.