15
Ember
Would smiling like a fool actually break my face? If it did, I didn’t care. After the few days and nights I’d spent with Dante before he left on the run with Maddox, I wasn’t able to stop smiling. Even sitting in the kitchen alone with a bowl of soggy cereal didn’t dampen my mood like it used to. God, I’d been a sad, angsty girl the past six years, but I had changed seemingly overnight. It was all because of Dante.
I missed Dante like crazy after only two days and had five more to get through before I could wrap my arms around him and smother him with kisses. They’d gone to the North Dakota chapter first and arrived in Montana last night. It was safe to assume I was counting down the seconds until he returned.
In the meantime, I couldn’t stop thinking about the hint Dante had dropped about looking for a place of his own when he got back to Bastion. I’ll be looking for a home big enough for a family, he’d said.
I was confident he was going to ask me to move in with him.
The decision was an easy one. I’d say yes, of course.
How had my life changed so much, after only ten days? I was nervous and even a little afraid at the speed of things, but my answer was definitely yes.
I wanted Dante.
Had wanted him since I was fourteen.
Despite my failed relationships and general distrust of men, I knew Dante and I would be amazing together. We’d been close friends our whole lives and the love I’d felt for him was growing rapidly, which made me curious about two things.
One: Had I ever stopped loving Dante like I’d thought I had?
Two: Had Dante loved me all along, too?
The more I dissected things, like the way he looked at me, touched me, and kissed me, the more I believed his feelings for me ran a lot deeper than I knew. He wasn’t at all like the conceited and selfish guys I’d gone out with.
In public, Dante always held my hand, so everyone knew I was with him. He was proud to be with me, and I was over the moon to call him mine.
I moved my spoon through the milk in the bowl, wishing Dante would text me. He had said he would every morning and before he went to bed—and he had.
Stop obsessing. He’ll text when he can.
“Good morning,” my mom said as she entered the kitchen and went straight for the coffee pot.
“Morning.” I fiddled with my phone and checked my messages again.
“What plans do you have today?”
“Not much.”
“We could go shopping. Catch some of the end of winter sales and stock up for next winter.” She sat across from me and blew on her mug to cool down her coffee.
“Um…” A notification chimed. With a way too big smile on my face, I opened my messages and my smile wilted.
Shit.
“Not, Dante?” Mom asked.
“Nope.” Just a text in my student teaching group.
“Let me give you a piece of advice, mija. As the old lady of a biker, you need to get used to them being gone and leaving at the drop of a hat. Sometimes they go silent. You shouldn’t drive yourself crazy checking your phone and waiting for him to come home. You need to be strong and independent.”
“I am strong and independent. It’s just that we’re so new, y’know? And I know how Maddox and the others are. They’re manwhores.”
“Oh, mija. They just like to have a good time, but you should trust Dante.”
“I do trust him. I think…” Grumbling, I went to make a piece of toast to get away from my mom for a minute. She was totally right, but I wasn’t in the mood for her wisdom. As I took the bread and peanut butter out of the cabinet, I felt her watching me like a hawk.
“You think?”
I sighed and dropped a slice of whole grain bread into the toaster. “I do.”
“Okay.” She didn’t sound convinced. “How about shopping and lunch? Invite Birdie. She’s been off ever since she left the party with Saint. Know anything about that?”
I cocked my head at my mom. “No. I haven’t talked to her.”
“Because you’ve been preoccupied with Dante, I’m sure. Let me give you another piece of advice.”
“Wonderful. Let me hear it.”
“Your sarcasm isn’t appreciated, mija.” There she went, calling me mija again. “Don’t neglect your friendships because of a man, especially the ones that are priceless, like Birdie. If it doesn’t work out, you’ll need your friends.”
“Dante and I will work out.”
“I’m sure you will, but Birdie probably needs her best friend right now.”
My toast popped up and I slathered peanut butter on it while it was warm. I loved it best when it was melty and gooey.
But I tossed my mom’s words around in my head and felt horrible because I had forgotten about Birdie. Worst friend ever, Em. Birdie wouldn’t treat you that way.
“You’re right. I’ll invite her out.” I sat back down at the table.
“Good.”
My phone chimed again. I held my breath, then exhaled in relief when it was him.
Dante: I hope you slept well. We’ve got a lot going on today, but I wanted to touch base with you. If you need anything, call or text me.
A massive grin stretched across my face.
“Now it’s Dante,” my mom said.
“Mhm.”
“I’ll give you some privacy. Don’t think I can take your goofy grin and hearts in your eyes. I certainly don’t want to watch you take pics of your titties to send him.”
“Mom! Oh, my gosh.”
“What? I mean, that’s something you should do in your bedroom. But if he sends a dick pic, I’m not squeamish about such things if you want to show me.”
“You are disgusting. You know that, right?” I totally blamed Auntie Jaynee for my mother’s perversions. They were both convinced they could look and drool over any guy so long as they were faithful to their men.
She laughed while holding her belly. “Oh, mija. You’re so cute and innocent.”
“Whatever. How about that privacy you mentioned?”
“I’m going, I’m going. Be ready to leave by eleven.”
“Okay.” I typed a reply to Dante.
Ember: Hi! I’m sure I’ll be fine.
Dante: Don’t be too fine. I want you to need me.
Ember: Oh, jeez. I’m used to being on my own.
Dante: But now you have me.
Ember: Sounds like you miss me…
Dante: Stop teasing me. Do you miss me?
I giggled, touching my lower lip. How cute is he?
If I didn’t know better, I wouldn’t have believed it was the same guy who’d ghosted me all those years.
“Who are you texting? You have a cheesy grin on your face.” My dad lumbered in and poured himself a cup of coffee. He still managed the KL Guns, but the shop didn’t open until nine and a prospect usually opened. He usually milled about the house until he was good and ready to start his day.
“Dante,” I answered simply. No sense in lying. Everyone knew we spent the weekend together. And at the compound, it would be impossible to hide that we were a couple.
“Seriously?” my dad growled. “He’s on a run with his president. He shouldn’t be texting a girl.”
“Dad, I’m more than a random girl.”
“Some priorities. This younger generation takes nothing seriously.” He shook his head on his way out of the kitchen.
I snorted, but before I could say anything, another text came, so I kept my sarcastic remark to myself.
Dante: Em? Are you ghosting me?
Ember: Never! And I would never tease you. Well, I might during foreplay.
Holy hell, Em! I was turning myself on and would have no man to give me relief for several more days.
Dante: Fuck, I can hear the horniness in your text!
“Why is your face red?” my brother Gabe asked.
“Shh, I’m thinking about how to respond to the text he just sent me.” I needed something flirty and clever, so Dante would keep replying. Any kind of communication with him showed me a little bit more about him. Think Em, think!
Ember: Yep. My face is red and hot… Along with other parts of my body.
Dante: I’ll call you tonight so I can listen as you relieve the ache.
Ember: Oh, I like the sound of that.
Dante: Yeah? What else do you like?
Oh, man. I clenched my thighs tightly together. If he wanted to know what else I liked, I’d be honest. Honest and direct was the way to go. But first I wanted to play with him a little more…
Ember: Walks on the beach. Green smoothies. Dancing. Kissing. You.
Dante: That’s sweet. Now give me the rated R version.
Ember: Isn’t that dangerous? Next, you’ll tell me to send nude pics of me.
Dante: No way, baby. I want you nude in real life so I can enjoy you.
Why did I go there? To nude pictures? My mother and Jaynee were in my head, yuck.
I tingled and warmth pooled in my panties as I typed my reply.
Ember: Be careful what you ask for. I’m awfully demanding.
Dante: Don’t I know! You’re a greedy girl. I like that about you. I’m up for the challenge. Literally.
Ember: This is getting a little too hot for texting. Don’t you have a meeting to be at?
Dante: No, but your dad just messaged me to stop texting you.
Ember: OMG! Okay. Talk to you later.
I fanned myself, trying to cool the molten wanton of desire in my core. That was the most enthralling texting session I’d ever had.
Holy hell, this guy fired me up. I couldn’t wait for him to come home.
“What’s with all the trucks?” The scene at the boutique reminded me of when someone keyed Birdie’s car and she sprained her ankle when she slipped on the ice. Ice that someone had purposely created by pouring water around her car.
“No idea. But Storm is here, so that can’t be good.” My mom quickly parked the car and got out.
“Nope, not good at all.” I spied Raymond’s truck in the front. He hadn’t gone on the run to man the club while Maddox and the others were gone.
Mom and I rushed inside. When Birdie saw me, she marched toward me with a look that said, I’m going to kill someone. I knew exactly who was at the top of her list—Raymond.
“Hey, Bird. What’s all the commotion about?” I asked her.
“I’m gonna talk to Snow.” My mom made her way toward Boxer’s wife, Snow. She was the owner of Sister Chic. She was talking to Storm and Raymond.
“Everything looks fine inside.” I scanned the place and nothing looked out of order.
“Oh, girl. It is so not fine.”
“Spill it, cupcake. Why are your dad and Raymond here?”
“Do you know what deepfake images are?”
“I think it’s when someone creates fake photos. Sort of like Photoshop.”
“Yes.” She fisted her hands, then reached behind her and pulled out a paper from her back pocket. “Look.” She handed it to me.
I gasped and covered my mouth. “Oh, my God!”
“Look closely. It’s my face, but that isn’t my naked body, and I don’t know who the guy is buried between the legs.”
I studied the image more closely. She was right. Those weren’t her boobs. Birdie had mauve nipples, not dark brown. And they weren’t big like the pair of melons in the photo.
“How did you get this?” I asked her.
“They’ve been passed around town. Raymond discovered it first while stuffing his face with pancakes. His girlfriend was with him.
“She’s not my girlfriend,” he snapped as he strutted past us, going outside.
“Just keep lying to yourself and everyone else,” Birdie shot back. “God, he pisses me off.”
I smirked at Birdie. Her and her dramatics.
“Sorry, I haven’t been around.”
“Don’t worry about it. How are you and Dante?”
“Great. I miss him.”
“I’m happy for you, Em. At least one of us can be in love and happy.” She took the photo and tore it up. “My DMs are blowing up on social media, too. Who would do this to me and why?”
“That’s the billion-dollar question,” Storm replied. “You can’t think of anyone you’ve had a run in with?”
“No, nobody. I don’t go around stirring up trouble. You know that.”
“Yeah, I do.” His phone rang, and he walked away to answer it.
“This is so horrible.” I rubbed her arm, amazed at how calm she was. I’d be a basket case.
“Yeah, it sucks to have a naked image with your face on it. Everybody knows me in the area. How can I go about my business and pretend like it never happened? It’ll be humiliating and uncomfortable.”
“Just let your dad and the club deal with it, and things will eventually die down.”
“I don’t think so. That image will be burned into people’s brains.”
She wasn’t wrong. Each time I looked at her, those gigantic knockers flashed behind my eyes, but I’d never tell her.
“Oh, babe. I’m so sorry. Since we haven’t talked, what happened with the Viking God? My mom told me you left the party with him.”
“I did.”
“And?”
“We had a good time. And the next day, Raymond cornered me in the clubhouse and got all parental with me.”
“Parental? You’re joking.”
“Nope. We fought and said hurtful things to each other.”
“I hate it when I miss important stuff.” I looked around the store. Now wasn’t the right time to ask for all the details. “We need to catch up.”
“What’s the point? I don’t know why I care about him after he treats me like a child. I went to his room yesterday and tried to force him to talk to me.”
“Yeah? And?”
“He basically told me he liked me, but too much had happened, and we should move on with our lives.”
“No! Why, if he likes you?”
“Because of Saint, I assume. But he didn’t really specify the whys.”
“Well, what did you say?”
“What could I say? My dignity and self-respect were on the line. I told him I understood and wished him all the best.”
“You guys have done this before. I’m sure you’ll work through it.”
“It’s different this time, Em. I slept with Saint.” She blinked back tears. “And I’m not sorry about it. If Raymond doesn’t want me, I should find someone who does.”
Just then, Raymond came back inside. He stared at Birdie as he went over to talk to Storm.
“I don’t know, Bird. He looks torn up over you.”
“You need to get your eyes checked, babe.” She elbowed me playfully. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be okay.”
“I know you will. You’re the strongest girl I know.” I hugged her. “My heart just hurts for you.”
“You don’t have to be sad. Saint showed me a really good time. It was nice to be wanted for once.”
“I’m totally down with you guys getting married and having little Viking kids running around. My baby will need a playmate.” I rubbed my belly. In four days, I could take an early pregnancy test. I was more than a little nervous about the results now that Dante and I were together.
Birdie threw her head back and giggled so loud, she drew the attention of everyone in the store. “Sorry,” she said, covering her mouth.
Storm furrowed his brow, looking annoyed. My mom and Snow smiled at us. And Raymond? His stone-cold stare was locked on Birdie.
“It’s good to hear you laugh,” I quietly told her.
“Damn, Em. You move fast. Saint isn’t the marrying type. He’s a one and done kind of Viking.” She laughed, again.
“Oh, he’ll come around. You’re Birdie Knight, and men will line up for you.”
“Right. All but one.” Her smile faded.
Jesus, I hated this for her. “If Saint commits to you, he’ll be with you to the end. Seriously, Birdie. Men like him are holding out for the right woman. I know it’s you. Call him.”
“You sure are talking him up. But we didn’t exchange numbers.”
“Just get it from your dad.”
“Oh, really? Have you met my father, Kaleb Knight? He doesn’t give out people’s numbers, not even to his beloved daughter.”
“Well, I’m sure your mom could get it from him.”
“I’m sure she could. But no. Saint will just be one of those wonderful wild nights I’ll hold in my memory for the rest of my life.”
“Birdie,” Storm called and waved her over.
“Be right back.” She left with her head held high. Damn, she was a badass. Those deepfake images would’ve had me curled into a ball in my bed, hiding from the world. Not Birdie, though. That girl was ready to fight. I pity the person who did this. If her dad, Storm, found him, they would be as good as dead.
Admittedly, I was relieved we were interrupted. I needed to stop encouraging her to go after Saint. The more Birdie talked about Raymond, the worse I felt for her and wanted to take her mind off him. Pushing her toward Saint wasn’t the solution to her problems. He would only be a very hot and sexy distraction.
But Birdie deserved more than a distraction. She deserved to have the only guy she ever wanted, like me.
I got my guy and it didn’t seem fair.
God, I was worried about Birdie. I knew her and she’d bury her feelings and lock the pain away. She’d put on a stoic mask, just like when we were in high school, and she’d see Raymond with club girls. And sometimes, she’d damage shit to get back at him. Of course, no one ever knew it was her except for me, and I hadn’t told a soul. That was what best friends did for each other. We kept each other’s secrets.
I might have to feel out the Viking God, just in case Birdie needs him.
Luckily, Dante was in Montana for a couple of days. I was sure I could get him to snoop around for me…