Chapter 7
Talia
I curled into the pillow in Dominik’s, no, Dom’s, guest bedroom, and let the tears fall.
What the hell was wrong with me?
I’m Talia Vienne Griggs. I don’t cry over men.
Especially one who is a fucking coward.
Tagging my phone, I scrolled to Arielle’s name and shot her a text.
Me – Hey, can you come pick me up before you do yoga?
I wiped at my cheeks, inhaling deeply as I waited for her reply.
Arielle – You got it.
Arielle – Just shoot me the address?
Me – You got it. Thanks.
And that night, I listened to it rain as it hit the tin roof and promised myself that I was going to forget about Dom and move on.
***
The moment I stepped out of the bedroom after I took off his clothes and slid on my own from yesterday, I headed down the hall.
He was standing at the kitchen sink as I walked by him.
You don’t buy a Keurig maker and all the stuff for someone to have at your house to make them feel special if you don’t have feelings for that person.
Fuck that.
And fuck him.
I walked out of his house without saying a single word to him.
***
I was in my apartment two hours later, doing my laundry after Arielle had picked me up from Dom’s house.
She had noticed the red puffy eyes I was sporting, but thankfully, she didn’t comment on them.
My phone pinged, and I grabbed it out of my back pocket.
I tapped the screen and frowned.
Unknown – Hey.
Me – Umm, who the fuck is this?
Unknown – LMAO.
Unknown – It’s Wolf.
Unknown – Got your number from Alec.
Me – Oh. LOL.
Me – Wait, is he okay?
Wolf – Shit. Didn’t realize how that would sound.
Wolf – Yeah, darlin’, he’s fine.
Me – Oh, okay.
Wolf – I asked him for your number.
Wolf – I wanted to know if I could take you out to dinner some time.
I read his text.
Over.
And.
Over.
And I considered it.
Especially after Dom’s words last night.
Then my screen lit up.
Wolf – Did I scare you?
Me – No. I was just thinking.
Me – What did you have in mind?
Wolf – Heard about this kickass barbecue place in the next town over.
Wolf – Been wanting to try it. You game?
I also heard about it and had also been wanting to try it.
Me – Sure. When?
Wolf – For the record, know that you like Dom. Know he likes you.
Wolf – But unlike Dom, when I see something I want, I don’t hesitate.
Me – Thank you for letting me know.
And then we made plans for him to pick me up later tonight.
***
I checked my outfit one more time as I heard a knock on the front door.
Taking in a deep breath, I headed to it, opened it, and smiled at Wolf.
I grinned, “Nice beard.”
He winked, “Gotta keep the ladies happy.”
I nodded, then he looked me up and down, “You ready?”
At my nod, I reached over and tagged my bag.
Immediately, I docked a few points when he didn’t compliment me in some way.
After I locked the door, he placed his hand on the small of my back and led me down the stairs and out of the apartment building.
And yes, he scored points when he opened my door for me.
But he kind of lost points at the music that was playing.
I didn’t get into rap; I was a rock and country kind of girl.
He didn’t bother to ask me if I liked his music.
And when some words came through the speakers, I had to inhale a breath.
The moment he pulled into the restaurant parking lot, I inhaled a breath, grateful to have that music turned off.
I unbuckled and took in the cars in the parking lot.
And then, I waited some more.
He had rounded the hood and was standing there waiting.
More points lost.
I opened my door and climbed out.
He winked at me, then placed his hand on the small of my back.
We were seated off to the side near an exit when he asked, “Not going to complain about it?”
I lifted a brow, “Umm. No. I’m Alec’s sister. And you’re on his team. I get it.”
He nodded, but all through the night it seemed to irritate him that I didn’t ask.
What in the hell?
We had just placed our food orders when I asked, “So, can I ask what your real name is?” I asked as I took a sip of my sweet tea.
He winked, “You become mine; I’ll tell you.”
I nodded, “Fair enough.”
I asked him a question; it was his turn to ask me one, wasn’t that the way it was supposed to go?
After a few silent moments, he asked, “So, what do you like to do in your free time?”
“Bake. Cook. Read. Spend time with my friends and family. You?”
He snorted. But didn’t say anything.
Okay, then...
Just then, the waitress placed our plates down and asked us if we needed anything else.
We both shook our heads.
I lifted the barbeque sandwich to my mouth and took a big bite, and then I felt some barbeque sauce land on my finger.
I brought my hand up and licked it off.
He lifted a brow, and I shrugged, “What?”
He shook his head and kept eating.
You show me anyone who can eat a barbecue sandwich fully loaded and it not be messy?
He swallowed his bite, then he said, “Just saying that your hands probably have germs everywhere.”
I thought about what he said and tried not to snap, but I recalled his profession, and I got it.
Germs were probably common in the military, and he didn’t like them.
So, I kept my mouth shut when I was taking bites or drinking some of my sweet tea.
It wasn’t the worst date I had been on, but it hadn’t been good.
The conversation had seemed forced.
And it shouldn’t be like that.
I sighed, leaned back in my chair as another topic ended in silence from both of us.
I shook my head and murmured, “Yeah, no.”
He sighed and winked, “Talia, I knew what I was getting myself into.”
I nodded, “You feel it too?”
He nodded, “Yeah, you're beautiful, and I know I’m good looking.”
I giggled.
He winked, then he sobered, “Sometimes, that’s all it takes.”
I nodded, “And when you want something meaningful, looks just don’t matter.”
He took a sip of his drink and saluted with two fingers.
I chuckled.
“It’s going to be so awkward tomorrow,” I said with a groan.
He lifted a brow, “Why do you say that?”
“Tomorrow night is family dinner night. He will be there.” I said.
Wolf sat there for a moment and thought about it, “How about this? I’ll go with you tomorrow night to your family's house for family night dinner, have your back. Seems like some of them might have his.”
I nodded.
Then he smirked, “But in return, there’s something I need you to do for me.”
I lifted a brow, “And that is?”
“Send me a care package so I can rub it in their faces that I got one too.” He said with a sly smile.
I threw my head back and laughed, “Deal.”
Dominik
I walked up the steps to Frank and Misty Griggs’ house, and then opened the door and walked in.
I’d learned long ago to just come on in when everyone was expected for family night dinner.
But what kept running through my mind was that I hadn’t seen Talia’s Tahoe parked outside.
She was usually one of the first ones here.
I didn’t like how we had left things at my place, and I didn’t know what to do about it.
To either get us back to the way we were or...
Open myself up, tell her about me, and see what happens.
Fuck that thought alone was scary as hell.
But for Talia... I’d do it.
I was shocked when I entered the living room and saw Wolf standing there talking to Alec.
Cassie looked at me and smiled, “Hey, Dom.”
I winked at her, “Hey, Cassie.”
I fist bumped Alec, then looked at Wolf.
He was looking at me, too.
“Wolf,” I nodded.
He jerked up his chin.
Just then I felt her.
She entered the room, and my gaze went to her.
And for the first time in as long as I can remember, her gaze didn’t immediately find mine... What. The. Fuck?
Instead, she looked at Wolf with a fucking smile on her face and asked, “Beer or tea?”
He winked, “Since we’re on the bike, I’ll take tea.”
She nodded, then turned around and headed back to the kitchen.
I felt eyes on me, but all I could do was stare into the hallway she had disappeared down and recall his words. Since we’re on the bike, I’ll take tea .
Since. We’re. On. The. Bike.
I growled.
***
I sat there at the table as the two of them laughed about something, and it took everything I had not to say or do something.
Until he leaned over and kissed her temple, I slammed my fork down on the table.
Everyone’s eyes came to me, except the ones that I wanted.
Those cyan-colored eyes.
Talia didn’t look at me. No, she kept right on talking to Wolf.
Could I take him?
Maybe.
If it were for anyone other than Talia, I wouldn’t even try it.
But for Talia... I would throw the fuck down.
Yeah, I’m a fucking hypocrite. I can’t have her, and I don’t want anyone else to have her.
To have all that light.
To have her smile.
Her winks.
Her fucking kisses.
I was quiet all throughout the rest of dinner.
No one had bothered to comment on it.
Thank fuck.
***
Then I watched as he led her to his fucking motorcycle.
He climbed on after he handed her a helmet.
She threw one leg over the bike and climbed on.
And the motherfucker, reached back, grabbed her thighs, and pulled her closer.
Her arms went around his waist.
And then, they left.
And there I stood, fucking seething.
Yes, it was my own goddamned fault for being everything Talia had called me.
A chicken shit.
A coward.