Chapter 23 #2
Dani was the complete opposite of any woman I’d ever gone for, including Rachel.
My ex had a hard streak a mile long. I thought that trait was necessary to keep up with me.
And while Dani had her own stubborn streak, she was nothing like Rachel.
She was sweet and kind, reserving that toughness for only the times when it was necessary.
I thought I’d chew up and spit out a woman like that, but she was the one tying me into knots. She was wrapping me around her finger and didn’t even seem to be trying.
Taking a left hand turn, I pulled onto Roller Coaster Road.
The curves and dips kept me focused on the road as I raced over the pavement.
Stella roared, taking me on a ride that would have most people’s assholes clenching.
The exhilaration of pushing my Harley to the limits had me breathing hard as I shoved all worries and thoughts to the side.
The wind whipped past me as I rode, easing out the tension in my shoulders.
Once the long road ended at an intersection I wasn’t any less sure of what to do, but I was more relaxed. As soon as I pulled into the club parking lot and saw my sister walking toward me, I knew that feeling wouldn’t last.
I met her halfway and grinned at the way she turned and fell into step beside me. Throwing an arm over her shoulder, I tugged her tight against my side and started rubbing my knuckles over the top of her head, just like I used to when we were kids.
“Ow! Quit it, jerk!” She shoved at my side, but I had my arm locked around her. She wasn’t a tiny, petite woman, but she had no hope of breaking my hold. “Let me go!”
I released her and laughed as I walked out toward the picnic tables. She’d had that look on her face, the one that said we needed to talk. I’d had about enough talking for one day, but avoiding her now would only make it more painful later. “What’s up?”
“We need to talk.”
Lips twisting with humor, I nodded. “Figured.” I hopped up onto the top of the table and waited for her to climb up. “What about?”
“Dani.”
Groaning, I leaned back on my hands, watching the sky. “You too, huh? What about her?”
“I want to know what your plans are, Knox. She’s not the kind of woman that you can just jerk around.”
“I’m not doing that… Not intentionally anyway.”
Kit sighed and picked at the paint flaking away from the table. “I know, but that’s all you’ve been doing for years. I’m worried that you don’t even remember how to be in a relationship.”
“You’re one to talk,” I told her.
She shot me a glare. “Hard to find a boyfriend when your jerk of a brother scares most men off.”
Chuckling, I shrugged. “If they can’t handle me, they don’t deserve you.” Her words were only partially true and we both knew it. She hadn’t even been on a casual date in years. “If you’re planning on digging into my love life, I’m going to do the same,” I warned.
She sighed. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“You don’t want to see Dani get hurt,” I corrected.
“Her either, but believe it or not, it’s you I’m worried about.” She frowned, then turned to face me. “Why are you pushing her away?”
I looked over at her in surprise. “She told you that?” A quick glance at my watch showed that it was four. Dani’s car was in the parking lot, but she had likely only been home a few minutes. How had she had time to confide in my sister?
“No,” Kit said, a smug grin covering her face. “It was a guess based on the fact that I know you better than almost anyone.” She tilted her head. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” I gritted out between clenched teeth. I was sick of people prodding me today. They needed to mind their own business.
“Okay, fine.” She faced forward again, looking out over the property to the desert that lay beyond. “I just want you to know. I never liked Rachel. She was a selfish, stupid bitch.”
“So you’ve told me before.”
“I love Dani.”
That admission drew my gaze again and I watched her as she shrugged and tossed me a smile while climbing down from the table. “She’s a good one. I think you’d figure that out if you’d give her a chance.”
“Everyone seems so fucking worried about her hurting me,” I said with a shake of my head. “Why aren’t any of you worried about what I’d do to her?”
Kit snorted and gave me a somber look. “Because we all know you’d treat her like a princess. Are you kidding? The woman who manages to get around all those walls is going to be absolutely spoiled. We all know it. I wish you’d get it through your fat head.”
She left me sitting there rolling my eyes. Even as a kid she had a way of getting the last word in. “You’re not even going to ask about the court hearing?” I hollered as she walked away.
She turned, still walking backward. “You think I didn’t hear the minute you guys were out of court?” she shot back. She gave me a smile and the bird and then flounced on in her usual manner.
Chuckling, I shook my head. I still wasn’t sure that my friends and sister were right, but one thing was for sure. I owed Dani an apology for today.