Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
THREE MONTHS LATER
MAYA
“I ’m surprised you’re here with how much you’ve been working.”
I turned at Josie’s words and smiled. In the next second, we were hugging. Officially, Josie was my aunt. She’d been adopted by my grandparents when I was young, but now she was more than an aunt. As I grew older, she became a best friend.
“Question is, what are you doing here?” I asked. Josie had moved to Melbourne when I was about eight and now lived happily with her two husbands and twins.
She shrugged. “Missed everyone. I was also sick of FaceTiming and calls when I wanted to really see how Talon was doing.”
My stomach tightened and a wave of sadness swept over me. Dad had been shot a month ago by Cody’s girlfriend’s father. He took a bullet to save Cody, and we’d nearly lost him. It was a time I never wanted to relive again. Mum had been a mess and had only started to leave his side longer than just getting my brother and sister to and from school.
My throat clogging with emotions, I cleared it. “I’ve been keeping an eye on him. He’s getting there.” I gave her a watery smile. “Though, he thinks he’s ready to be up and running like normal. I give him another month before Mum lets him get back to work.”
Josie reached out and squeezed my hand. “It’s lucky he sees how wrecked Zara was and is allowing all the mothering.”
Nodding, I shifted to the side to let Killer and Ivy slip by before I nodded towards the back door. I needed sunshine to warm me. To help fight away the cold of the memory of Dad getting hurt. As we made our way out, I said, “That’s true. God only knows he could do with the rest, though. Anyway, where are your husbands?”
She laughed, stepping outside into the sunny afternoon. “Probably following the twins around to make sure they don’t get into too much trouble.”
Laughing with her, I spotted Swan, Rommy, and Clary approaching, and smiled. We ended up talking about things we’d been up to lately, and I was about to ask Rommy something when I happened to glance to the side and stilled when I saw Texas standing near the back door with my brother Cody, Ruin, and Wolf, who was Ruin’s partner.
He was talking, yet his gaze was on me.
Only I didn’t understand that look. I’d never seen that look in his eyes before. I wouldn’t even know how to describe it. Soft, yet something else.
Whatever it was, it sent my stomach a flutter, so I quickly glanced away and swallowed.
“Are you okay?” Swan asked softly. She always spoke quietly.
“Yeah, yes. I’m fine.” An awkward laugh followed. “Just spaced for a second.”
“You won’t believe what I saw the other day,” Rommy said. Our friend was always full of stories and fun. She wore her heart on her sleeve, and everyone couldn’t help but want to protect her.
“What’s that?” Clary asked.
She leaned in. “Porn.”
My eyes widened, and mine weren’t the only ones.
Rommy shrugged. “It was surprising. I’ve seen books with naked ladies in them from when Texas hid his under his mattress. But what I don’t get, and wanted to know, was do women really like their hair being pulled? Or like having a guy’s shlong shoved down their throat?” Her head tilted to the side. “I mean, she acted like she liked it, but her eyes watered a lot and there was so much snot. Is that something you lot like?”
Swan turned beet red. She hadn’t done anything with anyone and probably hadn’t even watched porn. At least I’d had one experience. Even though it was in the back of a car and awkward as hell.
“Um…,” Clary mumbled, glancing around wildly.
“Well…,” Josie started. “I guess, ah, maybe sometimes.”
Rommy hummed under her breath and nodded.
“Rommy, what you see in porn isn’t like real life, usually. A person can like a little hair pulling and such, but just remember porn stars get paid for what they do, which is act.”
Clary pointed at me. “Yes, they’re actors. When the time comes, you’ll find things you like and dislike. Just be sure you’re honest with your partner.”
Rommy smiled. “Okay.” She saw something that caught her attention. “Oooh, brownies.” Then she was gone, skipping off to get her treat.
“She’s such a sweet soul,” Josie said.
I snorted. “Sweet soul who asks about porn. I never thought I’d hear that come out of her mouth.”
Josie, Clary, and I looked at one another and started laughing. Swan’s blush spread down to her neck, and she covered her warm cheeks with her hands.
My laugh tapered off when I could feel eyes on me. I chanced a glance over and saw Texas looking. I glared. The arsehole grinned.
Texas was freaking me out. He happened to turn up at places where I was. I hadn’t thought he was in Ballarat still, but there he was. In the last few weeks, I’d seen him show up at a café, the supermarket, and the compound. Okay, so that one could easily happen. But what was weirder was how he’d try and start a conversation with me. Which shot nerves right to my belly. Every time I’d quickly make something up and run the other way.
I couldn’t handle his warm smiles. They caused my blood to pump through my body too fast, making me near dizzy.
He’d never paid attention to me before.
Then why now?
Was it to mess with me?
Shaking my head, I walked into Cody’s Harley store and smiled at Cowboy. “Cody in?” I pointed up at where Cody’s apartment was above the store.
He nodded but then shrugged. “I was sure I saw Coyote not long ago, but his woman was with him.”
Well, dang it.
“I can walk in first.”
I spun at the voice, my smile settling into a scowl at Texas who stood just behind me.
He grinned. “So you don’t have to wash your pretty eyes out in case you see your brother in a position you don’t want to.”
I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest. “Yeah, I’m sure you’d love to see Channa in a— You know what, never mind.” With heat in my cheeks, I faced Cowboy. I couldn’t believe I’d burst out with that. It didn’t matter that I thought Texas had been flirting with Channa the night he’d got injured. It wasn’t like she saw anyone else now she was with my brother. He was her world. That was plain to see. “Tell my brother to call me.”
Cowboy looked from me to Texas and back again before he nodded slowly.
I went to pass Texas, but he grabbed my upper arm. “Why wait? Scared to be around me, Maya ?”
How dare he say my name in that low, rough tone.
If I could grip my heart and shake some sense into it, I would.
It was hard to admit my little crush was still there. Down deep. Way down deep. It was why I didn’t want to be around him more than necessary. Far too easily, I could let it spark again.
Knowing what kind of man Texas was made it possible for feelings to get attached.
Other than the fact he was a flirt, he was success-driven and kind. He’d help out anyone if he could. He was careful and sweet to not only his sister, but Dodge and Low, his guardians.
Still, I was and would always be just his friend’s sister. Someone he’d known from a young age. Someone who used to follow him around. Someone who had her brother make him kiss me.
He wouldn’t see me as anything more.
But then why was he popping up everywhere?
Why was he flirting with me with those smiles?
Gah, shut up, mind.
Tipping my chin up, I glared at him. “Scared? No.”
Mirth filled his gaze. “Good.” He used my arm to turn me. “Then you’ll come up with me.”
“Wait, I didn’t….” He kept dragging me. “I have to be somewhere.”
He glanced over his shoulder, his gaze reeling me in. “It can wait.”
“It can’t. I have to…” What? Think of something, dammit. “Clean my car before I go to bed and start my shift.”
“Uh-huh.” He stopped at the bottom of the stairs that led up to Cody’s place and faced me, dropping my arm. “How is work?”
How is work? Why was he asking?
“Good.” I nodded. “How’s the ribs?” His cuts and bruises had all healed, at least.
He patted his left side. “All better. I had a good doctor.” I rolled my eyes. “How’s the boyfriend?”
“Boyfriend?” I blurted, and then it dawned on me. I’d told him I was seeing someone. “Oh, ah, he’s good.” I thumbed over my shoulder. “Anyway, I better go.” I took a step back.
“He’s good?”
“Yep.” I nodded.
“I noticed he wasn’t at the hospital when shit went down with the prez.”
Why had he noted that?
“He’d been out of town. He travels a lot.” I took another step back.
Texas cocked a brow. “Really?”
“Yes. Anyway, tell—”
“Maya,” Cody called from the top of the staircase.
Shit. I’d nearly made my escape.
Cody led Channa down with his hand in hers. He noticed Texas standing there. “Hey, brother.” He’d always called Texas brother, even when Texas wasn’t a member of the club. They had a close bond, one they also shared with Ruin.
“Hey,” Texas replied and turned a grin on Channa. “Darlin’.”
The taste on my tongue soured. I ignored it.
“Texas.” Channa smiled. “Hi, Maya.”
“Hey, girl.” I’d come to care for Channa a lot. She was perfect for my brother, and it was good to see him as happy as Mum was with Dad.
“Maya was too scared to come up in case you two were gettin’ it on,” Texas teased.
I shoved him and shouted, “I was not.”
Channa blushed, while the other two idiots chuckled.
As I scratched the side of my cheek with my middle finger, I grumbled under my breath that I was going to kill Texas.
What nailed his coffin shut was when he reached out and ruffled my hair.
Like I was still his friend’s sister.
Like I was still a kid.
I brushed his hand away. “Cody—” I pointed at him. “—I’ll call you later. Channa—” I smiled at her. “—I’ll be at the bakery later in the week.” Looking at Texas, I pulled my upper lip high. “Asshole, see you never.”
“Maya—”
My hand shot up in his face. Up because the dick was tall. “Nope.” I quickly rushed out of there with a tightness in my chest.
Get it through your head, Maya. He will only ever see you as a kid.