Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
MAYA
D ad wasn’t talking to me.
A couple of days ago, after a visit from Swan, who was more like a sister to me than a friend, I’d gone to my parents and announced I was taking a trip to get away from everything.
They were shocked, since I’d never hinted at wanting to travel to begin with, but Swan had mentioned that since she was turning eighteen in a couple of days, she’d been considering getting away from the cold winter to some sunny days overseas. When she’d mentioned she was going to beg her parents to go with her, I’d blurted that I was interested in a trip.
Dad flat-out refused to let me go and stormed from the room. Mum had laid her hand on my arm and told me she’d talk to him. Unlike Dad, she believed a couple of weeks away could do me good, but we may need to reconsider going overseas to somewhere sunny in Australia, like Queensland, for Dad to agree. Though, it wasn’t like I actually needed his permission, since I was twenty-one, but I wanted it out of respect for the way he protected his family. In a way, Dad was like a mafia boss in how it would make my life easier if I got his permission to begin with. I also didn’t want him to worry after everything we’d all been through.
If Dad gave in, I knew there would be strict instructions I would have to follow, and I’d do it to keep him happy, and to also ensure he didn’t send one of his brothers after us to keep an eye out. So, I kept my fingers crossed that Mum would persuade Dad. Besides, Queensland wasn’t far away, and Swan wasn’t like any of my other friends who liked to party and get into trouble.
The time away would be good to clear my mind. To help me work out what I wanted and where my next move would be. I still hadn’t made up my mind about work. The thought of going back had my throat closing over and my body shaky. My therapist had told me not to rush my decision. Even my boss said the same.
I wished I knew.
I did.
But I didn’t, and not knowing was frustrating me.
Sighing, I excused myself from the conversation Ivy had started with Mally and me and went to get myself a drink. We were at the compound in Caroline Springs for Texas’s birthday and for him to patch into the club. Even though he’d be a member of the Ballarat charter, Dodge, his uncle, wanted to celebrate with his nephew at his compound.
Usually I loved being around everyone to catch up on what they had all been up to, but I wasn’t feeling the crowd right now.
A headache pounded at my temples. It wasn’t because of the company. I loved everyone here, but I just wasn’t in the mood to be around so many.
Once outside, I made my way over to Texas, who sat beside Dodge. I couldn’t help but smile about how I used to steer clear of Texas at any event. Always afraid I’d make a fool of myself or that my attraction to him would grow more.
Now, after having been around him a lot lately, I could admit my attraction had grown, but it had nothing to do with his good looks and a lot to do with the person he was.
Honestly, I’d been a fool to let my crush on him infringe on a friendship that I knew was growing between us.
“Hey,” I called once I was close.
They both looked my way and grinned. Dodge stood up and hugged me close. “I was just about to go grab a beer. You want anythin’, darlin’?” he asked.
“I’m good. Thanks, though.”
He winked down at me and took off towards his woman who sat near the drink table.
Looking back at Texas, I said, “I didn’t catch you inside. I wanted to say happy birthday again old man, and congrats on becoming Hawks.” Texas now wore a club vest and it looked good on him. Only like Dad, and a couple of other brothers, he’d kept his real name for the patch on his vest. When I’d asked him if he was worried about the possibility that he’d get appointed a terrible club name, he’d laughed and told me he’d already spoken to Dad about keeping Texas as his member name as well. Dad and the brothers had voted and had been fine with it.
“Thanks, babe. Come take a seat.” He nodded down at the chair Dodge had vacated.
I lowered myself into the seat as he drank the rest of his beer down and placed it on the ground. “So,” I drew out, “how’s it feel, being a full member now?”
He snorted. “Like nothin’ changed. Hawks has always been in my blood.”
Nodding, I leaned back in the chair more and tipped my face up to the sun, closing my eyes. It was one of those rare sunny days in winter, which was lucky. “I can understand that.” I turned my head and found his gaze already on me. My stomach fluttered to life. Shit. Straightening, I rested my cooler hands on my cheeks as I leaned forward with my elbows on my thighs.
“Ruby and Drake on holidays now?” Texas asked.
Random talk, I could do that and ignore the butterflies that had come to life even more so the last few times I’d been around Texas. Also, ignoring them would benefit me more as it meant I could keep this new friendship. A friendship I liked. Yes, I had my girlfriends I could hang out with, but I enjoyed the visits from Texas. There was also the chance he probably needed this friendship, since his other brothers were busy with their better halves.
I nodded. “Friday was their last day. Now it’ll be two weeks of gaming for Drake and reading for Ruby. That’s when she’s not glued to her boyfriend.”
Texas chuckled. “I’ll have to come by and check out Drake’s games. Haven’t played in years.”
“But you used to?”
“Hell yes. I was fuckin’ awesome.”
“What made you stop?”
“Life, drawing, apprenticeship, work. But now that I run my own businesses, I can pick and choose the hours I want to do.”
“But aren’t you busy?”
“I am.” He smirked. “But I also have employees. It makes me able to get picky on the clients.”
“Are there some clients you won’t take on?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I know my skills and where I’d show my best work.”
“What are those?”
“This fucker is good at any design,” Ruin said as he bent to kiss my temple. “Hey, girl.”
I had to shield my eyes from the sun when I tipped my head back to see him. “Ruin, where’s your better half?”
He snorted and nodded off to the side. “Stuck with Mum and her posse.”
Wolf stood in the middle of Mally, Ruin’s mum, Deanna, which was never good, Ivy, and Josie. The last was the only saving grace in that group. She’d have Wolf’s back if needed.
Texas chuckled. “You’re a fuckin’ cruel man, brother.”
Ruin joined in laughing and shrugged. He glanced over just when Wolf looked our way with a deathly glare.
“He’s going to kick your butt later,” I told him.
“He can try.” His grin turned wicked.
Rolling my eyes, I smacked his arm. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”
“Ha, too late.” He pulled up another chair to my other side and sat. “Now, what’s this bullshit you were sayin’, brother? Your skills let you do any type of design. I’ve seen all your work.”
“I might be good, but if it’s somethin’ I hate doin’, like roses and butterflies, I don’t get enjoyment outta it. I want to love what I create, and I reckon it helps the clients to fall in love with it as well.”
I could understand that. He wanted to keep feeling the passion about his work. Still, I couldn’t help but tease, “Damn, and here I was thinking about getting you to do a butterfly and rose on me.”
I thought he would have laughed. He didn’t. Instead, his intense gaze had me swallowing thickly, and the fluttering came to life in my belly. “Babe, I’d do anythin’ you wanted.”
Our gazes held.
I needed to look away. I needed a distraction. Those words were beginning to mean more than he intended.
“Do I need to leave?” Ruin asked.
Blinking, I forced a small laugh. “No. What are you talking about?” I snorted. “Leave? What for? You’re being weird.” Jesus, shut up, Maya.
Ruin scoffed, his brows high. “Yeah, okay.”
Someone stepped up to our small group, thankfully. Wolf glowered down at his man.
“Babe, what took you so long?” Ruin stood up with a smug grin. “Here, take my seat.”
Wolf crossed his arms over his chest. “You left me to fend for myself all because I refused to suck your cock on the way here?”
Beer spewed out of Texas’s mouth, and he started coughing while I cackled. Texas hit his chest over and over as he hacked up a lung.
Ruin scowled, placing his hands on his hips. “No, babe. I left you standing over there because you told Link and Ryo about… what happened in the bathroom.”
Now I wanted to know what happened.
Wolf grinned. “How many times do I have to tell you? People expel gas all the time. There’s nothing to be upset about.”
Okay, I could have done without knowing.
Texas snorted through his laugh, and I had to cover my mouth to hide mine.
Ruin glared down at us before he waved a hand our way. “Great, babe. Now these two know.”
“Brother, people fart. There ain’t anythin’ to be embarrassed about,” Texas said. “Lucky you didn’t shit yourself in front of your man.”
Ruin ground his teeth together. “It wasn’t Wolf in the bathroom.”
“What?” I laughed. “Who was it?”
Wolf opened his mouth, but Ruin was there, covering it with his hand. “Don’t you dare,” he warned his partner. “Let’s just say it was someone important in the family and leave it at that, but you two aren’t to breathe a damn word of it to anyone.” He dropped his hand to take a grip of Wolf’s wrist. “We’re gonna get a drink.”
After they’d walked off, Texas snorted. “Bet Ruin won’t leave Wolf with the women again.”
Grinning, I nodded. “He’s learned his lesson. Though, I got more enjoyment out of your reaction than anything.”
“Shut it,” he mumbled.
“Maya,” I heard Mum call before I spotted her walking through the throngs of people with Swan at her side. Mum’s smile was cheerful, like she’d just found out something good and just had to share. “There you are. Hey, Texas.”
“Wildcat.” It was what the brothers of the club called her. “Swan.”
Swan raised her hand close to her belly and waved at Texas. “Hi,” she said meekly. She’d admitted to me once that she thought Texas was hot. Not that she’d ever do anything about any type of attraction with anyone. She was too shy and timid. Always had been, even with a mother who was outspoken and loud. Not that Deanna was her biological mother.
“I have good news,” Mum announced.
“What?”
“Your father finally said yes.”
My eyes widened, and I straightened in my seat. “Shut. Up. He did not.”
Swan nodded. “Zara just told my parents. It’s set.”
Standing up, I gripped her hands to raise them in the air and cheered. “Hell yes.”
“What’s this?” Texas asked, and I turned to see him standing behind me.
Beaming, I told him, “Dad finally agreed to let me go with Swan to Queensland for a couple of weeks.”
Texas’s grin faded. “Alone?”
We quieted and I narrowed my gaze at him. “Swan and I will have each other.”
His lips thinned as he peered over at us, but then his attention went to Mum. “You sure the prez agreed?”
Mum smothered her smile by wiping a hand over her mouth. “Yes, Texas.” I wasn’t sure what had her smiling because it wasn’t the reaction building in me. Annoyance surfaced. I was sick of Texas acting like an overprotective brother.
“Maya!” Speaking of brothers, Cody stormed our way. His gaze snapped to Mum. “Mum, you can’t be serious about lettin’ her go to Queensland.”
I groaned. “Cody, I’m freaking twenty-one years old. I can do want I want. You don’t see Griz stopping Swan going.”
Sometimes, I wanted to kick the shit out of the men in my life.
“Never said I was happy about it, though,” Griz put in from somewhere.
“Maya.” My brother’s tone softened. “Come on, sis. You’ll be states away without any of us at your back, and after everything….”
I jutted my chin up. “After everything, you would think my brother would support me having some time away to enjoy life.”
He sighed and ran a hand over the back of his neck.
Stepping close to him, I wrapped my arms around his waist. “Thank you for caring, for being worried, but I need this, Cody. I do.”
“Fine.”
Grinning up at him, I said, “Thank you.”
I still couldn’t believe Dad had agreed, but I really did think this trip would be good for me.