Chapter 21 Frost
FROST
The first thing I notice when I wake up is the cold and empty space beside me. My hand hits the sheet where Hope should be, and my stomach bottoms out.
No. No, God, please no.
I sit up so fast my vision blurs. Hopping out of bed, I make a beeline for the bathroom, praying she’s in there, but when I open the door, it’s empty. I run my hands through my hair roughly as I glance around the room. Her clothes and shoes are gone, along with her phone.
Panic lances through my chest like a blade. Hope left, she fucking left.
Yanking open my dresser drawer, I snatch a pair of jeans and quickly pull them on. I snag a shirt out of my closet, tugging it over my head, and haphazardly shove my feet into boots without tying them. My pulse roars in my ears as I rip the door open and sprint down the hall.
I take the stairs two at a time, no patience for the elevator. As my heart hammers under my rib cage, my lungs grow tighter. Every worst-case scenario slams through my head.
Hope changed her mind. She realized she’s better off without me. She can’t forgive me after all. She’s gone forever.
I burst onto the main floor of the clubhouse, but the room is empty. Faint laughter filters into the room, and I follow the sound until I reach the kitchen. I stop so abruptly that I nearly fall forward.
Hope’s still here.
Standing in the kitchen with her hair tied up, Hope’s laughing with Amy as they flip pancakes like they own the damn place. Hope looks over her shoulder at me with a smile so warm it damn near knocks me to my knees.
Innocence radiates from her as if she didn’t just shred five years off my life.
Amy notices me standing there with my jaw open and lifts her spatula like a weapon. “You look like you saw a ghost.”
Hope gives her a look. “Amy.”
“What?” Amy shrugs. “His face screams abandonment issues.”
I drag a hand over my face, trying to get air back into my lungs. “You were gone.”
Hope blinks at me, confused. “I came downstairs.”
“You didn’t leave a note.”
“I came downstairs,” she repeats slowly, like she’s explaining herself to an idiot.
I’m a fucking moron.
A laugh bursts from Amy. “Oh, he’s got it bad.”
Yeah, I do.
Hope steps toward me, and her hand brushes mine, grounding me. “I’m right here, Frost.”
It’s ridiculous how fast the panic dissolves, replaced by this warm ache in my ribs.
Before I can respond, Dad’s voice booms across the room.
“Everyone, listen up!” I turn as Hawk strides in. “We got a call from Saint’s Outlaws MC. They need help with a run. Frost, you roll out in two hours. Pack for a couple of days.”
My stomach twists instantly. “No.” The word escapes before I can stop it. “I’m not leaving.”
Hope’s brows lift, and Amy smirks into her coffee.
Dad crosses his arms. “It’s not a request, Frost.”
“I just got her back,” I snap. “I’m not bailing on her again. Not now.”
“You’re not bailing.” Hawk steps closer, voice lowering. “You’re doing your job. Take Colt with you.”
Colt, who had been halfway through a pancake, raises his hand. “I’m flattered, but also, what the hell did I do?”
Ignoring Colt, my eyes go right back to Hope.
Her expression softens with understanding, and affection warms her eyes. “Frost,” she says gently, placing a hand on my chest. “Go.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to leave you.”
“I know.” Her thumb strokes once across my shirt. “You’re not running from me. You’re working. You’ll be back in two days.”
“You sure?” My voice is rougher than I'd like.
She smiles reassuringly. “I’ll be here when you get back.”
Amy leans against the counter. “If I hear about any bunnies coming near him, I’ll set the clubhouse on fire.”
“Amy,” Hope groans.
Colt chokes on his breakfast.
But Hope steps closer, rising on her toes to whisper, “I trust you, Frost.”
The tension inside my body slowly dissipates.
I cup her jaw with my hand, thumb brushing her cheek. “I’ll make it quick.”
“You better.” She winks.
Dad claps me on the back. “Stop making eyes at your woman and go pack. Faster you get out of here and handle business, the faster you get back.”
Hope blushes a deep red, and Amy pretends to gag.
“Whipped,” Colt mutters with a smirk on his face.
I ignore all of them because Hope is still smiling at me like she has all the confidence in the world that I’ll be back.
If she’s willing to stay… Then I’ll move mountains to come back to her.