Chapter 14
SKYLAR
The past few days, I’ve been in a weird headspace that’s left me feeling more numb than normal.
I needed something to change that, so I called Mack and asked him if he wanted to go to breakfast this morning.
Thankfully, he agreed, and I couldn’t be happier.
Mack is my safe space. My safe human, and the only person who can help me crawl out of this deep hole of nothingness.
“My girl! How’ve you been, beautiful?” Mack hugs me so tightly I instantly inflate with a sense of happiness that I need desperately. This old man has saved me more than once and has never even realized it.
“I’m doing good, Mack. How about you?” I say into his chest. He loosens his arms around me as he pushes me back just a bit to get a good look at my face. His eyebrows pinch together, his expression changing to worry.
“I know that tone. Let’s go inside and talk about it.” Mack never misses a beat. We’re at my favorite little café in town called Green’s, and we head straight to the table by the window. We settle in, the pair of us ordering coffees to start off.
“Alright, my dear, spill it. Who do I need to take care of for hurting my girl?” he whispers the last bit, making me smile.
If only he knew the man in question was already taken care of.
I’m pretty sure Mack couldn’t hurt a fly, but it makes me feel like I’m actually his daughter and he’s my overprotective father when he talks like this.
“I assure you, Mack. He’s been dealt with already.” The waitress delivers our coffees and takes our orders before she leaves us once again.
“Alright then, what’s got you looking like someone stole your puppy?
” he asks, his tone full of genuine curiosity and concern.
I take a sip of my coffee before I answer him, because I don’t really have an answer.
I shouldn’t be feeling like this—down and blah.
Damien is dead, and I should be reveling in the satisfaction that such an evil man is finally gone.
However, I still feel heavy in a sense, as if I’m being held down by something I can’t pinpoint.
Trauma maybe? Definitely trauma, but I know I’ll always have that trauma.
I honestly thought it would disappear at least a little once Damien was dead.
“I guess I’m just feeling sort of—”
“Lonely?” Mack interrupts me, shocking me with his statement. Lonely? I flip through my Rolodex of emotions that are harbored deep within the confines of my soul, and when I finally land on loneliness, the cobwebs and dust give way to the truth of his statement.
“I mean, I don’t really know?” I say honestly. I guess, in a way, I’ve always been lonely, but that emotion has been constant for me, especially since Seven was murdered. Why does this feel different now?
“When was the last time you went on a date? Or went out with friends? And I don’t mean seeing your friends while you’re at work.
I mean, actually going out and having a good time with people your age?
” I don’t have an answer because I don’t really know the answer.
I try hard to remember the last time I hung out with people for a good time, and not the other night with Saxon, Saint, and Damien.
I can’t remember. I don’t even recall when my last date was. How sad is that?
Mack holds both my hands across the table.
“Listen, sweetheart. I know you’ve been through a lot in your short life.
I can see it in your eyes and in all that you’ve told me.
I know there is more you haven’t told me, and I will never push you to.
However, it is important for your future to live the life you desire.
It’s so important to fill your future memories with happy and joyful experiences.
I know that will never eliminate the negative from your past, but creating a new timeline for yourself will lead you down a path of fulfillment and joy.
” My eyes sting as his words slam into me with so much force, I mourn that his daughter didn’t have the opportunity to grow up with such a lovely father.
“You are in control of your life. Live it, girl. Live happy and long and full of memories that you can look back on and smile. Go on dates, meet new people, go play Putt-Putt.” I laugh—genuinely laugh—something I haven’t done in a while.
“Putt-Putt, Mack, really?”
“What? I loved Putt-Putt growing up. No making fun, I know I’m an old man.
” With his thumb, he brushes away a tear that escapes the corner of my eye and glides down my cheek.
He’s right. He’s so incredibly right. I’ve been so focused on my past and trying to eliminate everyone who’s wronged me that I haven’t been living, not really.
I do need to make an effort to be with friends and go on dates.
It’s what people my age do, right? The first person I see in my head at the mention of dating is none other than Saxon.
Of all people, the leader of the local motorcycle club?
For fuck’s sake, I just want to get away from clubs in general, not fall into the arms of one.
The leader of one, for that matter. I’m in such deep thought, I don’t realize when someone approaches our table.
I’m so lost in my mind, Mack gently kicks my foot with his, drawing me back to the table.
“Oh sorry, Mack. What did you—”
“Not Mack, just me, tesoro.” Saxon, the magician himself, appears out of thin fucking air right in front of me as I’m pondering how I’m going to ask him on a date. Were his ears ringing, and he just decided to spawn in beside me?
“I’m not sure we’ve met properly. I’m Mack. I own Mack’s Bar down the road.” Mack stands from his chair and goes in to shake Saxon’s hand, a big smile forming across his face.
“Nice to meet you, sir. I’m Saxon Wilder. My family owns Ace’s Garage in town.” The pair shake hands, both being polite as they eye one another.
Sir? Did Saxon just say sir?
Chivalry isn’t dead.
“I was just stopping by to pick up Sage’s order. She’s deep into her bike repairs and asked me to stop by.”
“Oh, yeah, Sage, is it? Is that your girlfriend?” If looks could kill, Mack would be a puddle of dust by now with how hard I’m staring at him.
Saxon laughs once and raises his hands in a surrender before replying.
“Oh no, Sage is my little sister. She works at the garage too. She’s probably the best mechanic I have, if I’m being honest.” Mack shakes his head as though he’s impressed that a girl could be a mechanic.
“Well, that’s impressive, I must say. I was just about to leave. Would you like to take my seat?”
“Mack,” I whisper to him. Has this man lost his ever-loving mind? If he was my father, I would surely be embarrassed.
“You know what? They haven’t got her order ready just yet.
I would love to join. I haven’t seen Sky for a while and I’d love to catch up.
” Mack hands our waitress the money for our bill and gives Saxon a quick handshake again.
Then, with a kiss to my cheek, the traitor leaves me alone with Saxon, giving me a wink on the way out. What is he even thinking?
“What are you doing here, Saxon?” I watch him as he gets comfortable in Mack’s seat, stretching his legs wide as he narrows his eyes on me.
“I told you already—picking up Sage’s food.
Funny seeing you here though. Who is that man to you, by the way?
Mack, of Mack’s Bar, he said? Why are you here with him?
” He fires off so many questions in such quick succession, I don’t know which question to answer first. So, I don’t answer any.
I watch as he picks through the remainder of the food in front of him, popping a strawberry in his mouth.
His full lips wrapping around the small fruit draw my eyes to his mouth.
Stop it, Sky. Stop it right now.
“What do you want?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
“Why do you think I want something? Can’t I just be here enjoying seeing a friend?” He leans his elbows on the table, leaning in closer to me from across the small table.
“Listen, I’m not going to—”
“Don’t finish that sentence. We are just two people who randomly ran into one another while at breakfast.” We stare at each other for a long moment, unspoken words passing between us.
The silence is enough to make the pope nervous.
However, it’s clear from just looking at his eyes that what happened three nights ago is a long-lost memory that’s never to be brought up in the future.
Buried in the past where it will stay until the world ends.
“I suppose I should thank you, even though you ruined my original plans.” I finally manage to speak, breaking the silence.
“How about this—instead of thanking me, you come with me tomorrow night to watch my friend’s fight? It’s the championship.” Did he just ask me out on a date? Like, an actual evening out? A night with a man around my age, conversing and hanging out like normal people?
“Umm, I’m bartending that night,” I say honestly. As much as I want to give in to this feeling of normalcy and just let loose with my own life, I can’t bail on my job.
“No, you don’t. I’ve already got it covered.”
“Wait, what do you mean ‘got it covered?’”
“Like I said, it’s handled. I’ll swing by and pick you up at seven.
Be ready. See you soon, tesoro.” With that, he gets up, leans down, and kisses my cheek, as if it’s the most normal thing we’ve ever done.
I’m stunned, shocked even, as I watch him pick up Sage’s order and head to the exit, leaving me utterly speechless.
Am I seriously going on a date with Saxon Wilder?
The man who killed my childhood monster only three days ago?
The leader of the Kings’ Aces motorcycle club?
My father would have an aneurysm if he could see me now.
Wait, I have work. What did he mean he has it taken care of? I stand and rush to the exit, trying to see if I can catch him before he leaves, but when I exit the café, I see his motorcycle take off down the road. I need to get to the club to figure this out.
Jumping in my car, I race back to the club, pulling into the parking lot.
Before I get out and try to find my manager, I can’t help the smile that pulls at my lips.
I’ve never been on an official date before.
My stomach has this weird, unfamiliar feeling going on right now.
I don’t know if I need to throw up, lie down, or drink water.
It’s not a bad sensation, per se, but it’s definitely unlike anything I’ve ever felt, and it makes me smile even bigger.
I’m going on a date with Saxon Wilder, and I’m actually excited.
To think we once hated each other. I chuckle to myself thinking back on all the times I wanted to kill him, knowing he too would have happily wrung my neck for my smartass remarks.
Two years is a long time to build a relationship, good or bad.
From where ours started to wherever the fuck its going now, I wouldn’t believe someone if they told me I was going on a date with the Saxon Wilder, but here we are.