Chapter 13 #2
I turn to Edward, mortified. “I’m so sorry about this . . . intrusion.”
Twitch looks at Edward, his grin widening. “Oh, you don’t mind, do you?”
He gives me a funny look but smiles politely. He’s taking this well. Most men would have gotten angry at Twitch. “As long as it’s okay with Milly.”
I open my mouth to object, but Twitch cuts me off. “We’re best friends; she’ll be fine.”
“Best. Friends,” I spit out, my tone dripping with sarcasm. What is he getting at?
Edward stands, clearly sensing the tension. “I’ll go to the bar. Let the two of you talk.”
My breath catches. “No, it’s okay. Twitch is leaving.”
Twitch grabs my drink and takes a sip, completely ignoring me. I scoff. The nerve of him!
“I’m staying,” he says with a big-ass grin.
I take a few deep breaths, trying to keep calm.
“I’ll be back in a bit,” Edward says, walking away. I watch him leave, feeling terrible that Twitch drove him away.
“What are you doing here?” I whisper-yell, my frustration boiling over.
Twitch finishes my drink and leans back in his chair. “The real question is, what are you doing here? I mean, you deserve the world and all, but . . .” He looks around the restaurant, lifting his nose. “This isn’t you.”
I huff. “Can’t I go to fancy restaurants?”
He shrugs. “You seem more chill. Like you’d be happier ordering takeout.”
He’s not wrong. I love being in my pajamas, eating takeout in the comfort of my home. “What’s your point?” I snap.
“Why’d you say yes to go on a date with a man you don’t like to a place you don’t even care about?”
I don’t like the accusatory tone in his voice. “Why aren’t you back at home looking after Mercedez?” I throw back in the same sharp tone he used.
He cringes. Low blow, but if the shoe fits. “I’m trying to deal with all that,” he mumbles.
I immediately regret my words. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t know what came over me.” Being spiteful isn’t who I am. “I guess I hate that we never got a chance to decide what we were going to do. She kind of decided for us . . . and still is.” I rub my chest, feeling vulnerable.
He runs a hand through his hair, his expression pained. “I’m sorry. I don’t know how to help her while also trying not to ruin us.”
My heart beats faster. “So there is an us?”
His face twists with conflict, and he groans. “Don’t get me wrong, I want there to be. I’ve never felt this way about another woman, but I don’t want to be the reason you lose your brother and I lose my family.”
Tears prick my eyes, and I dab at the corners to stop them from falling.
He stands abruptly. “Sorry for being an asshole. I’ll go. But . . .” He hesitates, looking at the ground. “Can I stay at yours tonight?”
The hope in his voice crushes all my resolve. “I’ll eat dinner and go home. I’ll meet you there.” I reach into my bag to grab my house keys.
He shakes his head. “I already have one.”
My mouth opens to object, but he cuts me off.
“After the kidnapping,” he explains. “I wanted to make sure I could get to you if anything happened again. I’ve never gone inside. It’s just for safety.”
That shuts me up. I reluctantly nod. “Okay.”
He gives me one of his cocky, seductive grins before walking away. Just the thought of seeing him again has me buzzing. He stops at the bar, exchanges a few words with Edward, and then leaves.
Edward returns to the table, and I immediately start apologizing. “I’m so sorry about that.”
“It’s okay,” he says with a kind smile. “I could tell the two of you needed to talk. If you don’t mind me asking, is he the reason you’re not dating?”
I press my lips together firmly. “Frankly, I don’t know what’s going on myself. While I’m undecided, it’s not fair to date anyone else.”
He smiles, and it puts me at ease. “That’s completely fine, but why aren’t you with him?”
I sigh, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.
“We’re stuck between wanting to give a relationship a chance and hurting everyone around us.
My brother warned the men that they couldn’t have anything to do with me.
He tolerates the friendships I’ve made. He’s always wanted me to date someone outside the club.
Twitch and I have always had a bond, even as friends.
But when things changed and we got more involved, we kept it a secret.
If my brother finds out, I could lose him.
And Twitch . . . he could lose everything.
“My brother is big on loyalty and respect, and I don’t know how I’d cope with losing my only close relative. Being in a motorcycle club, Twitch could face worse consequences for defying the president’s orders, lying to him and the club, and then sleeping with his sister.”
Edward leans back in his chair, his expression thoughtful as he processes everything I’ve just said. “Worse, as in death . . . or being kicked out of the club?” he asks cautiously.
I throw a hand up. “That’s it. I don’t know. Their club is tight-knit, and no one has ever defied or done anything against the club president before. I love my brother, and I can’t see him killing someone over it, but I see him as my brother. I don’t know him as the club president.”
Edward winces, his brows furrowing “That’s a lot to carry. But it seems like Twitch has risked it all for you already. If your brother is as good as a man you make him out to be, he might surprise you and be okay with it all.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “My stubborn-ass brother? The one who’s big on respect and loyalty? I just can’t see him letting it go.”
Before Edward can respond, the waiter arrives with our enormous seafood platter.
Lobster, prawns, fish, oysters, and crab are arranged beautifully on the tray.
It looks and smells amazing, but my appetite is gone.
I force myself to take a few bites, picking at the lobster while Edward digs in.
I ask him questions about his life before he moved here, but my mind is elsewhere.
I’m stuck in my thoughts, eager to see Twitch again.
“Are you all right?” Edward asks, his voice pulling me back to the present.
I blink a few times, realizing I’ve been quiet for too long. “Yes, sorry. I’m just getting tired. I might head out if that’s okay.”
He smiles warmly, his understanding nature making me feel even guiltier. “Of course. It was lovely, even with the surprise visit from your friend.” He chuckles. “But it was nice to get out and try a new restaurant.”
I stand, and so does he. I give him a big hug, trying to show how grateful I am. “Yes, it was a good night, and we should do it again . . . as friends.” My head is a big enough mess with Twitch; I don’t want him to get the idea I mean something more than friends.
“Of course,” he replies, his smile never faltering.
I let out a sigh of relief. He’s such a good guy. “How much was it? I’ll pay my half.”
He shakes his head with a stern look on his face. “No, no. The man always pays.”
“Thank you,” I say softly. “Have a good night.” I grab my bag and walk out the door, my heart heavy with conflicting emotions.
The drive home is quiet, but my hands are clammy on the steering wheel.
I have no idea why I’m so nervous. My mind is a storm of thoughts, swirling with what-ifs and possibilities.
Twitch mentioned the word us. Like it was a real possibility.
The thought sends my heart racing, but optimism is quickly followed by the crushing weight of reality.
When I pull into my driveway, I notice Twitch’s bike isn’t there. He must have parked it farther down the street. As I step out of the car, he emerges from the shadows under the porch.
“That was quick,” he says with a smirk. Always with the smartass remarks.
“What can I say . . . he’s faster than you,” I quip, unable to resist.
His mouth drops open in mock offense, and I can’t help but laugh. The look on his face is priceless, and for a moment, the tension between us melts away.
“That wasn’t funny,” he says, pretending to sound hurt.
I smile. “I thought it was.” I unlock the door and step inside, heading straight for my bedroom. “I need to change into my pajamas.”
He leans against the doorframe. “Nothing I haven’t seen before.”
I stop and cross my arms, giving him a pointed look. He sighs dramatically and turns around, giving me privacy. I take a moment to gaze at him. He looks effortlessly sexy in his low-slung jeans and motorcycle cut.
I quickly change into my pajamas, the soft fabric a welcome comfort.
“How was it?”
I snort. “Well, you were there.”
He chuckles. “I had to see you. I was going insane thinking you were with him.” His voice is rough, which matches his declaration.
“McDaddy and I are officially just friends.”
“Good!” He shakes his head. “Can you please not call him that?”
I smirk at the hint of jealousy in his voice. I get into bed and snuggle under the sheets. “All done,” I say.
He turns around, his eyes heating as they rake over me.
One thing I love about Twitch is that he looks at me like I’m wearing lingerie even when I’m in my comfiest clothes.
The butterflies in my stomach are in full force as I glance at him again.
I love being desired, even when I’m at my most casual.
Without hesitation, he takes off his cut and hangs it up, then strips off his jeans. My mouth waters as I remember what’s underneath those boxer briefs.
“Didn’t the piercing hurt?” I blurt out, immediately cringing at my lack of filter.
He smirks. “Yes, but it was only temporary.”
“Are we temporary?” I ask softly, my voice tinged with sadness.
His smirk fades, and he frowns as he pulls his shirt off and tosses it to the floor. He climbs into bed beside me, and for what feels like the first time in forever, he touches me, pulling me into his arms.
“All I know is we have tonight,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough. “Before the sun comes up and we have to deal with life as we know it.”