Chapter 3
“Whoa, who the fuck pissed you off?” I spin around and see Ruckus standing in the middle of the gym floor, wearing just his sweatpants and holding his gun.
“Who d’ya think?” Turning back around, I land another heavy blow of my fist into the punching bag.
“I thought someone had broken in,” Ruck explains, disarming his gun and taking a seat on the weight bench that's beside me.
“I know the door code, and couldn’t think of anywhere else to go,” I explain, imagining Greaser's face in front of me as I lay another combo.
“So, what did he do, now?” Ruck rolls his eyes, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.
“I was just about to talk to her, ready to open up and tell her how I feel. Then he shows up, lets himself in, and brings her every available packet of M resisting the urge to punch him gets harder each time I see him.
Opening the door, I find Alicia lying asleep on the couch, a bag of M want some?” she offers.
“I got you.” I get up and head toward the kitchen, lifting a pan down from the cupboard and placing it on the stove.
“I’m sorry about Greaser. I know how much you dislike him, but he’s just trying to help. He wants to be a part of this.” She steps into the kitchen, looking so pretty, with her hair ruffled outta shape and that t-shirt persistently sliding up to show off her belly.
“I get it,” I explain, hating the man for existing. I’ve been wondering for some time now if she’s got feelings for him. All this would be so much easier without him here.
“I hated it when you left here, mad,” she explains, stepping closer and placing herself in front of me, blocking my access to the refrigerator.
“Do ya got feelin’s for him?” I ask, needing to know if his affection is reciprocated; even if the answer will crush me.
“No.” She shakes her head and frowns like she isn’t sure of her answer.
“But I do appreciate him, and I want him to have the opportunity to know and love his niece. Losing Saul made me realize how important that is.” Just the sound of my best friend's name reminds me of how disloyal I’m being.
Of all the millions of women on this Earth, why the fuck did I have to fall in love with this one?
“Like I said, I get it,” I assure her, my body turning stiff with frustration.
Saul always wanted Alicia to have a normal life.
To meet a decent guy, like a lawyer or doctor.
She’s suffered enough drama in her past without becoming someone’s old lady.
Despite what my club brothers say, I don’t think he’d ever forgive me.
“I don’t want Greaser to come between us.” She reaches for my hand, squeezing it tight. “You mean so much to me, Vike.” The girl looks like she’s gonna cry, and I hate that it’s all because of me and my jealousy.
“Hey, nothin’ will ever come between us.
You know ya got me, right?” I promise her, taking her pretty face in my hand and stroking her cheek with my thumb.
She closes her eyes and inhales as if it brings her comfort, and I wish that I had the guts to kiss her.
I wish I didn’t care so much about fuckin’ things up and letting Saul down so I could lay everything out for her and tell her how I feel.
The silence goes on for longer, and when she opens her eyes and stares at me with those pretty, green irises, I swear they beg me to make a move.
“I'd better get you this milk.” I smile, cursing myself, and moving past her to get to the refrigerator.
“Yeah... milk’s what I want.” She waddles her way back to the couch and takes a seat, looking disappointed and frustrated all at the same time.