ELLE
Ford kept Zodiac and me apart for the rest of dinner. I was a little sad to see the sexy jackass leave the house. However, he and I couldn’t seem to have a single normal conversation.
Once Zodiac returned to Baton Rouge the next day, I couldn’t settle my ass down. I wandered around the house, feeling lost. Sutter tried to keep me busy by asking to take the dog for a walk.
“What if I fall behind with school?” Sutter asked as I carried a tired Hobbs the rest of the way around the lake at the center of the Sleepy Eye Community.
“Your program was designed by a professor. The only way you’ll fall behind is if you and I slack off. While I might be a weak link, I know you’ll push yourself hard.”
Sutter had outgrown his elementary school by the end of first grade but was too young to attend junior high.
The solution had been to work with a professor who had been supervising Sutter’s education since my son was four.
He designed a homeschooling schedule for us to follow during the next year.
Sutter would also audit junior high courses online.
If he had questions I couldn’t answer, several professors had agreed to tutor him.
“Will you miss playing with the other kids?”
“No.”
“Will you miss having lunch in a room full of squawking children?”
Sutter grinned. “Yes, very much.”
After we shared a laugh at his lies, I promised Sutter, “I will ask for help if I don’t understand something. Admitting to one of those nerd professors that I’m clueless will cause me zero shame.”
Sutter took my hand as we finished walking home. I smiled at how sweet he had become since summer camp.
Later that night, Sutter called me up to the family room. I found him sitting between my parents. Sabrina, Ivy, and Clint were also present.
“What’s this?”
“Another intervention,” Clint said and then asked our parents, “How many have we had now?”
Shay shrugged. “I’ve lost count.”
Frowning, I forced my way between Sutter and Shay, squishing us on the couch.
“Fine. Let’s do this thing.”
“We think you should visit Zodiac,” Ford said as he tried to get comfortable with so many asses on one couch.
“What for?”
“You need to make a booty call,” Sabrina said and nodded at Sutter. “That was the child’s idea.”
My son glared at her and growled, “Leave me alone.”
As Sabrina snickered, I cuddled Sutter against me and asked my cousin, “Why are you here?”
Clint answered for Sabrina, “You can’t travel alone. Sabrina, Moe, and Xandy have offered to drive with you down to Baton Rouge. They’ll hang out in the city while you deal with whatever is happening between you and Zodiac.”
“Is this an overnight trip?”
“You might want to bring extra clothes, just in case,” Ford said.
“But only a single pair of extra clothes,” Shay insisted. “One night only.”
“Don’t worry, babe,” Ford said and stroked my mom’s head. “I can’t imagine they’ll be able to tolerate each other for more than twenty-four hours.”
“Are you okay with this plan?” I asked Sutter.
“One night isn’t a big deal,” he replied and shrugged like he didn’t care. “But just one night like Grandma said.”
“I’m unsure how I feel about you guys talking about this behind my back, especially considering you involved my seven-year-old son.”
“You need to get your head on straight,” Ford said while Clint nodded. “We think you’re weird about Zodiac because he’s a mystery. Once you know him, the attraction will end. Then, you’ll settle down and focus on what matters.”
“What if I show up and he has a lady at his place?”
Clint quickly replied, “I asked Exile if that was a possibility. He claimed Zodiac never brings women to his place.”
“What if I tell him that I’m coming and he tells me not to?”
“Just show up so he doesn’t have a choice,” Clint replied.
“What if he doesn’t let me into his place?”
“You’ll text me to come get you,” Sabrina said. “Xandy, Moe, and I will listen to you whine while we drive back home.”
“Well, what if I decide to spend the night and then change my mind?”
Sabrina smiled. “We’ll bring you to our hotel room, where you can cover your eyes while we have fun.”
“Poor Sutter,” I murmured to my boy and kissed his head. “He doesn’t need to hear your obnoxious crap.”
Eyeing our cousin, he replied, “I knew Sabrina would say something gross, so I stopped listening as soon as she opened her mouth.”
“You truly are a genius,” I cooed and kissed his head.
Sutter smiled at my praise. He wore the same smile when I waved goodbye to him as Sabrina drove away from the house.
Over the next few hours, I daydreamed about the baby. I imagined his little face during a midnight feeding. My thoughts returned to Sutter as a baby. He would stare at me so intently. I loved those quiet moments, and I couldn’t wait to share them with Wilbur Megatron.
“Name the baby something earthy,” Moe said as I played with her blonde hair from my spot in the back seat. “Acorn is pretty.”
We all laughed, even Moe, which was a relief since I didn’t want her to name any future kids something dumb like Acorn.
As we neared Baton Rouge, I started gnawing at my bottom lip and obsessing. “What’s wrong with the name Wilbur?”
“Isn’t that the name you were going to use for Sutter?” Xandy asked.
“I love ‘Charlotte’s Web.’ Wil is a solid guy name. It’s all good.”
Xandy scooted closer and whispered, “I like that name.”
I looked at my long-time friend. Her strawberry blonde hair was messy as usual, but her brown eyes were so warm.
“You’re nervous about Zodiac, right? That’s why you’re gnawing on your bottom lip so hard.”
“I’m afraid he’ll laugh at me.”
“Then point and laugh back at him.”
I shared her smile, even if I wasn’t sure I could keep my cool with Zodiac once he unleashed his gorgeous smile on me.
Zodiac’s apartment was above his clubhouse in a dicey area of Baton Rouge. The road was a mix of new medical locations, fast food restaurants, and pawn shops.
DTF Roadhouse’s parking lot was in the back. Sabrina pulled her SUV next to Zodiac’s ride. I heard he had more than one, but I didn’t know if he kept them somewhere safer. Or maybe he wasn’t around, and this was the ride he left behind.
“Good luck, skank,” Sabrina said as I grabbed my overnight bag. “No matter what happens, your life is already like a delicious cupcake. This guy could be the cherry on top or the wrapper on the bottom that you throw in the trash. Either way, you’ll still end up with a delicious cupcake.”
Smiling at the three of them, I left the SUV and took a deep breath. I was wearing a flattering blue T-shirt and comfy black sweatpants. My hair was loose, and my makeup casual.
“We’re hitting up a nearby restaurant,” Sabrina said, just to settle my nerves. “If things go wrong or he isn’t home, text me and we’ll circle back for you.”
After Sabrina pulled away, I looked up at the black steel staircase leading to a small landing near a discolored door with a “Keep Out” sign posted. I started up the steps, struggling against my nerves. I felt bloated and overly paranoid.
I was four steps up when I noticed the security camera pointed in my direction. I was halfway up when the door opened, and a shirtless Zodiac stormed out.
His icy blue shined with rage while he barked, “What in the fuck are you doing?”
Before responding, I took a moment to admire his bare chest. The sight of his tanned, tatted flesh and sculpted muscles was nearly too much to take in without drooling.
“I asked you a question,” Zodiac snapped and walked down the several steps between us. He hooked his hand under my armpit and dragged me upstairs. “Does your brother or father know about this bullshit idea of yours?”
Before he could pull me into his apartment, I yanked free and frowned.
“Why are you half dressed? Is there a club slut in your apartment? Ugh, is your place sticky?”
Rather than find my comments funny, Zodiac pushed me into his apartment and slammed the door. I turned away from him and examined the narrow living room.
Rather than gross, the renovated apartment smelled clean and looked well-kept. The living room and kitchen combo was a mix of slate grey and weathered wood. His furniture was far more expensive than I expected.
I should have assumed Zodiac would splurge on the finer things. His motorcycles were custom-built. He was well-groomed. There was no reason to be surprised about his snazzy apartment.
“You can’t do this shit,” Zodiac growled and turned me toward him. “Coming here is fucking suicidal.”
“I drove down with three foxes. Clint and Ford also know I’m here. Why are you flipping out?”
“If someone from the Void is keeping an eye on you, they could have attacked while you were on the highway.”
“If someone from the Void is watching me, they didn’t need me to drive here to take their shot.”
“What the fuck was so important that you had to sneak attack me like this?”
“I wanted to see you,” I said and tried to get past him and out of the tiny foyer where he kept me trapped. “You should feel flattered.”
“If you had texted, I’d have come to your town.”
“Why are you upset about me being here?” I asked, glancing around for signs that I interrupted an afternoon fuck. “Am I cramping your style?”
Zodiac’s temper flared instantly. I saw him ready to blow his top. I shoved my overnight bag between us and planned to use it as a weapon.
“You’re a dumb girl.”
“You’re a moronic swine. Are we done pointing out the obvious?”
When Zodiac placed his hands on my shoulders, I sensed he was fighting the urge to shake me.
“You need to be careful. Killing you would be a huge win for the Void.”
Staring up at him, I inhaled his amazing scent and replied, “I’m not that hard to kill. Why hasn’t anyone done it yet?”
“I don’t know. The Void has been quiet since they fucked up Lula’s abduction.”
“They didn’t fuck up. Your club swooped in and saved the day.”
Crowding me against the wall, Zodiac sneered, “Is that what you expect to happen if they come for you?”
“What were you doing before I arrived?”