35. Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Four
Trix
Last night, I struggled to sleep without Reeve. I spent half the night wrestling with the covers, tossing and turning, or fading in and out of sleep.
It wasn't until I cocooned myself in the blanket and cuddled into his pillow that I finally managed to get some sleep. But waking up this morning without his arms around me, I felt empty and cold.
He messaged me multiple times throughout the night, updating me on where they were whenever they stopped, and asking if I was okay. I lied every time, telling him I was fine and that he didn't need to worry.
Realistically, I feel lost without him.
It probably doesn't help that almost all of the guys are gone.
Mouse is here, but he's still avoiding me like the plague. Dodger and Munch keep to themselves. Callux is upstairs working through paperwork. And then there's Ghost, who's seemingly never here.
For the past two hours, I've been sitting behind the bar, twirling my phone around in my hand, while waiting for Reeve to message me.
They stopped at a motel last night, and he told me they'd be heading to their destination in the morning. I'm assuming I haven't heard from him because he's riding, but the silence is twisting my stomach and making me feel ill.
"Staring at your phone won't make him reply any quicker. You know that, right?"
Huffing, I look up at Dodger with narrowed eyes as he takes a seat on one of the stools across from me.
"I know you meant that as a joke, but I'm not in the mood right now, Dodge."
Pressing his lips into a flat line, he nods.
"My bad. I apologize. Just trying to cheer you up."
I force a smile onto my face. "I'm fine, see?"
He laughs, shaking his head.
"You're not fooling anyone, Trixie. Unfortunately for you, your face provides subtitles for everyone, so it's obvious you're not okay."
Rolling my eyes, I slap my phone down onto the bar.
"I just don't know what to do with myself. It's so quiet here. Munch is eating his way through the kitchen. You've got your head buried in your phone, messaging God knows who, Mouse is hiding from me, and it's not like I can go and sit with Callux."
He shrugs. "You could go somewhere. See a friend or something."
"Reeve doesn't want me going anywhere."
Cocking a brow, he leans his chin on steepled fingers.
"Never thought you'd be the type of girl to do as you were told."
Screwing my face up, I scoff.
"I'm not, but I don't really want to go venturing out alone, and that's what I'd be doing if I left here because the only friends I have are currently at college, studying."
He rears back as if he's been slapped round the face, then places his hand over his chest.
"I'm wounded, Trixie. You don't consider the Steel Devils to be your friends?"
"Not the ones that insist on calling me Trixie, no."
He sighs. "Okay, let's make a deal. I'll stop calling you Trixie if you come and do something fun with me."
My eyes dart between his, noticing the hint of mischief glistening in his blue orbs. Although I don't think I should take him up on his offer, I'm intrigued.
"Okay, deal."
Reeve:
You went axe throwing???
Please tell me I'm being lied to
And with Dodger. Of all people?
Trix:
I knew you'd find out!
Are you keeping tabs on me?
Reeve:
Of course I am
I'm offended you went axe throwing with someone else
How am I meant to top that?
Laughing at his messages, I fluff the pillows on the bed, then lean against them.
Going out with Dodger earlier made the day pass quickly, and by the time we got back to the clubhouse, it was already late, so I came straight up to Reeve's room and started getting ready for bed.
Emery had messaged to double-check we were still on for dinner at Michael's tomorrow, and after confirming with her, Reeve messaged me.
Now, I'm lying in bed with a massive smile on my face as his name and the picture I took of him at the trailer park light up my phone.
Swiping my thumb across the screen, I accept his call, then place him on speaker.
"Did you have fun today, Red?"
His voice filters through the room, sending butterflies swooping through my stomach.
"Am I allowed to say yes?"
He chuckles, and I press my fingers to my mouth, trying to hide the way my lips spread wider from the sound.
"I'm annoyed by the fact you went out with another man, especially to go and do something I would've enjoyed doing with you, but if you had fun, then I'll be glad."
I melt into his bed, scooting down underneath the covers, then lie my head on my pillow.
"I had fun," I tell him, then move my phone onto his pillow, closing my eyes, and imagining he was here with me instead of miles away. "I would've had more fun if I went with you, though."
"I can agree to that."
The dull thud of music drifts through the phone as we both remain quiet, listening to each other breathe.
After a few moments, he breaks the silence with a loud exhale.
"Are you in bed?" he asks.
At first I nod, forgetting he's not actually beside me, but when I open my eyes and see my phone, instead of his tatted, half-naked body, I sigh.
"Yeah, I am. Are you?"
"Not yet." I hear shuffling on the other end of the line, followed by creaking. "Now I am."
"It feels weird without you here," I whisper, then hold my breath and peek at the phone as I wait for his reaction.
A beat of silence passes before he speaks.
"In other words—you miss me?"
Tutting, I shake my head.
"That's not what—"
"It's okay, Trix," he says, cutting me of. "I miss you too."
His admission renders me speechless. Sinking my teeth into my lower lip, my eyes fall shut, and I snuggle deeper into the pillow.
"If I tell you something, do you promise not to laugh?"
"It depends…" I hear him moving around, most likely getting more comfortable just as I had done moments ago. "I promise not to laugh unless it's funny."
Wrapping the blanket tighter around my body, I pull his pillow closer.
"Last night, I was struggling to sleep, and the only thing that settled me was cuddling your pillow."
He hums, and my nose scrunches up as I wait for him to laugh, but he doesn't.
"That's adorable," he murmurs. "Although I am offended I've been replaced by something soft and squishy."
I laugh. "I'm sorry. If it makes you feel better, it's got nothing to do with the way it feels and everything to do with the way it smells."
"Good." A yawn escapes, and my eyes begin to droop. "I should be back on Monday, so keep my pillow warm for me, snuggle it all night if you need to, but as soon as I'm home, I'm taking my spot back."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Goodnight, Trix. Sweet dreams."
"Goodnight, Reeve."