Chapter 16
Zoey
It’s the first time in weeks that my dad is going out for the night.
That means I’ll have the house all to myself.
It means that Bones can come over, and we can do whatever we want.
Be as loud as we want. Or better yet, we can go out on a date.
We could go to dinner or to the movies. We could hook up in the back of the theater and be a real couple.
Or maybe he could take me to the clubhouse and introduce me to everyone.
I want to meet all of his “brothers.” He’s told me so much about them, I feel like I already know them.
I especially want to meet King. He’s practically Bones’ dad.
And Rory, King’s daughter. She’s my age, and from what Bones has told me, she sounds like someone I’d like.
“Hey, baby. What’s up?” His deep voice slides over me, wrapping me in that smooth heat.
“My dad just told me he has to go to some political event tonight. That means you can take me to your club and I can meet everyone.”
“Not happening, angel. If my brothers ever catch me with you, they’ll take my patch and hand my ass over to your dad.”
“Why would they do that?”
I thought they protected each other.
“Because your dad is family. And we don’t fuck with anyone’s kids. It’s code, babe.”
Code? Does that mean he’s never going to tell them about us?
“So, will you ever introduce me to them?”
“Not as my girl I won’t.”
There’s an anxious ball forming in my stomach. It’s starting to feel like Im just some dirty secret.
“So, what am I to you then?”
“You’re my woman, babe. Whether I can introduce you to the guys or not, doesn’t change that.”
It does for me.
“Fine. Then if you can’t take me to see them, can you come and take me on a date?”
“We can’t be seen in public, babe. Everyone knows who your dad is.”
“Then what’s the point of us being a couple?” I ask, sounding flustered. If I can’t meet his friends and we can’t be seen in public, then how is this ever going to work?
“The fuck,” he barks into the line. “You better retract that question, Zoey. The point is that you’re mine.”
“Then prove it. Take me out.”
“I already told you why I can’t.”
“Then come see me.” If he can’t take me out, he could at least come over and make it up to me. “You can make me a candlelit dinner.”
“I can’t. King just got back and I’m needed here.”
Three strikes and you’re out. Isn’t that what they say?
“Fine. You go spend time with your brothers, and I’ll talk to you later.” I’ll just see if Teagan wants to be my date tonight. At least, she’s not afraid to be seen with me in public. It’s been ages since we’ve been able to have a girls’ night together, so I know she’ll appreciate it.
“I’ve been in your bed every night for weeks. Tonight, I’m needed here.”
But tonight is the first night my dad isn’t here. That’s a rare occasion. A first since we’ve gotten together. Just the idea of being able to sit with him on the couch and watch a movie together sounds exciting. I don’t need to go out on the town.
“I heard you,” I snap, wanting to get off the phone.
“Don’t act like that, Zoey.”
What? Am I not allowed to be disappointed? I wish he was disappointed.
“I’m not acting like anything, Bones. I’m going to go. Have fun with the guys tonight.”
I hang up before he can say one more word that will slice me open and pour more salt into my stinging wound. I dial Teagan, hoping she can cheer me up before I sink deeper.
“Zoeykins! What are you up to?”
“Not much. Hey, my dad just told me he’s going out for the night, and I don’t have a bodyguard holding me prisoner, which means I’m free. Any chance you want to have a girls’ night?”
“Wow, that’s a first in weeks. Darn it, I really want to, but I was planning on going to Mike’s party tonight. But you could come with me?”
A party? That’s the last thing I want to do. But I also don’t want to be holed up in my bedroom feeling miserable all night. I’ll replay every single one of Bones’s words, and I’ll make myself sick to my stomach.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll go.”
“Great.” She claps through the line. “I’ll come over around nine and we’ll sneak you out.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
And now, I have three hours to sit and dwell in my misery.