Chapter 3
Luke
Watching her run out of the shop killed me. Then the way her brother glared at me as if he could burn a hole right through me.
“What the fuck happened?” Luca growls already standing from his chair.
“Nothing. Like she said. She’s sick.” I don’t wait to hear what he has to say. I just turn and go back into the room, cleaning up the area. We didn’t even finish her tattoo.
What the fuck just happened? One minute I’m knuckles deep inside of her, and the next she’s running away from me as fast as her legs will go.
She told me she loves me, but not just me.
She wants to know if I can have a relationship like Vee and Arizona has?
She didn’t even give me a chance to process what she told me.
I pick up my phone and message her.
Me: Vee come back or let me come over so we can finish your tattoo and I can do the aftercare.
Me: Let’s talk.
She doesn’t answer. And she doesn’t read them. Yet. Vee’s probably already in her car, speeding down the road. That’s why. At least, that’s what I tell myself as I go through the process of cleaning my station. I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve lost her before I even truly got her.
My next client isn’t for another hour and a half. I can hide in here, or I can go out there and face the wrath of Luca. Neither of them seems like a great option. So, I opt to take my time. Even going as far as to organize the cabinets.
Stone started with Luca first, so he should be done soon and hopefully he’ll leave instead of hanging around. I’m not scared of him. I’m a Hellion. But I don’t want to discuss my relationship with his sister. Not until we can talk.
Hank. She’s in love with him. In love with me.
The subtle hints were there. He was still living with her five months after the shooting.
It’s not like I didn’t notice the touches in public, the way they looked at each other.
But she was mine, or so I thought. I hadn’t made a public declaration, but I thought all my brothers knew how I felt.
Yet, Hank still pursued her. It pissed me off, but then the more I saw them together it didn’t bother me.
He made her happy, and that’s all that I wanted.
I drop a tin to the floor, spilling packets of alcohol pads on the floor.
“Fuckin’ hell!” I grumble as I squat down and pick them up.
“Hope you’re not that clumsy with the needle.” Stone’s voice rumbles behind me.
“Your ass knows I’m not,” I snap back. “Shouldn’t you be doing a tattoo? Not worrying about me and my clumsy ass.”
“I’m done. Just need to clean up but I’ve got Lisa doin’ it. She can’t flirt if she’s working.”
“Sorry, man, I didn’t mean to snap at you. Just got shit on my mind.”
“Does it happen to be a redhead that tore out of here? She didn’t look sick to me. More upset.”
I stand up, placing the tin of alcohol pads on the counter, then I drop down on my stool, stretching my legs out in front of me.
What do I say? Stone has become a close friend. A best friend, even. Can I talk to him about it, or would it place him in a difficult position with Hank? I let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing my hands along my thigh, using the roughness of my jeans to calm me.
“Yeah. It has to do with her.” Then my voice lowers some. “And someone else.”
“Look, brother, I'm here if you need to talk. No one’s here but me, you and Lisa. She’s workin’ and Kaleb came in and went straight to his office. No clients are due just yet.”
“Kaleb’s here?” When did he come in?
“Yeah, came in while you were in here with Vee.”
Well, hell. His stealth never stuns me. Hopefully he didn’t see the way she ran out of here. I’d hate to explain to him why the best friend to his ol’ lady is upset.
“Come on man, spill it. Maybe I got some insight for you.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Look at you with the big word. Do you know what insight means?”
“Fuck you. I might be a con, but I do have a brain.” He grunts.
“Still doesn’t say you know what it means.” I laugh, for the first time since Vee spilled her feelings to me.
“Deep understanding. Now stop being a pussy and tell me why your girl’s mad, before the news gets back to Kaleb and the guys. Call it practice for having to explain to them.”
I take a deep breath, running my hand through my hair. “That’s the thing, Stone. She’s not my girl. I never claimed her, I just thought we were on the same page. But she and Hank grew close while she was takin’ care of him.”
“Oh, shit.” He drops down on the table Vee was on, and shakes his head.
“Yeah, he told her he loved her today. Can you believe that?”
“She didn’t answer him, but she told me she loves him too. Vee said she couldn’t tell him because she also loves me. The problem was she didn’t know how I felt about her. I screwed up and never told her. I just assumed she knew.”
Stone sits there a minute, lips pressed firmly together as he swallows hard. “Okay, so that’s not bad. You can have somethin’ like Kaleb and the guys do. Simple fix.”
If only. But it’s not.
“Hank already told her he doesn’t want that. He can’t share.” If he could, then maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. I know we could make it work.
“Damn, I get it now. What are you gonna do?”
“I don’t know,” I answer softly.
There’s a knock on the door and Lisa pops her head in. She makes sure to wink, her shirt lower than it was the last time I saw her, causing her breasts to barely be contained.
“What?” I bark at her. Each second I’m around her, the more I wish Kaleb would just let her go.
“Your next client’s here.” Her voice drips with seductiveness, but I want no part of her.
“I’m going to head to Melbre’s and grab some lunch. Want something?” Stone asks, cutting his eyes at Lisa, who’s still hanging at the door.
“Yeah, just tell her to make me something. No matter what it is, it’ll be good,” I tell him, before gazing over to Lisa. “Shouldn’t you be doing some work?”
“Yeah. Sorry. I’ll take some lunch too, Stone.” She lifts her finger to her mouth, biting on it.
“Then go get it on your lunch break.” His voice comes out harsh and short as he steps past her and leaves.
“Work. Now,” I growl, moving over to the door and shutting it in her face.
I need a minute to compose myself and get the area ready before I bring my client back.
My eyes drift over to my phone and I pick it up, hoping she’s answered my messages. But she hasn’t even read them.
Me: Vee. I need to know you’re ok. Just talk to me.
Me: Please.
But there’s nothing. All afternoon, evening, every chance I get I’m messaging her. Eventually she’ll have to answer or read them. I thought about calling her, but assumed I’d get the same response. So, I wait. She needs time. Tomorrow, I’ll talk to her.