Chapter Twenty-Five #2
“I thought you were such a good person. You are proving me very wrong, Luca,” I say, making his head snap in my direction along with Master’s as I step up in front of them.
“How dare you fuck around on Maysen like this. At the damn clubhouse where she comes to visit you every now and then. I guess there’s a reason she’s not here as often as other girls guys bring in. ”
“What are you doin’ here, Annistyn?” Master asks as Luca remains quiet.
“I came here for a reason and now I see it’s a good thing I came down because I will be telling Maysen about you cheating on her, Luca. You’re a piece of shit and she deserves so much better than you,” I state, pointing my finger in his chest to emphasize how pissed off I am.
“Damn! I think this is the first time I’m hearin’ you swear, Annistyn,” Luca finally says as his face turns red and I know he’s holding in laughter.
“There’s nothing funny about this situation,” I spit out, my voice low and cold as I glare at him.
“You’re right, there isn’t anythin’ funny.
I’m sorry, Annistyn,” Luca says, his tone serious as he steps closer to me.
“I’m not doin’ anythin’ wrong. Maysen is up in my room.
I only came down to grab somethin’ to eat for her.
Master caught me and I’ve been standin’ here for maybe ten minutes talkin’ to him.
I haven’t touched a single one of the Feral girls and I wouldn’t do that to Maysen.
I love her, Annistyn. You can go knock on my door if you don’t believe me. ”
I take a minute to look at him and finally decide he’s telling me the truth. “I’m sorry, Luca. It just didn’t look very good seeing you half naked in a room full of scantily clad women,” I apologize to him as I look at the floor.
Luca reaches out and tips my head back up so I’m looking at him.
“Don’t be sorry for callin’ me out on some shit, Annistyn.
You thought you saw me doin’ somethin’ to hurt Maysen and stood the fuck up for her.
I’ve never heard you stand up for anyone and I’m glad to witness it.
You’re findin’ your strength and bein’ a good friend to someone even when they aren’t around.
That’s the kind of person you should be,” Luca says as I continue to look at him.
“He’s not wrong,” Master adds, drawing my attention to him.
“I sure as fuck wouldn’t cover for him or anyone else here if they were fuckin’ around on their girl.
I’d call them out on their shit and make sure the girl knew what was goin’ on.
My mom was constantly cheated on and it’s not somethin’ I tolerate after seein’ her hurt and cryin’ so much growin’ up.
You can trust that, Annistyn. Now, what made you come to the clubhouse this late and all alone? ”
“Well, um, Kreed never came home. I know Reckless is home because I heard his bike a while ago. I waited for him to eat dinner after cooking it alone and he still never showed up. I messaged him and never heard back. Do either one of you know where he is?” I question them as they look at one another before turning back to me.
“I’m not sure where he is right now, Annistyn. Even if I knew, I wouldn’t be able to say anythin’ because you’re not his ol’ lady. He hasn’t given any of us permission to tell you anythin’ if he can’t do it himself. I’m really sorry,” Master says while Luca looks anywhere but at me.
“Are you serious right now? You’ve both heard him say he’s my man and I’m his girl more than once since I’ve been back from the ranch.
I live with the man and have since I got back from the ranch and I can’t know anything he doesn’t personally tell me?
You both know where he is and what’s going on and I’m the one left in the dark.
How the hell is that fair?” I question them as the music stops playing and I feel everyone’s eyes on me.
“Never said it was fair, Annistyn. Kreed will let you know what’s goin’ on himself.
No one here will tell you anythin’. It’s just the way things are,” Luca says as tears fill my eyes and I realize no matter how long I stay here I’ll always be an outsider.
These men won’t let me in their club the way they have Cali and the other ol’ ladies from other clubs.
“Fine. Kreed and the rest of you can keep your secrets about him. Thank you for finally showing me where I rate in this clubhouse. If you see him, let him know I understand when I’m not wanted around and he doesn’t have to get you all to lie for him while he goes out and has sex or whatever with whoever,” I say before turning and leaving the clubhouse.
No one tries to stop me or says a word as I walk away. By the time the door closes behind me, I have my phone pressed to my ear.
“What’s going on, Annistyn?” Roger asks me when he answers his phone.
“Can you come get me, please?” I return and hear him moving around on his end of the call.
“What happened? Are you okay?” he questions, his words coming out in a rush.
“I’m not okay. I’ll explain everything when you get here. I’m heading to Kreed’s house to pack a bag and will be ready to leave soon. Please hurry up and get here. I can’t be here a second longer,” I plead with my cousin as I hear him mutter curse words.
“I’m on my way, Sweetheart. I’ll let you know when I pull up to the gate,” he says before hanging up the phone.
I walk back to Kreed’s house. A place he told me he wanted to be our home. It was never my home. It’s always been his. I was simply a guest staying with him for a little while. Now, I can go back to the ranch and figure out what my next move will be. Staying here is no longer an option for me.
Walking in the house after unlocking the door, I head straight for the room my clothes and other personal belongings fill.
I grab the duffle bag Roger got me while I was still at the ranch and leave Kreed’s bag on the top shelf.
I don’t want a single thing from him. Looking through the closet, I grab only the clothes I know Roger bought me with his money.
Everything Kreed put in here while I was gone and before I left for the ranch remains on the hangers.
Moving to the dresser, I repeat the process until the only thing left behind are the clothes Kreed and Cali got me while I was gone.
My toiletries are packed along with the journals I started at the ranch.
Everything I plan on taking with me fit in the duffle bag with room to spare.
Looking at the small desk in the room, I leave the laptop where it sits because it’s something Master and Kreed made sure I had for my photography.
Instead of using it again, I pull out one of my journals and flip it open to a blank page.
Grabbing the pen I have tucked inside, I write a note for Kreed.
Kreed,
Thank you for allowing me to stay in your home with you.
I have decided I no longer want to be a guest where I’m truly not wanted and will be moving out.
I know ‘thank you’ are simply words and really don’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things, but it’s all I have.
When I get a job and start making money on a regular basis, I’ll pay you back for everything I am unable to leave behind.
Thank you for being my support system and saving me when I needed it the most. You were so kind and always there for me no matter what was going on.
I will always cherish those memories. I’ve cramped your life enough and will be removing myself from a situation that no longer works for either one of us.
I didn’t lie to you, Kreed. When I said I knew you were my man, I meant it.
You’re the one who lied and changed your mind without saying a word to me.
I hope you find the love of your life. I always knew it wouldn’t be a damaged person like me even though I dreamed you were different.
The keys, phone, and everything else you bought me will remain here in the house.
I can no longer accept anything you have given me with the exception of one hoodie I am wearing to leave your home.
I will make sure it’s washed and Roger can return it in a few days.
Please thank Cali for being a friend when I needed one the most and apologize for intruding on her life.
I won’t be a burden to anyone here ever again.
I’m sorry,
Annistyn
Tears fall on the paper and blur some of the words but I don’t care as I rip out the paper and tuck my pen back in the journal.
I add it back to the duffle bag and close it before leaving the room with everything in hand.
Walking into the kitchen, I place the note, keys, and the phone Kreed got me on the counter where he’ll easily see it all.
With one last look around the place I’ve spent so much time recently, I let the tears fall and head for the door.
Sliding the sandals off of my feet, I put on a pair of sneakers Roger made sure I had for the ranch.
Setting the duffle bag down, I grab the two other pairs of shoes I brought back with me and grab my camera bag.
Once I have my bags and shoes in hand, I leave the house behind.
I lock the door and leave the security system off.
Roger is already waiting for me in the driveway in front of his truck.
He immediately rushes to my side and pulls me into his arms. For a minute we stand still and he lets me cry.
Then, he leads me to the truck and helps me inside, giving me the space I clearly need right now.