Chapter 10 #2
“Not what Austin has to offer.” I frown. “But that isn’t your problem. I think he served his purpose. I am ready to move on.”
“Want me to get rid of him?” he questions. “I mean, I don’t mind. He is nice, but he doesn’t fit this crowd that well.”
I lift my brow at him. “I suppose he doesn’t, but no, he’s fine.”
He nods, releasing my wrist he turns to the door, opening, he looks over his shoulder at me. “Am I in your way?”
“What do you mean?”
“Is there someone in the club you might want to give a chance? Am I preventing you from finding happiness because I am being overprotective?” he throws out there.
I swallow hard, his eyes track the movement, his head rocks. “I am. Shit. Okay… uhm… fuck. Look, I’m not saying I am willing to step back, but… how about this, when I get back from this run, we sit down and talk?”
“Yeah, alright.” I offer him a small smile. He twists, reaches out for me, collecting me against his chest, hugging me tight.
“Just let me wrap my head around it and then we can chat. I love you, Hare.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head.
“I love you too, Rick,” my words breaking across his chest.
I find myself standing in Paige and Hemmy’s kitchen, mixed drink in hand, laughing with everyone. I feel something slip into my rear pants pocket, but I don’t make any face or act like anything has happened because I can see it’s Carbon passing behind me as he makes his way to the fridge.
It’s late when I slip into the passenger seat of Austin’s car, he is driving us back to my place since I am not fit to drive.
I press my hand over my back pocket and feel something small and hard there, for now I decide to leave it, but pulling it up some in my pocket so I don’t sit directly on it.
Austin pulls into my parking spot at my apartment complex.
He moves to get out, but I reach over pressing my hand to his forearm. “Can we talk?”
His face falls as he looks at me. “You’re dumping me.”
“I am ending things, yeah,” I confirm, not really one for beating around the bush.
He shakes his head. “He stalks you.”
I stare up at him. “He and I are not a thing.”
“He fucking stalks you,” he grits out.
“It doesn’t feel like stalking to me.” I shrug.
“You are fucking delusional. That man is going to fucking murder you in your sleep one of these days. He is fucking dangerous. What-the-fuck-ever, you deserve it if you are willing to dump me over some shitbag that stalks you.” He grips his steering wheel. “You can get out now.”
I grab my purse, pushing my door open, I climb out. I go to lean down to check on him, but he barks at me, “Close the fucking door.”
I shove it closed, stepping back, he is backing out and is gone in a matter of seconds. I look around, then sigh, heading into my apartment, closing and locking the door behind me. At least it wasn’t major dramatics.
I slip my hand into my back pocket to check what Carbon snuck in there earlier.
Holding my palm flat I examine the solid pewter ring taking up space.
I can’t help but smile, octopus tentacles swirling around to wrap the finger.
I slip it onto my pointer finger, it looks perfect, and I am officially smitten.
We had all gone to the Monterey Bay Aquarium a month ago because Paige, Mickey, and I had never been.
I found myself a bit obsessed with the octopus, he had a spicy personality that had my full attention for a prolonged period of time, I guess Carbon noticed.
Of course Carbon noticed, he sees everything.
I wake up in the morning to my phone buzzing. Grabbing it, I pull it under the covers with me. “Hello?”
“Harlow?” the deep familiar voice asks.
“This is she.” I pull the phone from my ear looking at the caller ID. An Idaho number. I press it back to my ear as it dawns on me who this is. “Freddy?”
“Bingo. I know you don’t pay me anymore, but I liked you and this guy was a piece of shit… so, I wanted to call and let you know that Bobby moved. He got a job down in Sacramento, so he got permission to transfer his parole to California. Want his address?” he asks.
“Yeah.” I push to sit up grabbing the pad of paper and pen I keep beside my bed. “Shoot.” He rattles it off. “I don’t recognize this number.”
“Burner phone from Idaho. Kiddo, I’m not stupid, I know who your dad and brother are. I rather not get called in when this asshole turns up dead.” He chuckles. “Good luck, kid.”
The line goes dead. I stare down at the address. Shoving out of bed, throwing clothes on, I rush out the door, only then remembering I don’t have my fucking car here. A voice calls out to me, “Need a ride?”
I twist in the direction of Carbon’s voice, only to find him perched against his bike at the curb just down a bit from me. He holds up a helmet. “I have an extra.” I make my way toward him. “What had your ass on fire?”
“I just… I need to do something today.” I pull my hair tie out then braid it, tossing the tie back in at the end.
“Tell me what you need to do.” It wasn’t a question.
“No.”