13. Chapter 12
Scottie – Two Months Later
I walk out of the diner with my order as my phone rings, and I quickly grab it to ensure it isn’t Sammie’s school. They now call me instead of my sister after she gave them my number.
If I’m on shift, Sammie now stays with Dad. When I’m not on shift, he’s with me, pestering me to get another cat because apparently Felix or Demon cat I’ve now dubbed him needs a friend.
I don’t think my sister or Kavan has had Sammie at their home in over two and a half months and not one of them has realized.
Heck tonight Dad said he’ll have Sammie just so I can live a little without being a surrogate mama which is what I have become.
I feel like he’s mine, which isn’t healthy considering he’s my sister’s and ex’s.
I wish I could take over his parental rights.
I wish I could wrap him up in bubble wrap to hide him from how selfish his parents are, but I can’t, and it doesn’t help that the ass is still working at the hospital after assaulting a patient.
Every time he tries to corner me I want to hit him for his treatment of his own son and don’t get me started on him getting away with what he did to Bradley.
The man makes my blood boil.
Checking the screen, I frown, seeing it’s Dad and nerves hit me as I answer, “Dad? Is Sammie alright?”
“You know I love that he becomes your first thought,” he replies, and I can hear the smile in his voice which makes me smile.
I never thought I’d have this kind of relationship with my father, after years of him treating me like the black sheep of the family. Yet, here we are and there isn’t a day that goes by that he doesn’t call to check in.
He says, “Sammie is good. I’ll be picking him up from after-school club in an hour. We’re going bowling. The reason why I called is because of your mother,” and I wince.
It has been nearly three months and I still haven’t spoken to her, even over the phone.
While Dad was unsupportive, Mama was vocal about not agreeing with my life choices.
She was the one who supported my sister the most despite knowing Rachel and Kavan had an affair because that is what is was and it was cruel.
I think I’m struggling to forgive her.
“Look, sweetheart, I understand she’s made some bad choices.
I understand that she has hurt you, she understands it, which is why she’s been giving you time.
She hates that you’ll only eat with me, she’s hurting because you won’t even try with her like you have with me.
I know it is because she was more vocal, that she was always on your sister’s side, but Scottie, she wants a family meal.
She wants to get to know you again and she wants to get to know the person you are falling for,” I look down and swallow hard as he finishes, “She promises your brother and sister will be on their best behavior.”
“She wants me to bring Bradley into the lion’s den?” I confirm just as a strong hand glides across my stomach from behind. The man himself leans his chin on my shoulder, and I give him some of my weight as my skin lights up with his touch alone.
Two months ago, this man asked me to get to know him, called me out for being afraid of falling in love with him, then kissed me when he knew I was going to decline. I have been hooked on him ever since.
We’ve been taking it slowly, so no bedroom time just yet, but I have fallen for him. The thought of him leaving me instantly makes me feel breathless, and I can’t seem to picture my life without him in it.
I mean, come on, the man has hurt himself at least seven times in the past two months just so he can spend time with me while I’m at work. I have scolded him for doing that several times, only to receive smirks. To top it all off, he’s basically living with me, how can I not fall for the idiot.
Doesn’t mean I want him anywhere near my sister, though, or sister-in-law, for that matter.
“She does,” Dad admits, “because she knows he’s your future and she understands why you’ve refused to come home.
She’s been content with hearing about your achievements from me, but she’s hurt you’ve yet to introduce her to the man basically living with you.
She’s hurt that you won’t take that extra step and I’m not taking her side, Scottie, you deserve to finally have someone fight for you.
I also think you need this to finally heal from the past and if Kavan says or does anything I’ll just knock him out. ”
I snort before I twitch my nose as I turn my head and lock eyes with Bradley, who smiles gently at me.
He knows I’ve struggled with my relationship with my parents. He knows Dad has slowly wormed his way back into my life with the help of Sammie. He also knows I haven’t had the courage to let my mama in, too scared of getting hurt again, but dinner? With the whole family?
I don’t know if I can do that.
“Give us a time and date Marshall but any funny business then we’re out of there, and Sammie can stay with Axel,” Bradley says and Dad sighs and says, “I’ll message you the details, thank you, Thunder,” then says to me, “I love you Scottie and I am proud of you,” before he hangs up and I swallow hard.
Every day, he makes sure to tell me he’s proud, but it always feels weird after going so long without the recognition of the hard work I put in with everything I do.
“Making all the parental decisions about my nephew now, huh?” I chuckle as I turn slightly in his hold and he grins before pressing his lips against mine.
“Always,” he murmurs, and I smile against his lips before I ask, “You sure you want dinner with my family? They aren’t the nicest of people.”
“Treasure, I’m sure, we’ll get through it together and I have your back always,” he whispers before kissing me so hard that I feel it right down to my toes.
Our tongues tangle as love fills between us and the words lodge in my throat, words I want to say but instead of breaking the kiss and confessing my feelings I instead freeze when I hear, “Scottie?”
Damn, please don’t tell me it’s…
I break the kiss, something I really don’t want to do because I love kissing Bradley. I turn and lock eyes with a pissed-off Dino who I haven’t seen in nearly three months. My stomach knots at the anger glaring back at me, anger that is not warranted.
“Dino, how are you doing?” I ask politely instead of telling him to get lost like I want but I don’t remove myself from Bradley's hold.
“I didn’t know you were seeing someone,” he says instead of answering my question, and I raise a brow at his tone.
“Why would you know?” I ask, “I haven’t spoken to you since I quit.”
“Yeah, about that,” he mutters as he eyes Bradley’s cut then his arms that are tightly wrapped around me making me feel, “Why did you quit? I thought you had mountains of debt in student loans, or that is what your sister mentioned when she last came in.”
Am I surprised my sister still bitches and lies? No, not one bit, but am I shocked she’s talking to Dino of all people? Absolutely. Then again, if he’s lied in return and told her we had a thing when we hadn’t…
Bradley snorts as he presses his lips against my head and I lean further onto him, knowing he can take it. His shoulder and knee are healing nicely, so nicely, he could probably ride home now.
And that thought makes me want to be sick.
“Dad paid off my loans months ago, Dino, so I don’t know what Rachel has been telling you, but it’s all lies,” I say, then look at Bradley and ask, “Ready to go home?”
He grins and gently nudges me towards my car without removing his grip, and I look at Dino and say, “Have a nice evening, Dino,” and allow Bradley to guide me forward and away from the man who creeped me out.
He didn’t like the word no, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was screwing my sister because she thinks she’ll get one up on me.
She is always trying to win a game I have never taken part in.
Bradley and I have a date, and maybe tonight, I’ll finally give him all of me because honestly, cuddling at night with no sexual touching is not enough anymore.
***
I gently nibble my lip a few hours later as I eye Bradley’s shirt. I just put it on and I am walking down the hallway and towards the stairs, ready to put my plan in place.
I want him, and I know his injuries are healing nicely, so I’m taking what I want tonight.
A nervousness hits me along with the feeling of excitement as I get to the top of the stairs.
I look at his shirt one more time, and I take a deep breath but hold it when I hear, “Doc,” muttered and I look over the banister slightly to find him shirtless, his tattoos clear as day, sitting on the couch with his head in his hands.
His phone is on the coffee table while the demon cat is on his bed near the fireplace staring at Bradley.
Little shit still thinks it’s funny to attack me all the time. My arms are beginning to look like scratch posts.
“The brothers are getting restless,” I hear Doc say and I tense as I notice Bradley has put his phone on speaker.
I feel like I should probably step back, that him speaking to his president is a private matter.
But, he’s been a little off this evening, since leaving Dino near the diner, he has barely said much since I explained Dino wanted to date me, but I turned him down.
I had been working two jobs to pay off my loans until Dad took over behind my back.
I thought maybe he was just tired from tattooing all day, that maybe his shoulder was aching, but maybe it has something to do with his club?
“I’m not an officer brother, Doc,” Bradley mutters, and I hear Doc sigh then reply, “It doesn’t matter, you are still the heart of the club.
Your sister is threatening to come knock you out, your mama is losing it every day.
The brothers want you home, and we both know medically, you can ride.
It’s time to come home, brother, it’s time to return to your family that you helped keep together. ”
My heart physically shatters at Doc’s words, and my breathing picks up as my eyes tear. I step back for a moment as their voices get quieter so I can’t hear the conversation. It wouldn’t matter if I wanted to hear the rest anyway because all I can hear is static.
He has to go home, but I can’t leave Sammie…
I want to be selfish. I want to beg him to stay with me. I want to tell him that I’ve fallen madly in love with him. I want to remind him he’s been living with me since his family returned to Wincher and forced me to rely on him. But I can’t. He has a family to return to…
I quickly take a few breaths to stop my tears from falling, to try and control my heart suddenly breaking, and I wait until he’s finished his call, to get my emotions under control so he doesn’t know I’ve overheard part of his conversation.
I don’t want him to go, he’s dug himself into my heart, but I can’t leave with him.
“Treasure?” Bradley calls a few minutes later, making me jump. “Where you at, baby?”
I take a few deep breaths before I push off the wall and head down the stairs. His head turns my way, a smile forming on his handsome face which freezes as his eyes to take in my choice of clothing.
“Fuck me,” he whispers as I come around the couch, his eyes never leaving my body. I gently push him back by his shoulders before climbing onto his lap, straddling him, and I admit bravely, “That is the plan…”
I’m out of my comfort zone, I’m never this forward. With Bradley I feel brave, he makes me want to show him that I want him, that I want to fight for him.
“Is that so?” he murmurs as he cups my cheek while wrapping an arm around my waist. I hum as I cup his strong stubbled jaw with both my hands and I place my lips against his, pushing my tongue into his mouth.
He runs his fingers into my hair and grips it tight as he pulls me harder against his chest.
I’m sad –no, screw that, I’m heartbroken, but I won’t let him leave me without giving him myself for one night. Tomorrow, after my shift at the hospital, I’m going to plead with him to do long distance, because when a man like Bradley walks into your life, you keep hold of him.
He’s become my world, I refuse to lose him.
I tilt his head and deepen the kiss with one hand while I gently run my fingers with my other down his bare chest, over his muscles.
Each one twitches beneath my fingers before I reach his sweats and without chickening out, I pull them down slightly and cup his hard cock.
Feeling vein underneath, turns me on, something I never thought would.
Bradley moans into my mouth, kissing me harder as he thrusts into my hand when I grip his cock harder and slowly stroke him.
I can feel my arousal between my legs, my want for this man.
I gently lift, aware of his knee, and I place the head of his bare cock at my entrance because of course I took my panties off.
I slowly lower myself on him completely trusting him to be clean because I trust him wholeheartedly.
I know the pill will protect me with pregnancy though having kids with this man doesn’t scare me, if anything a thought flitters through to trap him with me always but I wash that thought away.
I won’t be selfish, I won’t be like my sister.
I moan and Bradley groans as I bottom out, my thighs meeting his and he kisses me like he’s struggling to catch his breath. He helps me move with his arm, up and down, and I follow the motion, loving the way he fills me up.
I pick up pace as he lifts the shirt I’m wearing, I break the kiss and help him take it off me before he throws it on the floor. It lands on a pissed off Felix who hisses, but we ignore the demon cat.
Bradley cups my cheek again and pressing his lips against mine while my chest hits his, his touch sending fireworks throughout us and I make love to him on my couch, giving him all of me.
Even after I’ve orgasmed and he’s come deep inside me, painting my walls with his seed, I continue to move my hips, refusing to lose this connection knowing he’s going to be going home.
He’s going to leave me after two months of burying himself inside my heart and under my skin…
I just hope I survive the heartache when he does leave and that he agrees to do long distance because life without Bradley is no life at all.