Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
STEVIE
Climbing out of my car, I drop my phone and keys into my purse, then sling it over my body, before walking into the grocery store.
By the time I reach the main entrance I am sweating. It is a typical hot Phoenix day, and I am wearing my favorite pair of denim cut offs, with purple crop top, and my purple Converse to keep somewhat cool.
Thankfully, my hair is up in a messy ponytail, although I left my bangs to air dry, with some strands framing my face. No point styling it in this heat.
It is my turn to pick up this week’s groceries, well, the things that Aunt Cass does not grow at home. We have fruits and vegetables growing in a greenhouse she had built years ago that is equipped for the Arizona heat, after watching a TV show about a family who helps people live off the grid.
Collecting a cart, I pull out the list I have, because I need to write things down as I have a memory like Dory the fish sometimes.
Adding some flour and yeast to the cart, there is no need for eggs as we have five chickens who give us fresh eggs every day. I did look into getting a milking goat, but Aunt Cass says they are too loud for where we live.
Biting my lip as I look along one of the aisles, deciding what kind of soda I want, I’m totally lost in the variety, until I hear my name being called.
Turning around to see who it is, I do a double take, my head snapping back in the direction of the voice. I see the man I once crushed on walking toward me with a bright smile on his stupid handsome face.
“Stevie, I thought that was you. Fuck, you look different,” Logan says brightly.
For some reason, my hackles spike.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I know I was what they call a tomboy when we were in high school, but he doesn’t have to sound so freaking shocked that I grew up.
His smile falters, his hands going up in a surrender motion.
“I just mean that you look good. Different from the last time I saw you.”
“Oh, so you saw me back then. Could have fooled me.” Shit, why am I being a cow to him?
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath to calm myself. Breathing out, I open my eyes and see him regarding me.
“Sorry. It is a shock seeing you after all these years.” He nods at my lame explanation.
“I know. It is crazy that I bumped into you.”
“I heard you were back,” I state, my hands gripping the cart tighter.
I do not know why I am reacting like this, he has only come to say ‘Hi’ but my mind goes back to high school where I was an afterthought for him.
“How have you been?” he asks me.
Licking my lips, I take him in, thinking over my answer. He is still freaking good looking; his blond hair is a little longer on top, and you can see by the way the strands flow that he runs his fingers through it.
He has a sexy stubble on his jaw, and his blue eyes regard me as he takes me in. I notice the leather cut on his shoulders and my eyes bug out of my head. He is in an MC, but not any MC, the Rugged Skulls MC.
“You are with the Rugged Skulls?” my voice a little high-pitched, making him laugh.
“I am. I-.” He stops, and ponders. “Why don’t we go for a coffee and catch up?”
My brain stutters in my skull, and I blink at him. Logan inches forward, resting a hand on my bare shoulder, making me shiver at the touch. His brows dip a little, and I swear his eyes darken, but maybe I am seeing things.
“You okay?” I nod mutely.
Do I want to go for coffee with my teen crush? Hell, yeah. Do I want to hear about him and my ex-bestie getting back together? Hell, no, but I do not know if that is actually happening.
So I jump right in.
“Umm, I need to finish my shopping, but I can meet up with you in a little bit. That good for you?”
“Give me your phone.” His voice rolls over me, making my nipples tighten.
Just his voice is turning me on.
Damn, when was the last time I had sex?
Handing my phone over to him, his fingers brush against mine, making my cheeks heat. Once he adds his number, he calls his phone.
“Now we have each other’s numbers. Text me a place you want to meet up and I will be there.”
I nod, then he shocks me by leaning in, pressing his lips against my cheek. My body floods with heat, and I know he can tell by my pink cheeks, as he winks.
“It was good to see you, Stevie; see you in a little bit.” With another dazzling smile, he leaves.
I stay stock-still for a few more minutes, unable to calm my rapidly beating heart. What the hell just happened? How can he still make me feel like this after years of not seeing him?
Shaking off my shock and stupid reaction to him, I finish picking up everything on my list and head home. After I put everything away, I rush to my bedroom to freshen up, and send a text to Logan with the location to meet me for our impromptu catch up.
Still feeling the shock of seeing him, I drive to a coffee shop where my Aunt Cass works part-time with her bestie Daria, who owns the place. I do not know Logan Vaughan anymore, so I want to have them there for safety reasons.
I arrive before him, speaking briefly to my aunt, and ordering myself an iced latte, with a double pump of caramel. She watches me from behind the counter, letting me know that she has my back.
Scrolling through my phone while I wait, I feel him before I see him.
Looking up, I spot him just inside the door scanning the room, until his gaze lands on me. The smile that takes over his handsome face makes my heart skip a beat. He raises a hand in greeting then points to the counter, showing me that he is going to order.
I smile.
Watching his every move, as he goes to the counter to order, my gaze is glued to his ass, appreciating how good it looks in his blue jeans. He and my aunt laugh, drawing my attention up where I see them talking.
Once he pays and turn in my direction, I sit up, acting like I was not just ogling his body.
The smile he greets me with makes my heart swoon and my panties dampen; damn, I am a needy girl today.
“I didn’t think you would reach out,” he says when he sits across from me.
Sipping my iced latte, I watch him before I reply. His T-shirt fits tight across his chest, the leather cut lit up by the sun shining through the window. My stomach clenches at just seeing him sitting across from me.
I do not know why him being here makes me nervous.
“Why?”
It is his turn to shrug. “It has been years since we last saw each other and I know that some shit went down before I left.”
“You do not owe me anything, Logan. It was Valarie you left heartbroken. I was there to pick up some of the pieces until she cut me off.”
He frowns, and his lips part like he is going to speak but my aunt chooses that time to deliver his coffee. With a hand on my shoulder, she offers me a smile and leaves, letting me know that she has my back if needed.
“Did she tell you why I left?” I shake my head at his question.
“No. After you went away, she was heartbroken then angry. It was like she turned into a different person; Vinnie was her everything, it was like they became inseparable. I became an afterthought, and if I am being honest with you, I am grateful for that. The things she is into, I never wanted that in my life.”
He nods, looking out the window.
“I know she is in deep with some shitty people,” he starts. “It is good that you stayed away. You are not built for the dark side of the law.” He smirks.
“Hey, I can be badass when I want to be,” I scoff.
“Sure you can, babe. You still like Transformers?” His brow arches in question.
“What does that have to do with anything? Just to satisfy your curiosity, yes, I do, actually. But the movies were not that good after Shia got fired. Are you still jacking cars?”
He chuckles. “I do more than jack cars, Stevie, I repair and kit them up now.”
“For the club?” My gaze drops to the leather cut he is wearing.
I see the patch that says ‘Crash’ and a giggle slips free. Covering my mouth, his eyes darken as he watches me giggle across from him, and my body warms, seeing the heated look he is giving me.
Why is he looking at me like that?
“Fuck, I forgot what a nice laugh you had,” slips free from him, and my giggles stop.
Licking my lips, I clutch my cold drink in my hands, bringing it to my lips in dire need to be cooled down. Did he like my laugh when we were in high school? What else about me did he like back then, and will he like it now?
Damn, I am getting ahead of myself.
“What had you giggling?”
Swallowing hard, I clear my throat, before reaching across the table, my finger brushing along his name. “Crash. Seems fitting for you.”
Licking his lips, he looks down at where I am touching his patch, his teeth sinking into his bottom lip. I wonder what that lip feels like to bite into .
Looking up, he gives me a devastatingly handsome smile.
“Target’s Ol’ Lady, Madalyn, gave it to me.”
I blink, coming out of my thoughts when he speaks.
“Why that name?” I quiz and he shakes his head.
“Club business, babe.”
“Right,” I huff.
Have I ever said that I freaking hate secrets? I hate not knowing something, it drives me crazy. Some people say I am just being nosy when I need to know things; my aunt says that it is a control issue. I think it is just because I like to know things.
Logan sits his drink down, regarding me from across the table and I can feel my cheeks heating up from his intense stare. I can’t seem to look away from his beautiful blue eyes, they are captivating.
Back in high school, I used to love watching them brighten whenever he spoke about cars and bikes. Even though they are still a stunning blue, I see some hardness to him now.
Clearly whatever happened between him, Valarie, and Vinnie hurt him, making him harder.
“So, Stevie Merrick, tell me about you. A man or kids in your life? What do you do for work?”
“I work in a hotel; I’m a receptionist. And I love it, the people there are like a whole other family to me. No man and no kids. What about you?”