22. Willow
WILLOW
It’s been a week since I found out that I had a stalker and needed a fucking babysitter.
The shit that I will do to make my dad and idiots feel better blows my mind sometimes.
I mean, it wouldn’t happen if I really didn’t want it to, but I’m ignoring that fact.
I’m too nervous to spend that much time with Knox.
He didn’t come to the dinner I had with Jackson, saying that he had to work at the shop, but I think he was just giving me some space with the brother that I’m still getting to know.
Knox has been texting me constantly since the night he almost kissed me. I thought he would wait a few days, like I have heard girls from the club complain about. I was surprised when he texted me the second that he got back to the clubhouse, just to tell me goodnight.
I feel less awkward texting him than I do talking to him when we’re in the same room, looking at me with dark eyes that make me lose my train of thought. Now that I know him a little better, I’m hoping I can keep my shit together instead of fucking blushing all the time.
So far, he has kept the conversation light, asking me about my day and businesses.
He wants me to stop by the shop so I can see where he and Jackson are all day after he sent me pictures of art from bikes that he’s done.
I’m trying not to get too excited about it, but with the limited experience that I have with relationships, it’s hard to do when he is being so sweet.
It surprised me how gentle he was when we spoke away from everyone.
He walks around with his “fuck off” face, but it softens when he looks at me.
This is completely different from my last “almost relationship.” When I met Lachlan, we were both in the cancer ward, scared out of our minds.
We started out with a friendship that turned into feelings.
We spoke about anything that wasn’t related to cancer and dying, since that was the main topic of discussion for everyone around us.
I remember only seeing his mom or brother every now and then at the hospital.
He said that their family owned a business, and it was hard for them to get away for a visit.
He had a slight Irish accent, and when I asked if he was from there, he said that he was born in Ireland, but they lived in Boston now.
He was bald like I was at the time from the chemo, but he said he had dark red hair.
We were both going through our awkward pre-teen phases, so he was long and lanky, and had freckles that never disappeared after being indoors for weeks.
I remember his silver eyes, crooked smile, and his laugh when I would tell him stories about how I got revenge on my brothers for being the lovable assholes that they are.
He kissed me after a year of us being best friends at the hospital, and was gone the next day.
I thought he died at first, until my mom found out from a nurse that she became close with that he moved to another hospital that was closer to his home.
After that, I never found any interest in dating anyone, worried that they were just going to leave and take the only light I had away all over again.
I then decided that a guy was never going to dictate my happiness again, and it’s worked for me.
I want to let someone in, but I know, realistically, that my life is more than a normal guy can handle.
I take jobs as the Fox, have two businesses here in Texas, my club back in Tennessee, and I am close to my family of nosy, overbearing mercenaries.
I refuse to give any of that up for a guy just because he can’t keep up with my mess of a life.
My idiots left yesterday, and my dad left this morning for his jobs. I was a wreck. I spent most of the day after he left burning off my feelings in the gym. After four hours, I have worked through all of the sadness about saying goodbye to them.
Now that I can barely feel my legs, I decide to shower and get ready for the rest of my day of meetings for the club and planning the grand openings for each business. I decided they would be on the same day, so I could get the socializing out of the way within one long fucking day.
The opening of the garage would be in the morning and afternoon, and it will be a laid-back event. The club is going to be at night, and will probably keep going until last call at two in the morning if we are lucky.
I put Tessa, the manager for the club, as the main party planner because that is so far out of my comfort zone, you couldn’t find it with a drone.
I don’t do party planning, but she lives for it.
She is amazing with the girls and the customers.
It was a battle getting her to come with me to manage the club and leave Uncle Mark’s, where she was a club girl.
I got to know her over the years of being around the MC, and now, she is one of my closest friends.
I wouldn’t be able to open this business as smoothly as I have without her.
As I pull my jeans and one of my nicer tops out of my closet to put on, I hear my phone get a text alert.
I walk out of my closet in my bra and matching boyshort underwear.
With my clothes still in my hands, I toss them on the bed on the way to grab my phone that is on the charger on the nightstand.
When I unlock it, I look at the message and smile, still laughing at the name that Knox put in my phone for himself.
Future-Mr-Fox
How are you feeling today?
Me
It sucks. But I’m going into work to get distracted. The workout helped too.
Future-Mr-Fox
I’m sorry babe. What time do you want me there tonight?
I smile when he uses “babe.” He called me it the other day when we were texting, and I ignored it, not knowing how to address it without embarrassing myself.
Me
I should be done with all of the meetings by 6:30. I’m making food, is there anything you don’t eat?
Future-Mr-Fox
I’ll eat anything you put in front of me.
Me
… Why do I feel like there is an innuendo there?
Future-Mr-Fox
Not sure what you are talking about.
Me
Sure. So you’re fine with the vegan feast that I’m making? Usually people complain about that.
Future-Mr-Fox
Shit…
Me
Yup, you’re right; it’s great for digestion! You are going to love the soy steaks!
Future-Mr-Fox
I could pick up something?
Me
Nope, I made the plans to lead you on your vegan journey! We should start right away if we are going to get the toxins out of your body before you go back. How do you feel about kombucha tea instead of beer?
Future-Mr-Fox
This is what Smoke was talking about when he said he couldn’t tell if you were kidding.
Me
That can be a struggle.
Future-Mr-Fox
So…you’re kidding right?
Me
I gotta get ready for work but I’ll see you at 6:30. Bye!!!
Future-Mr-Fox
Babe?
Fine. I’ll see you at 6:30.
I laugh as I finish getting ready. I’m loving the fact that Knox texted me today when he knew that I would be struggling.
When I finally get home after all of my meetings at the club and visiting the garage, I am peopled out.
I head straight for my room, get undressed, and take a hot shower.
Once I’m done and feeling more relaxed after my stressful day, I put on my cotton shorts, tank top, and fuzzy frog socks, and pile my hair into a messy bun that resembles a haystack instead of the cute ones you see on Pinterest.
I make my way down to the kitchen and start on dinner.
I was so busy today I forgot to eat lunch, so I decided to go big for dinner and make a lasagna recipe that I have been wanting to try from the Food Network.
Trashy reality TV and cooking shows are the only thing I really watch when I have time—maybe a murder documentary if I’m feeling crazy.
Just as I put the lasagna in the oven, my gate notification goes off on my phone.
I check it and see that it’s Knox, waiting on his bike.
I wipe my hands on a towel and start walking to the front door.
By the time I make it there, he starts knocking.
I force open the door before the butterflies start in my stomach.
It doesn’t help that when I open it completely, he is standing on my porch, looking at me with his crooked smile.
His hair is up in another man bun, and he is wearing a tight, white V-neck under his cut with dark wash jeans.
I feel the smile on my face growing as I give a lame “hi” and step aside so he can come in.
He walks through the door, drops the backpack that I didn’t even notice he was carrying, and turns to me.
His arms shoot out, wrap around my waist, and pull me into his body in a tight hug.
He rests his head on the top of mine, breathes deeply, and says, “It smells too good in here for vegan dinner,” making me laugh.
He releases me a little and looks down at me.
“I’m pretty much a vegan master chef at this point. You would never know,” I say, trying to act normal despite being so nervous that my hands are sweating.
“For you, I would eat soy, but only for you,” he says in a joking voice.
“Good to know for future reference. But I guess we will have to make do with the lasagna I made instead,” I say, wanting to get out of the entry hall.
Maybe with some space between us, I can calm the fuck down.
“Let me show you the guest room so you can put your stuff in there,” I say as I turn away from him and head towards the hall.
I put him in one of the rooms at the end, and Grey in the one right next to him.
He follows me as I walk, looking more confused with every room that we pass.
He has already seen my room when him and Jackson drove me to the airport, so I don’t get why he looks confused.
“Shouldn’t I be closer to your room if I’m supposed to be your back up?” he asks after we are two doors down from my room.