Chapter 25
TWENTY-FIVE
Danika
The morning after, I decided to pack my things and head back to my apartment.
My roommate was away again. I’ll never understand why she’s always gone, but I’m going to assume whatever her and her boyfriend are involved in is better off staying none of my business.
Even though the apartment is empty and cold, I’m grateful she hasn’t completely kicked me out, even if her boyfriend deserved every bit of what he had coming to him.
I have another late shift at the diner but I’m looking forward to Tequila and Throttle stopping in.
It’ll make tonight a little less insufferable.
Though, in the back of my mind I’ll always worry about my dickhead boss and his adamant statement about my biker friends coming in.
Apparently paying customers who don’t bring any trouble are bad news.
But you know what, he can get fucked because I’m in my, I don’t give a flying rat’s ass anymore, stage.
And it’s like a little piece of me who’s missing, comes floating back together.
Stepping outside of my building there’s a car parked at the curb.
Any other circumstance, I would have ignored it like no big deal, it’s a car, but the big piece of paper tucked inside the wipers has me halting in my steps.
In giant letters the word butterfly is written.
I’m instantly reminded of how Liem called me that before and goosebumps rise.
I swallow a bit of fear away as I take the paper and read the handwritten note:
It’s yours. You won’t have to walk anywhere ever again. Key is on the tire.
Liem.
Wait. A. Damn. Minute.
He’s giving me a car.
I stare with an open mouth at the Toyota Camry. It’s perfect, truly perfect, and I think I might cry. No wait, I am going to cry.
He’s gifting me a car. I already said that, but I still can’t comprehend. How am I supposed to accept something like this? It’s too much but… this will be easier than asking Tequila for a ride or taking the bus when the courage sets in.
Pocketing the key into my purse, I glance across the street. A shadowy figure disappears behind the ally wall, and a tug of gratitude pulls at my chest.
I head for the diner, leaving my new gift sitting at the curb, but I stop just outside, my hand on the door. I know Liem follows me. Not sure if he knows I know, but I do. Some may find it creepy, but it gives me a sense of security.
“Thank you,” I say, hoping my voice carries over to the ally where I know Liem is. “And please for the love of God, you don’t need to park your motorcycle a block away.” With that, I smile and walk inside my torture chamber for the next eight hours.
In the back, Lydia ties her apron around her waist, eyeing me with amusement. “What did I miss? Good sex? A date with your vibrator?”
I pause, tying my apron just the same. “What are you talking about?” I play ignorance.
“You haven’t stopped smiling.”
I try to frown but it’s nearly impossible. She’s right. My locker slams shut as I palm it closed, stuffing my notepad inside my front pocket. “It’s nothing.”
“Yeah, okay, liar. What happened? Does it have anything to do with that ridiculously hot biker guy?”
I contemplate lying but what’s the point? My feelings for Liem are written all over my face. “I am so screwed, aren’t I?”
She smirks. “Oh, yeah. Unless you’ve already been screwed.” She giggles and heat floods my cheeks.
“It’s not really like that. I mean, do I think he’s stupidly hot in all the ways a guy can be? Yes, but…” With a sigh, I finish tying my hair up then lean back against the cold locker.
“But what?” Lydia joins me, our arms touching.
“I don’t think it’ll ever be anything. He’s far too hurt. And I’m pretty sure he’s still in love.”
“Ouch. What’s he doing following you around like a lost puppy then?”
I look over at her concerned eyes. “She’s dead.” Saying that aloud stings immensely. Only meeting her once, a very long time ago, she’s still been a part of me this entire time. An invisible thread connecting me to Liem.
“Oh shit.” Her tone dips into sorrow. “That’s really sad. What happened?”
“I don’t know. He hasn’t told me that part. Only that she passed away and he’s a broken mess.”
I’m not exactly whole either.
“Well, even so, he seems to be pretty infatuated by you.”
The door to the back opens, and our boss stands there, shooting us both a scowling look. “What am I paying you two for? Clock in already, it’s a madhouse out there.” Eric gives me a once over before leaving with a stomp to his step.
Lydia rolls her eyes. “Talk about needing laid.” She pushes from the wall. “See you up there.”
I lay my head back, feeling the cold, steel surface, and sigh with heaviness. I really do have it bad.
After setting down my table’s drink order the little bell jingles and Tequila walks in with Throttle hot on her heels. I grin like an idiot and meet her by the front counter.
“We hope this is okay. But I’m starving and wanted to come see you.”
“Are you kidding? It’s always nice to see friendly faces. Tonight, I swear the diner is full of pervs and big ol’ asstwats.”
Tequila giggles but Throttle steps up. “You good? Need me to punch anyone in the face?”
“No. It was Lydia who got her ass groped but Thomas took care of that.”
“Your boss is okay with his employees getting handled like that?” Tequila looks disgusted and I can’t blame her.
This place is becoming more like a strip club than a diner.
“Unfortunately, he’s more worried about losing business than taking care of us.”
“That’s shitty,” Throttle practically growls.
“It is. But just how the game works. Come on, I’ll get you a window booth.”
I can sense their wheels turning as I show them to their table, but I force a smile, pretending like this place doesn’t make me want to violently throw up.
Throttle straightens his leather. “Why work here if that’s how you’re treated?”
“Throttle!” Tequila bites out, then apologizes to me. “Sorry he doesn’t understand not everyone earns a salary on ridding the city of crime,” she grinds out quietly. “Not everyone can play Batman.”
I chuckle. “No, it’s okay. I get why you’d ask that, but honestly, with the diner being across the street and not having a car…” I pause. “Well, now I have a car but—”
“Wait. You got a car? That’s great.”
“Yeah. Actually…” I pause again and glance over at Throttle who shoots his ol’ lady a look then to me and then back to Tequila. “I can take a hint. I’ll just go take a piss.”
“Lovely.” Tequila shakes her head, and she ushers me to sit in the previously vacated seat.
I scan the area looking for Eric and when I don’t see him, I scoot inside.
Hell with it.
“What’s the gossip?”
“See that car across the street. It’s mine.”
She jerks back. “Oh, that’s nice. As much as I’m excited for you, how did this happen?”
I crinkle my nose. “Hush.”
“What?!”
I shush her, glancing around as people look our way, but they quickly go back to their business after a few seconds.
“Sorry. What?” she whispers, eyes still wide.
“I don’t know. I came out of my apartment before my shift, and it was just parked outside with a note on the windshield from him.”
“He gifted you a car?”
“He gifted me a car.”
She lets out a breath and then grins. The kind of grin creasing the corners of your eyes. “Wow. Okay. This is big. Huge.”
“Really?” I ask unsure.
“Sure. Hush is so closed off that I can’t believe he’d do that for anyone. He must really care about you.”
My face heats. “I suppose.”
Throttle comes back but Tequila throws him a look.
“Right. Suddenly I have the urge to piss again.” He twists on his boots heading back toward the bathroom.
I smile.
“You really care about him, huh?”
It’s a loaded question, one Lydia and I already talked about earlier, but there isn’t a doubt in my mind.
“Yes.” I shy away at the question, glancing toward the Toyota outside.
“I think this is really, really great, Dan.”
I jerk my attention back to her. “Yeah?”
She nods. “Yeah. I do.” The biggest smile forms on her face and I grin not being able to suppress the happiness either.
“How are you doing with everything else? Mentally.”
I hesitate, sparing another glance outside. “Better. I’m doing better.” There’s no lie to those words. “I did yoga for the first time, and it felt great. Really fucking great.”
She sits back in her booth. “Hell yeah. I’m so happy for you. And without pushing you know there’s always a spot for you to teach at the studio. When and if you’re ready.”
“Thank you. I appreciate everything you all have done for me. It’s more than I can ever thank you for.”
“No need. I’m just glad we’re able to help.”
Throttle comes back and I catch Eric glaring at me from the front counter. “Listen, I don’t think I can squeeze out anymore.”
Tequila rolls her eyes. “You’re allowed to come back.”
Throttle throws her a kiss, and I chuckle.
“I gotta get back to work, anyhow.”
“Girl’s night soon?”
The Fallen Star had been a fun escape, so they’ll definitely be more nights like that. It’s healing in a sense. To be included with people who understand me after everything feels right.
“Girl’s night soon,” I reassure her then leave their booth, my boss pinning me with an angry scowl on the way to the front. He snags hold of my arm, yanking me to his side and I lean away as much as I can.
“I thought I told you… I don’t want your delinquents in here.”
I cast him a look, our faces only inches from each other’s.
“They aren’t hurting anyone. They’re paying customers.
Now let me go.” I practically snarl. I would have flinched if this was before, even a month ago, but now?
Now I’m just pissed off. And pissed off is good. At least now I’m showing emotion.
He narrows his eyes, stomping off, and I glance behind me to make sure Tequila and Throttle hadn’t seen any of that.
But deep concern has fallen over Tequila’s expression as she peers at me.
Shit.
My boss has zero shame in reprimanding me in front of customers. But I don’t address it. Instead, I go back to work because I don’t have the luxury not to.
The cold slams into me as I leave the diner.
Eric left before we closed like he almost always does.
He’s unpredictable and I just know he would have punished me for earlier.
Stolen my tips. Cut my hours. Who knows, but he’s capable of anything.
My stomach sours thinking about all the sick, twisted possibilities.
A man steps out of the alleyway, and I jolt, but then recognition sets in. His solid form stands before me and he’s one I’ll never forget. “Jesus, Liem. News flash, I like having you around. You can stop doing that.” I step closer and so does he.
Something swirls in my chest down to my toes. And by the way he’s penetrating me with his gaze, I get this spark of courage.
It’s spontaneous. Crazy. But I launch myself into his arms and when he picks me up, his hand fists my hair, then snakes the back of my neck.
I shudder at his touch.
My breath trembles, but we breath each other in, our faces so fucking close I can smell his minty gum. “Thank you for the car,” I whisper into him, and he pulls back, staring at me with his dark yet alive eyes.
His focus darts between mine, down to my mouth and back up again.
This man is torturing me.
I stay wrapped around Liem but then sadness washes over him, and he carefully lowers me back down to earth.
I sigh with empathy. “I hate that.”
He tilts his head. “Hate what?” His voice low and unsure.
“I hate when you look so sad.”
He turns away but I reach up, bringing him back to me with a slight touch of his cheek.
“I want to know you. Everything about you. I want your flaws. I want your good. I want your memories of how full your heart once was. I want every single piece of you, Liem. And you don’t have to want any of me in return.
I don’t care. But I want everything about you.
So, please, take me home and tell me.” I stare at him with zero regrets, not caring anymore.
I want it all and I want it all with him. Even if it means nothing.
“I’m not making any sense.”
He closes the tiny gap between us, his hand cupping my face. “Your heart is so pure. So good.” He swallows. “But there’s no good left in me. Not enough.”
I lean into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed. “There’s more than enough. You are everything that is good for me. I feel it in here.” I place a hand on my chest. “In my heart. In my soul.”
His neck muscle flexes. “I don’t have much to give.”
“I’m not asking for a lot. I’m just asking for some of your heart. Your mind. I want to know what used to make you smile.” I reach up, caressing his cheek. We do this a lot. Finding reasons to touch each other. “Because I know your smile is beautiful even if I haven’t truly seen it.”
His eyes red over in emotion and before I know it, he takes my hand in his and pulls me with him. “Come on.”
We travel across to my apartment building and honestly, if I didn’t have a clue where he was taking me, it wouldn’t matter because I’d follow him anywhere.