Chapter Nine #2
“I’m busy here with tryin’ to find new suppliers and tryin’ to figure out how to get the girls to stop fightin’.
Temptation is startin’ her shit again tryin’ to get me to fuck her when she knows I don’t mess with the girls here.
There’s no time to start anythin’. Ruby isn’t the love of my life.
She’s destined for great things and I’m here in Briar Glen.
We’re on two different playin’ fields. I’ll be there for her if she needs extra security again, but that’s all it will be between the two of us,” I say, trying to make myself believe the words coming out of my mouth.
Taking a sip of my water, I wait for Lock to talk again because I know this conversation isn’t over yet. Lock will talk to me until I see the error of my ways and send Ruby a message. Knowing this, I pick up my phone and pull up Ruby’s contact information.
Me: Hey, it’s Ice from the festival. Just wonderin’ how you’re doin’ after the busy weekend.
Lock grabs my phone and I watch as he reads the message with a smirk on his face.
He shakes his head as I grab my phone from his hand and put it on the desk far away from him.
I don’t doubt that my best friend will send a different message to Ruby just because he thinks he’s trying to help me out.
I’ll have to keep my phone on me at all times so he doesn’t have an opportunity to get it without my knowledge.
“Okay, so you sent a generic message to her. What are you gonna do if she actually responds?” Lock questions me as he sits forward and sets his bottle on the desk in front of him.
“If she responds, I’ll answer her if it’s necessary. If not, then I won’t send another one. Ruby’s busy as hell and I’m really not expectin’ much to happen here,” I tell him honestly as music starts to play outside of my office and I know the night has started here.
“I think she’ll respond. She’ll never find a man more devoted to her than you if she lets you in.
Ruby would be lucky to have you in her life as more than some part-time security guard.
When are you meetin’ up with Zeus?” Lock changes the subject as I lean back in my chair and fold my arms over my chest.
“I don’t know. I have to call him and see what’s goin’ on.
Honestly, if he can’t make the trip here, I wouldn’t mind goin’ there.
Gettin’ out of town for a few days and just relaxing when he’s not workin’ with me.
I might talk to Judge about it later when I get back to the clubhouse,” I state, the idea of leaving Briar Glen for a little while sounding more appealing as I continue to think about it.
“Why the fuck you wanna leave, Ice? What’s really goin’ on with you?” Lock questions me, sitting up straight in his seat and staring at me as if he’ll be able to find the answer to his question without me saying a word.
“Nothin’ is goin’ on. I’m just restless maybe.
I need to get away and not focus on everythin’ here.
It seems as if it’s been one thing after another since we lost Razer.
If it’s not somethin’ here at the strip club, it’s somethin’ goin’ on at the clubhouse.
We have a run comin’ up and I’m still tryin’ to become even half as good as Razer was on the computer when he was lookin’ shit up.
It’s never gonna happen, but I’ll do what I can to help out.
Maybe gettin’ away is somethin’ I need for a while.
Stretch my legs, so to speak and just ride to Braedon so I can think and figure shit out,” I tell him, knowing there’s no deep reason for my needing to get away.
I think I’m just burned out and need a break.
I love the club and I’ll never regret joining for a second.
The Knight’s Rebellion have helped my family when we needed extra hands and have given me a chance to be myself without the worry of constantly being judged by everyone around me.
While I love working on the farm and helping my family, it’s not all I like.
I love riding my bike, hanging out with all the guys, going on our charity rides, and my friendship with Lock.
He’s been at my side since school and our friendship has only become more solid and strong since we joined the club.
“You thinkin’ of switchin’ clubs or goin’ Nomad?” Lock asks me with a frown on his face as he laces his fingers together in front of his face.
“I don’t think so. You’d be the first I’d have that conversation with, Lock.
We’ve been best friends since elementary school.
You’ve been my soundin’ board for as long as I can remember just like I’m the one who listens when you need to vent.
I wouldn’t make a decision that big without your input.
Plus, I have to think of my family and the help they need on the farm,” I tell him honestly because I know it would hurt Lock immensely if I simply made a huge life decision without talking to him about it.
Especially one that might take me out of Briar Glen.
“Good. You know I only want you to be happy, Ice. If that means gettin’ away for a while or goin’ Nomad, then I’ll support whatever decision you choose to make.
I’ll miss the hell outta ya, but we’ll figure it out.
I can always help out on the farm if you’re not here.
You know your parents love the hell outta me.
Do what you gotta do for you, Ice, and don’t worry about anyone else,” he says and I know he means every single word he’s speaking.
Lock would fully support my decision to leave if that’s what I feel is best for me. That’s the kind of friend he is.
For the next few hours, Lock and I head out to the floor and watch the customers as each dancer performs. None of them come close to us because they know Lock won’t fuck them either.
We’re not here for lap dances or any of the other bullshit everyone else is here for.
I’m working and Lock is keeping me company because he feels something inside me he doesn’t like.
That I’m pulling away from the club and him.
Maybe I am and I haven’t realized that’s what I’m doing until right now.
We’ll see what happens over the next few days and weeks.
The first thing is getting a hold of Zeus to find out when he wants to meet up and then I can figure things out from there.