CHAPTER 20
Maverick
Ty and I are sitting under the canopy in front of the flower shop. He caught me up on everything that’s been going on in Long Hill and I gave him the rundown on Dogwood Creek. The whole time he keeps glancing over to the door that leads up to Gretchen’s apartment.
“We lived here together for three and a half years. I thought for sure she would have moved after I left.”
I shrug. “Maybe she kept it in case you came back.”
“I hope that’s the reason. Maybe we’ll actually have a shot if that’s the case.”
I study him. I don’t want to kick him while he’s down, but I gotta know, “Why didn’t you call her?”
Ty huffs out a breath. “In the beginning, I was scared. Ace and Buck, both made it seem like that Bishop guy had reach, that maybe he would figure out mine and Gretchen’s connection and go after her.
I would have died if anything happened to her so I kept my distance.
But the more time went by, I didn’t know what to say, and nothing had been solved with Bishop.
Then when I found out she moved on… I don’t know.
It fucking wrecked me so I just started drinking and throwing myself into anything Buck needed. ”
“She didn’t move on, brother.” I say.
We look up when the rumble of a bike approaches. Grayson pulls in and parks next to my bike. He removes his helmet and leaves it on his seat.
“Hey. The girls upstairs?”
I nod. “And we’re not invited.”
“Oh shit.” Grayson says. “Sophia’s pretty pissed.”
“You never told her.”
He shakes his head. “Big mistake. I should have told her last night.”
“Live and learn,” I say. I turn to Ty. “Why don’t you head back to the clubhouse. You look like a walking corpse.”
He shakes his head. “I have to see her. It’s been far too long and now—” He motions to the apartment. “She’s right here. I can’t fucking go.”
“You have to, man. I told you already. She doesn’t want to see you.”
His head falls. The guy is devastated, but forcing himself on her isn’t going to help.
My phone buzzes.
Kaya: You can come up now.
I stand. “See you later, kid. Come on Gray.”
Ty stands and watches us walk inside, but doesn’t follow. I feel for the guy, but tonight he just needs to get some rest. Maybe tomorrow she’ll be more willing to speak to him.
When we walk inside Sophia is in the kitchen area leaning against the counter with her arms crossed.
“Hey babe.” Grayson says cautiously.
“I’m mad at you.”
He approaches her, planting a hand on her waist. “I know. I am sorry. I had every intention of telling you last night, but then Em had that bad dream and ended up in bed with us…”
Kaya is on the couch but Gretchen’s gone. I motion with my chin down the hallway. “She go to bed?”
“Yeah, She was exhausted. This was a lot for her.”
“I bet.”
In the kitchen, Sophia and Grayson are still going at it, and I just want to go the fuck to bed.
“You still should have told me.” Sophia says.
Grayson leans in to her. “I know, but can we talk about this at home?”
She smiles up at him with a loopy grin. “Yeah, let me grab my purse. I’m riding the bike with you though, I had too much wine. We can pick my car up later.”
Sophia and Kaya hug, promising to talk and get together tomorrow.
“Oh, Church tomorrow at nine.” Grayson says.
I give him a chin lift and they finally leave.
I flop down on the couch next to Kaya and she immediately turns into me laying her head on my chest and sliding her hand across my abdomen.
I wrap my arm around her shoulder and kiss the top of her head.
I would like nothing more than to get her naked right now, but I don’t think us doing that with Gretchen in the next room is a good idea.
“You have a lot of wine too?”
She shakes her head. “None. I wasn’t feeling it tonight.”
I huff a laugh. “Since when? I’ve never seen you turn down wine.”
She shrugs, but doesn’t say anything.
“You ok?” I ask.
“Yeah. I mean I still can’t believe all this. Out of all the reasons we came up with for Ty disappearing, this didn’t even make the list.”
“Let’s go to bed.” I stand up, pulling Kaya with me. “What time do you have to work tomorrow?”
She shakes her head. “I don’t. I got a text from Ace while you were outside. He wants me to come to the club tomorrow to talk. Plus, we have the auditions tomorrow afternoon so I rescheduled my next job for Friday.”
“You really want to go to the auditions?” I ask
“Hell yeah. I can’t wait actually.”
“So, Ace wants to talk about you working with Cipher?”
She nods as we walk past Gretchen’s door. Sniffling and sobs come through loud and clear.
She stops. “Shit.” Kaya mutters. She gives me a closed mouth smile, that is full of sadness. “Go ahead to bed. I’ll be in when I can.” She leans up and gives me a kiss on the cheek, before heading in to comfort her friend.