Chapter 11 #2
“I tell ya what.” With everything that was going on, I’d decided to stay at the clubhouse for the next few days.
I wanted to be on hand if any of the brothers needed me.
Since I only had the bare minimum in my room, I’d need to get to the house and pack up a few things.
I figured Frankie could just stop by while I was there, so I told her, “I have to run out to my place later to grab a few things. You could just meet me there around 4:30 or 5. I’ll text you the address. ”
“Great. I’ll see you then.”
She immediately ended the call, and I was left standing there wondering what in the hell happened.
I’d been trying for days to put her and her boys out of my head, but it had proven to be harder than I’d expected.
It seemed like every time I stopped for even a moment, just long enough to catch my breath, she would come drifting through my thoughts.
I’d see her face, the gorgeous blue eyes, or that incredible smile.
It took some effort, but I could redirect my thoughts and force those images out of my head.
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the longing feeling that was burning deep in my gut.
I’d never felt anything like it. It was almost like I was missing something—something I didn’t even know I had.
Whatever it was, I didn’t like it. The whole thing was fucking with my head.
I texted Frankie the address to the house, then headed back inside the infirmary with Country and Rafe. As I stepped into the room, I saw Rafe give Country a gentle pat on the shoulder. “Get some rest, brother. We’ll be back soon.”
“No need to rush back.” Sounding utterly pitiful, Country told him, “I’m just gonna be in here tending to my wounds.”
“Yeah, just like I thought. You sorry ass is gonna milk this shit for everything it’s worth.”
“Damn straight.”
It was good to see that after everything he’d been through, Country still had his sense of humor. I could tell Rafe felt the same. As he rushed down the hall, he shouted, “Gotta catch up with Axel before he has my ass.”
I glanced over at the clock on the wall and saw that it wouldn’t be long before Frankie would be heading over to my place.
I needed to get some things done before she arrived, so I decided to go on over to the house.
It was a good thing I didn’t wait because the place was a mess, and there was a rancid smell coming from the kitchen.
I threw the dirty dishes into the dishwasher, took out the trash, and wiped down the counters.
I’d just started to toss my dirty clothes in the washing machine when I heard someone knocking.
I quickly shoved the rest of the clothes into the washer, then closed the lid.
I took a moment to wipe my hands off on my jeans, then went into the kitchen.
When I opened the door, I found Frankie on my doorstep, and as usual, she looked fucking incredible.
Her dark hair was pulled up into a messy bun, and she was wearing jeans with a fitted black sweater that accentuated the alluring curve of her breasts.
While her clothes looked like something out of some fashion magazine, it was her eyes that got me right in the gut, making it damn near impossible to keep my cock in check.
Fuck. I would’ve thrown her over my shoulder and taken her straight to my bed if it hadn’t been for that doleful expression on her face. Before I even had a chance to say hello, she asked, “Why did you stop at the park?”
“What?”
“Why did you stop at the park?” she repeated. “Did you go there looking for Corry, or were you just driving by there?”
“I was driving by.”
“Okay...Did you just stop to say hello, or was there another reason you stopped?” I could almost feel the tension radiating off her as she asked, “Did you see Corry or his friends doing something they shouldn’t have been doing? Was he with people he shouldn’t have been with?”
“That’s something you need to discuss with Corry.”
“I’ve tried, but he’s not really telling me much. That’s why I’m here.” Her voice trembled, making the predicament she was putting me in that much harder. “I hoped you could tell me what happened.”
“This isn’t my story to tell, Frankie.”
“And why not? Corry is my son! If there’s something going on with him, I need to know about it.”
“Go with your instincts, Frankie. If you think something is up, then there’s more than likely a reason why.”
“So, he was up to something.”
“I didn’t say that.” She looked utterly defeated as she stood there on my front steps.
I wanted to be able to ease her mind about Corry, but I simply couldn’t do it.
I knew he’d had a hard time with his father.
I’d heard the hurt in his voice when he talked about the things he’d done.
“I know from my own experiences it’s difficult for a kid like him to trust. Hell, I had my own fucking issues with it.
Trust is something that has to be earned, and it takes a lot to fucking earn it.
If Corry trusted me even the slightest, I’m not about to take that away from him.
So, do like I said and follow your instincts. ”
“Okay, fine.” She propped her hand on her hip and huffed, “Can you at least tell me why you took him to your clubhouse instead of just dropping him off at home?”
“I was planning on it, but something came up, and I had to get to the clubhouse.”
“Something came up?”
“Yeah, something came up,” I repeated back to her.
“Good grief.” She crossed her arms with a huff. “Do you have any idea how frustrating you’re being right now?”
I motioned my head towards the doorway. “Come in before the neighbors start thinking you’re harassing me.”
“Harassing you?” she gasped. “You’re the one who’s being a stubborn ass and won’t tell me anything.”
“Just come inside, Frankie.”
Without another word, she walked past me and into the kitchen.
A look of surprise marked her face as she took a quick glance around.
It was a work in progress. I’d installed new tile and appliances but hadn’t gotten around to painting yet.
Frankie kept that look of surprise as she meandered into the living room.
After looking around at the new flooring and fireplace, she glanced back at me and said, “Your house is beautiful.”
“It’s a fucking mess.”
“It’s beautiful.” She turned and studied me for a moment. “Oh, God. I’m such an idiot. I never even thought to ask.”
“Ask what?”
“If you were married.”
I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about our night at the coffee shop. “Little late to be worried about that now, don’t ya think?”
“Answer the question, Roman.”
“No, I’m not married.”
“Girlfriend?”
“Nope. Can’t say that I do. Why the sudden interest?”
“Not exactly sudden.” She turned to look at the picture above the fireplace as she explained, “I just assumed you weren’t in a relationship until I walked in here and saw your place.”
“I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not.”
“It’s definitely a compliment and a big relief.”
“Glad to hear it.” As I started towards the living room, I asked, “Can I grab ya something? A water? Sweet tea?”
“No, thanks. I’m good.” Without waiting for an invitation, she sat down on the sofa and crossed her legs, waiting patiently as I went over and sat down next to her.
Once I was settled, she said, “I’m sorry about earlier.
I shouldn’t have interrogated you like that.
I’ve been so worried about Corry it’s making me a little crazy. ”
“I get that you’re worried, but he’s a good kid, Frankie.”
“I know. I just want to do everything I can to keep him that way, and it’s not exactly easy. It seems the boy is set on driving me to madness.”
“More than likely just a phase. It’ll pass.”
“I’m not so sure.” She lowered her head and sighed. “He’s been through so much. His father isn’t exactly the best guy.”
“Yeah, he told me a little about that.” I leaned back on the sofa as I mumbled, “Seems he and I have that in common. My ol’ man was a real gem, too.”
“Your father was abusive to you, too?”
“You could say that.”
“I’m so sorry. How old were you when it started?”
“Him knocking me around?” When she nodded, I answered, “I guess I was around nine, maybe ten, but that was after years of watching him beat on my mother. Bruises and broken bones were pretty much the norm for us.”
“Oh, God. That’s awful. How did you get through it?”
“You really want to know?”
“Only if you feel comfortable talking about it.”
“Alright, but be forewarned. It’s not a pretty story.”
The memories of my childhood weren’t difficult to recall.
With just a blink, they’d come flooding back one after the next, like water into a sinking ship, but I was hesitant to share.
Frankie looked at me like no woman ever had—like I was someone who actually mattered to her.
I feared once she’d heard what had happened to me, that look in her eyes would fade.
It didn’t. In fact, it seemed to grow even stronger.
I inhaled a deep breath as I told her, “By the time I was in high school, I’d learned to block out the pain.
I barely even felt it when he’d burn me with the butt of his cigarette. ”
“Oh, Roman. That must’ve been so awful for you.”