Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
NEVAEH
What the hell am I doing here? How did I allow Ryann to drag me to the clubhouse? The flower shop is closed today, and I need to get to the gym, Jasper’s waiting for me. I told him I’d be in earlier today than normal.
Jasper’s not just my trainer but a friend of mine.
When I first started at the gym, I did things on my own, but then, noticing I was doing things wrong, he took it upon himself to become my trainer.
I was leery at first, he had to have sensed my apprehension because he made it clear he was gay and had a boyfriend who I also met.
While at the gym, Jasper wormed his way past my barriers.
So when I’m there, I talk to him. He works out with me, teaches me what I’m doing wrong, and listens when I need him to.
Jasper’s boyfriend, a boxing instructor named Milo, even started training me in the boxing ring.
By the time I finish, I’m exhausted, and all I want to do is sleep.
It’s the way I want it, and Jasper and Milo give it to me.
I’ve even opened up to them, and they know what happened to me and how the club rescued all of us a while back.
Neither of them judged me or showed pity in their eyes.
Jasper simply held my hand and said he’d help me in any way he could.
If that meant working myself to exhaustion, he’d do it.
He’d also listen to me when I just wanted to talk.
Other than the ol’ ladies at the clubhouse and Ryann, I didn’t have friends. I mean I used to a long time ago, but not since being saved by the club. Having someone not associated within the bowels of the MC, I can relax.
I check the time on my phone and look at Peyton.
“You okay?” she asks, eyeing me with curiosity.
“Yeah,” I answer and shove the phone back in my pocket. “I just told a friend I’d meet them at the gym.”
“Friend?” Fawn questions.
Sighing, I shake my head. “Yeah, a friend and I’m running late, so I’ll catch you guys later.”
“Okay.” Apricot nods. She’s the only one to know who Jasper and Milo are because they came into the flower shop, and she knows they’ve been working with me at the gym. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the shop.”
“You know it.” I grin and give them all hugs before heading out.
It takes everything in my willpower to keep from looking across the room in Maverick’s direction. But I can feel his eyes on me . . . watching . . . assessing my every move.
Why does it feel good having his eyes on me?
Well not good good, but in a nervous good.
I know he’s always looking out for me, and he’s a good roommate, never bringing anyone home.
I try not to think of where he’d be hooking up with a woman.
Probably here at the clubhouse. Ryann asked him once, and he said he didn’t bring them to the place we all share out of respect for the two of us.
He didn’t want anyone at the clubhouse, making it sound like he wasn’t doing anything at all.
I leave the clubhouse, quickly get in my car, start her up, and head for the gym, where I park next to Jasper’s truck.
I snag my bag off the back seat and get out of the car, eyes scanning my surroundings as I make my way to the doors of the building.
The only place I don’t do this is at the clubhouse.
Anywhere else, I’m on alert. No way will I allow myself to be caught off guard again. Not happening.
Inside, I spot Jasper right away standing with Milo. I bite my lip as both men twist to face me, scowling in my direction.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” I blurt out, heading toward them.
“You think we’re mad with you because you’re late?” Milo asks cocking a brow.
“Well. . .” Of course, I do.
“That’s not it,” Jasper remarks, hands planted on either side of his hips.
“Then . . .” I slowly look between the two of them, my heart pounding, “Why do you look mad at me?”
“Because you didn’t tell us it was your birthday,” Milo snaps, throwing his arms up, his scowl sliding into a smile.
Jasper grabs my hand and ushers me through the gym to the back break room. My jaw drops when we step inside, and my eyes become glued to the cake, flowers, and balloons.
“Happy Birthday,” Jasper starts to sing with Milo and a few others joining in.
Tears well in my eyes and spill down my cheeks, there’s no stopping them. I hadn’t told anyone it was my birthday, yet here Jasper and Milo were surprising me.
“How did you know?” I ask, breathing, hitching to keep from sobbing.
“Babe, it was on your paperwork when you signed up here at the gym,” Jasper answers, coming to put his arms around me soothingly.
“Don’t cry,” Milo says, joining us. “We just wanted to do something for your birthday.”
“But . . .”
“What the fuck is going on here?”
I jump, recognizing the voice immediately, even though it was filled with fury.
I spin around to come face-to-face with Maverick. His body tense as he takes in the two men holding me.
“Who the fuck are you?” Milo demands, moving to stand in front of me.
“Maverick,” I whisper, and Jasper’s arm tightens around me. He and Milo know who he is because of my telling them.
“What are you doing here?” Milo still demands, even though he now knows who he is.
He also knows how I feel about Maverick and . . . oh God . . . Maverick is here at the gym.
“Did you follow me?” I blurt the question out.
Maverick scans the room behind me before bringing those angry eyes back to meet mine. “It’s your birthday? You didn’t tell us?”
“Seems she didn’t tell anyone,” Jasper remarks and steps forward. “I’m Jasper, and this protective lug is my man, Milo. We’re Nevaeh’s honorary brothers.”
Um . . . come again? Did Jasper just say he and Milo were my brothers?
“Maverick,” Maverick grunts, taking a step forward and shaking Jasper’s hand. “I needed to talk to Nevaeh, but she left the clubhouse before I could do so.”
“And you didn’t think to wait until she got home later?” Milo cocks a brow making it known he knows that we’re roommates.
“Considering every time she gets home after leaving here she goes straight to bed, fuck no,” Maverick states, crossing his arms.
“What do you need to talk to me about?” I ask, not worrying about the crowd behind us.
“We’ll discuss it in a little while.” Maverick jerks his chin toward the cake. “Don’t want your cake and ice cream to go to waste.”
Jasper and Milo share a look, then look at me.
“He’s right.” Jasper shrugs. “Let’s do cake, ice cream, and then we’ll give you your present.”
“You didn’t have to get me anything.” I stare at the two of them with wide eyes.
“Sure, we did.” Milo grins. “It’s your birthday and everyone deserves to be spoiled on their day.” Taking my hand in his, he guides me over to the table and with Maverick watching, lights the candles on the cake. “Now, blow out the candles and make a wish.”
My eyes go to Maverick for all of a split second before I close my eyes and do as Milo says making a wish I know will never come true.