Chapter 14 Ford
FOURTEEN
FORD
I felt ridiculous holding the massive bouquet of roses.
There were several eyes on me as I used my free hand to loosen the top button of my dress shirt. My dad glanced over at me, and I knew he was trying to tell me to stop fidgeting. We weren’t in our cuts, and it made me feel naked without it.
“One more hour, Ford.” My dad warned, leaning in close.
I gave him a hasty nod. This wasn’t anything new for me, but now that I had stepped into the role of president of the Stone Riders, it seemed difficult to leave my house without my cut.
There was also the fact that Royce Quinn had once again found a way to slide beneath my skin.
I’d ignore the worry that she’d never left and that she might actually be in my very veins.
For two glorious seconds, I thought we’d have peace, and I had daydreamed what that might look like.
I should have known, like always, it would look like a fight, her pretty pink lips pursed tight as she fought against the slew of curses, she likely wanted to throw at me.
Her sapphire eyes glimmered with anger, and that rosy flush that crept up her neck and even tinged the tops of her breasts.
When Connor had suggested moving her, I didn’t even give him the chance to suggest anything other than placing her head in my lap.
I knew she was pissed at me, and fuck if I hadn’t been pissed at her, but something visceral cracked open my chest at the idea of her being anywhere else.
Once Connor left, I had traced Royce’s face and gently pushed pieces of hair away from her brow.
The drawer I hadn’t allowed myself to open in such a long time was exposed and spread everywhere in my chest. It was a mess of things I hadn’t gathered back together yet, and for the time being, I was letting it all sit there.
Until I was strong enough to build all that shit back up once more.
She made one crucial mistake with me, and that was revealing that she didn’t like Jasmine sitting in my lap, or me spending any time with someone other than her.
Royce was possessive of me…jealous even.
Fuck, that thrilled me.
It was a rope in a sea of stars that I would tug on, yank and mangle into submission if I had to, because while I had been angry with her all this time, I finally realized I didn’t need to be.
My dad’s elbow jamming my side had my head lifting.
The lights were still low in the auditorium, and my sister took the stage again as the star performer of the night.
There was a name for her role, but fuck if I remembered it.
She’d been dancing since she was a little girl, and I knew her having her own showcase, and even earning a spot in some prestigious dance academy was worthy of all the accolades she constantly received.
Tonight was one of those showcases where Mom, Dad, and I showed up for the full two hours and then went to dinner together to celebrate her. Ellie flitted across the stage like a leaf blowing in the wind.
She was graceful and nailed every single turn, leap, and whatever else the fuck she did.
As a big brother, I was proud, but I was also distracted.
Killian: Wanted to pass this along- Royce found it today while she was up at the cottage.
*Attached image*
Why the hell was Royce up at the cottage? Had she been there alone? Son of a bitch.
The audience clapped right as another text came across my phone.
Rev: Two wolf cubs were just spotted leaving your house.
My eyes narrowed on the screen, making sure I read that right.
Me: As in Royce and Taryn?
Rev:…
Motherfucking shit. I glanced up and saw the next set being transitioned onto the stage.
Rev:…
Me: TYPE FUCKING FASTER
Dad elbowed me in the arm right as another text came through.
Rev: Yes.
Fuck.
“Ford,” my dad whispered angrily.
I handed him the roses. “Sorry, I have an emergency. Give these to Ellie, please.”
His eyes were harsh as he watched me stand up and walk out.
I felt guilty as hell for causing a disturbance as they were right in the middle of an intensely dramatic scene.
The violins were in a loud crescendo as some man dipped Ellie.
I was about to push through the exit doors when I caught sight of a familiar face.
I did a quick double take, but when I looked back, he was gone.
My eyes had to be playing tricks on me, but to be sure, I quickly sent out a text.
Me: Did I just see you in Rose Ridge at a ballet concert?
I tucked my phone back into my pocket as I made my way outside. My bike was parked next to the building. Once I reached the leather saddlebag, I pulled my cut out and slipped it over my shoulders. That’s when my phone buzzed again.
Rook: What the fuck sort of question is that?
I smirked down at my phone while I quickly typed out another message.
Me: I swear I saw you in the Rose Ridge theater of arts.
Rook: Well, I’m not. Besides, why would I show up to watch your sister dance?
He was right, of course, and I laughed off the notion that I saw him until I realized…
Me: Never mentioned Ellie was dancing.
Rook’s dots danced a few times, then stopped. He was difficult enough to reach, so I decided not to push it and changed the subject.
Me: How about this…you tell me if you’ve been in the cottage recently, so I don’t go tear your house apart board by board to make sure there isn’t some person leaving behind boot prints in your bedroom.
Rook: …
I glanced around me while I straddled my bike and punched out a reply.
Me: Just answer please.
Rook: Don’t tell anyone, I don’t want it known that I’m back. Yes, it was my boot print, and me outside when Royce was finished cleaning. She looked really upset by the way, and then I think I scared her.
I tipped my head back in frustration, but also relief. The tightness in my chest was unbearable, thinking Royce might have been in the cottage while someone else was there.
Me: I won’t say anything…but you were at the recital?
Rook: What difference does it make if I’m at the recital, maybe I’m dating one of the dancers.
I laughed as I punched out a quick reply.
Me: Whatever you say, but if you are in town would it kill you to find a way to come see me?
The dots danced for a minute or so before the screen transitioned to an incoming call.
“Connor?”
Yelling echoed from the background before he shut a door. “Wanna tell me why the fuck Royce and her sister just pulled up to my house with a box of her old stuff, asking why I gave it to you?”
Oh, fuck.
Running my hand over my jaw, I blew out a breath. “I’m on my way.”
Another female shout echoed from his side of the phone. “You better fucking hurry, Ford. I should not be dealing with this.”
I ended the call, about to pocket my phone when Rook’s text appeared on my screen.
Rook: I’ll try, but there’s some shit that’s a bit complicated…I don’t know how long I’ll be here.
I shot back a quick reply before sliding the device into my front jacket pocket.
Me: Okay, stay safe.
I arrived in less than ten minutes because Connor’s parents lived in an older neighborhood near the river.
I didn’t see Royce’s bike anywhere, or Taryn’s.
Instead, there was a familiar Jeep that I remembered the Quinn sisters sharing in high school, parked in front of Connor’s garage.
I parked on the opposite side, in case she had the inkling to hit it or something.
Connor had told me last night that his parents were in New York visiting his little sister, so they weren’t home and no one was there to protect Connor from the Quinn sisters murdering him.
I jogged up the front steps and pushed through the front door, already hearing Royce yelling from somewhere near the kitchen.
It was a straight shot from the small circular foyer to the long hall that would connect to the kitchen and open-concept living room.
The hardwood gleamed as I kept my gaze low, still trying to figure out what the hell I was going to say, and then Connor’s dark head of hair came into view.
It looked mussed from sleep, skewed and sticking up everywhere, but my focus was on the familiar black hoodie he was wearing.
On instinct, I swung my gaze over to Taryn who was watching me with furrowed brows and panic stamped across her features.
She was worried I’d say something about it.
I raised my brow at her, as a way of silently reminding her what I had said about going to war with me.
If she tossed me some help in this situation, then I wouldn’t bring any attention at all to what her big sister’s ex-boyfriend was wearing.
“Ford, fucking finally!” Connor sighed. His arm swept wide as if to hand the entire conversation over to me. Royce’s scowl was so intense I took a step back.
“You called him?”
Connor sounded exasperated. “Of course I called him. He’s the one you have the issue with, not me.”
“That’s my stuff, Connor. You had no right to give it to Ford.”
Connor was about to defend himself when I finally spoke up. “He didn’t.”
Blue eyes rimmed in white glared back at me as Royce crossed her arms and waited for me to expand. Except I didn’t want an audience for this.
“Can we talk somewhere private?”
Taryn’s nose flared as she swung her gaze to her sister and back to me. I knew she had something to say, but she was fighting it. Royce seemed to think so too as she glanced over at her sister expectantly.
“We can talk here.”
I shook my head. “It’s private, and if you broke in to my house, then there’s shit you missed. At least let me give you all of it.”
“I’m not going to your house, you’ll probably mur—”
“Aww fuck. He isn’t going to hurt you, Royce. Just go talk to him. You’ve been badgering me for almost half an hour about this shit, and he’ll answer all your questions, go with him.”
Indecision flickered in her expression as she checked back with Taryn silently.
“You should go, Royce.”