Zephyr
The run into town to pick up parts at the auto store gave me something to break the monotony of the past few weeks.
I’d spent my time at Norse Passages, on the compound, or riding outside of Asgard.
When Myron informed me that Everlyn Forrest and her friend were coming to view the custom casket, I made sure I was out—the same for the day of the funeral service.
However, I couldn’t keep avoiding town. And it had been three weeks of not seeing her.
I should have no trouble nodding or even saying hello if I passed her on the street.
I’d worked hard to put her in the untouchable category.
And if my nights had been more restless than usual, well, that was the price I had to pay short-term.
I stopped at the auto store first to get the replacement serpentine belt for my truck. Plus, it needed oil, an oil filter, and new windshield wiper blades so that I could replace them. There was no way I’d pay a garage to do it when I was capable of doing such things myself.
When I was finished there, I decided to go to Roaster’s Roost, the coffee shop down the street, before heading back.
I left my bike at the auto supply and walked.
The weather was beautiful, and a good stretch of my legs would do me good.
When I arrived, the place was about half full.
I entered, and it wasn’t long before I had my coffee and a homemade glazed donut.
I decided to sit outside on the patio while I enjoyed them. There was no way to ride safely while drinking and eating. It was as I pushed the door open that my gaze landed on Everlyn. She was seated at a two-seater table with a man. They were talking animatedly. I halted.
For a few seconds, I debated about turning around and leaving.
But that would defeat all the work I’d done to place her in the uninterested category.
With that firmly on my mind, I resumed walking.
I took a seat at a table that was behind Everlyn and to the left.
I set about arranging my treat. However, my gaze kept being drawn back to them.
They spoke excitedly. Hands were waving. I saw him smile, then laugh.
I studied him despite my resolve not to.
He was in his late thirties. He was dressed in a tailored suit.
His hair was combed back, revealing his face.
I looked for deficits—a weak chin, receding hairline, buck teeth, crossed eyes, or a deformed nose.
The bastard had none of them. He was a classically handsome guy—the total opposite of me.
I knew I had nothing to complain about as far as being able to attract female attention, but I wasn’t on par with him.
Seeing the type of man she was interested in did nothing to lift my mood or to solidify my decision to stay away from her.
The urge to go over there and punch him in the face struck me. I fought to resist it.
I ripped off a bite of donut and chewed aggressively.
I slid my eyes over to Everlyn. She wore a form-fitting skirt that hit a few inches above her knees.
It was paired with a pretty blouse and high heels.
I saw those from the back, but it was more than enough to get my heart racing.
Her hair was twisted up on the back of her head.
I fought the craving to go over and release her hair.
At one point, she reached over and placed her hand on his arm, which was resting on the table. I crushed the rest of my donut into crumbs. Cursing to myself, I dropped it on the napkin I was using and brushed my hand off.
Then, they both leaned toward each other over the table.
I strained to hear, but I couldn't hear what she said. When I heard her laugh, it broke the tenuous hold I had formed. And I knew that I’d been deluding myself for the past three weeks.
I wasn’t capable of staying away from her, even if I tried.
Rising to my feet, I picked up the crumb-filled napkin, and as I walked past the trash can, I tossed it in there.
I came to a stop with my cup of coffee in my hand next to their table.
The man looked up first and gave me a puzzled glance.
When Everlyn’s eyes met mine, they widened. She said nothing.
“Uhm, yes, hello, may we help you?” the guy asked.
“No, just stopping to say hello to Everlyn. How have you been? I heard the funeral was last weekend. You seemed to have survived it. How did you like the casket we made for it?”
He slid his gaze over to her and raised his eyebrows. Finally, she answered me.
“Oh, hi, Zephyr. Allegra and I loved the casket you guys made for Jeremiah. It was beautiful, wasn’t it, Willis?”
“It was. So you’re one of the guys from the Grave Prowlers MC, the motorcycle club that owns Valhalla Caskets. Thank you so much for making it. It was perfect for Jeremiah. He would’ve adored it.”
The man was pleasant, and nothing he said was said with an attitude, but my need to hit him was still there.
“Thanks.” That was all I said to him before addressing her again.
“How did you like the service at Norse Passage and the gravesite? Was there anything we could’ve done better?”
Everlyn shook her head. “No, your team did an excellent job. I can’t think of a single thing that would’ve made it better. Allegra was more than happy, too. Have you been busy?”
There was this sound to her voice that I couldn’t quite fathom. I was grasping for what else to say so the conversation wouldn’t end, but having her boyfriend there was too much. And my need to know grew, causing the next words to spill from my lips.
“I’m sorry for being rude. I’m Zephyr. You already know I’m a Prowler. I oversee Norse Passage funeral home and mortuary.”
He quickly added his greeting as he held out his hand, forcing me to shake it. It took restraint not to crush his damn fingers.
“Hello, I’m Willis Patterson. It’s nice to meet you. I can’t thank you enough for assisting Everlyn and Allegra with all the arrangements. She told me how amazing it was. I’ll definitely have to recommend you to others. It was a massive task that was made tolerable.”
“You weren’t able to be there?” I asked. Why wouldn’t he have helped his girlfriend through something that terrible?
“I offered, but they wanted to handle it on their own.”
Before either of us said more, Everlyn interjected.
“I hate to cut this short, but I’ve got to get back to work. And I expect you do too, Willis. Zephyr, thank you. I hope you have a good day. Enjoy your coffee,” she nodded toward the cup I’d forgotten I held.
Willis swiftly rose to his feet, but before he could maneuver to get behind her chair and pull it out, I did.
Everlyn gave me a tiny smile and murmured, “Thank you,” before standing.
Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright.
Son of a bitch, why was he the one she liked?
When she stepped toward him and away from me, Willis Patterson placed his hand on her lower back.
I gritted my teeth. He gave me a final friendly smile.
“Have a great day.”
As I watched them walk away, I knew one thing for sure. My resolve to have nothing to do with her had been tested today, and it cracked. One more day like this, and that vow would be flushed down the toilet. And at the moment, I couldn’t care less.
One look at Everlyn Forrest, and I acknowledged I hadn’t managed to block her from my mind.
I wanted her even more than before. And the arguments of why we should remain apart weren’t as clear or loud as they were before.
And any reluctance not to interfere in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, or even an engaged couple, though there was still no ring, had evaporated to almost nothing.
I watched them until they were out of sight.
Once they were, I quickly finished my now lukewarm coffee, tossed the cup in the trash, then walked my ass back to where I left my bike.
I kick-started my old-school bike with a satisfying roar, then kicked it into gear.
I liked the classics. As I glided through town, I scanned for them on the sidewalks, but I saw nothing.
On the ride back to the compound, I began to rethink my previous vow. And wonder what it would mean for my life if I found a way to bring Everlyn into my life and into my bed.
Back home, I got to work on my truck’s maintenance.
It was mindless enough that I could do it while, at the same time, thinking about Everlyn.
I knew the first thing I had to do. Or I should say the first couple.
One, I needed to create more run-ins with her to gauge her reaction to me.
There was no use pursuing anything if she wasn't attracted to me. Second, if I determined she found me intriguing, I’d have Fenrir investigate Willis Patterson.
It was always better to know as much as you could about your adversary.
Finally, I’d pull out all the stops to win her.
I was almost finished with the truck’s maintenance when I heard my name shouted. It was Fenrir. He came striding into my garage.
“What’re you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at work?” I asked.
“I was, but it’s quitting time, brother. How long have you been in here working on this thing? You left for town four and a half hours ago,” he replied.
Checking my cell phone, I saw it was five fifteen in the afternoon. I swore.
“Shit, it’s that late! I lost track of time. I’m almost done. What brought you over other than to harass me?” I asked, grinning.
Fenrir smirked back. “It’s what I live for, you know that. I came to see if you had dinner plans tonight. I thought about going to town and eating somewhere. I’m tired of my cooking, and I sure don’t want yours.”
“My cooking skills are phenomenal. You’re just jealous. Did you have somewhere in mind?” I asked him.
Fenrir shrugged. “I’m flexible. Do you want to stick to the two of us or invite the others? If you prefer that it’s just us so we can talk, I’m cool with that.”