Page 46 of When You Stayed
Jasmine gave me a little wave from her spot near my second in command.
While it was true that I had stayed in Rose Ridge for the slightest possibility that Royce might one day see me, I knew it was beyond pathetic that I continued to wait on her. It had been six years since Connor left, and since she’d been single and available.
If nothing had happened yet, it never would.
With a smile up at the women, I left my helmet on my seat and walked toward the porch where Jasmine fit under my arm and I ignored the buzzing coming from my pocket where my phone was tucked.
Even once I pulled it free and saw the texts waiting there, and her new contact name, I turned it off and tossed it in the office. I didn’t need to reply because it wouldn’t make a difference if I did.
Wild Rose: Where did you go?
Wild Rose: Ford, are you still here? I’m looking all over the place, did you leave?
Wild Rose: Guess I’ll catch you later…
TWELVE
ROYCE
This wasn’tthe best idea I’d ever had; I could admit that. What I couldn’t confess, however, was the real reason I was about to travel across the back of the club property at midnight.
Dad and Mom were both already fast asleep and likely had been for a while. I typically got home around twelve, or later depending on the band that was playing. Tonight, I parked my bike closer to the garage than the house and pulled out my phone.
Me: You close to coming home by chance?
It would be nice to have my sister with me, so I had more confidence about this decision. That or I could ask her to talk me out of it.
Taryn:…No, I won’t be home until morning. Sorry, big sis.
I wanted to ask where she was and why she’d turned off her location sharing, but I was too focused on this terrible idea that Ford had placed inside my head earlier. Julian had ruined the vibe we had going, where Ford had flirted with me in a way that might have led toan overnight situation. Maybe a hookup. I wasn’t sure, but I was interested.
Clutching my phone, I ran upstairs to change into a pair of tight jeans and an even tighter tank top that dipped low enough that my cleavage looked incredible. Over it, I pulled on my leather jacket and then yanked my combat boots back on. I was out the door, quietly shutting it behind me seconds later. I walked my bike toward the edge of the fence line before turning the key over and riding to the clubhouse.
There was no guarantee that Ford would even be there, but it was the weekend and the odds were high that he would be. I was curious about Ford’s departure earlier. I was mad at him, but I liked flirting with him…even if he made it feel like learning another language just to decode if he was, in fact, flirting. He confused me so much. Why suggest having me stay overnight, and then disappear the next second and ghost me?
It only made me that much more confused by his actions. One second he seemed to hate me, the next he acted like he wanted nothing more than to hear my next thought and see how close he could get before actually touching me.
I parked alongside a few other bikes, near the backyard, and dismounted, leaving my helmet on the seat.
Music blared from inside, welcoming me like an old friend. Someone stumbled out the back door, and I shifted to avoid him before taking his spot in the back hall. A few people were making out, backs against the stretch of wall, but I kept my gaze forward. Even when I heard heavy moaning and saw a girl drop to her knees. This felt mildly thrilling, walking through these halls, knowing my father wouldn’t pop up and there wasn’t anyone who would pull me out like a toddler.
Whoever had picked the music tonight had done a decent job. I liked the emotion and angst behind the lyrics. I bobbed my head to the song as I ducked into the kitchen and sidestepped another member who barely gave me any notice. Most of the members were either high or drunk. Which was good, that meant a lot of them were likely sleepy andheaded to bed soon.
The pantry was open, and I knew where the snacks were stored, so I dug in the white box for a treat. Once I had peeled away the wrapper and taken a generous bite, I glanced across the hall into my dad’s office and froze. The door was open, which wasn’t normal if Dad wasn’t in the club. I knew Wes wasn’t here either, so who was in the office?
Creeping forward the slightest bit, I tilted my body enough that the wall hid me as I peered inside. I heard a giggle first, and then a deep, familiar laugh.
One that had recently given me confusing goose bumps.
Realization dawned, and I stopped caring about being seen. I walked into the office, pressing my hand to the door so that it swung wider. A light on one of the desks illuminated enough of the room that I had no trouble seeing what was inside.
With his legs wide, Ford reclined against the cushioned seat with a woman who had long dark hair, straddling his lap. They were both fully clothed, but she was giggling and playing with his hair, while she nuzzled his neck. She couldn’t see me, but Ford’s hazel gaze locked onto mine instantly. There was something that hinted at a challenge in them, but I didn’t know what that meant.
Seeing her in his lap stung my heart like a venomous barb. It throbbed inside my breast, making my nose flare and my air feel constricted. Tears burned at the edges of my eyes and begged to fall, which felt like part of the unspoken challenge. It almost seemed as though Ford wanted to see me break. As if he needed some reassurance that his departure earlier and now finding him like this wounded me.
I could laugh and make a joke about this, but I wouldn’t. Our friendly flirtation was over.
Ford waited to see what I would do even as the woman I now recognized as Jasmine Hersh’s long hair swayed against her back as she pressed another kiss against his neck. He wouldn’t push her away, and if I didn’t leave, then would he fuck her right in front of me?
