Page 100 of Army
Chapter Twenty-Two
“This is soscrewed up,” Ronica said as she buttered her croissant. “I never thought this motorcycle club thing would matter. It’s so medieval. If he chooses some stupid-ass feud over you then he doesn’t deserve you. You’re an intelligent, strong, and vibrant woman who deserves so much better than all this bullshit. And what the fuck’s up with your brother?” She took a bite and looked at Mia, waiting for her response.
Mia forced a smile and played with the sugar cube that came with her café au lait.I can always count on Ronica to pull me up.“You’re right, it’s just that it hurts so bad. It’s been three days, and I thought for sure he’d call me by now. I get that he was pissed and shocked to find out that Vic’s my brother, and I know it hurt worse that the knowledge came from his club and not from me, but get over it already. I can’t believe that he’d walk away.” She crushed the cube between her thumb and forefinger, and the white powder looked like snow as it fell on the tablecloth.
“I still can’t believe it. He really seemed into you. I’m so sorry,” Ronica said.
“He told me he loved me.” Mia’s voice hitched.
“I didn’t know that.”
“I would’ve been ecstatic about it if the circumstances were different.” Mia pushed her uneaten croissant away from her. “I just don’t know what else to do. I’ve texted and called him so many times that it’s starting to feel like I’m a fucking stalker or something. He hasn’t reached out at all. I guess it’s over.” She blinked rapidly.
“I don’t know what to say. The guy’s an asshole for what he’s doing to you.”
“He’s just really hurt, but I didn’t mean to hurt him. I’d hoped he’d look past all the bullshit with my brother and his dumb club. If I wasn’t in such pain, I’d be rolling on the floor over the ridiculousness of the situation.”
“Let me know how I can help. If you want to go out and get drunk on Saturday, I’m there. I can bring you a care package of chocolates or bubble bath—or how about some red wine, and cheese and crackers?”
Mia laughed. “That sounds great, but I don’t think my trainer would agree. I guess I want to spend a few days feeling sorry for myself, but I may be sick of my self-pity by Saturday and give you a call. For the next few nights, I’m going to be sweating my grief out at Champion. I’ll bounce back … I always do.”
“Okay. I just hate that you have to go through this.”
Mia glanced at her phone, her insides twisting when she saw there were no messages or calls from Army. “It sucks, but I did love being with him.” Her bottom lip trembled and she bit it.
“I hate to leave, but I have an appointment in about fifteen minutes. Are you coming back to the salon?”
She shook her head. “I’m done for the day. I’m going to Champion. I need a good, mindless run. I’m just going to finish my coffee. See you tomorrow.”
Ronica opened her purse and laid down a ten-dollar bill. “That should cover my share and tip. I’ll call you later tonight.” She scooted the chair back and stood up then walked out of the coffee shop.
Mia stared at her phone, willing Army to contact her. It’d only been three days since she’d seen him, but it felt like years. Her body ached for him and her mind craved his conversation. She missed everything about Army: his scent, his laugh, his touch, his kisses, the sound of his voice …How could you leave me … us? You told me you loved me, yet you left me. I miss you too much.She dabbed the corners of her eyes with the napkin and took several deep breaths. After all they had shared, the only thing she had left was the raw pain of an aching heart.
Mia quickly wiped the wetness from her cheeks and picked up the bill and went to the front counter. On the way to Champion, she tortured herself as she drove by the restaurants they’d gone to, the streets they’d walked down hand-in-hand, and the clubs they’d danced at. Staring at Sound Nightclub’s unlit sign, she could feel his hands skim over her body as they danced close together with her head resting on his chest as she listened to his heartbeat. Mia pulled over and placed her head on top of her hands on the steering wheel.I can’t believe it’s over. I love him and he loves me. How can it end?Several minutes later, she swallowed hard and squared her shoulders then pulled away from the curb and headed over to Champion.
No one but Taylor knew what had happened between her and Army. The day he had pounded the crap out of the lockers, no one had noticed; the music had been blaring and they’d had several mini matches going on, so most of the fighters were at the other end of the gym. Mia was grateful for that because the last thing she wanted to do was answer a bunch of questions or see the pitiful look in anyone’s eyes.
She’d just changed into her sports clothes to run a few laps around the gym before training. Mia noticed Taylor standing by the ring watching Raptor and Chainsaw spar. As soon as his gaze met hers, he gave her a wan smile. She waved at him, but before he could make his way over to her she walked up to the lap lane, put in her earbuds, and started jogging slowly. Images of Army stabbed her brain as she began to run, hoping to clear her mind. She turned up the music, desperate to not think or feel anything.
As she ran around the gym, tears poured down her face.Why am I so upset? Once he found out who my brother was, I knew he’d never stay.What had she expected? That he’d leave his club for her or risk the members’ lives just because they had something before all the chaos erupted? She wiped her cheeks, but the tears kept coming. The pounding music didn’t drown out her thoughts. She tore out her earbuds and they dangled past her waist and bumped against her thighs as she picked up the pace. Her feelings were all jumbled like hangers at the bottom of a closet. Did he really love me?Mia ran faster, ignoring the pain in her left calf.How could I never see him again?He’d crashed into her life with all the finesse of an angry bull, and now he’d walked away and shattered her life by his silence.
“Mia! Stop!” Taylor’s voice boomed behind her, but she just picked up the speed even though her body screamed in discomfort.
Taylor was also gaining speed, so she pushed on until her chest suddenly became constricted, then she began to wheeze as she tried to gulp in air. Taylor grabbed her arm, and she collapsed on the ground into a weeping, gasping mess.
“Don’t take it so hard, Mia.” He drew her into his arms, and she rested her head against his chest. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered as he held her.
As her breathing slowly returned to normal, she realized that she wasn’t having a heart attack; it was just her heart breaking into a million pieces.
“What the fuck were you doing?” Rick’s voice sounded jagged like broken glass.
“She’s okay now,” Taylor answered.
“Bullshit.” Rick bent down and gently straightened her left leg.
“Ow!” The rush of pain felt like a hot poker stabbing her.
“You’re injured. Why the hell did you keep running on an injured leg?” Rick’s fingers lightly massaged her calf. “We need to ice this. I’ll help you up, then lean on Taylor and me. Don’t put any weight on your leg.”
