Page 52 of Forgiveness
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Flux
“You want anotherone? I don’t think we’re done drinking to your homecoming.” Smokey’s words slurred together as he held up the bottle of Jack Daniels and wiggled it between his fingers. “This party isn’t over until we have to break out another two.”
Flux laughed along with the crowd that had formed around the bar after church, just like they’d always done when he was an active member. It was like he’d never left.
Smokey poured another round and slid them across the bar. As Flux downed the shot and the whiskey burned into his gut, he glanced around the room and saw that after all these years, nothing had really changed—but that everything was so damn different for him.
Tank was fucking Charlotte on the pool table, going at her from behind like a rabbit on steroids, and Kristy, Lola, and Brandi surrounded Hubcap, as per usual. Everyone around Flux was going all out and having themselves a good time. The guys never stopped living their best lives, and as much as Flux wanted to join in on the party and forget his life for a little while, it wasn’t that simple anymore. What once was the only thing he lived for, losing himself in debauchery and over-indulgence, now made him kind of fucking sad. Flux wanted more in his life than a steady stream of booze and weed and throwing chicks out of his bed.
Fuck. I want Maggie.
The thought solidified in his brain until everything became crystal clear with the kind of clarity he hadn’t had in years. As much as Flux loved his brothers and wanted to party with them, one crucial part of his heart was missing—Duchess. He wondered what Maggie would make of the MC, but he hoped that someday he could show this part of his life to her and that she’d understand and accept it. A life that screamed at him to reclaim, and now that he’d found a new lease on life with Maggie by his side, the pull to his old life was stronger than ever.
Flux put his forehead on the bar and took a deep breath. He was a fucking goner for his Duchess. It was never more evident to him as he watched his brothers drink, fuck, and smoke the time away, while he played the goodie two shoes who couldn’t wait to get back to his woman.My woman. I like the fuckin’ sound of that.Flux had only felt that way about one other woman, and he’d done the right thing back then too. He’d claimed Alicia and married her, promising to never let her go, and then she was taken from him.
Flux would never let that happen to Maggie. He’d never make the mistake he’d made with Alicia, and he’d keep Maggie safe at all costs. Anything else, like ignoring his feelings because it was hard and fucking complicated and not the right damn time was all utter bullshit. When it was right, it was right, and he refused to let Maggie slip through his fingers because he was scared of what might happen to her if he let her into his life.
“Rosie’s been waiting for you, bro,” Smokey said as he tapped Flux on the shoulder.
Flux jerked his head up, rubbed his eyes, and glanced out the window at the streaks of red and gold painting the sky.
“I’ve gotta get back. See you in the morning in Kremmling.”
“I thought you were staying the night,” Smokey said.
“I changed my mind.”
“But Rosie’s so ripe, dude. Are you sure you—”
Flux cut him off with a grin that was so damn wide that it hurt his fucking facial muscles because they hadn’t been used like that in a long time.
“You look like a fuckin’ demented clown.” Smokey howled.
“Whatever. See you tomorrow.” Flux bumped fists with a few of the brothers, then walked out into the cool air. The sweet scent of wildflowers danced on the soft breeze and a flock of birds squawked overhead as he jumped on his bike and switched on the engine. In less than five minutes, he was on the main highway making his way to Maggie.
An hour later, when Flux pulled up next to Maggie’s truck in the parking lot, he could barely function from the sudden nerves that shook through him—the kind of vibrations that ripped through him as if he tore across a rumble strip on his motorcycle. What the fuck did he say in this kind of situation? Fuck him, he was lost and idiotic.
He took his phone out of his pocket and quickly sent a text.
Flux:I’m back, Duchess. Need u.
The idea that he might get to see her soon sent a ball of excitement to the pit of his stomach like he was a damn seventh grader with a hard-on for the first time.
Flux rolled his shoulders and tried to get ahold of himself before he headed to all her usual haunts. Maggie wasn’t in the stables or in the mess hall, and he knew she wasn’t in the ring because she wasn’t scheduled until later on the docket that night.
“You looking for Maggie?” Jack stopped Flux in his tracks halfway outside the stables.
“Yeah. Have you seen her?”
“She was here earlier helping one of the newbies, but I haven’t seen her since.”
Flux scrubbed his face with his fist, ignoring the bad gut feeling brewing in the back of his head. “Have you seen Chet lately?”Fuck, I hope I’m wrong.The asshole cowboy wasn’t one to give up, and Maggie was vulnerable without Flux on the grounds. A flare of liquid rage burned in his belly funneling out through his arms and legs as he considered the possibilities of what she could be doing with him.
“No, I haven’t seen him either. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.” Jack brought a rag to his face and wiped some of the face paint off his skin then meandered away toward the washroom.
There was only one area left to check and Flux had a sinking feeling that he was right on the money where his Duchess was on the property.Let me be wrong.He booked it toward the back rooms, his surroundings a blur.
