By the time I woke the next morning I knew he was long gone. What surprised me though was the key left lying on his pillow stuck to a note.
‘House is ready darling. I made a few changes and if you haven’t already guessed I changed the locks. Know how much you want this, Ava. Know that I do too. Call me when your awake baby’
I couldn’t help but smile. This time I knew he was all in. Nothing and no one were going to stop us being happy. After everything we deserve that much.
Grabbing my phone, I got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. I’d phone him once I’d had my morning coffee. After taking care of business, I made my way out and into the bar area. No one was around except Luke.
“Morning Luke”. Yawning I took a seat on one of the bar stools. “You the only one here?”. Just then the front door opened, and Kasey walked in.
“Oh, sorry I’ll come back”.
“No need” I smiled “You want coffee?”. Slipping off the bar stool I watched as she slowly made her way to where I was sitting.
“I’ll make them”. Before I could protest Luke had already disappeared. I could tell this girl was still nervous to be around me. Sitting back down I knew she was hesitant to do the same.
“You can sit down”. I smiled.
“O-Okay”. She stuttered pulling the seat out.
“Has he been here all night?”. I asked her.
“We left around 2 but he had to come back for 5 so pretty much”. She smiled.
“Why’s he still here?”.
“He wanted to make sure the bar was stocked, and everything was clean and ready for today. He really wants this Ava”.
Something in her voice told me she didn’t or wasn’t so sure that she wanted to be a part of this, and I didn’t blame her.
“And what do you want?”. I questioned.
“Luke”. She whispered. “I’ve never felt like this before Ava but sometimes I feel that I like him more than he likes me”.
“Been there but trust me guys like Luke need a strong woman by their side. I’m sure his heads just wrapped up in club stuff, but I will tell you this don’t lose yourself trying to please him”.
“Thats what I’m afraid of”.
Just then Luke walked back in holding two cups of coffee. Taking mine, I noticed how tired he really looked. I was surprised he hadn’t claimed a room here yet.
“Thanks for the coffee, Luke. You staying here all day?”. The boy needed to go home or at least sleep here. I get he wanted to be patched in, but he looked worse for wear. Just then my phoned started to vibrate. “Go home and get some sleep”. Bringing the phone to me ear I couldn’t help but smile.
“Hey you”.
“Who you telling to get some sleep?”.
“You heard that?”. I winced knowing it wasn’t my place to tell Luke he could go home. I felt bad for him he was just a kid.
“Ava”. Hearing him sigh I waited for him to continue. “Stay out of it darling. The boy must earn his patch and respect. Got it?”.
“Yes”. I huffed sitting in a booth at the far end of the clubhouse. I know I shouldn’t interfere but sometimes I couldn’t help it.
“I’m serious babe we all had to go through it and he’s no different”.
“Yes Blaze”. Rolling my eyes, I sipped on my coffee. “Have you managed to get some sleep yet?”. I asked.
“Nah babe but I will now where’s my girl?”.
Smiling I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip. “It’s still early so she’s still with my mom”. Swear my mom would take her everyday all day if I allowed it.
“I’ll catch her later. Now what are you getting up to today? Being good?”. I knew if he was standing in front of me, he’d be smirking.
“Always”. I grinned “But I plan on stopping by the house with the rest of my things”.
“Don’t stay there tonight Ava”.
“What? Why?”.
“Wait until I come home baby, please”.
“Blaze”. I sighed.
I hated when he did this because it made me worry. It made me think something was going on and he wasn’t telling me.
“Promise me you won’t stay there until I’m home”.
“Blaze I-….”
“Promise me”. He sounded pissed and there was no way I was going to piss him off even more by not listening to him not when he was on a job. I didn’t need him to be worrying about me when there’s a possibility, he could be shot dead.
“Okay I promise”. I didn’t like the feeling I had in my gut.
“Good girl”.
I wasn’t going to argue about it. Everleigh and I could spend another few days at the clubhouse.
“Blaze everything is okay, isn’t it?”.
“Yeah baby. Listen I’ve gotta go I’ll call you soon”.
And then he hung up.
“God, I hate when he does that” Slamming my phone down frustrated I continued to sip my coffee. He only ever does that when he’s hiding something. Trying not to think the worst I went about getting ready.
Tying my hair up into a high ponytail I slipped on my leather jacket while shoving my feet into my boots. Blaze was gone for the next few days, and I wasn’t going to dwell on stupid thoughts of something being wrong.
Checking I had my car keys I slipped my phone into my pocket and walked into the bar area. My feet came to a stop when I noticed a familiar face sitting at the bar a whiskey in hand.
Duke.
“You lost?”. I smirked but it soon slipped from my face as I got closer.
Blood.
He was hurt.
It didn’t panic me like it used too. I had been through enough to know that this was normal for them. Although it didn’t stop my mind from spiralling out of control with worry.
“How bad?”.
“I’m fine sweetheart”. As I watched him grit his teeth and reach for the bottle, I knew he wasn’t fine.
“Yeah, you look it”. Did I ever mention they hate asking or taking help from anyone. Frustrated the hell out of me that I had to force most of them to let me stitch them up.
Stubborn asses.
“Just a scratch Ava I’ll be fine after this bottle”.
“Lift your T-shirt and let me see”. Slipping off my jacket I hung it over the back of a chair. He didn’t move. Another stubborn ass man that put his ego before his health. Sighing loudly, I ran a hand over my face. “You’re clearly hurt now take your damn T-shirt off and let me have a look”.
“Aye alright princess”. After he removed his cut, he lifted his T-shirt a hiss escaping my lips.
That was more than just a scratch.
“I’m not evening going to ask just sit here I’ll be back”. I learned a long time ago not to ask questions when they came in hurt. Whether it be bullet holes or broken bones I kept my mouth shut.
Returning a few minutes later I placed my kit on top of the bar. “You good with needles? I need to stitch you up”. Noticing most of the whiskey was gone I had a feeling he wasn’t going to feel it much.
“Do what you need to do”.
That was me told.
Putting in the last stitch I gave the wound another once over with antiseptic spray before placing a white gauze over it. The whole time I was working on him he didn’t even flinch not a hiss or a cry came from him.
“I’m going to prescribe you with some antibiotics that I suggest you take every four hours”. Removing my gloves, I started to pack away my kit. “It’ll stop any infections and clean the wound morning and night got it?”.
“Got it now is there somewhere I can crash for a few?”.
“Pick a room just not Blazes”. I didn’t need to know why he was here which is why I wasn’t asking. It was none of my business. “You do know they’re out of town for a few days?”. Just because I wasn’t asking didn’t mean I couldn’t snoop a little.
“I’m aware darling. Why do you think I’m here?”. He smirked and then everything clicked. He was here to look out for me.
Blaze was up to his old tricks. I didn’t mind that he wanted someone to check in on me when he wasn’t here it was the way he went about it that pissed me off.
“And he couldn’t have picked someone else?”. Duke and I never really got along ever since he tried to fuck with my relationship, but I buried that a long time ago. I didn’t hate him I never could not after he saved my life, but I guess we would always have that witty banter of pretending we did. Could say it was our way of dealing with it even after all these years.
“Ouch princess that hurt”. Pouting he placed a hand over his heart causing me to roll my eyes. “See you in a few hours”. Winking at me he disappeared through the back.
Now it was my turn to grit my teeth. He always did know how to push my buttons.
Placing my kit under the bar I slipped my jacket back on. I couldn’t wait to see my baby’s face. I appreciated everything my mom was doing by taking Everleigh and giving me time to myself but I wasn’t used to it and if I’m honest I didn’t like it.
Call me crazy but I preferred it when she was with me.