4. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Tripp - three months later

I sat at the bar in the clubhouse and stared down at the phone in my hand.

June: Sorry, not feeling well. I need to cancel our plans for the night.

Well shit. There went the rest of my night. I set my water on the bar and started typing back.

Tripp: Anything I can do? Bring you soup? Shit, I guess that would be awkward since you still live with Barry, huh?

I sent the message even as I shook my head about how sick it made me to do so. Fuck. How did I wind up mixed up with a woman who was married? I swore to myself after the way Kim and I got together that I would never start another relationship with anyone in such a messy way.

The only thing that helped in this situation was that June was obviously in an arranged marriage and we had an agreement that we were just friends for now until she could wrestle the bank out of her dad's grasp when he retired. Despite June's many attempts and hints, I wouldn't be intimate with her until she was divorced, and she knew that. Until then, our plan was to be friends, get to know one another again – as adults.

June: Sorry. I'll make it up to you when I'm feeling better.

Tripp: Ok, darlin'. Take care of yourself. If you need anything just call.

"Hey man, you have mystery plans tonight?" I glanced up to see Breakneck standing there.

"Nah, plans just canceled."

"You gonna tell me about these plans you keep having? Seems to be serious or headed that way and you know we have to vet anyone brought in, especially as an old lady."

"It ain't there, brother. If it gets there, I'll let you know. Until then, I'd appreciate you keeping quiet. It's not something I want in the open."

"Fair enough. Wanna ride?"

"You mean your night doesn't consist of wearing out all the club girls again?" I teased.

"Nah, not feeling it tonight. I need the ride instead, been feeling cagey."

"Let's go." I agreed and jumped up to join my club brother.

"Feel up to heading into Augusta tonight?"

"Yeah, man, that sounds like just the thing. It's been a while since I rode anywhere beyond town limits."

Breakneck nodded, because of course he already knew that shit.

"Kip worried about me?" I finally asked because this impromptu ride seemed a little too convenient.

Breakneck grinned at me. "Maybe, but I honestly needed the ride and time away too."

"You have a thing for Scout?" I asked, wondering if my son hijacking one of the club girls for himself was hitting our boys a little harder than I originally thought it would.

"She's a fun piece, but nah. That's all your boy. If he's smart, he'll lock her down before someone doesn't give her a choice in having to fuck them."

"If someone doesn't give her a choice, they're going to answer to me."

"You know what I mean. She can't exactly turn a brother down if Kip doesn't man up and claim her. We have our brothers coming in from Kentucky next week. You gonna tell them she's off limits?"

"Nope," I shook my head. "He has to claim her, or she has to walk away from the club. Those are the only two reasons she won't be an available body at the party because that's part of her contract with us."

"Fair warning, brother." He huffed out a half-laugh. "I don't see that shit ending well for them."

"I guess we'll see. He's either going to claim her or have to let her go because my boy isn't one for sharing what he considers his."

"Truer words…" Breakneck let that sentiment hover as he put his lid on and started his Harley.

We rode right into the heart of Augusta before Breakneck turned onto Center Street. I groaned because it was obvious that he had a destination in mind. Meanwhile, I thought we'd just get to Augusta, fuel up, and head back. Breakneck obviously had a bigger plan in mind for the night. I hoped he didn't bring me out here to get drunk at a bar and hook up with anyone.

June and I might not be officially dating yet, since she was still married to her husband, but we were serious enough that I wouldn't do that without discussing the dynamics of our arrangement first. Knowing June, she wouldn't agree to us being free to explore other people until her divorce. Then again, it had been three months since we first went out to ‘catch up' and there wasn't even a whisper of when said divorce might happen.

She kept putting me off by saying that her father needed to hand over the reins to the bank first, and once he did, she could file the day after the ink was dry.

We pulled up outside of the Chop House, a pricey restaurant that did not at all look like it was open to bikers as its clientele. It certainly didn't look like a place Breakneck would willingly dine. Still, he parked across the street from the place, and I followed suit. The minute the engines were killed, I started to pull my helmet off, but Break stopped me.

"Leave it on. Wanted you to see something. Wasn't sure it was going to be worth the site until I heard your plans got canceled earlier."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," he stated coolly as he pointed across the street, "you need to keep your helmet on so you aren't noticed and can watch what's happening in the outdoor seating area over there."

I turned to look and after scanning the outdoor area once, I took it slower on the second pass and noticed a familiar woman walking back to a table in the middle. She leaned in and kissed a man who pulled her chair out for her and then sat down with a wide smile on her face. My phone pinged with a text, and I took it out to look while I wrapped my head around that shit.

Breakneck, who had been thinking with his fucking head instead of being shocked by the sight, had sent me a picture of that kiss and her smile.

Fucking June. The woman who claimed her marriage was a convenience only and that she was getting divorced soon, sure did seem very pleased to be out on a date with her husband and their friends.

"How did you know?" I asked my club brother.

"You've been spending a lot of time with her. Found out she was married, but it seemed like you knew that, so I wanted to check out the details. Didn't seem she was on the up-and-up with you. Would have let it go because if you want to do married broads, that's your shit to deal with. When you said your plans were canceled, I guessed you didn't get the real reason for that. If you knew about this, then we'll forget it ever happened and ride back to the clubhouse for a beer."

I nodded my head. "‘Preciate ya, brother." I threw a leg back over my bike and sat there for a minute. "She told me she wasn't feeling well. Know she's married. It's complicated as she's an old flame from before Kim."

"Figured there was history," Breakneck said.

"Don't want this getting back to my kids."

"My lips are sealed. Free advice, Prez." He said and when I didn't stop him, he carried on. "Married bitches are more trouble than they're worth. History or not."

"Seems like it," I stated as I turned to look back at the table again. June was leaned in with her arm around her husband as she used her other hand to wipe something from his mouth. Then, she leaned in further and kissed him again for everyone to see. I started my Harley and backed it out of the spot I'd pulled into. As I waited for Breakneck to do the same, on the road in front of the restaurant, I revved my engine loudly. It caused a bit of a stir as everyone who was dining in the outdoor area glanced over. I knew the minute June clocked me because I was watching her.

My full-face helmet didn't give it away that it was me, but I saw her stiffen all the same, especially when she noticed my club brother with me. He was still backing out, thanks to a kid who ran behind his bike who he had to wait for. She could clearly see the Savage Vipers patch on his cut from where she was seated.

"Yeah, June. Caught ya." I murmured into my helmet. I had no right to be mad. She was married and I knew that going in. Still, it felt like she had grossly misrepresented herself and the relationship she had with her husband. The only thing I could think was that this was all some elaborate plan to fuck with me because of the way I chose another woman over her all those years ago. If that was the case, then fuck that bitch. I hope she enjoyed her revenge. She wouldn't get any more of a reaction out of me than she already had.

I felt my phone buzzing with text messages the whole way back to the clubhouse. Fuck her and any excuses she had for me. I was too fucking old to play these kinds of games with women. That was one of the reasons Davina hadn't been a realistic option. Game playing went hand in hand with most club girls and younger women. Not that I'd ever heard of her being involved in bullshit drama, but still. It was a concern I'd had. It was one that I didn't think would be a worry with June, despite her relationship status, because she was old enough to know better.

Served me right for thinking there was an age limit on bullshit drama.

When we finally got back to the clubhouse, Breakneck hesitated before going in. "You good, Prez?"

"Yeah, man. Thanks for that little trip. It was enlightening."

"Not even gonna bust my chops for digging into your business?"

"Nah. You were doing your job. The results of you lookin' out for me and the club aren't your fault. Head on in and enjoy the rest of your night. I'll be along in a minute."

"I can save one of the girls for you," Breakneck called out as he made his way to the door. He didn't wait for my answer.

I wouldn't be touching any of the club girls tonight. Something I'd learned about myself long ago was that whenever life through a curveball my way, it was imperative to take a moment to process that shit before making any snap judgements or decisions.

Despite my fingers itching to pull my phone out and check the messages she left me, I waited. The night air felt like a thick cloak around me until a sweet voice spoke up from the shadows.

"You look as though the world is on your shoulders and you only just now realized how heavy that is."

I turned to see Davina leaning against the wall, lingering in the shadows cast by a tree that needed trimming a couple years ago and no one had gotten to it yet.

"Getting my mind right about a few things," I answered as she stepped out into the beam of the security light Breakneck and I had triggered when we pulled up. "What are you doing out here alone?" Davina shrugged, which forced her wavy blond locks back off her shoulders to drape down her back. Swear to all that is holy, the woman looked like an angel in that light. Her blue eyes sparkled as she cocked her head to the side and really took me in.

"It almost looks like someone broke your heart."

"Not my heart. Someone broke my trust, though."

"For some people, it's the same thing."

"Nah, those people never had their heart involved if it feels like the same thing," I countered.

"Is there anything I can do to make your night better?" Her question came off shyer and more concerned than alluring and full of inuendo as any of the other girls would have sounded saying the same thing. I shook my head because one thing I wasn't going to do was use sweet Vina as a release while my mind was on another woman.

"I appreciate the offer, but I have some business to deal with tonight. Why don't you take the night off and give yourself a break, though. If anyone gives you a hard time about it, tell them to come see me."

"It's not necessary. I know my place here."

"Your place here isn't conditional on you never having a minute to yourself, sweetheart. Take the night and do whatever you want. Read a book, get some extra sleep, or whatever it is you enjoy."

Her eyes lit up when I mentioned reading a book, so I assumed that was something she enjoyed. It made me smile because I remembered a time when a book was the best gift I could bring someone.

"What do you like to read?" I asked as I got to the door of the clubhouse.

"Anything with a good story and a happy ending," she admitted shyly. I could almost see the blush that bloomed on her cheeks, even though it was too dark for it to be real.

"Good to know. Have a nice night, Vina."

"You too, Prez."

By the time I got inside, the office no longer appealed as a destination, so I grabbed a couple long neck bottles of beer and headed back to my room. I downed a beer, took a shower, got comfortable, and sat in my chair with the other beer and my phone before I bothered to read the messages that flooded my phone on the way home from Augusta.

June: I know that was you.

June: Please, pick up. It wasn't what it looked like.

June: Okay, so you're probably headed back to Danville and can't look at these messages yet. Please, call me when you get in. At least text me to let me know you got there safely.

June: I'm worried about you. You should have been back by now.

June: Seriously, Tripp, it isn't what it looked like. That couple work with my parents and we had to keep up pretenses.

That was the message I decided to reply to.

Tripp: You could have been keeping up pretenses all night long and it wouldn't have bothered me. Fact is, you lied about where you were and why tonight. You could have just been honest about a dinner with business associates, and all would have been good.

June: Says the stalker who followed me.

Tripp: I didn't follow you. Went on a ride with a club brother to Augusta after you cancelled. What were the odds that I'd see you in a fucking restaurant in Augusta when I thought you were home sick? The lies are the problem, June. They'll always be a problem for me.

June : I'll be back in about an hour. Let's meet and talk.

Tripp: No need.

I powered off my cell. There was a landline in my room in case someone needed to get in touch for an emergency. There were also plenty of assholes in the club who could come get me if I was needed. I sucked back the rest of the second beer and then went to climb in bed. I snagged the book I'd been reading the night before and smiled at the thought that maybe Davina was similarly curled up in bed with whatever held her interest.

My eyes inadvertently scanned to the other side of the bed, the one that remained empty, and a longing to fill that spot hit me down to my soul. I was man enough to admit to myself that I was fucking lonely. After having Kim as my partner in life so long, it had been more than difficult to adjust to all the small things where she was missed. Having that person beside you at night to decompress with – even if we're doing our own things – was one of the moments I missed more than I ever thought possible. My mind tracked back to a certain blonde beauty who was probably reading another page of her book at that moment. I allowed myself a minute to indulge in the fantasy of having her here, snuggled into my side as we both read our own books. Fuck.

I rubbed the center of my chest where it hurt in the best way to imagine it. If only she was something I could have permanently. The crazy thing was, I couldn't picture the same peaceful moment with June in a similar scene. She was never one to enjoy a good story, unless it was of the gossip variety. She also wasn't one to just soak in the peace of a moment. Everything had to be go – go – go with her. Somehow, I didn't think that had changed much.