4. Maddox

Chapter 4

Maddox

I 'm working on Bull's bike at The Heartlands Garage. I have my wrench in hand trying to get a bolt off, and it's not wanting to give. I'm already frustrated, just like I am any other time that Bull is around. Even though he knows nothing about the way I feel toward Emma, I still can't help but resent him a little, because the fact is I know he wouldn't want me with his stepdaughter.

"Damn, brother, what's taking you so long?" he asks me.

I take my hat off and wipe my forearm across my forehead and then put my hat back on. I get back to work without looking at Bull. "It's just giving me a hard time. I'll get it."

"Look, dude, I don't have all night," he mumbles.

I roll my eyes because, honestly, what else would Bull be doing besides hanging here or over at the Ride or Die? "Yeah, yeah. I'm on it," I tell him.

He clears his throat. "You coming to the Ride or Die tonight?"

I shrug my shoulders. "I wasn't planning on it."

I know exactly why he's asking me. I've heard the rumbling through the garage and then over at the Ride or Die that they're planning some kind of party for Emma, but there's no way that I want any part of that. I feel like I've spent the last three years trying to avoid her and trying to forget the feel of her in my arms, the smell of her on my fingers, the taste of her on my lips. I definitely don't want to see her right now, not when I'm on edge the way that I am. Three years without pussy is hard on a man, but the truth is I can't even look at another woman.

Bull stands up and stomps over towards me and his bike. "What the fuck, man? You never come to any of the parties or anything anymore. It's Emma's coming home party."

At that, I glance up at him and try to keep the longing out of my voice. "Is she coming home for good?" I've told myself over and over that I'm not going to stand in the way of her dreams. I know that she's the type of person that could do anything, and I don't want to stand in her way.

Bull shakes his head side to side. "Nah, just spring break."

I press my lips together and nod my head. "Hmm. I'm busy tonight."

I pull the ball cap lower across my forehead so that he can't see my eyes. It's hard hiding my feelings to one of my best friends, but the fact that he's her stepdad makes it impossible to come clean. No, I just need to keep doing what I've been doing. I can avoid her any time she's home. I can avoid her until she finally settles back here, and then once she does, I'll see if there's any chance for us then.

Bull grabs a bottle of water out of the refrigerator and then stalks back over to his seat. He no sooner sits down than I hear his phone ding. Thank goodness. Maybe he'll give me a break and talk to whoever's on his phone. "Son of a bitch," Bull exclaims.

Wanting a reprieve from my thoughts, I look over at him. "What is it?"

He holds up his phone. "I just got a text from Kate."

I shrug as if it's no big deal. Kate's his wife, Emma's mom. I'm sure he gets plenty of texts throughout the day from her, so I can't help but wonder what he's pissed off about. "What's up?" I ask.

He shakes his head, and his forehead creases. He looks a cross between pissed and ready to kill somebody. He holds his phone up as if I can read it from across the room. "Looks like Emma's bringing a friend home, and Kate says I have to be nice to him."

My hand tightens on the wrench. All I can do is blink at Bull. It's like I have tunnel vision. I feel hot all over, and there's a heavy weight that's on my chest. I stutter out the words, but finally get them out. "Is Emma bringing a boy home?"

Bull is gruff when he answers me. "Fucking looks that way."

As soon as he says the words, I get back to the bike. In one twist, I'm able to break the bolt off easily. I guess all it takes is for me to get pissed off to get the super human strength to do something. I work on replacing the part. I do it swiftly, without even thinking. I've done this job a thousand times, and I could almost do it blindly. My thoughts go to Emma. Even now after all of this time, she's all I think about, and even though I've succeeded in avoiding her, I still know what's going on. I'm still able to keep an eye on her through Bull, Kate, and the rest of the club, but this is the first time that she's ever brought a boy home. It must be serious. My heart starts to race in my chest.

As soon as I'm finished replacing the part, I stand up, wiping my hands on the towel that I had in my back pocket. "What time did you say that party was tonight?" I ask Bull, avoiding his eyes.

He comes over to inspect my work. "Nine o'clock"

I give him one look. "I'll be there."

I don't know if I should be worried or not when he doesn't seem surprised. Now, all I have to do is go to this party tonight and see her with another man. I don't know if I'm a glutton for punishment or what, but there's absolutely nothing that's going to keep me away. Not this time.