Page 6 of Savage Bond

“Oakley… I'm not sure.” Storm scratches his jaw. His beard is starting to come in thick. I wonder how long he’ll keep it for. The old timers keep telling us we need to grow long, thick beards if we’re going to be in a motorcycle club. Apparently, we’re ruining the image of the Savage Wolves by looking too young.

“Oakley would be a tiger. She’s bold, confident, energetic, and determined.”

“Yeah, I can see that.” Storm grins as he sits back in his seat again. “How long do you think I have before one of them comes out here to yell at me for being a jerk?”

“Eh, Roxy’s been in a mood since I picked her up. There’s no way she’ll hold her tongue for long… but they know we’re staying here until Porter comes home tomorrow. My guess is they’re taking their time. They probably won't come out of that room until dinner’s here.”

“Well, how do you feel about Mexican food? I need something Dixie loves to get back in her good graces.”

Chapter 4

Roxy

Oakley has her ear pressed against the door and is trying to listen to everything Chopper and Storm are saying. I roll my eyes and turn my attention back to Dixie.

She’s sitting in the corner of her bed with her knees drawn up to her chest. Her arms are wrapped around them and her face is buried in a pillow she has pinned between her arms and legs.

“I don’t know why you keep going after him, Dix. He’s never going to choose you over the club. Plus, he’s old! Why do you want his attention anyway? Why not go after someone like Darren? He’s sweet. He’s much more your type.” I fall back dramatically on my bed, but keep my gaze on her. I feel like a broken record. We go over this at least once a week and have for years.

Oakley loves to dream about everyone getting their happily ever afters. She encourages Dixie to pursue Storm because one day it might happen. I think they’re both dumb. Storm will never go against Dad’s wishes and we all know it. Dixie will be chasing him forever.

“Oh, please! Darren doesn’t even notice me. He’s too busy chasing after you!” Her voice is muffled by her pillow, but I can still hear her.

“Yeah, what’s up with that? Darren’s been going on and on about how much he wants to date you. He was trying to convince me to help him. He seems a little pushy about it.” Oakley turns her attention away from the door to look at me.

“I don’t know. He seems harmless though. He caught up with me before I left school today. He was trying to ask me out, but Chopper shut him down.” I’m practically snarling when I say Chopper’s name.

“Why are you pushing him away? Chopper’s been in love with you for years and you won't give him the time of day.” Oakley pushes because she always does.

“Why would I want to date him?” I grimace at the thought. But it’s all for show. The last thing I need is someone realizing I don’t hate Chopper nearly as much as they all think I do. In fact, I really like him.

It’s easier to pretend I hate him though. I know we’ll never be more than friends, so why would I let myself be like Dixie and sulk over the fact I can’t have the man I want? That’s dumb. I’d rather find a guy I can actually have.

“Because he’s perfect for you!” Oakley tosses her arms up in the air and lets them fall to her sides again.

“Can you even hear what they’re saying out there?” I motion towards the door. I don’t want to talk about my relationship with Chopper, or lack thereof.

“I don’t know. They’re talking about personality traits and what animals people take after.” She waves her hand through the air like she’s trying to erase it all from her thoughts. She’s weird like that sometimes. “It doesn’t matter.”

“I wish I knew why he called me Little Fox,” Dixie whispers.

“Who cares? It’s just a stupid nickname. Stop wasting so much time thinking about it.” I grab my phone off the bed and start scrolling through social media. Anything to pass the time. I don’t want to go out to the living room and talk to Storm or Chopper, but I don’t want to discuss guys with the girls either.

My brows furrow as one message after another appears in my app. Soon dozens of people are sharing a post with me and asking if this is real.

I click on the post and find it’s on Darren’s page. He has a picture of us in a very compromising position… except it’s not real. The picture is in a bedroom and I’ve never spent any time with Darren outside of school.

“Uh… Rox?” Oakley’s staring at me when I glance over at her. Her mouth is hanging open and her phone is in her hand. I know she’s seeing the same thing I am.

“I'm going to kill him,” I growl.

“This is fake, right?” Dixie’s concerned gaze is on my face, searching for the truth.

“Yes! I haven’t done anything with him!”

“What are you going to do?” Oakley asks slowly.

“Well, I'm going to his house so I can punch him in the face.” I jump off my bed and stomp out to the living room.