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6
Madeline
After Toby left, I moped around the house until after lunch. He told me he was meeting Kaleb for lunch. As much as I wanted to go with my brother, I knew better. He was in town to help the club with their security and train Grizzly. Toby’s time was limited. I wouldn’t let my personal issues interfere with the club. Believe me, it wasn’t easy staying put knowing he’d see Storm.
Tara rushed around the house packing her suitcase. “I’m worried about you, Mads.” She and Steph were going to Richmond to visit a mutual college friend for the week. They’d invited me to tag along, but I declined. I wasn’t in the right headspace, and I couldn’t leave if Storm wanted to talk. Fixing things with him was my first priority, and I wouldn’t miss the chance if the opportunity presented itself.
I waved her off. “I’ll be fine. After the shit storm last night, please, go have some fun.” My life may have imploded, but I wasn’t that selfish. I wouldn’t guilt my friends into staying with me even though I was hurting so much I could hardly breathe.
“He’ll call. I’m sure of it.” She dropped her tote bag at the door. “That man loves you more than his Harley.” Tara winked, trying to lighten the mood. “He just freaked out, but you haven’t lost him.”
“I hope you’re right.” Not knowing what would happen made me physically ill. I felt like a drug addict going through withdrawals. My skin was clammy, my heart raced unbelievably fast and I couldn’t stop shaking. I didn’t sleep last night and couldn’t eat today. I didn’t want to live without him. “What if I don’t have a choice? And he ends it?” I’d be completely devastated and shatter into a million irreparable shards, if I lost Storm again.
Tara dropped onto the sofa beside me, kicking her heels up on the coffee table. “That won’t happen, Maddy. But if it did, you’d survive. You’re strong, babe. After everything you’ve been through with Dane, there is nothing you can’t handle.”
“Death is a kinder alternative than life without Storm.” I loved him with every cell in my body. Every breath I took. Every beat of my heart had his name engraved on it.
“Shit, Mads. Now I’m afraid of leaving you if you’re gonna talk about death like this.” She took my cold hand into her warm one.
I rolled my eyes. “Sorry, that’s not what I meant.” I sounded like a stupid, weak woman. Extreme and over the top. I didn’t care, but I didn’t want Tara to worry about me. I wouldn’t actually do anything crazy.
Tara squeezed my hand. “Please come with us.”
“I can’t. Storm said we’d talk when he got back to the club later.” No way would I leave town after what happened last night. Tara was right, Kaleb was freaking out. I wouldn’t abandon him when he needed me most.
“Oh, please. Make him wait like he made you.”
“No, I don’t play games. You know this.”
Tara checked the time on her phone. “I need to go. You’ll be okay? You’re sure?”
“I’ll be fine.” I jerked my chin out the window. “AJ is standing watch.”
She nodded, biting her thumbnail. “K. Call me if you need anything.”
“Have fun.” I hugged her and she rushed to her car.
The quiet swallowed me whole as I wilted on the sofa. My chaotic mind conjured every possible scenario of what may happen when I saw Storm. I hated how my imagination was stronger than my good sense.
Pull yourself together, Maddy. You’ve got this. Storm is yours.
I rubbed my tattoo, swirling my finger over it. I remembered the day I became Storm’s property, felt the heat of his large hands on my body when he held me through the pain. He’d soothed me with sweet words of encouragement. Kissing me often. Art had called us disgusting because we didn’t hide our affection. Yeah, we were disgusting alright, disgustingly in love with each other. Always hot and desperate. I wrapped my arms around my shivering body. I ached for his touch, for his lips on mine. Needed to hear him call me Angel.
I didn’t do well with conflict. For most of my life, I played nice to avoid drama and confrontation. When I grew into a teenager and started dating, I was the sweet,agreeable,girl next door.
Not anymore, though. I wasn’t the girl I was back in my hometown of Garrison, South Dakota. Or even the woman I was when Dane and I were together. Being sweet and non-confrontational had cost me big. Dane not only manipulated me, but he verbally and physically abused me, knocking me around when it suited him. He forced sex on me, cheated because I was “awful” in bed.
He nearly destroyed me.
Eight months ago, I got out from under him, swearing off men… until Storm appeared out of nowhere like a freaking thunderstorm.
Fisting my hands, I hopped off the couch and paced. I reflected on my life. How did I get to this very place, separated from the only man I ever loved?
Storm was my person.Mine.
I was damn tired of waiting for him to finally be ready to talk.Get ready, Storm, I can’t wait any longer.I was prepared to launch myself right into the middle of some ugly conflict. Prepared to confront his ass and chew him up one side and down the other for kicking me out of our bedroom. For running away from me.
I was done being agreeable, and all out of patience.
