AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My classroom door opened and Maddy flitted in. Her baby blues sparkled as her radiant smile chased away all the darkness. “It’s Friday!”
I snorted. “Really? I didn’t realize.”
She stopped in front of my desk and crossed her arms. “Don’t sass me. I want you to come home with me.” She pushed her bottom lip out. “Please, please, please. Storm is going to be busy all weekend, with who knows what.” She rolled her eyes, one of many cute things she did. “I need my bestie. Plus, Sugar, Tina, Jill, and Libby will be around. We can make it a girls’ weekend!”
Christ, her whole face lit up. After everything Maddy had been through with the Hunters, it killed me to decline her invite. I knew she was only doing it because she was worried about me.
I really didn’t want to be alone…
“Sure, I’ll go home with you.” The clubhouse was better than the empty tin box I lived in. I truly didn’t want to regress into my old habits. I’d done so well over the last five years. Not once had I hurt myself to numb my emotions. Maddy had a lot to do with keeping me mentally healthy. But, of course, she had no clue about my inner turmoil and unhealthy coping skills.
Why burden others?
Especially when I’d been doing so well.
“But I won’t stay inhisroom.”
“Deal!”
The door opened again. “Angel?” Storm’s head poked in. Relief crossed his face when his severe gaze landed on her. I’d never seen a man so enamored with a woman the way Storm was with Maddy. He loved her beyond words. “Fuck, baby. You weren’t in your classroom.”
Maddy winced. “I’m sorry.” She bit her bottom lip. “I forgot.”
He went to her, wrapping his arms around her. “It’s okay. I know this arrangement is new.” He pressed his lips to her head. “Hey, Tara. Did my girl convince you to spend the weekend with her? I’d appreciate it if you’d keep her company.”
I knew their game. It wasn’t about me being with Maddy. It was about making sure I was okay. Since I wasn’t, I loved my bestie and her husband for caring about me.
“She even pulled out her pouty lip.” I mimicked what Maddy had done.
Storm dropped his gaze to Maddy. “Damn, Angel. Pulling out the big guns.” His expression was intense, but his voice was soft. He must’ve panicked when she wasn’t in her classroom. Since school started, he escorted her into the building and out. That there was the purest form of love and devotion.
“I’d do anything for Tara.” The sincerity in her blue depths made me swallow the emotion bubbling up in my throat from watching them together. They were the perfect couple despite how different they looked. Storm towered over Maddy, his body spanning three of her. Everything about him was dark and dangerous, right down to the permanent scowl on his face. It disappeared when he was with Maddy. She was his light, his safe haven… his queen.
I stood from my desk, collecting my tote bag. Envy rumbled in my chest. The green-eyed monster banged on the door of my soul. Desperate for what they had. To be adored and loved. Thought I might’ve had a shot at my own happily ever after with Hero.
Yeah, I was an idiot.
I faked a smile. “Well, let’s not waste any more time. I need to run home to grab a few things if that’s okay?”
“Sure,” Maddy chirped, all cute and shit. She wasn’t usually so sugary sweet. But, as Storm had said, she was pulling out the big guns. “Copper will follow you home and to the club.”
I smiled instead of giving her crap about it like I might have months ago. It would only hurt her feelings. “Okay, Mads. I’ll be over in an hour.”
Maddy was the last person I’d ever want to make sad.
Storm had insisted on a prospect guarding me when I moved back to the trailer. I wasn’t sure why at first, but I was grateful. All of the Hunters had been either apprehended or killed. The area was safe again, but I sensed Storm’s decision had something to do with Hero. If Storm had talked to him, he never mentioned it, nor had I asked.
Storm removed Maddy’s book bag from her shoulder and led her to the door. I followed them, turning the lights off before I exited my classroom. I had to admit feeling relieved about not spending the weekend alone. For now, the dark place calling to me was shut down. But it was only a matter of time before I lost the fight and succumbed to the madness.
Loud rock music played in the dimly lit bar. These bikers were an odd mix of Ozzie Osborne enthusiasts who also appreciated the talents of Citizen Cope and Eminem. Then they’d throw everything on its ass when a country song burst through the speakers. The twangy tunes didn’t fit this rough and gritty biker world.
After staying here for a couple of weeks, I’d learned the rare Carrie Underwood song was for Madeline when she was in the bar. And not because she requested it, Storm had. It was sweet how he’d cuddle her on his lap, whispering in her ear and turning her face red. One had to assume he was talking dirty to her. They usually retreated up to their room not long after.
Noise absorbed into my bones while I eyed neon signs in various bright colors on the walls. Booze, leather, and smoke wafted in the air. When I stayed in Hero’s room and hung out with Maddy in the evenings, I’d felt at home here.
Even observing salacious activities between the bikers and kittens was comfortable. The nasty side of me ogled the couples as I would a porn movie. Of course, I pretended I hardly noticed them. I might be a respected second-grade teacher, but every woman had a naughty side whether they cared to admit it or not. In these rural parts, it was better to keep such things to myself. Wouldn’t want shit about me to float through the rumor mill.
My eyes landed on a couple in a corner, getting hot and bothered. I appreciated the members of the club because they didn’t call the women who serviced them whores. Whore was such a degrading word. These kittens seemed to take their jobs seriously. Not one appeared ashamed of fucking multiple men in one night—nor should they. To each, their own was my motto.
