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I take Striker’s outstretched hand, and he curls his fingers around mine. He sets both of our bottles on the bar and tugs me towards the floor.
The minute we hit the floor, Striker pulls me in tight against his body. His hands roam down my back and then back up as he moves slowly against me. It’s deliberate and sexy, like we are alone in a bedroom instead of a packed dance club. A tremor shoots through me as he slides a knee between mine. Deep brown eyes lock on mine as he threads his fingers into my hair.
My lips part, and my heart hammers. This feels really fast, but I’m willing to try it, if it gets rid of this hurt inside my chest. I pant as I close my eyes.
A sudden jerk startles me and my eyes snap open. Noel has Striker in a headlock, pulling him away from me. Striker shoots repeating elbows back into Noel’s ribs, but he refuses to let go.
“You can’t fucking take my girl!” Noel seethes. His eyes are boiling with rage.
My jaw drops. This is beyond ridiculous.
Within seconds, Mike and a few other bouncer-type men ascend upon the two tattooed rockers and yank them apart. Noel lunges for Striker while he’s still locked in Mike’s hold.
“Calm the fuck down!” Mike shouts at Noel.
He hauls him backwards toward the door. Noel’s eyes refuse to leave me.
I roll my eyes. We need to seriously talk. He can’t keep interfering with my life.
Striker straightens his shirt beside me, and it’s the first time I notice all the curious stares by the other bar patrons. No doubt all of them are wondering what’s so special about me to cause this fight between two rock stars.
He runs his fingers through his hair. “Blimey. That bloke has issues.” Striker wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Where were we?”
I duck away from his arm and look at the door and watch Mike shove Noel unwillingly through it. The urge to confront him surges through me. We need to end this here and now, for good.
“I’m sorry, Striker. My ride is leaving without me. Maybe some other time?”
He frowns. “Your loss, love.”
The little jab is enough to relieve any guilt I would’ve normally felt for leaving him stranded on the dance floor.
I rush through the club and out the door, just in time to catch up with Mike shutting Noel inside the Escalade. “Wait up! I’m going back with you.”
Mike holds up his hands. “He’s drunk. I don’t think it’s a good time for you to—”
I shake my head. “Now is the only time.”
When I yank open the door, shock registers on Noel’s face. “Lane? I knew you’d—”
I slam it once I’m inside. “Shut it, Noel. I didn’t come here to make up. How could you do that to Striker? I’m trying to move on, damn it. This shit has to end.”
The moment Mike shuts his door, the SUV starts for the bus.
Noel shakes his head. “No it doesn’t. I love you.”
I close my eyes and hold up my hand. “Stop. Stop saying stuff like that. It does have to end. How many times do I have to tell you, I won’t be the other woman!”
He grabs my hand. “You’re not.”
I yank it away. “This ends, Noel. Tonight. Contract or not, I’m done.”
“Lane…”
I turn away and stare out the window. “Please stop talking.”
The rest of the ride back to Big Bertha, Noel doesn’t say a word. The tension is thick and everyone, including the two men up front, can probably feel it.
The minute we park, I jump out of the vehicle and head for the bus. I’m over this. I’m over the tension and feeling trapped. If they sue me, what can they possibly get? I have nothing but a rented apartment. I don’t even have a car, for crying out loud.
When I get back to the bedroom, I throw my suitcase on the bed. I yank a drawer open and throw my clothes in the bag. Tears threaten to spill from eyes. I know I’m throwing away everything, but I can’t take being here one more minute. It just hurts too much.
“What are you doing?” Noel says from behind me.
A tear spills out of my eye, and I wipe it away with the back of my hand. “What’s it look like I’m doing. I’m leaving.”
“What about the contract?”
I shrug. “What about it? You can sue me if you want, but you aren’t going to get much.”
Noel’s beside me, and he wraps his fingers around my wrist, successfully stopping me from packing. “I’m not going to sue you, Lane.”
I face him as tears stream down my face. “Then why did you make me stay? I can’t take this.”
He pulls his lips into a tight line. “Using the contract against you was the only way I knew to make you stay. I don’t want you to leave. I need you to stay with me.”
“I can’t, Noel. I can’t let you hurt Sophie by being with me. If you commit to someone you should stand by it.”
“But, I don’t love her,” he whispers. “I just want to be a good father.”
I can see the need to prove that he’s a better man than his dad in his eyes. Even if I love him, I’m not okay with him having a family with another girl and keeping me too.
“You’ll be a great father. I know it. Irene will be thrilled to have a grandchild. You should really make up with your parents and figure out how to forgive Frank. All fathers make mistakes. Your first one was being with me.”
Noel takes my hand. “I love you, Lane, so much. And you’re right. That wasn’t being the kind of father I want to be.”
