AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Had I gotten under her skin again?
Was she crushing on me again?
Did she think of me like I did her?
“No offense, but can you fuck off?” Dodge complained with a sigh.
I’d even gone for a ride to Melbourne so I wouldn’t be waiting on Maya’s doorstep when she pulled up. Okay, so Dodge found my pacing annoying since I was doing it alongside a car he was working on in the mechanics business connected to the Caroline Springs compound.
Stopping, I turned to glare while crossing my arms over my chest. “Sorry, is my pacing gettin’ on your nerves?”
“That and you’ve been mumblin’ to yourself for the last half an hour.”
I snorted. I had not. “Bullshit.”
“You have,” Knife called. I shot him the finger.
“Someone’s on his mind,” Billy called, and I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Fuck off,” I clipped.
Dodge’s phone chimed. He pulled it out, read whatever was on it, and grinned before he announced, “The girls are home safe. We don’t have to hunt anyone down.”
My heart tripped over its beat.
Maya was back.
A few brothers chuckled. We all knew Talon had been worried, and not that Griz would admit it aloud, but he’d been just as concerned about his daughter as well.
I rocked on my feet, already wanting to head back to Ballarat to see her. But I didn’t want to crowd her. She’d probably need to rest or something.
“Hey.” Dodge stepped closer and dipped his head in. “Just go see her.”
“Nah, I’m cool. She’s home. That’s good.” I nodded to myself. I knew she’d enjoyed herself in Queensland but had also missed home. On the last night, when we’d talked over the phone, she’d told me she really did need the time away but still wasn’t sure where she wanted her career to go. Hopefully, I’d reassured her enough by letting her know there wasn’t a need to rush. That I was sure her bosses understood. Anyone would.
Dodge studied me and sighed. “Why you holdin’ back?”
“Because I fucked up to start with by not seeing her. I don’t want to rush this. The timin’s gotta be perfect, and then I hope to Christ she’ll agree to an us and seein’ a future with me.”
He reached out and ruffled my hair. “My wittle boy’s growin’ up.”
I glared and smacked his hand away, but I couldn’t hide the smirk. “Shut it, old man.”
But in all honesty, during the last few months, even I felt like I’d finally grown up. Become the man I’d always wanted to be. A good man. With good people at my back. I had my own worth within my businesses. Now all I needed was the special woman at my side.
“You stayin’ in town tonight then?” Dodge asked.
“Has Low made my room into a theatre yet?”
Dodge scoffed. “Like she’d ever do it. It’s the same as you left it.”
“Yeah, I reckon I’ll stay.” Then at least I didn’t look too desperate to see Maya.
“Good. Now help me finish this to keep your mind busy.”
My phone chimed, and I pulled it out of my back pocket.
Maya: Want to come for dinner?My gut gave off a nervous and yet excited jig.
