AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Does your sister live in McMurdo Valley?”
“Sometimes. She’s got six condos. Two in the state. The others are in places she likes to visit,” Tommy explains before sighing deeply and shrugging his big shoulders. “I think she’s got too much money, so she buys crap to keep herself busy.”
“What does she do?”
“Kourtney’s a lawyer for the club and other people.”
“The club,” I say, letting the words settle. “The motorcycle club, right?”
Tommy surprises me by loudly chuckling. “Still putting that together, huh?”
Frowning at his mocking tone, I reply, “Just because everyone you know already understands your life doesn’t mean it would be obvious for a stranger to grasp.”
Tommy gives me a long, knowing gaze before explaining, “I helped found the club some twenty years ago. I’m not homeless or poor. How did you think I paid for all this ink?” he asks and slaps his tatted forearm.
“Are tattoos expensive?”
Tommy gives me an unimpressed frown. “You really don’t know.” When I shake my head, he scoots forward, nearly crawling toward me before planting his butt a foot from where I sit. “So, youreallythought I was homeless?”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, but you thought I came to your shop and left forty in cash that first time when I was living in the woods, broke and homeless.”
Swallowing hard, I admire him up close and nod. “Why are you making me seem stupid?”
“Just putting things together in here,” he says and taps the side of his head. “So, even though you thought I was homeless, you still nursed your crush, huh?”
I lift my gaze and find him staring hard at me. “You’re very handsome, and I’m lonely.”
“Is your loneliness a choice? I look at you and see nothing that’d keep you from living a good life.”
“I used to have friends and hobbies. Back in school, I guess. But as I got older, I lost track of who I was. I lived and breathed my parents’ dreams. But I always believed I’d get a chance to enjoy life. Now, they’re gone, and I find myself stumbling.”
“Can’t you just choose a goal that makes sense?”
“Returning to Vegas makes sense.”
Tommy grunts, seeming unconvinced. “It can’t be all that great there if you left.”
“I have contacts there. People will hire me. I can get an apartment, save up to travel, maybe get a pet.”
“Why couldn’t you do that before?”
“I told you.”
“Your parents didn’t make you give up those things, did they?”
Tommy’s talked me into the same corner I often find myself in with people.I’m wrong. They’re right. My thoughts are clouded. They see clearly.I usually check out and let them decide.
Except Tommy doesn’t want to think for me. He just wants to point out how I’m weak and indecisive.
“I got addicted to their praise,” I explain as I consider reaching out to touch his handsome face. “It came easily when I was young. I felt important when they were happy with me. As I got older and didn’t get praised as much, I worked harder. I chose that. Just like I chose that bad location.”
Tommy’s stony expression shifts immediately. “Well, that was just you trusting a shady realtor.”
“Deep down, I might have known moving here was a mistake. But I was lost after my parents died. Suddenly, I had my freedom. I could make my dreams come true, but my dreams were stupid.”
Under Tommy’s beautiful yet unflinching gaze, I recall the exact moment when I likely started sabotaging myself. Back in the lawyer’s office as he explained my parents’ will. My brother and sister didn’t seem particularly surprised to learn we would each get a third of the estate. However, I felt everything slip away in that moment.
