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“I’ll sleep on the couch,” he cut me off, shooting me a lopsided grin. “You can have my bed.”
I stared at him, confusion rocking me as he let out a laugh while hopping back off his bike. He stood in front of me, grabbing his helmet from my hands and then slowly putting it over my head.
“I’ve liked you since the first day you walked into the clubhouse four years ago to make a business deal,” he admitted as he tightened the straps of the helmet. “But I’m not stupid. You needed to get out of the hotel, so you used me and my guys to do it. Smart girl.”
“I can just leave.”
Reese shook his head. “Just like I told your guys, you’re always welcome. You need a friend, and I’m here.”
I bit my lip. “Thanks.”
He chuckled. “Don’t get me wrong, Shadow. I still like you. But I saw how they looked at you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Looked at me?”
“All three of them,” he confirmed. “I don’t know what the hell is going on between the four of you, but they like you.”
“It’s…complicated,” I said slowly. “And they don’t like me. Not like that.”
“If that’s the case, then I’ll gladly throw my hat in the ring.” His eyes danced with amusement. “But I have a feeling you’re wrong about that.”
I wasn’t sure what to say. Reese had no idea I was in Little Haven, or maybe he did. With Jace and Kian being on campus, Little Haven was getting much more attention than it used to. But just like everyone else, Reese had no idea who I worked for. When it came to business, I was the only one he talked to when I sold weed to his MC.
“Give yourself a night to relax,” he said, climbing back onto his bike and holding out his hand to help me on. “Or however long you need. And if you decide you want me and not one of those three pricks vying for your attention, then we can have another conversation.”
“You’re a nice guy,” I muttered, wrapping my arms hesitantly around his waist as he kicked the bike into gear. “That’s a rarity in this life.”
“I’m not,” he countered, glancing at me over his shoulder. “But I can be a good friend to you.”
My grip on him tightened when the bike shot forward. I glanced back, half expecting to see Gage, but the parking lot was empty, and I sucked in a long breath. Ellie was going to flip out when I told her what happened. The fact that Gage had let Jace and Kian get to him because they were talking aboutmewas another problem in itself. If Ellie found out that was the reason this had all failed, she’d replace Gage in a heartbeat.
I wanted Jace and Kian off campus for a much more selfish reason.Out of sight, out of mind.I made bad choices around them, and if I had any chance of doing what Ellie needed, then they needed to be long gone. I’d let my feelings overtake common sense, just like Gage had been worried I would. Not that I’d ever admit that to him. But it didn’t change the truth. To keep a clear head, Jace and Kian had to leave campus and Little Haven.
* * *
“You sure you’re good?”Reese asked as I threw my bag over my shoulder. “I can come with you.”
I gave him a grateful smile. “No, thanks. I need to clear my head. Coffee and a walk will be my remedy for a shitty night.”
“Damn, I didn’t realize my bed sucked that bad.”
He was teasing, and I laughed as I strode down the hall of his apartment building with him right beside me. “I slept like a rock. I meant earlier, before we left the hotel.”
He caught my arm, spinning me to face him, concern etched on his face. “You need help with anything?”
Pausing for a moment, I wondered how much I could actually trust him. He’d kept his word last night, letting me sleep in his bed while he stayed on the couch. Other than some harmless flirting, he had been a perfect gentleman. Over the four years since we’d met, I’d seen him more than a few times, and he’d never given me a reason to not trust him. But he was a business alliance, not a friend. Although, after tonight, I had a feeling that would change.
“Don’t you work with Kian and Grimrose?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t want to fuck up your business.”
He waved a hand, dismissing my worry. “That business is finished. Kian and I just stay in touch. But if he’s not treating you well, then I have no interest in staying on good terms with him. My MC doesn’t take kindly to men treating their women badly.”
“First, I’m not his girl,” I stated, keeping my tone light. “And second, who knew big bikers had a moral code when it came to treating women right?”
His eyes darkened a fraction. “That’s pretty much the only moral code we have. Has Kian hurt you?”
“No.” The answer slipped past my lips before I’d thought about it. But it was technically the truth. “If we’re being completely honest, I’ve done worse to him.”
“You know both Jace and Kian?”
