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I hear my name being shouted, but I don't move.
I want a little more time to look at our last memory here.
Gunner enters the room and frowns when he sees me sitting on the floor, my legs crossed and some tears falling down my cheeks. He crouches in front of me and wipes my tears. I flinch at his touch. Memories of him touching Cara and holding her to him enter my mind, but he doesn't deter as his thumb caresses my jaw.
"What's wrong, Angel?"
He rasps, and I sniffle.
"Nothing; I just wanted one more look at the last memory here."
He furrows his brows before turning to see where I'm looking before he grins, "Yours and Sophie's heights?"
I nod. "When we were like 3, I think, her dad decided to turn it into a game, hoping to get us to stand still. He said whoever cleaned up the best would be the tallest, and as you can see, she won."
Gunner chuckles, and I let out another sob: "And now, we-we won't see t-this anymore."
His eyes soften before he places a kiss on my forehead before standing up and walking over to the door. I gasp as he grips the gray wood and pulls; it comes off easily enough, and he turns grinning at me, and says, "Now you can take it with you."
My tears fall before he helps me stand, wrapping his arm around my waist. He kisses my forehead and then guides me down the stairs, and I take everything in, every memory, saying goodbye before we leave the house. Sophie notices the door frame in Gunner's hand instantly, and she grins, tears filling her eyes as Gunner gives the frame to Shane, who smiles seeing the markings.
I turn to the house one more time before Hawk shouts, "SHE SAID YES," and I grin as the brothers cheer before Axel speaks up.
"Alright brothers and our two sisters," I grin when Hawk wags his brows at me as the men chuckle. "We have roughly two hours before they get to the club, so brothers get home now and help set up for the party; Daggers squadron is already there; prospects go take the stuff in the van to Jackson's, leave them in his garage, but watch that fucking Mustang." Sophie and I nod in agreement before narrowing our eyes at the men, making the others chuckle again, and Axel grins. "Ink, go take your girl to the shelter and meet us at the club before Dag gets there."
Everyone nods before the brothers give Soph a kiss on her cheek, and I hug her tightly before getting in the van and taking one more look. As soon as the door shuts, Gunner points to Shane, clearly telling him where to take me, and I roll my eyes and lean my head back as the men laugh loudly.
A few hours later, I'm sitting in the corner of the clubhouse bar, ignoring everyone. I gave my congratulations to Dagger and Mel,but since then I haven't wanted to interact with anyone until Soph nods me over to her, and I sigh, knowing I can't say no to her otherwise she'll worry.
Dammit.
I walk over to her feeling Gunner's eyes on me, tracking my movements. If I thought I could run then I flipping would. When I get to Soph I hug her and we get into conversation like we always do. I’ve just finished bitching about Hallie just as the door to the clubhouse slams open and a very deranged Leslie barges in looking a complete mess.
I freeze seeing the knife in her hand before Sophie steps in front of me making me gasp,
“Sophie no.”
I try to step in front of her but she moves her arm, holding me back and it all happens so quickly. One minute Leslie’s bitching about how Soph isn’t good enough for her son and the next I’m shoved into the safety of Gunner's arms and Ink is on the floor bleeding while Sophie is screaming for her love and Leslie is dead on the floor. I feel like I’m about to puke but I put it aside and grab my friend, holding her tightly as the commotion escalates. Ink loses his pulse causing Sophie to wail before someone shouts that Shane is okay while dragging him into the clubhouse - apparently, Leslie stabbed him too. How I missed that I don’t know. When Doc finally gets his pulse back they take him to another room to save his life.
Sophie goes to follow but is stopped before Clitter takes Sophie over to a table and I swallow hard, letting her go. This is Sophie’s family after all, they have her back more so than they ever did for me the past five years so I know I need to take a step back from her now, letting them help her, becoming her crutch.
Even if it hurts me more.
Chapter 15
Gunner – 2 weeks later
I sit back in my chair, tapping my finger on my desk while looking at my computer screen and staring at the pink sapphire 18k gold ring I've just bought Leah, and yes, it is an engagement ring.
Am I getting ahead of myself? Probably.
Do I give a shit? Absolutely not.
She's mine; it's been since we first saw each other. She knows it, and I know it. She just has to get on board.
For two weeks, I have been trying to worm my way back into her heart to unlock the box I know she's shoved me into. I've left her favorite peonies outside her door—one every morning. I've ensured her breakfast is always ready, and the bath is run in the evening. I've texted her several times a day, telling her how I'm thinking of her and how much I love her, and most days while she's behind the bar, I'll just walk up behind her, cupping her bump while holding her to me. I've made sure she knows she's all I think about, and for two weeks she's barely said a sentence to me or anyone, for that matter.
She hasn't even seen Sophie since Ink's mother stabbed him instead of his girl. Granted, Soph has spent more time with Clitter these past two weeks and with Dr. Shall, a therapist who is also an old lady, that she hasn't even noticed the distancebetween her and Leah, but I have, and so has Ink. Leah has pulled away from her friendship and from the club.
