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“What are you talking about?”
“You said it yourself. I’ve been playing one part or another this whole time. So, which version of Beth is the one you love, Axel?”
Without waiting for a reply, Beth walked out, closing the door with a click of finality behind her. Running a hand through my hair, I bowed my head. The apartment echoed with a hollow emptiness around me.
How did we end up here?
Last night, after the exhibition, we talked about forever all night long. Wrapped up in each other. Skin against skin. Moving in together. Spending a few days riding along the coast on my motorcycle. Introducing Beth to my club. We even discussed the engagement rings she liked—something simple and not too flashy or expensive, non-traditional, colorful, and anything but diamonds.
And now, Beth had taken her things and left.
I clenched my teeth.
No. I couldn’t just let her go. She meant too much to me for that. One stupid fight wouldn’t tear us apart. She was upset and probably not thinking straight after the exhibition and the fallout plastered everywhere online. I wish she’d never listened to those voicemails from her mother.
Yanking the door open, I hurried outside, searching for Beth. We were going to work through this. Together.
But there was no sign of her. She must have called for a ride that picked her up fast. Retrieving my phone from the pocket of my kut, I tried calling her.
No answer.
I sent off a quick text.
Come home, Beth. Please. We don’t have to talk about anything right now. It’s okay.
I waited for several long, agonizing seconds, staring at my phone. Those three little dots to indicate Beth was typing a response never showed. Seconds turned into minutes.
Still no reply.
Feeling lost and helpless, I shoved my phone back in my kut and went in search of the only refuge I knew well.
***
Nearly every Alpha Rider was at the clubhouse during the heat of the afternoon. The only exception was Tank, at home with his wife Jules, and their new baby twins. Mack and Briana were cozied up together at their usual table in the corner. Crow and Diablo were deep into a game of pool. Bear was in a booth with his family—two brothers, his wife Shelby, and his baby girl Maisie—locked in what looked like an intense game of Monopoly.
With everyone preoccupied, I was grateful that my presence didn’t draw much attention. I spotted Brewer seated at the bar with Alexandra on the other side, occasionally serving drinks before she drifted back to him, exchanging soft, private smiles between them.
When the door closed behind me, Alexandra glanced up and met my gaze. She lifted her chin as a gesture of acknowledgement and motioned to the empty stool beside Brewer. By the time I settled into the seat, she’d poured me a shot of whiskey and set it in front of me.
“Heard you and your girl were caught up in some trouble last night,” Brewer said. “Plowed through that fancy party like a wrecking ball.”
I swallowed the whiskey, wincing at the burn in my throat.
“Where is Beth anyway?” Alexandra asked, wiping down the bar. She glanced in my direction with a hint of wariness in her eyes as if she could sense something was wrong.
I didn’t say anything for a moment, studying my empty glass. My eyes slipped closed at the memory of my conversation with Beth.
Will you still love me if no one is looking?
You said it yourself. I’ve been playing one part or another this whole time. So, which version of Beth is the one you love, Axel?
“I fucked it up,” I said, my voice raspy and hoarse from the scorching path of the liquor.
Alexandra went still.
“What do you mean?”
I blew out a breath and dropped my head in my hands. Maybe I just needed to give Beth some space. Maybe she would return in an hour or two and everything would be fine.
