Page 28 of Ash (Dragon Riders MC 3)
“Why are you putting distance between us?”
“I’m not.”
“Yes, you are. You’ve physically scooted away from me. And you’re acting like yesterday never even happened.”
I chuckled. “Trust me, I’ll never forget that yesterday happened.”
“But it won’t happen again. Right?”
I blinked. “I--uh…”
She stood. “You’re just like the rest of them. I should’ve known.”
I reached for her. “Hannah, wait.”
She pulled away before I could reach her. “Thought you wanted space, Ash.”
I swallowed down the pain I felt as she gathered her things and made her way for the stairs into the basement. She didn’t even look over her shoulder as she disappeared, and I could’ve sworn I heard her sniffle. I cursed beneath my breath as I stood from my chair. I shoved a piece of peanut butter toast into my mouth, then washed it down with the rest of my coffee. I had to get out of here. I had to get away from her. I had to get out of her life before I made things worse.
You never should’ve entertained the idea of yesterday.
“Fuck you,” I murmured.
I gathered my things and stormed out of the house, making my way for my bike. I slung my leg over the leather seat and cranked up the engine, ready to tear through the woods to get to the storage shed. I couldn't help but look back, though. My eyes fell to the line of windows at the bottom of the facade of the house. The windows that looked into the basement. I wanted to see if Hannah was peeking out at me. Watching me or waiting for me. Anything to tell me that she wasn’t as angry as I thought she was.
But there was nothing. No silhouette, no fluttering curtains, no gorgeous eyes staring back at me.
“You’ve really done it this time,” I whispered.
I tore away from my double-wide and set my sights for the shed. I arrived and promptly got to work, inventorying the new stuff we had faster than I’d ever done it before. By the time I was done taking inventory and organizing the damn place, I still had an hour to spare. So, I took the long way to the Iron Horse, trying to get some fresh air.
And settle my mind.
The second I made it into my office, though, I didn’t have a moment’s peace.
“Hey, Ash. You got a sec?” Sly asked.
I turned on my computer. “Sure. What’s up?”
He perched on the side of my desk. “The Golden Jags have been way too quiet for weeks now.”
“I’m aware, yes.”
“You think that’s a bad sign?”
I shrugged. “You clearly think it is. So, why does it matter what I think?”
“I mean, I’m not the only one thinking this way, though, right?”
Knuckles sounded at the door. “Nope. I’m right there with you.”
I groaned. “Guys, I really have to wo—”
Knuckles interrupted me. “I don’t like how quiet they’ve been. Especially since we hit them hard in order to get those girls back. They’re planning something. I know it.”
Sly snickered. “That’s what I’ve been saying. But Link and Bowser keep brushing me off like it’s nothing.”
Knuckles chuckled. “You know they’re balls-deep in their women right now. They’re distracted. It’ll take some time for them to come up for air from between those pairs of legs.”
I spun around in my chair. “Hey! We don’t talk about our guys that way. Or the women of this crew. Ever. got it?”
Sly’s eyebrows rose. “Fine, fine. Whatever.”
Knuckles furrowed his brow. “You good, my dude?”
I sighed heavily. “Just a lot on my mind.”
Sly patted my shoulder. “Is it Hannah?”
Knuckles groaned. “Don’t tell me you got a side bitch now.”
I glared up at him. “Don’t make me remind you of the morals of the club.”
Sly chuckled. “Yep. It’s Hannah.”
I looked over at him. “And no, it’s not Hannah. Though, I am worried that her cousin’s warning has merit.”
Knuckles blinked. “What? Some backstabbing idiot whose cousin you stole suddenly rides into town to let you know that her ex is after her? How do you know it’s not just a ploy to get Hannah back to Hillridge Springs?”
Sly pushed off my desk. “He’s got a point. Right now, the last person we can trust is the one who orchestrated the backstabbing.”
I nodded. “Maybe so. But she seemed pretty serious, didn’t she?”
Knuckles paused. “Do we know what happened with Slash after we kicked her out of the bar that afternoon?”
The three of us looked around at one another before another knock sounded at my door.
“Come in!” I called out.
And when her voice fell against my ears, my heart stopped in my chest.
“Ash? Can we talk?” Hannah asked.
I spun around to face her. “What are you doing here?”
She blinked. “To have a drink. Maybe get some food. And hoping we could talk. Think you can make that happen?”
I shook my head. “I just got here, Hannah. I have to—”
