Page 18 of Hawk

He throws his head back and laughs. “Yeah, you’re funny. There’s no way I’d be caught dead in a place like that.”

“What place?”

Looking up I see Cut and Lick walking through the lot that runs between the clubhouse and the new shop that the MC has started to build.

“This motherfucker wants to go to a pansy ass choir competition,” Matthew says between laughter, sighing as he tries to catch his breath.

“I didn’t say I wanted to go. I said that Sienna asked me to go with her.”

“Why the hell would you tell her you’d go?” Lick asks.

“Fuck. Never mind. I thought I would take one for the team because we all know that Devin isn’t going to allow Sienna to go alone. I didn’t know Sin would make such a big deal about me going and not him.”

“Hell, I’d rather him go. I know Dad will make me go if no one else does,” Cut says.

“What’s all the fuss about?” Sienna asks as she comes walking up.

“Hawk wants to go watch Tessa sing tonight,” Sin tells her.

“Yeah, and why aren’t you going too? Aren’t you guys friends?” Sienna crosses her arms over her chest and gives her brother the death stare. When he doesn’t answer, she rolls her eyes and clears her throat. “I’m waiting, Matthew.”

“Shit Sienna, friend or not, there’s no way I’m sitting through that shit. You two go. Keep me out of it.” He throws his hand in the air before walking back towards his house.

“You don’t have to go, Hawk. I can ask one of the other guys. If no one wants to go, I’m sure my dad will make it happen.”

“No, it’s cool.”

“Jesus, kid. When the hell are you going to grow some balls?” Lick smacks me on the shoulder as him and Cut follow Sin back to the house.

They can make fun of me all they want, but there’s no way I’m missing the chance to hear her sing.

There are two times in my life when I remember crying. The first time was when I was six years old, and my father told me that my mother was never coming back. The second time was when I was fifteen, sitting in the auditorium and listening to Tessa. I thought hearing her laugh was my favorite sound. I was wrong.

It was her singing.

Tessa

“I’m going to leave you to it,” Martha says from behind me. She pats my shoulder, leaving us in the room with the click of the door.

Hawk drops his head and shoves his hands in his pockets. I stand still with my arms wrapped around me hoping like hell they’ll be able to protect me from whatever Hawk may throw at me. I’m sure he has questions, and he’s going to want answers. Answers that I’m not ready to give. Martha was right. Even though Hawk will always be more of an angel to me, a friend, it’s certain that him being here will only allow the demons that I’ve kept locked away to return.

The leather of his cut does nothing to hide the build of his body. His chest and arms are fuller than I remember. He only had one tattoo on the underside of his bicep, but now his other arm is covered in a full sleeve. If I were stronger, I’d take a step and run my fingers along the intricate designs. I still remember the way his skin felt under my touch. The way his skin would pebble with goosebumps as I ran my nails along the muscles of his chest. I’d ask him why he got each one, what does each of them mean. But I’m not that strong, so I’ll keep my distance.

Hawk looks lift his head slightly, bring his eyes up the rest of the way. A smile tugs at his lips, and I wish I could return one. I want to be happy to see him, but right now the only emotion that’s flowing through my body right now is fear.

“Wow. You look… You look good, Tessa. Beautiful, really.”

I close my eyes in protest. Beautiful. A word I’ve heard used several times to describe me, but it never meant anything. It never did really, unless it was being said by him. The joys of a childhood crush.

Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes seeing that his stance as change. He’s now standing at his full height, slightly taller than my own. His arms are crossed over his broad chest, mirroring my own posture. I know he’s waiting. I let out a forced laugh. “Not sure if I should believe you since I’m the definition of bone tired right now.”

I lift my hand to the messy knot on my head, fingering the hairs that are sticking out, this way and that. “My hair’s a mess.” I look down, taking in my uniform. “See my knees? Those smudges,” I point down, “are because every day I’m cleaning at least five wads of gum off the floors because people have no regard. Yep, I’m sure I look incredibly beautiful.”

He drops his arms, hooking his thumbs into the edge of his pockets. “Where have you been?”

“Here. I’ve been here.”

He takes a step towards me, but then he sees my shoulders draw up, he stops his movement and retreats back. He blows out a frustrated breath. “Why did you leave?” I shake my head, not wanting to say. “Seven years, Tessa.”