Page 33

April

“You don’t have to leave for school for another few days,” Twister grumbles, arms crossed while watching me closely.

After my birthday yesterday, I decided I wanted to get back to school. It didn’t have anything to do with Samuel. I wanted to get back and finish some schoolwork that I needed to focus on in hopes that it would help me in avoiding my tormentor and his friends a little more.

“I know, but I’ve got to get some projects done,” I tell him, seeing Horse, Thorn, and Hades closing in. It was bad enough having to explain to Twister, but when some or even all of them get in on it, it makes it harder.

I’ve seen all of these men as father figures, Twister and Horse mostly, while the others were like uncles. All protective. All opinionated. But in the best way possible.

“You can do that shit here,” Twister declares. “We haven’t had a chance to look over the car yet. Remember, you’re supposed to have it looked over when you’re home.”

“I know, but it’s only for a few more months. I think the car will be fine for a little while longer. I know how to work on it if something does happen though.”

“What’s really going on?” Horse demands, brow cocking.

“Nothing.” Okay I didn’t mean to say it that quickly, but it just came out. “I need to be able to go to the library for research. My project is half my grade and if I can get it done early, I won’t have to stress about it come time for graduation.”

“Fine,” Twister gives in, watching me closely. “Call when you get there.”

“You know I will.” I nod, smiling at them. “Soon I’ll be done and back and you won’t have to worry anymore.”

“Darlin’, we’re all gonna be worryin’ about you no matter what,” Hades grunts with a shrug. “It’s a dad thing.”

The very fact that Hades would say this causes something inside me to ache. I wish more than anything, no matter how much I actually love my dad, that I were one of the guys here at the club’s kid.

I give the guys a hug and go in search of Kayla and Mercy. I’d told them last night after we finally made it back to my room about going back to school. I thought about it more yesterday after the call from Samuel and knew going back would be easier. Mostly so I could get things done ahead of time and make it so I have to spend less time anywhere near where Samuel might find me.

On my way, I run smack dab into Fool. The man who haunted my dreams last night.

“Oh sorry,” I tell him, taking a step back. “I didn’t mean to . . . you know, walk right into you.”

“It’s all good,” Fool rasps out, clears his throat and grants me with a smile. One I doubt he shares very much. “Don’t apologize for walking into me. Though you should pay more attention where you’re goin’.”

“Right.” I nod, doing my best to keep my breathing in check. “Um, so see ya later.”

“Yeah, later,” he grunts in return.

I wish I could take the time and stick around, maybe talk to him more. But I can’t. I need out of here before I end up breaking down and saying screw it all. I don’t need or want my problems to become those of the club. If they were to find out, I’ve no doubt in my mind that one or all of them would come and raise all kinds of hell.

None of which I need.

The way I look at it, I’ve got just a couple more months of my hell left to live through then I’m done. No more.

***

Twister

Eyes following after April, I have the strong urge to punch something. She’s keeping something bottled up and not sharing. After overhearing her yesterday, it confirmed it for me.

“We gonna just let her go back to school early?” Horse grunts, eyes trained in the same direction.

“It’s what she wants and we gotta let her,” I tell him.

April was my kid’s best friend. Same as Horse’s daughter. The three girls have always been inseparable. Except for when they went to school. It wasn’t easy to let my own daughter leave for school, but I’d had someone on her for a while before my woman was able to convince me to pull back and let her live her life.

Doesn’t mean I still don’t keep an eye the best I can.

As for April though, we haven’t done as we should have. If we’d had eyes on her, we might have caught what was going on with her before now. She doesn’t share her troubles. We all know this. Didn’t when she was still living under her cunt of a mother’s roof. Didn’t share the pain of her dad not being around for her.

We all knew her dad, and didn’t have a problem with him besides the fact he keeps leaving his girl.

It’s why Horse and I took it upon ourselves to treat her like one of ours.

A plan forms in my head as I watch April bump into Fool, one of the members of the Grave Prowlers MC. Her reaction to him and the way she becomes even more shy tells me one thing.

She’s got a thing for the guy.

I don’t like the idea of her crushing on anyone any more than I like the idea of Mercy doing it.

A moment passes between the two, and I look toward Horse to see him watching the two of them as well. Horse shifts his gaze to me and shakes his head, but he knows me. Knows exactly what I’m gonna do.

If we can’t do anything to see what’s going on with her, then why not use someone who might just be able to do it?