Page 16 of Grace's Redemption

Four

GRACE

Iwoke up startled by something. The buzz had gone out of the building. Dissipated from its normal intensity. The life and energy I craved was gone.

He was gone.

I sat up and stretched, Mase’s jacket slid off me. I laid my hand on it, felt the leather. The feel of it would always be associated with Mase. He was the club to me and now he was gone.

I stood up.

I had to steady myself. My thighs were sore and a sharp pain between my legs mellowed into a dull ache. I retrieved one of his t-shirts and a pair of shorts from the dresser and slipped them on.

I grabbed my clothes from the floor, put the soiled sheets in the hamper. Prospects were in charge of cleaning up the club once a week and they loved to talk. I removed any sign of me from the room. I grabbed the jacket and tiptoed out of his room and closed the door behind me. The house was quiet. The party had dispersed.

I ran to the other end of the hall and pressed my head to the door.

It was quiet. I cracked the door open, expecting to find Mattie with a girl or two in his bed.

He was alone.

I slipped in the room and found an old backpack and put my clothes along with Mase’s cut. He gave it to me because he knew if the other brothers found it, they would misconstrue the meaning of why he left it.

When the bag was packed. I walked over to Mattie's bed.

I nudged him.

“Move over.”

He grunted, scooted towards the wall on his twin bed and held the blanket up for me to climb in.

I lay down.

Mattie wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close to him.

It was nice having someone hold me. Not the person I wanted, but I was learning fast you don’t always get what you want.

“Did it finally happen?” Mattie’s groggy voice whispered. His breath hot on the back of my neck.

I tensed.

“Did what happen?”

“You get your goodbye kiss?”

I sighed.

“You jealous?” I laid my hand on top of his.

“Nope.” He pulled me close.

“Why?”

“For the first time in my life. I have one up on him.”

"What's that?”

“I’m here. He’s not.” He kissed the back of my neck. “I finally get you all to myself.” He pulled me closer and rested his hand on my chest. “Go to sleep.”