Page 70 of Heart of Stone

"Yeah, I feel that." He picks up the whiskey bottle, swishing the liquid around. "Lucky fucker."

I shoot him a look. "The hell are you bitching about?"

"Nothing." He takes a long draw from the bottle then swipes his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Oh, this should be good." Lee's voice cuts through the bar as he and Stone enter. "Axel giving relationship advice or seeking it?"

"Shut it," Axel growls, hunching his shoulders.

Stone's laugh is low and rich. "He tell you about the traffic guard yet? "

I raise an eyebrow as Axel's face reddens. "No?"

"The hot brunette," Lee explains with unholy glee. "What was her name again? Rachel?"

"Poppy," Axel mutters.

"Right. Poppy." Lee's grin widens. "Button Road's closed and this fucker thinks he can glower his way past her. Not a chance."

"Fuck all of you." Axel stands, but there's no heat in it. "At least I didn't let the best thing in my life walk away because I was too scared to admit I needed her."

They sober, each turning to look at me.

His words hit like a punch to the gut.

"I put the club first."

Stone rolls his eyes. "Those kids and that woman are club. They're family, Hawk. We understand when shit—especially health shit—hits the fan. You've got our back, you need to trust that we'll have yours."

I swallow, nodding slowly.

"You can fix this," Stone says. "If you're willing to do the work."

"How?"

"By showing up," Lee replies. "Every day. Even when it's hard. Even when the club needs you. You find a way to do both—ask for help, explain it to her."

I think about Abby in that hospital bed. About Amy's tears. About the way Andi had looked at me like she'd been expecting me to let her down.

And I had.

But I don't have to keep letting them down.

"I need to go," I say finally.

"Yeah?" Axel's smile is knowing. "Got a plan?"

I stand, suddenly clear-headed despite the whiskey. "Yeah. I do."

"This should be good," Lee mutters.

But I am already moving, purpose driving me forward. Because for the first time since I'd watched Andi walk away, I know exactly what I need to do.

I just hope I'm not too late.

19

ANDI