Page 35 of His Flawed Ride

For all my trying I’ve still ruined everything. Harper is never going to give me another chance and I don’t have the first clue how to repair my relationship with Slade.

“I’m sure if you give it time, you’ll be able to fix this shit with your family.”

“Not this time. I’ve spent the last thirty years on thin ice, I’ve gone too far for the last time.”

He pulls up outside my apartment building and the thought of him driving away and me being left alone is terrifyingly depressing. When he doesn’t kill the engine, I lean across and turn the key myself.

“Come in, stay for a while.”

“I should get back to the club, Lily.”

It’s not the first time a man has said something I didn’t want to hear, and it’s not the first time I’ll have to change their mind. This is something I am good at.

I climb onto his lap and make sure to grind against him hard enough he begins to forget about leaving or even thinking at all.

“Lily, we shouldn’t do this.”

“Why? Are you worried about what the club will think?”

“It has nothing to do with the club. You’re not in a good place.”

I snort. “You think you’ll be taking advantage?”

He doesn’t answer, but he doesn’t have to. It’s exactly what he thinks. Once the first tear falls, another quickly follows and then it’s a flood.

Shane wraps his arms around me and holds me while I cry. “It’s gonna be okay, Lil. Shit always has a habit of working out.”

Sitting up straight, I use my sleeve to wipe my eyes. “I’ve been waiting all my life for it to work out. I’ve come to the conclusion I’m not going to be the person who has it all.”

“No one has it all.”

“Yeah, they do. The house, kids, a good man, no debts, no running in the middle of the night.” I open his door and climb off of his lap as I slip out of his truck. “I’m better off alone.”

I slam his door shut before he can offer sentimental bullshit.

I make it to the main door before he calls out my name.

“Go back to the club, Shane.”

“What are you going to do?” he asks and I frown. “If Hopper comes looking for you.”

“He doesn’t know where I live.”

“I reckon I should stay a while, make sure he doesn’t show up.”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea.”

Turning my back to unlock the door, I smile. I’ll be alone at some point but not yet.

I wait at the bottom of the communal stairs and wait for him before heading up to my apartment. I hate that I need a man to feel anything but as usual, I’m going to pretend I’ve found Mr. Perfect until it becomes obvious he’s not.

Chapter Twelve

Leo

Luca was right to run her out of town. Why the fuck did she have to come back? Why couldn’t she have stayed where she was and stayed the fuck away? Lily McCarthy is a drain on every fucker. As if we didn’t already have enough trouble with the Hades Hogs Motorcycle Club. I’m not even surprised she’s Hopper’s old lady. She has the ability to find herself anywhere as long as it benefits her.

“Slade!”