Page 28 of Rogue’s Path (Sweet Chaos #1)

Rogue

“Four clubs left early yesterday. Four of them.” How are we supposed to figure out which ones are working with Reaper?

“None of them left bombs in their rooms.” Havoc sits at his desk like we discuss bombs all the time.

I pour myself a finger of whiskey and sit down across from him. “Or their bikes. At least the welds on Reaper’s bike made it easier to strip and pull apart. They were probably afraid of setting off the bomb inside.”

“Talking about escaping a near-death experience, Rhys’ husband didn’t kill us when he came to pick her up.”

“Eh, the most he would have done was arrest us and make sure they threw away the key.” Probably. “What do you think Maddox’s friend wants?”

Havoc taps a finger against his desk. “No idea. But knowing Maddox, this Dylan fellow is going to pay well and ask us to do something dangerous.”

“I’m sorry I can’t be here to stand at your side.” Which is true. But in no way is it stopping my plans this afternoon. It would take a literal bomb to do that. And we’re done with bombs for a while.

“No, you aren’t. That smile of yours is a little scary. Which means you’re in a cheerful mood. Something that never happens. Could that have anything to do with the date you’re about to go on?”

In less than an hour, I’m going to see Peaches again. We’re going to talk, eat, and then take a very long walk in the park where I plan to find that tree again.

“Definitely the date. If this doesn’t work out, I’m telling Rhys never to tattoo you again.”

She’d probably listen to Havoc. “It’s going to work out. I know it. Today is the beginning of our future together.”

“Are you bringing her flowers?”

“Yup. I ordered two dozen red roses. I wanted peach ones, but the florist couldn’t have them delivered in time.” From now on. I think I’ll set up a standing order so they always have them for her. Peaches doesn’t seem like the type to always be asking for little presents.

“You’re so far down the rabbit hole. Seriously, you’re naming the first kid after me.”

“Not having kids.” I decided that years ago when Havoc and the rest of us were taking care of Creed. Babies are not for me.

“You say that now. If Peaches wants kids, you’ll be buying a minivan in a hot second.”

Minivan. “You’re an idiot.”

“That’s why we’re friends.”

“I’m leaving now and going to pretend I didn’t hear you say that.” Peaches will be on the back of my bike, not driving some minivan filled with screaming kids and soccer equipment.

Havoc laughs.

***

Peaches isn’t here. We didn’t set a time, but I just figured she’d be here around now. I should have set a time. Hopefully, she doesn’t think I ghosted her again.

Jane buzzes around the floor, talking and smiling at everyone she meets. She would know if Peaches was here already.

Her table is open. I set the bouquet on the table with my back to the wall so that I can see the moment Peaches walks in.

Why did I do this to us? We should be talking right now. Peaches should be smiling at me and telling me her name. Not that I’m going to use it. She’s always going to be Peaches to me.

Jane walks over. “Hey, Rogue. You brought her flowers again.”

“Again? These are for Peaches.”

“I know. We all heard you call her that.”

“This is the first time I've brought her flowers. You must be confused.”

Jane shakes her head. “I’m not. They were delivered Saturday morning to the café, and I handed them to her myself. That was the day she said she was going away and gave everyone who works here sweet little cards with a huge tip inside. She said she was leaving town for a while.”

Leaving town? That’s impossible. The night before, Peaches agreed to meet me here.

Who brought my woman flowers?

“Oh, I can prove it. She left them for us to enjoy because she couldn’t take them with her on her journey.”

Journey? None of this makes any sense. It’s like I’m in an alternative world looking down on Earth. “Where did she say she was going?”

“Alaska, I think, to build igloos. Let me grab the roses for you to see.”

Igloos? Alaska. The words coming out of Jane’s mouth seem crazier and crazier. I stare at the door, willing Peaches to step through it. Why didn’t I insist on getting Peaches’ real name?

Jane thinks she went out of town. That means she hasn’t been in the café yet. There’s hope. Peaches will show up. I have to believe that. She wouldn’t just ghost you.

Jane walks back with a massive vase full of red roses. Way more than I got Peaches.

“There was a card in it.” Jane sets them down. “But I think she took it with her.”

Someone else got her flowers. I want to toss them across the room until they smash on a wall.

Was it Bear? It must have been him. He probably ordered the flowers before they met Friday night. Hidden under all that hair is a gentleman and a poet. That’s what it must be. Bear sent them before he found out that she’s mine.

It was all a misunderstanding. It’s all one big misunderstanding. Peaches will be here any time now.

***

She’s not coming. She’s really not coming.

I’ve been sitting here for over an hour with not a sign of her.

Could Peaches really have left for Alaska?

What if she hit traffic? In Silent Valley? You’re grasping at straws now.

Peaches ghosted you.

Payback hurts.

My phone chimes.

Havoc’s telling me to get back there now. Something must be wrong at the club. He knows I’m on a date. There’s no way he’d interrupt that unless it was an emergency.

I stand up and walk over to Jane. “If you see her, tell her I had something come up and give her my number.”

“Will do.” Jane gives me a smile.

I dash out the door. This has got to be an alternate world or a nightmare. Whatever it is, I just want it to go back to normal.