Page 41 of Savage Ends

“Violet, don’t.I know what I’m doing.”

“Babe, you’ve never had a boyfriend, and the first guy you show an interest in is a mature guy.A mature guy wearing a patch, and I know not to play with those guys,” Violet said.

She looked at her sister and pressed her lips together.“I don’t know what you want me to say.I’m not doing anything stupid.I haven’t been to the clubhouse, I’m not doing anything crazy.We’re getting to know each other.Besides, you saw that Bull and Grant have settled down.”

“Maddie and Aria are not you, Ava,” Violet said.“Mom’s worried, and to be honest, I’m worried.Your first real boyfriend should be...”

“What?”Ava asked.“Should be what?Someone you approve of?Someone my own age?You saw the way they acted in school.”

Violet sighed.“I was going to say, will want the same things you want.”

“You don’t know what Pat wants,” Ava asked.

“Yeah, and I bet you haven’t even asked him, have you?Look, I get it, have fun, enjoy him.He’s the mature older guy, but remember, you might not want the same thing, and Ava, there is a reason you’ve not just gone around dating random guys and sleeping with them.Don’t change who you are for this guy.”And with that, her sister walked away.

Ava blew out a breath, and then sighed.

She walked up to her mother.“I’ve got to go.I’ve got to get to my other job.”

“You have been a big help today,” Hazel said, leaning over the counter and kissing her cheek.

“You’re not mad that Pat came?”

“No, of course not.”

“Violet said you’re worried.”

“Of course I am worried.You’re my little girl but I’m not going to tell you how to live your life.I raised you to make the right decisions for yourself, not for me, and I expect you to make them.”

“I love you, Mom,” Ava said.

“I love you too, honey.I just don’t want to see you ...hurt.”

Ava took a deep breath and nodded.“I won’t be.”

Hazel looked doubtful.

Leaving the shop, she did so with a heavy heart.She didn’t want to disappoint her mother, but Pat was different.Yes, he was a biker, and she had no doubt he had a reputation.She also had a feeling they were not going anywhere.It didn’t change the fact he made her heart race, and when she was with him, everything seemed better.

She arrived at the coffee shop with ten minutes to spare.Rushing inside, she went into the back room and changed.

“Anna phoned and quit,” Lauren said, coming into the room as Ava slid the uniform into place.

“She did?”

“Yeah, I put out another ad.I’ll see who applies,” Lauren said with a sigh.

“Are you okay?”Ava asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine.It has been a long day.I’ve been here since ten.”Lauren gripped her shoulders and then tilted her head from left to right, then back again.

“Ten?”

“The cakes do not bake themselves.It also sucked that the double cream was off.I had to run to the store to grab some more.”

“Off?”

“Yeah, the fridge was left open.”