Page 13 of Xander (Soulless Outlaws Motorcycle Club #2)

Nola

Sitting at the bar, I watched.

I watched as Xander didn’t push the woman away who was hanging all over him.

Just then, Agatha walked over and huffed, “Why didn’t you say something to that skank?”

“Because he’s not mine. I don’t have the right,” I told her as I took a sip of my beer and turned my head to watch the game.

“Not yours?” She asked as she started laughing. “Honey, that man is yours. Everyone knows it. Hell, the whole town knows he’s yours.”

I shook my head, “I’m the woman he fucks. Nothing more. Well... I was.”

“Umm, okay, I believe it's time we had a come-to-Jesus moment. I’m going to explain to you why he’s yours and you're going to agree with everything I say, m’kay?”

Sighing, I took another sip of my beer and waved my hand for her to continue.

“Now, does he sleep beside you every night?”

I shook my head without even looking at her.

“He doesn’t?” Agatha asked with a gasp.

“Nope. He only sleeps beside me after we fucked. He sleeps maybe a few hours, then he gets up and leaves and comes here and crashes in his own bed.”

“Okay, let's try something else. He has you on the back of his bike.” She said with a smirk. Oh, the joy of wiping that smirk from his face.

I shook my head again, “I've never been on the back of his bike. He’s never asked me to. Anytime I’ve asked, he ignores me.”

“What the hell?” she asked.

“The only time we are together is when another club is here or when his dick is in my vagina or in my mouth,” I told her.

That was the god’s honest truth.

I finished my beer.

Walked over to Aunt Tempie and hugged her, “I’m calling it a night. I’ll talk to you later.”

She smiled, then nodded, but I missed the narrowed glare she shot at Xander.

***

As I checked my inbox, I saw that email sitting there.

My professor had told me to keep an eye out for a particular email.

He told me that in that email, through a source of his, would be my official welcome letter to their company.

Tapping the mouse, I pulled up that email.

Standing there in my t-shirt and shorts, ignoring the coolness of the morning, I opened it and then started reading.

Dear Ms. Townsend,

We are pleased to inform you that after careful consideration and interviewing over a thousand candidates for the job. We are pleased to inform you that we have selected you...

I couldn’t believe it.

I couldn’t believe this.

There it was, in my email.

My start date, the pay, everything.

Realizing I only had a week to get there and get settled, I realized something: other than this apartment and my aunt and uncle, nothing was holding me here.

I could rent out my apartment and see them on the holidays.

Xander had proved time and time again that I didn’t matter enough to him for me to stay.

So, with that thought, I got dressed, headed into town, and bought boxes.

Maybe one of the prospects that were due to be voted in wanted to rent my place fully furnished. It would help them and help me.

With that thought, I turned up my music and started packing my apartment.

Four hours later, I stood back in amazement. Holy shit.

Other than a few outfits I would need for the next two or three days, I was ready to go.

I didn’t have to look for an apartment because I was being placed in one courtesy of the company.

That was killer.

All I needed to do was get things wrapped up here and arrange to have my stuff shipped to me.

With that, I called the representative on the email and ironed out all the details. Getting my start time, where my office was located, my badge would be delivered to my new apartment next weekend, on Saturday.

An hour later, I was dressed and headed to the clubhouse for fight night.

I needed to talk to the prospects, to see which one wanted to rent my place, and I needed to talk to my Aunt and Uncle, informing them of my move.

I parked my car out in the field because getting a parking spot near the clubhouse was impossible due to all the bikes that were parked there.

There had to be at least two hundred bikes. No freaking joke.

Walking through them, I kept my head held high, my chin raised as I received a few catcalls and whistles.

I ignored what was going on around me as I wove in and out of the bikers and the women who had come with them.

That was until a man stepped in front of me and eyed my body.

He wasn’t bad looking either.

He had dark hair, dark brows, and a killer beard. Full lips. Blue eyes.

“Honey, I don’t think you should be talking to him,” Agatha said as she sidled up next to me, offering the man a smile.

I looked at her and lifted a brow, “Why not?”

“Because Xander is going to be pissed. You know this. That man is a possessive neanderthal. Do you really want his death on your hands?” Agatha asked.

“I’m not Xander’s ole lady. Everyone knows it. So, what I do is none of his business.”

Just then, I noticed that Aunt Tempie was at my back, as she too said, “Sweetie, I know I was wrong where Xander is concerned, but she’s right. He’s already looking over here. And anyone with half a brain can see he’s struggling.

“I don’t care, Aunt Tempie. He made his choices perfectly clear when we talked last week. He won’t do a thing. Besides, I need to talk to you and Uncle Merlin.”

At my words, the man looked at me and said, “Sounds like you're taken, but he doesn’t give a shit what you do. I’m Taz.”

I held out my hand and said, “Hi, I’m Nola.”

Uncle Merlin shook his head, then pushed my hand down and got in front of me, “We’re trying to keep you breathing. Walk away. Now. And if you push this shit, remember, you're in my house.”

The man moved away, then Uncle Merlin turned and looked down at me, just as Aunt Tempie stepped to his side, followed by Agatha.

They all looked over my shoulder, then looked at me.

I turned my head and caught sight of Xander.

He was looking at me, then looked at the man who was walking away and then he looked at me and shrugged.

He. Fucking. Shrugged.

Then I looked at the three of them.

They nodded, then Agatha moved away.

I looked at Aunt Tempie and Uncle Merlin and saw it.

They got it.

Then I shared with them about my new job offer after I graduated.

I saw it again.

They got why I wanted to move.

Because I was so in love with Xander that I could hardly see straight.

He just didn’t love me back.

I was watching as Grimm went at it with a man who was almost a little bigger than he was.

And then in one move, he knocked the other man out with a hard uppercut.

I swear to all that’s holy that I felt the ground shake when the man landed on the mat.

I moved into the clubhouse with everyone else to get a beer.

Standing there, I watched as a woman smirked at her friends, and then I watched as she walked over to the table where Xander was sitting.

And when I saw him take the beer the skank offered him and then wink at her, before he locked eyes with me, I knew. I knew we were over.

He looked away before I did, and then... I left.

***

I felt a tear trail down my cheek as I realized he hadn’t shown up.

So much for him saying he wouldn’t miss it for the world.

I looked at Aunt Tempie and Uncle Merlin and saw that they, too, were frowning.

Then, after the graduation ceremony was over, I made my way to them.

“He’s...” My Uncle Merlin started to say.

I shook my head.

“This is the last straw,” I told them as I shook my head.

My Aunt Tempie opened her mouth.

And I could read it clearly. The thought was written all over her face.

She wanted to tell me; I told you so.

But she didn’t.

I just smiled sadly at her and nodded, “You were right.”