Slinging a thigh over the seat, Jewell started the motor. Hearing the low hum of the bike settled the anxiety of seeing Rory coming out of the bathroom dressed as if he was there to fulfill every sexual fantasy imaginable. And she had several … Jesus.
Slowly, she pulled toward the garage door, and as she rode closer, the garage door lifted. Raising her hand, she thanked Nickel, who was in the security room, watching over the selection of vehicles and motorcycles the members kept stored.
Thankfully, the roads were clear, so Jewell opened her motorcycle full throttle. Riding always gave her a clearer perspective. She preferred riding at someone’s back just so she could enjoy the ride without having to watch the curvy roads. One of the brothers would have offered to take her out for a ride if she had asked. Today, though, she just wanted to be left alone, which made no sense to her. In Ohio, she would have, if the weather had cooperated with her. Why did she give a fuck if Rory saw her leaving with one of the members?
Conflicting emotions of attraction to Rory and the loyalty she felt for The Last Riders were warring inside her. She had never been in the position before where she was attracted to a non-member.
Riding through the deserted streets in town, Jewell gassed up at the station before heading back toward the club. Not wanting to go back yet, she saw the road that led to the overlook.
The overlook was deserted. She parked her bike and walked toward the edge. Uncaring of the cold ground, Jewell sat down to stare at the sleepy town. She should have left long ago. There wasn’t anything here for her. Hell, even the bowling alley had closed. There wasn’t anything to do for entertainment other than a movie theater.
Hearing the sound of a motorcycle approaching, Jewell clenched her teeth in irritation. The motorcycle being shut off further infuriated her.
“You’re the last person I want to talk to,” she said as she heard the crunching of boots on the frost-covered grass.
“Too bad.”
Jewell wanted to leave, but stayed seated as Reaper sat down. Bracing his back against a tree, he stared at her.
“What’s going on, Jewell?”
“Nothing, other than I wanted some space,” she hedged.
“I meant with Ginny.”
Jewell snapped her head around to face the town again. “Ask her.”
“I’m asking you.”
“What do you want to hear, Reaper? You already know what the deal is with me and Ginny. Why do you need to hear it from my mouth?”
“So, the issue you’re having with Ginny is about me?”
She angrily switched her gaze back to him. “Just because you ignore my feelings for you doesn’t make them miraculously disappear.”
“I’ve been upfront and honest. The feelings will never be returned.”
“When Taylor didn’t give a fuck about you when you were found, did it make you stop caring?”
“No, it didn’t.” He sighed in exasperation. “But there was a difference between Taylor and me and you and me. We were in a committed relationship.”
“The only one committed in that relationship was you.” Sarcastically, she made a face at him.
“Which still doesn’t excuse what happened with Ginny.”
“What do you want to hear?” she snapped out. “That I’m a jealous bitch? That it’s killing me slowly watching you with her? Don’t worry; I’ll mind my P’s and Q’s from now on. After I help Elizabeth, I’m going to move back to Ohio. I’ll be out of your hair.”
“Running away isn’t going to make anyone happy. Certainly not Ginny or me.”
“Why would you care?”
“Because Ginny has this irritating habit of wanting everyone to be happy. She considers you family.”
“She doesn’t.”
He laughed. “She does.”
Happiness shone out of his face like a beacon. Any jealousy toward Ginny evaporated like a drop of rain in an arid desert. She would have sold her soul to the devil for just an ounce of happiness for Reaper, regardless of whether she was in his life or not.
“Her happiness effects mine, so we need to get this settled.”
“There’s nothing to settle. I’m leaving, and you two can live happily ever after.”
“I want you to be happy also. Just because I don’t have any romantic interest in you doesn’t mean I don’t care.” Reaper leaned forward, looping his hands around his knees. “Before I was kidnapped, we were close friends. I haven’t been much of one to you since then, and I’m sorry. I’m trying to do better. I have several relationships that need repairing.”
“Do you think, if we had met as strangers, you would have wanted me?”
“From the moment I saw Ginny, our souls connected. Regardless of how we met, you weren’t Ginny.”
His truthfulness didn’t hurt the way she had expected. Instead, there was just a deep ache filled with what might had been if he hadn’t met Ginny. Either way, Reaper wouldn’t have been with her; he would have made up with Taylor. The realization eased the self-recriminations she was harping on that her past mistakes had kept her from the future she wanted.