He winks at me. “That was the point.”
“How long are you here for?” I ask excitedly.
“Just the weekend, but I’m all yours for that entire time.”
I hook one of my arms in his. “I missed you so much; I’m so happy you’re here.”
“You got any plans that I’m interrupting?”
I shake my head. “There is a party tonight, but I can call and cancel – anything to spend time with you.”
He scoffs. “No way; I love a good party. I’ll come with.”
“I’m supposed to be getting ready with a friend, but I’ll tell her I had a surprise guest.”
“Invite her over to get ready with you.”
I grin up at him. “Ideas man.”
He winks. “Fuck it’s good to see you. Life is boring without your kind of crazy.”
I laugh. “Any gossip to share?”
“Same old shit.”
We walk towards my car, and I notice Diesel standing against a tree, foot up resting flat on it, his back against the trunk. He’s got his arms crossed, and his eyes are on me. My skin heats under his stare, and I have to swallow the thick lump in my throat. The way he’s looking at me . . . God . . . the urge to squirm is nearly unbearable.
“Know him?” Max asks.
I flinch and jerk my eyes away from Diesel. “Nah.”
“He’s lookin’ at you like he knows you.”
I shrug. “He’s a nobody, Max.”
I glance at Diesel and something almost painful flashes across his face. Did he just hear me?
And even if he did, why would he care?
~*~*~*~
“I never thought I’d say it.” Shay grins, running a brush through my hair. “But your redheaded friend is hot!”
I laugh. “He’s surprising like that.”
“I’ve seen a lot of guys with red hair—hell, I have it myself, and that’s exactly why I never look at men who have it too, but him . . . holy crap. I’d let him light my fire anytime.”
A giggle bursts forth and erupts from my throat. Shay grins at me in the mirror and runs a hair straightener through my locks.
“You have the nicest hair. I’m so jealous.”
I raise my brows. “Your hair is gorgeous.”
She snorts. “It’s red.”
“You just said Max was hot with red hair.”
“Yes, Max is hot. I’m not.”
“You so are.”
She rolls her eyes and finishes my hair. “What’re you wearing?”
My cheeks flush, and I shrug lightly. “I don’t really own anything nice. My dad is . . . over-protective.”
Her eyes light up. “Then you can borrow something of mine. Come on, let’s see.”
She goes to her bag and pulls out three dresses. She holds each up in turn, tilting her head to the side and studying them. She decides on a red number. She spins around and thrusts it at me. “This one.”
I stare down at the dress. There isn’t much to it.
“Is there anymore?”
She bursts out laughing. “You’re hilarious. Go put it on. You’ll kill the guys with this one.”
I turn hesitantly and disappear down the hall into the bathroom. I quickly discard my clothes and pull the dress over my head. I have to wiggle it on it’s so tight. I tug it down just above my knees and stand up, staring at myself. My mouth drops open. My father would have a conniption if he saw me in this. But . . . holy hell it’s hot! A huge grin spreads across my face as I turn to the left and to the right.
The dress is tight all the way down my body. It has a dip at the front that’s topped off with one big swath of material that’s loose and falls softly past my breasts. It gives it a little elegance. The back is low, and it’s got tiny spaghetti straps. Yes, my father would lose his ever-lovin’ mind if he saw me in this. Hopefully Max doesn’t take any photos to share tonight.
I straighten the dress a little, then turn and walk out. I run straight into Max, who is coming down the hall. He steadies me and then sucks in a breath. “Fuck me.”
I look up to see him staring at me, eyes wide, mouth agape. “Is it bad?”
“Fuckin’ hell. I liked you as a friend five minutes ago. Right now I want to throw you over my shoulder and do—”
“Max!” I cry.
He looks up to me. “Seriously, Mercedes. When did you get so hot?”
I thump his shoulder. “It’s just a dress.”
He hooks an arm around my shoulder. “Honey, that’s not just a dress. That’s heaven.”
I giggle.
“Oh my!” Shay says, when she steps out of the room wearing a very similar black dress. “I knew it’d look hot on you.”
Max stops walking, and I look up at him to see his eyes travel down Shay’s body. “You look awesome, Shay.”
She flushes. “Oh, this old thing.”
I chuckle softly.
“We ready?” Max says, after awkwardly clearing his throat.
“Hell yes,” Shay cries.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Max turns me towards the door. “Let’s do this.”
Yes, let’s.
CHAPTER SIX
The party is held at a massive three-story house amongst other fraternity places. This one is the main house, and it’s massive. It’s also full of drunk, loud, crazy people. Max moves Shay and I through the crowd, and towards the cups and beer. We pour ourselves a drink and find a spot by the pool, and watch drunk people launch themselves into the water. There are couples kissing and getting seriously hot and heavy in the spa.
“Sure you’re ready for college parties?” Max says into my ear.
“Dude, I grew up with bikers. This is nothing.”
“She makes a point.”
I sip my beer and scan the area, taking in so many unfamiliar faces. I stop on one face that’s so familiar it hurts. Diesel stands by a rock near the pool, his back pressed against it, Maxine tucked to his side. He’s wearing all black, from his boots to his button-up shirt that’s rolled at the elbows. His hair is messy and completely unruly, but his face is shaven.
God. He’s so beautiful my heart aches just looking at him.
“Starin’ at him again.”
I look to Max, who’s watching Diesel. “It’s a long story, Max. Trust me, you don’t want to hear it.”
His face tightens. “He bothering you?”
“No, of course not.”
He huffs. “Goin’ to get another beer.”
“I’ll be around the pool.” I smile.
Shay comes up beside me, her hips swaying to the music as she moves. “Diesel is watching you.”
I don’t look at him again, though the urge is strong. I just shrug. I don’t need anyone else knowing what a fool I’ve made of myself when it comes to the uber hot male standing by the pool.
“Oh come on, he’s an ass, but he’s hot as hell. Aren’t you a little interested?”
“No way,” I say quickly—probably a little too quickly. “He’s a jerk. I don’t go for jerks.”
We walk beside the pool, not far from the edge. The water is blue and inviting. It looks awesome. The song changes and people cheer, some standing up and wiggling their bodies to the music. I can’t help but smile, they all look so happy and carefree. That’s exactly what I’m here to feel.
“Oh, there are some of my friends. I’ll get them and bring them over for you to meet!” Shay says, waving madly to her left.
“I’ll be right here.” I grin. “Go and say hello.”
“You sure?”
“Max is coming back, we’ll come over when he does.”
She smiles and rushes off, I keep walking slowly around the pool, just taking it all in. I’m staring at a couple kissing in the water when an elbow hits the middle of my back. I stumble forward, my drink flying from my hand as I fall towards the cool blue below. I let out a scream as a hand shoves my back again, taking my balance completely from me. I cry out as I slip, tumbling
into the pool. As I’m going down, something painful slams against my temple.
I open my mouth and scream, only to get a lung full of water. My body automatically tries to expel it and I start to cough. That makes it worse. Soon, I’m inhaling way too much water. I flail around, trying to get to the surface. My lungs burn and panic sets in as I try desperately to get up. A strong arm seems to come from nowhere and curls around my waist, hauling me out of the water. The minute the cool night air hits my face, I cough and splutter, water pouring from my mouth.
“You’re all right. Cough it out.”
That voice.
A big hand pats my back as I cough, trying to free my lungs as they struggle to get air through the flood happening in them.
“Someone get some ice.”
Diesel.
It’s Diesel.
My head pounds as the coughing subsides and a warm thumb glides over my temple. I wince in pain and try to turn. “Stay still,” he orders.
My vision clears slightly and I see Max running towards the pool, shoving through people who have all gathered around to watch.
“Mercedes?” he yells. “Fuck. Get her out of the pool.”
My mind is a little fuzzy as Diesel swims us to the edge. Max reaches down before he’s there, hooking his hands under my armpits and launching me out of the water. I crash into his chest and try to turn to see Diesel, but I can’t. Max is holding me way too tightly. He’s panting and clearly concerned, I can only imagine how that looked to him.
“You okay?”
“I h-h-h-hit my head,” I splutter. I reach up and graze my fingertips over my temple, wincing.
“Hospital,” Max says. “Just in case it’s a concussion.”
It’s not bleeding, is a hospital visit too much? “I d-d-d-don’t know.”
He lets go of me and looks to my temple. “Wasn’t asking, honey.”
“Mercedes,” Shay cries, rushing over with ice. “Oh God, are you okay?”
She looks frantic as she reaches us, thrusting the ice at Max, who thanks her. My attention is now on Diesel who is soaking wet, hair pressed to his forehead, eyes on me. I open my mouth to speak but Shay steps in front of him, blocking my view. “Oh my God, your eye is swelling. Are you okay?”
“Ah . . .” I say, trying to look around her.
“We need to get her to the hospital to make sure,” Max orders, pulling me away from the crowd.
I try again. “Yes, but—”
Shay rushes forward and when I look past her, Diesel is gone.
Just like that.
My heart drops.
I never even got to thank him.
~*~*~*~
“Oh boy,” I mumble to myself, as the doors in the hospital waiting room fling open and my dad, followed by Jackson, Cade and Muff, comes barreling in. “You called my father,” I hiss to Max, who is sitting beside me.
He gives me a sympathetic look. “I had to. You know I had to.”
“I fell into a pool,” I protest.
“You got pushed in, and you have a mild concussion. If he found out and I didn’t call—God, he’d have my head. You know I had no choice.”
I glare at him. “I could have told him I fell down the stairs. Max, he’s going to lose his shit if he sees me in this—”
“Fuck,” Dad says, cutting me off before I can say anymore. His eyes fall to my head. “Baby, what happened?”
I turn and stare at my father. “Dad, you didn’t need to come. I just slipped.”
His eyes move to my dress. “What’re you wearing?”
“Daddy . . .”
“Where were you?”
I sigh. “Dad—”
“What the fuck were you doin’?”
“Dad!” I yell, and he finally gives me his attention back and forces his glare from my dress to my face. He looks super scary tonight, his blond hair all messy, and his brown eyes wild. He’s got two-day growth on his chin, which he never usually has. His big leather jacket is loud and proud on his back, stretched over his shoulders and coming around to his chest.
“What happened, Mouse?”
“Good to see you too, old man,” I mutter, rubbing my head.
He softens a little and comes closer, squatting down in front of me and taking my chin. He lifts my head and our eyes lock. “What happened, baby?”
Better. The bear isn’t up for a fight anymore.
“I went to a party with Max, and someone pushed me into the pool. I hit my head.”
He studies me, no doubt to see if I’m telling the truth. He nods a few seconds later. “Who?”
“Pardon?”
His eyes flash. “Who pushed you?”
I look to Jackson for help, but he just keeps his arms crossed and nods, encouraging me. Bloody bikers.
“I have no idea.”
Dad studies me again.
“Think she’s tellin’ the truth, Spike,” Cade says.
Thank God someone has faith in me.
“And the dress?” Dad pushes.
I look away a little sheepishly. I don’t really like the idea of my father seeing me dressed like this. I try to brush it off. “It’s a dress, Dad. I borrowed it from a friend.”
“It’s not a dress; it’s basically lingerie. Cover up.”
He shrugs off his jacket and thrusts it at me. My eyes get big.
“I’m not wearing that.”
He narrows his eyes. “Why not?”
“Dad, it’s your cut. It’s loud, and it’s proud. I’m not wearing it. Someone might see.”
He looks kind of hurt by that. “You ashamed of who you are?”
My face softens. “No, of course not, but I’m trying to make friends, and I don’t want them to be scared off! You’re scary, they’re scary,” I jerk my finger towards Jackson, Cade and Muff.
“Here, take mine,” Max says, shrugging his plain black hoodie off.
“Where were you, boy?” Dad growls at him.
God. Here we go. “It’s not his fault, Dad. He was getting me a drink. He’s not my damned bodyguard.”
Dad holds Max’s eyes. Max gives it right back, not flinching. Atta boy. Dad finally jerks his head back in my direction.
“Right. Let’s get you home.”
I sigh and stand, wobbling a little. Dad takes my arm, steadying me. “You sure you’re allowed to leave?”
“Ask yourself, if you like,” I murmur. I have a pounding headache, but otherwise I’m feeling okay.
“Come on.”
I smile weakly at Cade, Jackson and Muff as Dad leads me out of the hospital. They all follow quietly. We reach Dad’s truck, and I sigh with relief. He didn’t bring his bike. Thank God. He opens the door for me, and then throws a fifty at Cade. “Get a cab. Wanna talk to my daughter on the way home.”
“On it,” Cade says.
“Come on, boy,” Muff says to Max.
Max reluctantly goes, and I climb into the truck with a sigh. Dad gets into the driver’s side and pulls out, saying nothing for a few minutes.
“It was just a party, Dad,” I say carefully, gently even.
“My baby got hurt tonight, somewhere I couldn’t protect her. There has never been a single fuckin’ moment of your life when I haven’t been able to protect you, Mercedes. Not one. Tonight, you go out wearin’ that dress, gettin’ a concussion, and I’ve realized you’re no longer under my wing. I can’t be there every step of the way. That fuckin’ kills me.”
“Daddy,” I whisper.
“Somethin’ happens to you . . .”
“Dad—”
“Not as strong as Jacks. Couldn’t forgive myself if something happened to you.”
He’s referring to Ava.
“Dad, nothing is going to happen to me. What touched Ava was club business; I’m not even part of the club.”
“Don’t mean trouble can’t find you, baby.”
“I had to grow up one day—you know that. I’m going to get hurt. Shit things are going to happen. I’ll always bounce b
ack.”
He pulls the truck over, and when it’s stopped, he turns to me. “I don’t wanna see you have to bounce back, but you’re right. I know you’re grown, doin’ your own thing, livin’ your own life, but fuck, kid. It’s killing me not being around to protect you.”
I smile and reach over, taking his hand. He has big hands, my dad. Big and strong. His fingers boast numerous skull rings, and I’m reminded that even though he’s my dad, to the rest of the world, he’s a biker. Still, these hands can be so gentle. They always have been with me.
“I’ll always come to you and Mom. You know that, right?”
He studies me. “Hope so.”
“I will. Tonight was just me learning what the real world is all about. It’s life. I’ll get used to it.”
“People pushin’ you around ain’t life, Mercedes. It’s bullying.”
My smile wobbles. “Yeah, well, I’m a biker brat. I’ll sort them out if I need to.”
He grins, transforming his face. “That’s my girl.”
And I would.
Right?
CHAPTER SEVEN
I watch the bikers milling around my living area and I can’t help but smile. They look so out of place in my tiny little apartment. Taj isn’t home, thank God. He’d have a fit if he walked in and saw all these guys. I’ve given them all a beer from Taj’s stash, and I’m hoping they’ll leave soon so he doesn’t come in with them lounging all over his sofa.
“You all good, princess?”
I’m staring at everyone, mind all over the place, when I hear Muff’s voice. I focus on him and smile.
“I’m good, Muff. Thanks. You didn’t have to come.”
He shrugs one shoulder. “Had nothin’ else to do.”
“Or you were making sure Max was doing the right thing.”
He grins. “Know me too well.”
“He didn’t do anything wrong, I promise. He was awesome.”
His eyes get warm. Muff loves his boy. “Know my boy wouldn’t let anything happen you intentionally. We all miss things.”
“He can’t be everywhere, and besides, it isn’t his job to look after me.”
His face softens even more. “You’re his best friend. It is his job, princess.”
I smile. “It’s also his job to get his best friend beer, which is what he was doing when I got pushed.”