Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“Really?”
“Yeah, it means people will think twice before messing with us.”
“I don’t know. It sounds kind of sad.”
“It’s not sad.”
“No one trusts you though. Trust and loyalty are what rule your club.”
“What rules the club is trust and loyalty with each other. We don’t care what a bunch of civilians think. They can all suck my dick as far as I’m concerned. You should try it.”
“Don’t worry. I don’t think they should all suck my dick. I failed to care a long time ago.”
“See, you’re learning.”
“I was taught by the best.” She pulled away, but Alfie caught her hand. “Seriously, this is kind of freaky. I need to grab some flour.”
“I know, but we’re not at the aisle yet and I’m trying this out.”
“You know this is what couples do.”
“Do you want to be my girlfriend?”
She laughed, drawing attention to them. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh.”
“Yeah, you did.”
“No, I really didn’t. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. Really. No, I don’t want to be your girlfriend, Alfie.”
“I’d make a good boyfriend.”
“Have you ever been anyone’s boyfriend?” she asked.
“No.”
“Then you can’t go around saying how good you’d be at it.” She smiled. “I … this is all so new. I didn’t mean to insult you.”
“But you did it anyway.”
“I’m sorry. Please, forgive me.”
“Of course, so long as you kiss me.”
“That’s not going to happen.” She glanced at his lips.
“I don’t believe you.”
“All because I won’t kiss you?”
“A kiss is really, really important.”
She frowned, folding her arms. “Okay, explain to me how this works with you? A kiss is that not important.”
“It goes to show you know nothing.”
“I know a whole lot of things,” she said.
“A kiss shows you’re starting to trust me.”
“And by me not kissing you, it proves I don’t.”
“You’re not even giving it a real shot. You should kiss me. Give me a real shot. I won’t let you down.”
Chloe nibbled her lip.
She wanted to trust, but she had this sick, twisted feeling in her gut that told her not to trust. Something bad was going to happen.
Rather than have him make a scene, she stepped up to him, placed her hand on his arm, and pressed a kiss to his lips. It was short, sweet, but it was a kiss.
“See, my first one, Alfie. I can start to trust.”
****
Her first-ever kiss.
On Sunday, lying in his bed, Alfie stared up at the ceiling and played the events in the supermarket in his head. They’d gotten the necessary flour and returned home, but that kiss… It had meant something.
He’d been her first kiss. Was it crazy to actually be happy about that?
There was a knock on his door.
Turning his head, he asked who it was.
“Me,” Eagle said.
Alfie sat up, and his father entered a few seconds later.
“Hey, son,” Eagle said. “I was thinking of going over to Lily’s place. I passed it a couple of days ago and saw the lawn was overgrown. I figured she could use some help.”
“Do you want me to come as well? I know they were talking about doing some yard work today,” he said.
“You did?”
“I went and hung out with Chloe.”
“Why?”
“Making amends,” he said. Eagle didn’t need to know this was all part of a bigger plan to put her in her place.
“Good. Lily worries about her a lot. Yes, get dressed. You can help. No bullshit while we’re there.”
“Do club rules stand?”
“No. We’re going as a family.”
Club rules stated he was not to call him “Dad,” or to question him. Going as a family would be different. He’d have to call him “Dad,” and questions were allowed. This was going to be surreal. Ever since he became a teenager, his father had been training him for the role of taking over as club president. When it finally happened, he intended to take care and make sure no one doubted his position within the club.
Pulling on a pair of jeans and a shirt that had seen better days, he grabbed a cup of coffee and joined his father in his pickup truck.
“Dad, do you have a thing for Lily?” Alfie asked, climbing into the passenger truck.
“That’s none of your concern, son.”
It never failed to amaze him how quickly his father could turn on and off the president role.
“She’s still hung up on Kurt.”
“That asshole never deserved her.”
“Did you know them, growing up?”
“Yes. Your grandfather, he was in charge of the club.”
“You’re also a couple of years older than them.”
“I know.”
Alfie looked at his dad. He knew his father never loved his mother. It was why after she spat him out, she went packing. No one had seen or heard from her since.
From what he’d discovered, Lily had taken care of him a lot of the time. There were tales of him sharing a crib with Chloe.
“One day you will understand, there are women who are meant to be taken care of. Who you’re supposed to love from the very beginning and deserve for you to bend over backwards for. They’re loyal, trusting, and they own your heart.”