Page 35 of Chains

Zoe

I knew I was acting like a spoiled brat. And that was the only reason I had agreed to Lexie badgering me about going to the club tonight. Deep down, I knew Caleb wouldn’t dare show his face there, but the irrational part of me saw his face around every corner. I didn’t tell Chains about my suspicions, because he’d only say I must be imagining things. And I know I must be, because there’s no way he’d show up in Briar Creek knowing the club could catch him at any time.

Now, I had to rummage through my wardrobe for something suitable to wear and pretend I wasn't freaking out the entire evening. The presence of one of Chains' fuck buddies who worked at the diner in Cullville only added to my stress that spending the day with him had already created.

The way she was flirting openly in front of me with him made me want to go postal on her. I had been ready to climb him like a tree after being wrapped around him all day on his bike, and starting an argument with Lexie was the only way I could see of stopping those feelings.

But, of course, nothing could stop the feelings I had for the man. A man I was in love with for over a decade. I tried to get over him by marrying a man who was the complete opposite. Clean cut, clean shaven, a respectable job. And look where that got me? I’d stuck it out for over eight years, put up with his abuse, but I would not do it anymore.

Never again. He and I were done for good.

Chains stops his bike in the parking lot of Lexie’s apartment beside Riggs, and I silently watch my friend get off, handing the helmet back to him. He says something that makes her blush, and I take a deep breath, unable to sit there much longer. Feeling anxious about what I had agreed to tonight. I got angry at Lexie and agreed without thinking it through.

Sliding off from behind Chains, I hand him the pink and black helmet he gave me, and turn to walk away, when he suddenly hooks his fingers in the belt loops of my jeans yanking me towards him, locking me between his legs since he’s still sitting on the bike. Silently, he pushes it back to me.

“It’s yours, I got it for you, so keep it for when I pick you up tonight,” he says, and I can see he’s angry when he looks me straight in the eyes. “Because let’s be clear, there will be more rides like today.”

Before I’m even able to reply, he lowers his head, crashing his lips against mine in a kiss that was hotter than the one we shared earlier, if that was even at all possible. Almost obscenely, our tongues shamelessly tasting each other’s mouths outside where everyone could see us. His tongue pushes its way into my mouth, and on a light groan, I join in with my own.

I’m completely lost in a haze of lust when he suddenly pulls back. He then takes my hand, placing it over his tented jeans. I gasp, wanting to pull my hand away from his hardness, as he looks at me knowingly.

“I’ll be by around seven to pick you up.” He says gruffly before suddenly letting my hand go, silently revs the engine, and backs out, riding away without a backward glance, and leaving me staring after him

Goose pimples rise all over my arms, and a feeling of being watched washes over me all over again. I hadn’t noticed that Lexie had already gone inside, and Riggs had left together with Chains, leaving me standing on the front lawn alone. As I’m about to turn and go inside, a blacked out nondescript sedan slowly drives down the street.

I can’t see who’s driving it, but panic and terror stir inside me, and I turn to run inside, slamming the door shut behind me and locking it.

Lexie’s standing there, staring at me as though I’d lost my mind. “You alright?” she asks, a worried expression on her face.

Clearing my throat, I force a smile on my lips. What am I going to say? I think my ex is following me, but I can’t be sure because I couldn’t see his face? The driver could just as easily be visiting someone in the street and looking for a house number, that’s a completely plausible reason they were going so slow. Right?

“Sure, why wouldn’t I be?” I chirp, injecting an overly cheerful tone to my voice.

“I dunno, you just seem a little off. Is it the kiss I saw you and Chains engaged in?” She smiles. To shift the focus off me, and to stop the blush that’s reddened my cheeks, I turn the tables.

“Something happen between you and Riggs? You practically ignored each other the whole time at the diner.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Touche, but we weren’t talking about me,” Lexie replies dryly, going into her bedroom and flinging open the doors to her walk-in closet. Which is a perfect match to mine in my room. Studying the contents, effectively cutting off all talk about Riggs.

“And why aren’t we talking about you?” I push, leaning against the doorframe.

“Because Riggs doesn’t know how to love me.” She whirls around angrily, admitting in a frustrated tone.

“That’s utter rubbish and you know it. What’s that even mean? He’s loved you for as long as I can remember.”

“You don’t understand. It’s complicated and I don’t want to talk about it anymore. More than once, he’s told me all we’ll ever have is a brother sister relationship.” My best friend sniffles, wiping angrily at the stray tear that dared to escape.

I push off the doorframe, wrapping my friend in a warm, supportive hug.

“If what I witnessed today between you two is just brotherly/sisterly love, then I have no idea what the concept of love is.”

“I don’t want to talk about Riggs anymore. He’s closed himself off from me, and nothing I say or do is going to change that.” She says sadly.

“So tonight, I’m going to wipe him from my memory and move on. Maybe flirt up a storm, drink, and if I’m lucky, maybe bring someone home with me tonight. You don’t mind if I bring someone back here, do you?” She adds, withdrawing a short black leather strapless bodycon dress, and my eyebrows disappear above my hairline at her choice of attire.

For as long as I’ve known her, she’s always either warn jeans or leather pants, rarely wearing skirts or dresses. Which means she was serious about the statement she made about Riggs. She was determined to show him she could move on without him.

“Are you going to just stand there, or are you going to get ready? The guys will be here soon.” She tells me, checking her watch. She slides into the dress, uncaring that I’m still standing there, and she was completely naked. I’m amazed she’s able to do that. I’d probably be fighting the thing for hours to get it over my hips, even though I’ve lost a ton of weight.

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