Page 28 of Spider

Nova gets up and sits next to Star, wrapping her arm around her shoulder. I get up and take Enzo from Star, letting them have this moment. Nova pulls her into a tight hug, neither of them saying anything, because they don’t need to. They have a mutual understanding of what happened.

Enzo stares up at me, and I smile at him as his chubby little fingers try to grab my spider tattoo on the side of my neck. “You ain’t getting that off, little man,” I tell him. He frowns and slaps his chubby hand on my neck. I laugh. “Fuck, just like your mamma.”

“Like I go around slapping people,” Star defends, coming to take Enzo from me.

“Not physically no, but darlin’, your mouth packs a fucking punch.” I laugh as she walks into the kitchen, flipping me off.

“Right, I suppose I should go and make breakfast,” Nova says standing.

I grab my T-shirt and put it on. “Not today. I’m taking you for breakfast,” I tell her.

Nova stares at me like I’ve just asked her the toughest math equation. “Why?” she asks, confused.

“Because you had shit last night, because I’m hungry, and because you need to eat too,” I add as I lace up my boots.

“Okay, but why?” she asks again, staring at me like I’ve lost my damn mind.

“Because I’m hungry, because you need food, and no one expects you to cook today,” I reiterate.

She stands there just staring at me, not moving. “Sweetheart,” I call out.

“Huh?” she asks, dazed.

“Go and fucking get dressed. I’m taking you out for breakfast,” I affirm.

“Okay,” she mutters, still staring at me like I’ve got an ulterior motive.

I nod, smiling as she walks off down the hall.

“So, is that the plan then? Show her the real you, the decent you, and hope she falls madly in love with you? Or are you in it just to charm her into your bed?” Star asks.

Turning around, I face her. “Jesus, how are you always there?” I sigh. “I just thought it would be nice to take her to breakfast, that is all.” I shrug.

“Hhm.” Star gives me a look. “I’m just saying that one minute you’re practically pulling on her pigtails and pushing her over, and the next you’re fluttering your eyelashes. So, you either have a split personality disorder that we didn’t know about, or you want to get freaky,” she states.

“Where is Enzo?” I ask.

“Don’t change the subject. He’s sat in his high chair in the kitchen with Queenie,” she states sharply.

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “For a while, I didn’t feel like I deserved her kindness, so I was a dick. Do I think she’s hot? Of course she fucking is. I’m not blind. But Acid was my brother long before this club, and that’s a level of disrespect I ain’t comfortable with,” I state.

Star walks up to me and places a kiss on my cheek, then gives me a little slap. “You are worthy of her kindness, her love, and anything else that she decides to give you. Don’t ever think you are not worthy,” she affirms. “Now, I’m going to go feed my son, or at least watch him throw food around the place. Enjoy your breakfast, and if you are going to Lizzie’s, grab me one of their smores muffins.” She winks before walking back into the kitchen.

A few minutes pass and Nova comes out wearing a long black boho skirt that sits low on her hips, and a crochet halter top that stops just above her belly button. Her blonde hair is long and wavy, draped over one shoulder.

“Ready?” she asks, breaking me out of my daze.

“Er, yeah. You alright to ride in that?” I ask, gesturing to the skirt. She nods, smiling.

I hand her the helmet to put on and once it’s fastened, she gathers up her skirt and climbs on behind me. As she wraps her arms around my waist, I tense.

“Oh, sorry,” she apologises, placing her hands on my shoulders instead.

I start the bike and ride. I can feel her fingers digging in as I increase my speed. I smile as we turn into the bend, feeling her thighs clamping tightly around me. I reach down and place my hand on her thigh, stroking my thumb back and forth, feeling her relax a little. I don’t remove my hand. Instead, I keep it there for the remainder of the ride.

Coming to a stop outside of Lizzie’s Diner, Nova climbs off and begins unbuckling her helmet. Her fingers are shaking, and after I get off the bike I take over. I unclasp it and lift it from her head.

She smiles. “Thanks,” she says sheepishly.

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