Page 30 of Feint

I was the same in a way. When AJ had left, I had thrown myself into my work. And I had grown so much by letting it consume me for months on end in the beginning stages of grieving the breakup.

At lunch, I checked my phone, expecting to see a little update text from Kordell, but there was nothing from him. That was a little odd, but it wasn’t like he’d never texted me on the road before. If he didn’t when he left the clubhouse, he would when he was about to get into the city where he usually filled up on gas. So, I shrugged and continued eating.

Dad came up and sat down with his food at the table next to me.

“So, I’m going to do the event in a few weeks. Should be enough time for everyone. I sent the official message with the new date to the group.”

Dad started eating his food. I nodded in reply. There really wasn’t much more for us to say right now. We were both getting through the days as best as possible. My heart was a little happy for the official date, but I wished Jayden would want to come by then. I really wanted him there. And while he might not be into drifting and racing like Dad and I were, he usually showed up to every Flywheels event. So, I was holding on to hope that it wouldbe the case with this. I knew he wouldn’t have blocked that chat since only Dad had access to message people in it. There was no reason for him to block it since no one had messaged since the day it all happened.

I went through the rest of the workday and checked my phone again as I got to my car. Still no messages. I was a little worried, so I shot off a quick text.

Rosalie

Hey, you almost to my place? I can’t wait to hang out after I get a shower to get all of this crap off me.

After a few minutes, I checked my phone again. He had seen it, but not replied. Must be driving down still. Maybe there was traffic. It was Friday night, after all. There was always more traffic in LA at the end of the week.

But when he still hadn’t replied or wasn’t there when I hopped out of the shower, I decided to give him a call. After a few rings, he answered.

“Hey! I was starting to get worried! Are you almost here—” I started, but his voice made me go silent as he cut me off.

“Rosalie! If I could talk right now, I would have answered your stupid texts, wouldn’t I?! Some shit’s gone down. I can’t deal with you right now.” Kordell’s voice was rushed and harsh, his words cutting me like a knife.

I flinched and held the phone from my ear a bit. “I’m sorry. I was just getting worried. Are you still coming over tonight?” I asked gently, trying to maybe help calm him down in a way.

“I don’t fucking know. Depends on what happens. If I can, you’ll find out if I show up.”

I could hear yelling in the background of his phone and bikes revving. Then, the line went dead. I pulled the phone away from my ear to see he had hung up the call.

“Well, okay then… you didn’t have to yell at me. I didn’t know… you big jerk.” I tossed my phone onto the couch.

I was going to make myself something to eat. My new plans were to stuff my face full of my favorite dinner and dessert and to top it all off with some good strawberry milk while watching my favorite movies about car racing. Ten films, and I was starting at the beginning.

I was midway through the third movie and two glasses of strawberry milk in when I heard my front door open and shut. Okay, slammed shut would be a better description, but I was trying to be nice.

I glanced over my shoulder as Kordell stalked into the room, and boy, did he look upset. He was dirty, and he smelled like more than just exhaust fumes, but I couldn’t quite place the smell from this far away. And he looked like he was at the end of his rope and angry. I watched him walk into the kitchen, and I turned my attention back toward the TV.

But after hearing him slam cabinets and the fridge door, I paused my movie, twisting in my seat to talk to him. “So, gonna tell me why you were so upset and what’s wrong? Or just throw the kitchen around?” I might have sounded more sarcastic than I meant to, but if I was honest, I was still annoyed by how he acted around me today.

He turned at the counter that separated us and gripped the edge. His eyes dilated slightly as he glared at me. Taking deep breaths as he held my stare.

“A business deal for the clubhouse went south. Really south. We had over two hundred thousand dollars stolen from us by our rivals tonight. And it was under my watch, so everyone was pissed at me. And we tried to get it back, but couldn’t. Theygot away with it. Now, the vice president role won’t ever be mine after a fuckup this bad.” His words were cold and full of hate. If he weren’t gripping the counter, he would have probably clenched his fists so hard that he would have made them ache. His body literally shook, and he was so angry.

“Well… that really sucks. But I’m sure there is something else you can do? I could help you think of ways to fix it, maybe?” I tried to keep my voice light because even if I was annoyed at him, I could see how much whatever had happened messed with him. And I would always try to help the people I cared about even if I was mad at them. I could go back to being mad after the issue was fixed.

He looked at me, then down to the floor, and his shoulders shook.

Is he crying?I got off the couch and quickly walked over to him, placing a hand gently on his arm. “Kordell? It’s going to be ok—”

But my words were cut off as he turned and roughly grabbed me and yanked me into a kiss. It was hard, aggressive, and he started to make out with me, backing me into the fridge. I stiffened and grabbed his arms, trying to push a little away from him so I could talk.

He pushed against me harder, his rough motorcycle gear abrasive on my soft skin. Kordell had been rough with me before when it came to making out and sex, but this was different. This was like he wasn’t kissing ME; he was just going through the motions to move through his anger. I shoved him harder, turning my head so our lips would break apart. He brought a hand up to turn my face back to his, but I got a hand up to his lips first.

“W-wait! Kordell, stop! Please!”

I needed him to stop and listen. I couldn’t do anything physical with him when he was in this state. I knew he justneeded to get all of this off his chest, but this wasn’t the way I wanted it to happen.

He let out a loud, exasperated groan. “What the fuck, Rosalie? You said you wanted to help me? Make it better? Then, let me do what I want!” he snapped at my face.

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