Page 28 of Rex

“Pigeon, take your wife to dinner,” Trigger orders while squeezing Ivy’s shoulder then hustling towards his bike.

As soon as Ivy drives off with Pigeon following on his bike, Trigger grins.

“Clubhouse and Horse ass-kicking time!” he shouts before starting his bike and roaring out of the lot.

I watch as the rest do the same. Waiting until they’re all gone, I start my bike but turn the other direction when I pull out. I know I’m being stupid, but I turn my bike towards Aria’s home. I can’t just let things go when it comes to her.

I’m not surprised when Aria doesn’t answer her door, and I stand there, uncertain what to do next. I’m not sure if she’s home or not, so I start toward my bike, planning on riding to her business. My luck must finally be changing because I spot her car coming up the road just as I swing my leg over my seat. I sit there, hoping she doesn’t drive away when she sees me. She doesn’t, so I swing back off my bike and walk to her car door.

“Why are you here?” Aria asks as she steps out of her car.

“We need to talk.”

“We really don’t, but thank you,” she says as she tries to brush past me.

“We can do it inside or out here, but we’re talking, Aria.”

She stops, slings her purse over her shoulder with a little more force than necessary, and turns to face me. I suck in a breath at the changes in her that I can now see by standing in her space. Yes, I notice the hair change, but that’s not what’s caught my eye.

Aria is a beautiful woman, and nothing has changed that, but she’s lost weight. Her face shows exhaustion, and it’s more noticeable with how gaunt it is. I quickly scan the rest of her and don’t see the usual confidence that always seemed to be wrapped around her. Her shoulders are slumped, and her eyes seem lifeless. No spark, no gleam. I feel my gut clench, and I instinctively reach for her.

Aria’s eyes widen, and she quickly steps back. I let my hands drop back to my sides and take a deep breath. Releasing it, I step to the side and wave at her front door. I follow her up the few steps and inside when she unlocks it. Setting her purse and keys on a small table near the door, Aria heads directly to her kitchen. I again follow her, take a seat at the bar, and wait.

“I’m guessing alcohol is going to be necessary for this talk. What do you want?” she asks in a quiet voice.

“Beer is fine.”

Grabbing one for each of us, Aria stays on the opposite side of the bar. Leaning against it, she slides mine to me and then opens her own.

“Talk,” she orders.

After spending night after night thinking of the many things I would say to her if she’d answer the phone, I’m now completely blank. I continue staring at her and take a long drink of beer to buy time. Mind racing, I blurt out the first thing I think of.

“You’ve lost weight.”

“Yes, I have, but I’m sure that’s not why you’re here.”

“It’s not. Damnit, Aria, I can’t think of the hundred things I’ve wanted to say to you. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not taking better care of you that night. I’m sorry for being an ass and letting myself get drugged. Fuck, I’m just so very sorry that you didn’t get the best of me and got a drunk jerk instead. I didn’t deserve you to begin with, and then I blew it all to hell. I don’t—”

“You didn’t blow it, and you weren’t a jerk. You were fun and kind, and I loved every minute of spending time with you,” Aria says quietly. “But I didn’t recognize the signs because I had drunk too much too.”

“You need to let that go, Aria. You weren’t responsible for any of it, and no one blames you,” I reply sincerely.

“I… we did things that night,” she all but whispers.

“And you have no idea how much I wish I could remember every single detail because having you in my bed is not something I’d ever want to forget. My biggest regret is not having the memory of us together. I want those memories, Aria. I want you. I want us,” I state emphatically.

“I took advantage of you, of the situation, and that’s wrong,” she insists, but I notice the softening of her features.

“Not knowingly, and that’s what counts. Besides, I’m a guy. I’m more than happy to be used for your pleasure,” I state with a smile.

Aria lets out a surprised laugh before covering her face with both hands. Reaching over the countertop, I gently grasp her wrists and pull her hands down. Sliding my fingers between hers, I grip them lightly.

“And that offer stands, like, forever,” I say with a grin.

“You’re a nice guy, Rex. God, I’m so embarrassed over that night,” she says with a moan.

“Make it up to me,” I offer.

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