Page 80 of Ruckus

“What?” He slumps down on the weight bench, shaking his head as he takes in what I’m telling him.

“I know it’s a shoc?—”

“Freya hates you, you hate her, everyone knows that. You only have to see the way you look at each oth…Fuck!” His forehead creases as he thinks a little harder on it.

“I know it breaks bro code. Club rules too, but I’m also really hoping you can see past all that because I’m headin’ out to Arizona to get her back.”

“Thefuckyou are!” He stands back up and steps up in my face.

“She’s happy, and she’s safe. I’m not gonna let you ruin that.”

“She ain’t happy and I don’t know what the fuck’s goin’ on, but it ain’t right. If you’d have seen how we were these past two weeks you’d under?—”

“Two fuckin’ weeks?” He shakes his head at me. “You’re frontin’ up to me tellin’ me you love my sister after two weeks? I mean it’s impressive, most women can’t keep your attention for more than a few hours.”

“It’s more than just two weeks. I slept with her five years ago.” The sarcastic laugh Wrath’s making ends abruptly and when his fist connects with my cheekbone I let it knock me back.

“Tell me that was a fuckin’ lie, Ruck.” He speaks through gritted teeth.

“It happened the night before she left with the stunt show and—” He lands another blow on me and, keeping my guard down, I take what I deserve.

“I know it’s hard to hear, but I do lo–”

“You don’t know the meaning of the word. Since I’ve been back here I’ve seen you with a different woman every night, you don’t even ask ‘em their names anymore!” he yells in my face.

“And why do you think I do that? Come on, Wrath, you know me. I ain’t dead inside. She left after that night and I’ve been trying to get over her ever since.”

“Get over her?” That furious laughter picks up again “Can you hear yourself?”

“I’m hearing it, I’m feeling it and it’s hurting. The night we–”

“I don’t wanna hear about the night you fucked my sister, Ruckus.” He uses his teeth to rip his gloves off and when he starts to storm out, I rush after him.

“If you know what's good for ya, ya won’t fuckin’ follow me.” He calls back over his shoulder, slamming the door behind him so hard it almost shatters. I watch through the glass as he mounts his bike and speeds off.

“I think that went well,” Corey mentions as he heads down the stairs.

“Are you kiddin’ me?” I turn to look at him.

“You're still alive, ain’t ya.” He taps my shoulder and gets to work.

“Calm down.” Eden takes hold of my hands and forces me to focus. “Explain what happened.” Her eyes look all wild and scared while she waits for me to tell her what's got me so mad.

“Ruckus and Freya,” I explain trying to find that fuckin’ calm. I promised myself I was done being angry and sad around her. She’s suffered far too much of it already.

“What about them?” Eden is clearly as clueless to all this as I was.

“Apparently, he fucked her five years ago and now he’s in love with her.” I drag my hand through my hair just so I have something to do with it. I should have punched him again before I left.

“And you're mad about that?” She stares back at me like my reaction confuses her.

“Yes, Eden, I’m mad about it. Did you not hear what I said?” I grip the kitchen counter and breathe through my nostrils. I hear her start to laugh and I spin my head, waiting to hear what's so fuckin’ hilarious.

“I’m sorry but you, of all people, can’t seriously be mad about this.”

“What part of the story did you not hear?” I ask her, wondering why she’s still smiling.

“This explains why he’s disappeared the last few days. If he’s in love with her he’ll be pretty cut up about the fact she left with Cam.” She looks as if she’s feeling sorry for him.

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