Page 79 of Ruckus

I decide not to tell Cam that my father could have told him where I was. I don’t want to get him angry like he was before. There'd be no way of controlling that man, but this one…

“Well, I’m here now.” I take his hand and smile at him, while thinking of all the ways Ruckus would kill him if he knew the truth.

“And the truth is, I’m in love with your sister.” I finish my confession and finally take a breath.

“You want me to swing at ya now or wait for you to put ya guard up?” Corey scratches his chin, and gives me no confidence whatsoever.

He is the only other person, besides Sinner, who knows about me and Freya, and now that I’ve sobered up I need to start thinking about the best way I can put this to Wrath.

“I would maybe lead with the fact you’ve fallen in love with her. The one night stand five years ago isn’t the best starting point.” He grimaces at me.

“It wasn’t a one nigh—Just stop being smart.” I pace the floor of my apartment, trying not to think about what she might be doing, right now. It’s been four fuckin’ days since she left, and just the thought of Cam touching her is making me wanna destroy everything around me

“Look, you need to get this over with so you can ride to Arizona and get her back. Her going with that guy made no sense. Same as Raze taking on that stunt rider as the new prospect. It’smyfuckin’ time.” He shows he’s sore about it when he curls his lip.

“I’ve told ya before, your brother wants better for ya, you're too smart for this kinda shit,” I tell him.“ And politicians' daughters don’t date bikers,” I remind him. I’ve seen his girlfriend stop by here a few times, she’s preppy and far too precious to be someone’s old lady.

“Millie isn’t like that. She hasn’t got a problem with the club,” he assures me. “But this ain’t about me and her, it’s about you and Freya. You made her happy... I’ve had to hear how fuckin’ happy every morning while I’ve been downstairs wiping over the equipment.” His eyes roll.

“Maybe you should have listened a little harder, you might have learned something.” I slap the back of his head as I pull on my cut and decide I can’t hold this off any longer.

Corey’s right, now that I ain’t shocked, angry or wasted, I see that none of this makes sense. Last night, I sat for hours under a cold shower, thinking things through. Trying to see what I’ve missed.

Freya and Cam were close when she was younger, but she never looked at him the way she looked at me. She barely gave him any attention at all, and believe me, if she did I’da noticed…I was always watching.

The more I think about it, the more sure I become that she didn’t leave here for him, she left because of those secrets she’s got.

“It’s been nice knowin’ ya, Ruck,” Corey calls after me as I head out my door and take the stairs.

“Wrath.” I freeze when I get to the bottom and see him standing by the reception desk.

“Good to see you're still alive,” he smirks at me.

“Whatcha doin’ here?” Suddenly I feel very fuckin’ nervous.

“I came to hit some bags but if you're up for a spar?” He shrugs as he moves through the gym toward the ring.

“No…” I follow after him and when he stops and turns around, he’s looking real suspicious.

“What’s up, Ruck? You're actin’ the way ya did when Polly got drunk and tried to stick it on ya.” He laughs while he places his gym bag on the bench and takes out his gloves. He seems so much happier than he was a few days ago. I’m guessing some time with Eden is the cause of it, and I hate that I’m gonna ruin that with what I’m about to tell him.

“Wrath, we need to talk, and I know you ain’t gonna like what I’m gonna say.” I snatch the gloves off him so I have his full attention, then, after thinking about it, I hand them straight back. No man wants to feel Wrath’s bare knuckles, especially one who’s spent the past two weeks sleeping with his sister.

“You’re lookin’ real serious.” His laugh sounds nervous as he slides the gloves over his hands and uses his mouth to seal the velcro.

“This is a serious situation, and I want you to know that I’ve always thought of it that way.” I look up to the window that overlooks us from my apartment and see Corey watching.

“Look, if you're gonna tell me how worried you are about me, you can save it. I’m doin’ better. I’ve spoken to Raze and we’ve hashed out our differences. I understand his logic, I’ve just let grief and guilt get the better of m?—”

“I’m in love with Freya.” I blurt the words out because I can’t hold on to ‘em a second longer.

“What the fuck?” Wrath shakes his head and laughs.

“I’m in love with Freya,” I say it again, this time slower.

“I heard you’d been hangin’ out at Sinner’s place, what shit has he had ya smokin’?”

“Aaron, I’m bein’ serious. I’m crazy about her, and her leaving here with Cam was a mistake because…I’m pretty sure she loves me too.”

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