Page 58 of Maverick

The tears started pouring out of my eyes at this point and Wrench continued to hold me.

“Shhh. It will be okay, love. I promise. You got your big brother Wrench here to help you out. I did tell him if he broke your heart I would come after him. And it wouldn’t be a quick punch. Brother or not, you are my family now, Willow. I fight to the death for my family.”

I sniffled and looked up at him, “Thank you. I am so glad to have you. Love you, Wrench.”

“I love you too, Willow. Now listen. I’ve got plenty of room at my house. Why don’t you pack your shit and come and stay with me? Give you both some space to work things out.”

“I don’t know.”

Wrench tilted my face up so he could look me in the eyes. “Willow. Come stay with me and let things cool off. Running away when things get tough isn’t the way to go. And that’s certainly not the Willow I’ve come to know.”

I sighed and wiped the tears from my eyes. “I just don’t want to cause any more unnecessary drama in the club. Goose already hates me and I’m sure he would have something to say about me staying with you.”

“Fuck Goose. I don’t care what he says. Striker needs to put that damn asshole in his place. He’s so lost in his own drama he can’t see what’s going on around him with the club.”

“How about we make a compromise?”

Wrench arched his eyebrow at me and smiled. “Whatcha got, kiddo?”

I laughed and hugged him, “I take my van, go back to Mav’s and pack up. Let me stay one night on my own, just so I can think, and then I’ll come stay with you. I just want to go back to my roots and spend some quality time with Orion and my paints.”

Wrench sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “I don’t like it. But as long as you’re coming back, I guess I’ll be okay with it. You’re still in danger, Willow.”

“I know. I won’t go far and will be back tomorrow. I promise I’ll be okay.”

We hugged and Wrench made sure to squeeze me extra tight. “Go get your shit and see if you change your mind. You can even park this thing on my lawn and pretend you’re out in the woods. I won’t bother you...too much.”

Laughing, I hugged Wrench again. “I’ll be fine. I did take care of me for quite a a while by myself.”

“Alright, alright. Just be careful, please.”

“I will.”

Wrench jumped out of the van and opened up the garage bay door. Orion came trotting in and hopped in the front seat of the van.

“I know, buddy. It will be nice to be back on the road again.”

I climbed into the driver's seat and turned the key. The van roars to life and I smile. It feels good to be back in this van.

Wrench nodded and I put the van in drive. I put the window down and Orion stuck his head out, his tail wagging.

We headed toward the gate and the prospect waved and opened it up. As soon as we get out, I sigh a breath of relief. I’m alone and away from the club.

I quickly made my way down the road and toward Maverick’s house. Coming down his driveway, I started to think about my future.

As much as I would love to stay here, I knew Wrench would want me too, but the club would pick Mav over myself. I had no pull and no future here. There was no way I could wreck his relationship with the club and destroy Wrench’s as well.

I pulled up to Maverick’s house and stared out at the A-frame. Tears started to roll down my cheeks and I quickly brushed them away. Orion and I got out and made our way to the door. Maverick was still at the Clubhouse and I knew I had a small time frame to pack and getaway.

We walked inside and I headed toward the bedroom with my empty bag. Orion jumped on the bed and started to whine.

“I know, boy. I want to stay too. But we aren’t welcome here. Wrench will be upset with me, but it is what it is. Maybe we need to leave this place for a while and let things die down. Let everybody move on with their lives before we come back for a visit.”

I quickly shoved as many clothes as I could fit into my bag and started to pack up my art supplies. Memories of Maverick and I started to flood my head as I packed up paintings. This time, I couldn’t stop the tears.

I collapsed on the bed next to Orion and I let them burst. Sobbing uncontrollably, Orion just laid his head down on my lap and comforted me.

Letting myself cry felt so good. For so long I just bottled up my emotions and tried to be strong. Once I was done crying, I stood back up and wiped the tears away.

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