Page 109 of Wicked Ends
“I have to admit, money is nice,” Winter sighed and came for a pizza box. “But it’s the thought that counts. She’s going to love this place. And have a custom-made piece of art for the walls… it’s priceless, and the artist is hot.”
Asher appeared behind his girlfriend and slung an arm around her, pressing a kiss to her cheek. His face was speckled with blue and green paint from the mural he was painting.
“Don’t let your boyfriend hear you say that,” he growled in her ear.
“Why? What’s he going to do about it?” she dared him with her icy blue gaze.
“Knock it off, you two, at least until next time, when I’m not a seventh wheel,” I muttered.
“Does that make me the eighth wheel?” Isabelle sauntered down the stairs and snagged a pizza box.
“Actually, considering that I’m fixing up this place for my very own lady friend… you’re going to be the official seventh wheel really soon, so get used to it.”
“Fuck off, Marcus.” Isabelle sighed.
“With relish.” I took a huge bite of pizza and chewed as I wandered around downstairs, checking on our progress. Many hands make light work certainly seemed to be true, as the cabin looked transformed already. The walls were fresh and clean, everything was dusted. The bed upstairs had new linens, and flowers in a vase. The kitchen had shiny new appliances, and the best was yet to come… a special delivery that wouldn’t arrive for a few days.
I had to stay away from Ari until then, or I was sure I’d ruin the surprise.
I went out onto the deck and ignored Beckett and Eve fooling around. The sun shone on the water beyond the line of pines that framed the rocky beach. The air was bracing and tinged with saltwater. This was a place where Ari could feel safe. A place she could belong… right here… to me.
After we were done at the house, mural drying, windows open to let in some fresh air, I planned to head to The Clutch on the way back to the dorms. I was getting on my bike when Beckett headed over. Eve was already in the truck waiting for him, and the rest of my friends had gone.
“I’ve been thinking, maybe you shouldn’t be avoiding your girl, and tell her what you’re up to.”
“What? Why?” I wondered.
Beckett scratched at the back of his neck.
“I just don’t know if she knows you’re all in.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning, I saw her this morning, at the Chickadee.”
“Well, that’s certainly headline-worthy. Did you call national news or just local?” I grinned at him.
He shot me an annoyed look. “She wasn’t alone, is what it is. She was having coffee with someone.”
“Who?” I didn’t care too much, but Beckett was being cagey about it, so it was best to let him speak.
“Professor Casanova… you know, the English Lit guy.”
I paused, jealousy immediately jumping in my chest.Fuck.I didn’t like that idea at all. I hated it, in fact. The thought of that motherfucker taking Ari for coffee, of him thinking for a second that he might have a chance… it made me want to tattoo my name on her forehead, or fucking marry her.
Marry her. Now, that wasn’t a terrible idea at all.
“Eve said it was nothing, but I thought you’d like to know.”
“Yeah, thanks. If you see the motherfucker…”
Beckett nodded. “Run him over. Got it.”
“Perfect.” I slammed my visor down and started my bike, dark possession stewing in my gut.
The Clutch was busy on a Sunday night. As a rule, the MC guys weren’t the kind to be having roast dinners at home on a Sunday night with family. Their MC brothersweretheir family, and family hung out together. I sat at the bar and sipped a beer as I attempted to let the jealousy that had sprung up fade.
Fuck. I didn’t get riled up about stupid shit. That wasn’t my style, and yet, here I was. Jealous. I didn’t like the idea of Ari going for a coffee with anyone but me. Even her girlfriends pissed me off. That was a problem, clearly, but being irritated by Ari spending time with anyone but me, and her spending time with another man were different things. It looked like Professor Fuckface hadn’t taken the hints he’d been given so far to back off.
