Page 5 of Bound by Affliction
He bursts out laughing, and I’m trying to figure out if he’s laughing at me or with me at this notion. “Beautiful, you don’t need no fuckin’ datin’ site to find you a man. Any man would break his back to get you. And, baby, you only want a man whowill.”
My insides grow warm. Green puts his arm around me, and instantly I fall into him. There’s no rhyme or reason. It just happens, and I likeit.
“Green and Coop will walk you to your car,” the older man says and while I’m happy to be getting out of here, I’m kind of sad too. Green’s a really nice guy. But no man wants to have drama at his doorstep, and that’s what I brought tonight. And that’s all I am right now.Drama.
He wraps his arm around my shoulders, and the comfort is appreciated as we walk up the large hill to Bristyl’scar.
Green moves me over to the passenger side, while Cooper takes Bristyl to the driver’sside.
I turn to Green. “Thank you for your help tonight. I’m really sorry aboutit.”
He brushes my hair behind my ear gently in a move of kindness. “My pleasure helpin’ a beautiful woman. You take care of yourself, and no more onlineshit.”
A smile graces my face. His gaze is intent, and I feel as though he wants to kiss me. That can’t be true. My mind is just messed up from the situation I caused, and I’m reading more intoit.
“It’s gone.” It’s more than gone. It’s erased from my computer forever. Terminated. Never again. I’m not a woman who has to learn a lesson twice. This was a very large learning experience. One I never want torepeat.
With a finger under my chin, he says, “Stay safe, beautiful.” I melt for a brief moment. He opens the car door, and I just know that I’ll never see this guy again. It’s such a shame. Why couldn’t he be on the site for me tomeet?
“Thank you,” I whisper and get in the car, and he shuts the door behind me. A few moments later, Bristyl gets in huffing out a breath. The small space feels claustrophobic all of a sudden, the air pressing down on me. Her grip on the steering wheel is so tight, and her knuckles are white reminding me of the drivehere.
I breathe in deep knowing it’s coming, and it’s not going to bepretty.
“No more,” she rumbles low. “Get away from that damn computer. There’s no more meetings, no more chatting, no more period!” Her voice rises, and I flinch. “This shit could’ve been so much worse, and we gotlucky.”
She’s right. If it weren’t for the Ravage MC, who knows what would’ve happened to us. I hang my head inshame.
“Stupid! That’s what this was, Leah!” she screams, the sound reverberating in the cramped car. “I can’t believe this shit! I love you, but this wasridiculous!”
Tears well in my eyes. “I’msorry.”
“Yeah, sorry. Promise me. No more.” Her face is tight and preparing for my answer as if I’d disputeit.
“Promise.” Only after that word does the air between us simmer down. Twenty minutes on the road, Bristyl reaches over and grabs my hand, squeezing it. It’s just the reassurance I need that we’re good. That’s what friends are for and she is thebest.
Little did I know, none of this would beover.
