Page 50 of Heart of Stone
“Don’t I?” I catch her chin, lifting it until she meets my eyes. “I know you work harder than anyone here. I know you’ve got talent Duck says he hasn’t seen in thirty years. I know you’d do anything for those kids.”
“The kids...” Her eyes widen. “Oh god, the kids. I can’t take on more responsibility when?—”
“When what? When you’re already proving you can handle anything life throws at you?” My thumb brushes a grease mark on her cheek. “Take the job, Andi. Build something for yourself. For them.”
She stares at me for a long moment, something vulnerable flickering in her eyes. Then she steps back, breaking contact.
“Why do you care?” she asks softly.
The question hangs between us, heavy and raw, like the tension in the room might snap if either of us moves too fast. Andi’s voice is soft, but there’s an edge to it, like she isn’t sure if she wants the answer or if it’ll cut deeper than the silence already has. Her gaze pins me in place, searching for something—truth, maybe, or just a reason to trust what I’ve said.
I exhale slowly, running a hand through my hair, the weight of her vulnerability making it hard to speak. "Because someone has to," I finally say, my voice low. "Because… I know what it’s like to feel like the whole world’s ready to let you fall."
Her lips press together, but she doesn’t look away. For a second, I think she might, but then she just stands there, like she’s bracing herself against the storm my words stir inside her.
"Andi, I've seen what you can do," I say. "With engines. With the kids. With..."Me."Take the plans. Look them over. Think about Duck’s offer."
She takes the clipboard slowly, like it might bite. "I’ll think about it."
"Good." I back away before I do something stupid like kiss her in the middle of the garage. "Oh, and babe?"
"Not your babe."
I grin. "Sweetheart, you’ve got grease on your face."
Her hand flies to her cheek, smearing it worse. "Damn it, why didn’t you?—"
I chuckle, walking away before she can respond, her spluttering following me out. But not before I catch her small smile as she glances down at the plans.
First wall down. Now for the rest.
12
HAWK
She’s been avoiding me all week.
Not obviously—Andi’s too smart for that. But suddenly, she’s always busy when I’m home. Always surrounded by kids, prospects, or Ginger when our paths cross.
It’s driving me fucking crazy.
“You’re brooding again,” Axel says, handing me a beer as we watch the party start to fill the backyard. “It’s not attractive.”
“Fuck off.”
He grins, leaning against the deck railing beside me. “She’ll come around.”
“Who said anything about?—”
“The way you’ve been watching the front door for the last hour?” He takes a pull from his beer. “Dead giveaway, brother.”
I don’t bother denying it. The club started arriving early, bikes filling the street as the sun sets. Music thumps from speakerssomeone set up in the garage, and the smell of grilling meat fills the air. A normal Saturday night gathering.
Except nothing feels normal anymore.
“Where are the kids?” Axel asks.
“Duck and Maggie’s.” I try not to think about how empty the house feels without them. Without her. “Sleepover with their grandkids.”
