Page 30 of Greedy Grizzly
“That’s because you’re sweet and innocent.”
“Not according to my husband.” Her face turned red like a tomato. “I assume they both know how you feel?”
“Libby knows. Grizzly doesn’t, since he’s not reallyoutin the club, if you know what I mean.”
“Um, yeah. I know what you mean.” She took another big gulp of her soda. Her eyes were wide, like she was processing everything I’d told her.
“So your offer?”
“My offer still stands. We’re all grown ups. Free to live our lives the way we want.”
“I appreciate it.” Relief washed over me. If she’d told me to leave, I would have respected her decision. “Do you have any idea when Grizzly will return?”
“Not really. Storm gave him until the weekend, maybe Sunday.”
“Then I should go see Libby so we can get on the same page about Grizzly.” I kissed Chase and handed him to his momma.
“Good idea. If you need anything, I’m here for you.”
“That means a lot to me. Do you want to go with me when I tell Mom and Dad?” A little moral support would be amazing.
She screwed up her face like I’d just asked her to bury a body in the ground. “Let me think about it.”
We both laughed, knowing full well she’d pass. I had to admit, telling Maddy went about the way I’d expected. Clearly, I shouldn’t have been worried but I didn’t want the knowledge of my preference to be a burden on her. She wasn’t the kind of girl who lied and kept secrets. Her conscience would always get the better of her, and she’d crumble under the pressure. I would never put her in a position like that when I knew she talked to our mom weekly. It wouldn’t have been fair to her.
It was up to me to inform our parents. But only after I knew if Grizzly wanted the same as Libby and me. If he didn’t, I didn’t see any reason to turn my family upside down. I’d just take it to the grave.
8
LIBBY
After thirty hours of silence, Landon had finally texted me. I’d never been so happy and relieved. He’d gone to Duluth, which was on the coast of Eastern Minnesota, right on Lake Superior. I’d never been out that way, but Landon and I had talked about going for a long weekend. He loved the small coastal town and watching the ships roll in and out of the busy port. Apparently, he could sit for hours on the beach. The highlight of his day would be when the world-famous Aerial Lift Bridge…lifted.
I wondered if Storm knew where he’d gone. Probably. Those two were thick as thieves, which would explain why I’d been left in the dark until now. The members in the club were Storm’s number one priority, and Maddy and the kids. Not that he didn’t care about me or any of the other ladies and children. He did, just not above his men.
I’d been a Kitten in the Knight’s Legion MC for over five years now and seen a lot of shit. The most poignant moment had been when Storm met his greatest challenge: Madeline Hamilton, aka, Angel. Storm had been best friends with Maddy’s older brother, Toby, back when they were wild teenagers in South Dakota.
After Tommy’s death, Storm had been sent to live with his uncle Matt, the OG president of the Minnesota chapter.
Many years had passed and Storm hadn’t recognized Maddy singing karaoke in The Bullet. Couldn’t say I blamed him. I’d seen pictures of Maddy from around the last time Storm saw her as a kid, and she looked nothing like the eleven year old in the photo. She’d had a major glow-up, the shocking kind where our jaw hits the ground and we bet our lives it wasn’t the same person.
Gosh, I just love their story! I felt so honored to have been there to bear witness to Maddy giving the president so much sass and sweetness, she essentially, overpowered the over-the-top, hard-as-nails president. He’d fallen first and chased after her. They’d hit huge bumps along the way, but they’d overcome the obstacles in one piece. After Storm claimed Maddy, things had started to change in the club, for the better. I truly love their love story, and sometimes wished I had one just as riveting as theirs.
As things were right now, I may not have been any closer to getting my happily ever after.
Squeezing my cell phone in my hand, I willed Landon to send me another text. Maybe I should have launched a dozen questions at him, so he’d feel like he needed to reply. I hadn’t wanted to put pressure on him so I’d refrained.
I stared at his text,I’m in Duluth.How are you?
Then my answer,Not good, but so glad to hear from you.
Maybe he’d wanted more from me. Maybe I should have asked how he was in return. If he was enjoying Duluth.You’re such an idiot, Libby.How could I have been so self-centered and not asked about him?
I hated when self-doubt crept in. The last thing I wanted to do was make things worse, but that was what I’d probably done.
I should send another text with questions about him. This time, I’d only focus on him and not sound so sad, even though I was completely heartbroken.
Suddenly, bubbles appeared. He was texting me, again! My heart raced with anticipation. Hopefully, he wasn’t going to call me out for my rudeness.
