Page 50 of Panther's Magpie
If anything is getting old, it’s her. I knew she was going to act out after seeing Maggie and me together, after seeing her on the back of my bike, but I didn’t expect for her to buy a burner or borrow someone else’s phone to try and harass me. That’s a lie. I expected her to change her number, but I had hoped she wouldn’t, though. I had hoped she would get the message.
Then again, I would rather have her trying to get ahold of me than showing up here randomly and harassing Maggie. I have to remind myself that she’s banned, and everyone knows she’s not allowed on the property.
Still, there’s no denying that she has a way of making people do what she wants. If she really wanted to make it onto the grounds, she would probably find a way in. I just hope the loyalty here is solid.
Eyeing the door again, I get up and head toward my place, leaving my bike at the clubhouse. I hate the fact I’m leaving her here alone, but if someone were somehow able to get past the prospect at the gate, at least they would think someone was with her as well.
When I get home, I look around my place. I don’t have any pictures on the walls, blankets on the back of the couch, or anything that makes a house a home. I have gloves on the counter and shoes next to the door, but that’s really it where personal touches are concerned.
What would Maggie think if she walked in here? Would she like it, or would she turn up her nose?
I push those thoughts to the side and head into my bathroom. I turn on the shower and strip. Before it’s warmed up,I step under the spray. At first, the water stings, but as it gets hot, my muscles start to relax. My mind clears, and I forget about everything going on.
I don’t know how long I stand there, but when the water starts to cool, I shut it off and get out. Quickly I dry off and brush my teeth.
When I fall into bed, thoughts of Maggie come back to me, and I fight the urge to pick up my phone and start ordering shit I don’t need to make this place look a little better. As I fall asleep, I drift off to thoughts of her making this place into a home.
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
MAGGIE
“No way. You didn’t get Mrs. Kinney fired. I don’t believe you,” I say through my laughter.
I came outside to soak up some sunshine and improve my mood. Panther found me and decided to join me. When he came out, he apologized for snapping at me the day before, and I accepted it. Hell, I get it. We’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. Now he’s sitting in the chair across from me, lightly massaging my feet in his lap.
Little does he know, he’s turning me on. My whole body is flushed from the pleasure. Thank God for the sun. I’m sure he thinks I’m only getting burned.
“Swear to God. Mrs. Kinney pissed me off so much that day. Then she kept saying Aspen was the cause of all the problems. So I convinced Eagle to seduce her and sent pictures to the school board. That’s why she got fired, and they kept it quiet. Couldn’t have the parents finding out she was messing around with an underage teen boy,” Panther tells me.
I shake my head. “Seriously? Aspen was so excited when she got fired. She really did have it out for her. To be fair, though, Aspen did cause a lot of trouble. She ran her mouth a little bit too much for a girl who didn’t like to get scrappy.”
He snorts. “That’s because she knew she had a brother who would back her up. More than once I found myself staring down kids seven years younger than me, telling them to leave my sister alone. Do you know how awkward that was as a senior?”
“Oh, I’m sure. You gave her the confidence to be who she wanted to be, though, so it’s not all a bad thing,” I tell him.
Before he can respond, Meek peeks his head out the front door.
“Need you inside. It’s about Aspen.”
I sit up. “I want to come. Please, I can’t keep sitting here doing nothing.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Meek looks at Panther.
Panther seems to consider his words.
“Whatever it is, I can handle it. I need to know. Even if it’s bad, I need to know. She’s my best friend. I’ve been here for two months now without a word. It’s killing me. Please.” I lean forward, grabbing Panther’s hands in mine.
His eyes soften. “Okay.”
Meek purses his lips. “In church then. The others are waiting.”
Panther stands, holding his hand out to me. I’m a little shaky as I take it. Whatever Meek has to say, it’s not good. He didn’t want me there for a reason, and I know it’s not because he doesn’t like me.
We’ve sort of built a small friendship over the weeks.
Panther leads me into the room they call church. It’s just a meeting room with a big table and some chairs around it. All of them are taken but the one at the head of the table. Panther leads me to it, pulling it out and gesturing for me to sit down.
