Page 54 of Concede

Chapter 29

Maverick

Roxy smiles up at me as my heart races in my chest. She had just lowered to her knees when the bedroom door swung open, and Tanner’s eyes landed on the girl kneeled in front of me.

“Get out. Both of you,” I grit out as I step around her and grab my jeans.

“But I didn’t get to…” Roxy starts.

“Out!” I growl.

I can’t stop picturing the look on Tanner's face. I didn’t even want Roxy or Chasity. She wasn’t here and I needed something. So I did what I've always done. It wasn’t a personal preference. Great, I really fucked this up.

Tanner and I are not in a relationship. She is not my old lady, and she knows exactly what my reputation requires. So why do I feel like this? Why do I feel…. guilt? I pull on my t-shirt and I slip on my cut.

I walk over to Tanner’s room but it’s empty. The girls follow me as I jog down the stairs. My eyes scan the main room. I don’t see her anywhere. I make eye contact with Widow who blows smoke from his lips as I approach him.

“Where is she?” I ask him.

He shrugs. “Haven’t seen her.”

Something in his tone and his eyes tell me he has, but he isn’t going to tell me. I know my friend well and I can already tell he’s fed up with me.

I shake my head and check the kitchen. Nothing. I pull out my phone and send her a text. I checked through the front and back yard, she’s not here but her car is. She might have gotten a ride from someone, so I hop on my bike and go to the only other place I think she would go. The apartment.

I made it there in record time. I bypassed the elevator and took the stairs. Dom gave me a key when he got this place, so I let myself in and yelled out her name as I searched the rooms. She’s not here either.

“Damn it!” I curse.

I pull out my phone and send another text.

I drove to Maxi’s, but again, nothing.

Where the hell is she?

Then out of nowhere, it hits me. The creek.

I spin out of the parking lot at Maxi’s and head back to the clubhouse.

Parking my bike on the grass, I jumped off and jogged down the dirt path. When I made it to the creek, I saw her.

Relief rushes through me along with another wave of guilt but I push it down. I did nothing wrong.

I walk up next to her. “Tanner what the fuck is going on?”

She turns her head to the side and looks up at me. “I don’t want to talk to you, Maverick.”

“So now I’m Maverick?” I scoff.

She stands from the bench and her strawberry hair falls around her shoulders. “You’ve always been Maverick. We both know that will never change.” She laughs. “Honestly, I thought I could handle it. I thought I could turn a blind eye and justify the things you have to do.” Her voice cracks and she turns her eyes from me.

“Vix, I don’t know why you're so upset. I told you from the beginning we are not in a relationship. Nothing happened. I’m not saying I want other women because I don’t. But there is nothing stopping me if I do.” I try to make her understand.

“I saw her on her knees, Maverick!! And Chasity was naked! Do you seriously think I believe that?”

“I swear Tanner, she didn’t touch me before you opened the door.”

“But she was going to…you wanted her to….” She holds a hand up to her mouth and closes her eyes. “It’s my fault. I should have walked away when this started. It’s not what I want, Maverick. You don’t get to come into my room every night and talk with me, and kiss me, and make me feel all these things for you and just turn around and fuck someone else while I have to just sit back and watch.” Tears leaked from her eyes. “I’m not a doormat. I will not be disrespected. I deserve better. I understand if this is the way you want to live your life, but it’s not how I want to live mine.”

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