Page 16 of Nines's Time

“No, but I’m sure from the context of the text you sent, you think that, and I’ll tell you something else, Meadow, you are definitely worth more and more.”

Wow.

Tears prick at my eyes, and my breath hitches as the first tear spills down my cheeks.

“Buttercup.” I hear him murmur, and I know he knows I’m crying.

“I have to go,” I whisper and pull the phone away from my ear, hearing him call my name as I do so.

Nines’s words ring in my head, screaming at me loud and clear. They clash with the past, and it’s all I can do to keep myself sane.

Curling onto my side, I pull my legs up and wrap my arms around them as I stare into nothing, thinking of Nines’s words. God, if only he knew the truth, would he still think that?

I’m not so sure, but he’s determined we’re going out tomorrow. Maybe I should run and keep myself from the inevitable heartbreak where he’s concerned.

I immediately shut the thought down. I need to stand my ground. I can’t know what will happen, but the fear in me is always there, making itself known, and I’m afraid of it and what will happen tomorrow. I should just tell him everything. He’s a stranger now. If he knows, then it won’t be so bad when he turns his lip up in disgust and walks away. It’ll be worse for me if I get to know him and he finds out. I don’t think I could handle the distasteful look he’ll have at knowing the truth of my life and what I’ve been through.

So, I’ll go out with him tomorrow, and while we’re out, I’ll tell him. Get it over with. Let him know the truth. This way, he’ll be done with me, and I won’t get hurt. Not by him or anyone else.

CHAPTERELEVEN

NINES

I clench the phone in my hand, wishing like fuck I could jump through the damn thing and be in front of Meadow. I didn’t expect her to hang up on me, but the way she did has my stomach twisting in knots. Especially with the knowledge she seems to think she’s worthless.

If I could find out who the hell put that thought in her, I’d gut them and send them straight to hell. Seeing her in her boutique, looking at what she’s done for herself, I know she’s nothing but perfection, in my opinion.

But as much as I want to go in search of her, I’ll give her tonight. Come tomorrow, after the boutique closes for the day, I’ll have her all to myself and I intend to show her what I think of her.

Fuck.

Just thinking about her and those lips, I want more. My cock twitches in excitement at the thought of being inside her. However, I highly doubt it’ll be anytime soon, but it will happen. I just need her to trust me. I get I’m gonna have to go slow with her.

Shoving my phone in my pocket, I head into the clubhouse, not surprised to find Nerd with his dad holding one of the triplets. His woman sitting at his side holding another, and Sniper’s got the third.

I grin and head in the direction of where Blow’s standing with a beer in hand, watching them with his kids and Storm in his arms.

“Where you been?” Blow asks, his attention coming to me when I get close.

“Went for a ride, ended up back in town.” I grin, cross my arms over my chest, and jerk my chin in the direction of Nerd. “How long ago did Nerd get in?”

“About ten minutes ago, and he’s already claimed my babies.” Storm giggles, rolling her eyes. “He’s claiming he needs his uncle time with his boys.”

“If you weren’t family, I’d say something, but I don’t even want to think it.” I snort, focusing on the two of them.

“Brother, if I knew I had the time, that shit would be happening instead of me standing here,” Blow grumbles and pulls Storm fully into his side. “Anyway, you said you ended up back in town?”

“Yeah,” I nod, “stopped by Meadow’s boutique.”

“Hold on,” Storm speaks up. “You went to Meadow’s boutique? Why?”

“Yeah, told her that I was takin’ her out tomorrow after she closes the store,” I state though that’s all I say about it. I’m not about to inform anyone about the conversation over the phone with her.

“That’s so awesome. She agreed?”Storm gives me one of those beaming smiles of hers.

“Yep,” I say and turn to glance around the clubhouse.

“Sweet,” Storm says, sounding excited.

---