Page 19 of Riding Dirty

Holding my breath, I press send.

Less than three seconds later, the message alerts that it wasread.

My throat closes and my mouth goes dry as I watch three single dots parade endlessly.

He’s typing a response.

Chapter Two

Romeo

If I thought for a second that Piper truly believed our relationship should be over, I’d leave her alone.

But that’s not the case.

She wants me and I want her. If it weren’t for the drama of everyone else, we’d be together. She’d be in my arms tonight. She’d have her head against my chest. I’d have her heart to hold.

It’s been weeks since I sent her a message, but not because I haven’t been thinking of her. There’s rarely a moment that goes by without wondering what it would feel like having her next to me. Simple things, like having dinner, grabbing groceries, sitting down at the end of the night to watch TV are everything to me. I’ve spent days wondering what it’d be like to hold her while she sleeps or what her smile looks like in the moonlight on my back porch.

Fucking hell, this shit hurts.

I stare down at her message. I’ve typed and deleted my response twenty times now. If she’s staring at her phone, I’m sure she’s waiting for a response. Then again, I know this girl inside and out. Most likely she watched her phone for a minute, got frustrated, tucked it into her back pocket, and moved on with the day convinced that she’s helping both of us by moving on.That’s what Piper does.She makes decisions based on what’s best for everyone else. And to everyone else, we don’t make sense.

Fuck! How do I compete with that?

I toss my phone down on the bed and bury my face in my hands. I have no fucking clue what to say anymore. I’ve tried convincing her. I’ve tried talking. I’ve tried being patient.

My phone buzzes and I jump to it, hoping by some off chance it’s her, but it’s Tex, one of the guys from Rugged Mountain MC. He was a part of the Death Rangers out in Texas before cutting loose and making his way out to Rugged Mountain. We’ve known each other for years and I’m hoping he’ll convince the guys up there I’m not so bad.

“Hey, man. What’s good?”

“You sound depressed as fuck.” Tex is a big guy with no filter. I’m used to the type and don’t pay his comment much mind.

“Yeah. That’s life for ya. You get any word?”

“Nothing. We’re having a vote this week. I’m rallying for you, but you’ve made a name for yourself up there. Kane and Diesel are going to want a meeting with you.”

Kane and Diesel run Rugged Mountain MC, and while I’ve known them as adversaries, their reputation in town is that of good, honest men. They’re the type I want to be around.

“Understood.” I drag in a deep breath and let it out quickly. “I’m going to be shit for leaving here, but my Prez tells me I’ll be good if I transfer to Rugged Mountain. He doesn’t trust I’ll keep my mouth shut without the silence treaty we have with your guys.”

Tex groans. “I’m doing what I can, but you’re going to have to convince them that you’re not here for some girl… and I think you are.”

“I’m also tired, man. I want to be part of something good. That last shipment was the end for me.”

“Yeah, but have you thought this through?”

“What do you mean?” My tone is intentionally gruff. Everything is a front on the feelings I have for Piper and I’m fucking sick of it. “Of course. You don’t think I know what a big deal this is?”

“I do.” He sighs. “But really… have you thought it through?”

I stare up at the water-stained ceilings of my apartment trying to hold my aggression at bay. “If you’re talking about Piper, I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” Tex clears his throat. “Piper is young, and her dad servicesallour bikes. He’s the only guy in town that does it. He’s also the nicest. If you don’t settle things with him, you’d be causing trouble for all of us.” Tex holds his breath as he talks. “Not only that, but what if it doesn’t work out with you two?” He exhales heavily. “Rugged Mountain is small. You’d be tortured by her every day.”

I laugh. “I’m tortured by her now. You don’t think I’m living in fucking hell? Every second I wish things were different, but she’s where I’m supposed to be, Tex. Someday we’ll be together. Every day until then, is a day I spend trying.”

Now he’s laughing. “You’ve got it bad, man. There are a lot of beautiful women.Nice,beautiful women. If you move on now, you’ll have forgotten about her by Christmas.”

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