Page 2 of Shank's Tricky Situation

“Are you really gonna send me a message or call, Calla?” I question her, not sure if this is some ploy to get me to leave her alone right now.

“I promise you, Billy, I’ll message you with a place to meet as soon as I can. Yes, I need to get out of here, but this isn’t just to make you let me go for the time being,” she says, looking me directly in my eyes. That’s how I know Calla’s not lying to me.

I hold out my hand for Calla’s phone. When she finally digs it out of her oversized purse, I see it’s nothing more than a burner phone. This isn’t the phone my girl had seven years ago. Again, even more questions fill my head and I wonder what the fuck is going on in her life that she only has a damn burner phone. Still, I put my number in her contacts before handing it back over to her. My eyes take her in as Calla turns her back on me after a lingering look and walks out of the room we’re in. I don’t move a muscle until she gets on the elevator and the doors close on her.

Instead of joining my family and waiting to go see the newest member of our family, I leave the hospital. Not only can I not stand being in this fucking place, but I can’t wrap my head around things. Calla is here again and I’m finally going to get the answers I’ve been waiting seven years for. I don’t know if I should be happy I’ll get the answers or if I should be pissed she hasn’t contacted me since the day she returned. Calla will always be my girl and eventually she’ll realize that. I just hope what she has to tell me doesn’t rip our world apart.

Chapter Two

WHILE I KNEW moving back home would possibly lead me to run into Billy, I didn’t think he’d press for answers to questions so fast. However, I should have expected it because Billy has never been one to beat around the bush or hold back when he wants something. He’s careful and takes his time until he knows exactly what he can do to push buttons and get what he wants. Billy is one of the most patient men I’ve ever met in my life. When we were younger, I loved his patience and ability to wait for what he wanted most. At the end of the day, he didn’t push for me to give him more than what I was ready to like so many other guys our age. The second I was ready to take the next step in our relationship, Billy was there for me. He made giving him my virginity a special moment in my life. It was the best night I’ve ever had and one I relive almost nightly.

If I had been given the choice to stay with Billy or take off the way I did, I would have chosen him every single second. There was never a choice in the matter for me. However, I wasn’t given a choice. Demands were made of me and I had to make the hardest decision of my life. One I’ve regretted every single second of the last seven years. Not only because I hurt Billy and myself, but because I have been keeping the biggest secret. One that will break me all over again and change the way Billy sees me. There’s plenty of secrets I’ve been keeping, but one of them is worse than all the others. Now, everything has to come out and I don’t know if I’m going to survive the aftermath of the encounter I promised Billy.

In the years since I’ve last seen Billy, he’s changed so damn much. He stands at over six feet tall and has more muscle than I’ve ever seen on him. His dark hair is still short, but he now sports a beard that’s kept neatly trimmed hiding his dimples. When we were in the conference room yesterday, I could make out tattoos covering his arms and peeking out from the neck of his shirt. Now, instead of the boy he used to be, Billy is all man. He’s got a hardness to him I’ve never seen from him before. Even when he’d get pissed in school for whatever reason, he wasn’t as hard and cold as what I see in him now. Billy’s still got the stubborn determination from before though. I could feel his eyes on me throughout my entire shift. So much has changed but remained the same. If anything, I’m even more attracted to the man Billy has come to be versus what he was when we were younger.

When I left, I changed my name so Billy couldn’t find me. It was the only way I could ensure he wouldn’t find me. Billy is stubborn when it comes to something he wants. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind he’d be all over looking for me. So, I knew changing my name was something I had to do. I didn’t open a bank account or get any credit cards when I left town either. Both are ways I could have been tracked despite the name change. I wasn’t very original when it came to doing that. Instead of Calla, I went by my middle name, Ariana, and used my mother’s maiden name instead of the one I was given at birth. I’ve done so many things I never dreamed of having to do over the last seven years. Things I know Billy won’t understand.

Before climbing out of bed, I stretch my sore body and listen as my joints pop and crack. A leftover from the many beatings I’ve taken over the years. I’ve had more broken bones than I can honestly admit to having. Beatings that have left me broken in ways I didn’t think I’d ever recover from. Bruises, cuts, concussions, sprains, and so many other injuries the list would take hours to go through. Just another secret I’ve kept buried deep so no one knows the hell I’ve been through. It’s my burden to bear and what makes me so afraid to meet up with Billy now.

Looking at the alarm clock next to my bed, I see I’ve got about fifteen minutes before Zane wakes up. My little man likes his sleep and hates mornings almost as much as his daddy used to. I don’t know if he still does or not because I haven’t asked. Anyway, getting out of bed, I quickly head for my bathroom and take care of my morning routine. After taking care of business, I get in the shower and go through my routine as quick as I can. It’s all about rushing today and that’s how my mornings usually go.

The second I’m rinsed off, I get out and grab the nearest towel to dry off. Wrapping it around my body, I make my way into my room and grab some clothes to wear this morning. Even though I’ve got the day off, there’s still a long list of things I need to do. Mainly the errands and chores I haven’t been able to take care of during the week with the hours I’ve been working. I’ve put in a ton of overtime this past week alone and yesterday was just one more day I stayed later than anticipated. However, I couldn’t leave Makenna when she was so nervous and scared. I’ll never leave a patient if I don’t absolutely have to.

Leaving my room, I make my way into Zane’s room. He’s still passed out with his blankets twisted around his body and hanging off his bed as normal. My boy isn’t a sound sleeper. He tosses and turns into the craziest positions I’ve ever seen in my life. I used to do the same thing when I was his age according to my mom. That’s about the only trait my boy gets from me. Everything else is all his daddy.

Zane has the largest deep blue eyes fringed with lashes any female would be jealous of. His skin is lightly tanned all year round while he gets really dark in the summer from being outside as long as he possibly can. Zane’s tall for his age and has an attitude only a grown man should have. My boy does everything he can to protect me already and is right at my side if I’m upset, hurt, or not feeling good. When I buy groceries, Zane carries in as many as he possibly can so I don’t have to. He’s a miniature version of his daddy in every way and has never once met the man.

Sitting on the edge of Zane’s bed, I run my hand through his hair. The long dark strands slide through my fingers and doesn’t even cause my boy to stir. Leaning over him, I press a light kiss against Zane’s forehead before sitting back up.

“Little man, it’s time for you to get up. We’ve got to get out of the house in about a half hour,” I say softly while watching my son.

“Not yet, mama,” Zane grumbles, his voice breaking with sleep as he tries to snuggle further under his blankets.

“Yes, Zane. You’ve gotta eat breakfast before getting ready for school. We have to put all your work back in your bag and I have to finish going through your folder. Come on, buddy,” I tell him, pulling the covers down the best I can.

“Okay, mama,” Zane grumbles, helping me get the blankets off his little body before sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Picking Zane up, it won’t be much longer that I can take him in my arms and carry him. Zane might be little in stature, but he’s got some pounds on his body. Especially considering how skinny he looks. Walking downstairs, I set Zane at the small table in the kitchen and begin to make him a quick breakfast of eggs, toast, and fruit. Grabbing him a glass of milk, I leave him to eat while making coffee for myself. I don’t typically eat in the morning when we have to get Zane to school. It’s a rush and one I don’t like so I skip a meal or two.

After dropping Zane off at school and getting my errands done, I head home. While putting away the groceries, I don’t let my mind wander to Billy or the message I have to send. However, it’s something I have to get done before going to pick my son up from school. So, I pull out my phone and find the number Billy put in last night.

Me: I can meet in fifteen minutes. There’s a small building at the back of the park in town. I’ll be behind it.

Putting my phone on the counter, I finish taking care of the bags from the groceries. Wiping the counter down quickly, I make sure there’s nothing else for me to do before heading back out to my car. My eyes dart all over the place to ensure no one’s standing guard and watching over me. Yes, my father has his men watch me to deliver every move I make back to the monster. He’s not happy unless I’ve stepped out of line and he gets to punish me. I’ve learned to get away from those men and today is just another time I’ll have to do the same. As I sit in the driver’s seat, my phone vibrates and I pick it up to see a message from Billy.

Shank: I’ll be there. On my way now.

Taking a deep breath to control my heartrate, I wipe my palms on my jeans. Starting the car, I make my way toward the small park not too far from my house. It’s a major risk going so close to home to meet up with Billy, but I don’t want to go too far from my house because it won’t be long before I have to pick Zane up from school.

Parking, I find Billy already there. I’ll never be able to call him Shank. He’ll always be my Billy no matter what he does in life or what motorcycle club he’s a part of. Thankfully, as I park, Billy’s disappearing behind the building I told him about. I shut off my engine and pull out my keys before pocketing them and heading for where he’s waiting for me.

Rounding the corner, I find Billy leaning against the wall as if he’s got all the time in the world and he’s going to use it to get his questions answered. I’ve only got a certain amount of time before I have to leave so hopefully he can accept what I have to say before letting me leave.

“Calla, are you ready to answer my questions now?” Billy questions me, his voice softer than it was last night.

“I have no choice in the matter, Billy. I made a promise and I’m going to answer the questions you have. Just please promise me you’ll listen to what I have to say without interrupting me. If I have to keep stopping, I won’t get through what I have to say before I have to leave,” I answer him honestly as I stand facing him.

“I can do that. How do you know what questions I have though?” he returns, his voice holding just a hint of humor as he looks at me.

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