Chapter 80 Don’t worry about me
Lia
“Well?” I asked, walking into the living room. “What do you think?”
Owen let out a long, low whistle. “Girl, are you trying to kill Beast? He’s going to lose his mind. Any guy who looks at you is going to regret it.”
I glanced down at myself. I’d seen what some of the girls at the club wore. Even the ones in serious relationships didn’t leave much to guess. Except Jenna and Catalina, they dressed like they owned the room without trying. But the others… tube tops, skirts you could barely call skirts, dresses painted on. I was in black shorts that hugged my hips and stopped mid-thigh. A purple tank top tucked in. No bra, just those little sticky circles so nothing showed. Black gladiator sandals. My hair was curled, and I’d put on eyeliner and a dark, dusty rose color on my lips.
“Is it too much?” I asked, turning slightly to try and see my backside. “My legs are bigger than most of the girls there. And my boobs are small. Liam always said that. My butt was too big, my chest too flat. He was always putting me on some diet to shrink.”
I looked up when Owen didn’t answer right away.
“Lia,” he said, his voice quiet. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. If I were straight, I’d have married you already. And I would spend every day and night showing you exactly how sexy you are.”
I felt my face get hot. “You have to say that. You’re my best friend.”
“Hey, if your best friend can’t tell you the truth, then who can? I mean it. Every word. You need to start seeing yourself the way the rest of the world does.”
“It’s hard when the person who was supposed to love you spent years tearing you apart. I don’t even know why he stayed if I was so… inadequate.”
“Because he was the one who was small. He had to make you feel small to feel big. You, my sweet cupcake, are gorgeous. Now, what about me? Will Hex like this?”
I looked him over. Honestly, if he were straight, I’d say yes in a heartbeat. The man was stunning. His light brown skin was smooth and perfect. His dark, silky curls were cut close and neat. His eyes, a warm light brown, were bright and excited. He had on a short-sleeved button-down in a shimmery red, black cargo shorts, his favorite black Nikes, and a thick gold chain.
“You look amazing,” I said. “Maybe add some cherry lip gloss? I might have overheard Hex tell a friend that your lips taste like cherries and he finds it… fascinating.”
“Really?” Owen’s eyes went wide.
No, not really. I couldn’t lie to save my life. My cheeks were already giving me away.
“Mhmm,” I said, trying to keep a straight face.
“You’re a terrible liar, your face is pink. But… just in case.” He spun and hurried to his room.
A knock came at the door. I opened it to Hex.
“Hi, Hex,” I said, smiling.
“Hello, beautiful. Beast couldn’t make it. Had a meeting at the club.”
“Oh, that’s okay. I wasn’t expecting him.”
“You weren’t?” He looked confused.
“No? We’re not dating. We’re… friendly, I guess.”
“You’re serious.”
“Yes?”
“But I heard you in your room. It sounded… serious.”
My whole face burned. He grinned.
“I’m sure Beast has made plenty of girls… finish. That doesn’t make me special. I’m not that naive. Besides, I think he’s seeing someone. I heard a girl named Raven say someone gave him a… wake-up call yesterday morning. So I actually feel a little guilty. I let him… you know.”
I wasn’t fishing. Okay, maybe a little. But I wasn’t going to just ask.
“Oh, no. That was just Kiki. She’s not with Beast. She does that for a lot of the guys. Calls herself the wake-up queen. She just loves sex, with anyone. Don’t feel threatened. I even woke up once with her… busy. Thought I was dreaming. Gave me a real shock to open my eyes and see a woman there.”
“I bet it did,” Owen’s voice came from behind Hex. He slipped an arm around him. “Do I need to have a word with this Kiki? Let her know you’re not available for wake-up calls anymore?”
Then he grabbed the back of Hex’s neck and kissed him, deep and possessive.
I couldn’t help but smile. This was good. Owen never got like this. He didn’t do relationships. Seeing him act this way with Hex… I really wanted this to work for him.
“No, mi amor,” Hex said when they parted, his voice rough. “I made it clear to her after it happened. She understands now.”
“She better,” Owen said, completely serious. “I don’t share. If we’re doing this, we only do each other. Until one of us says stop.”
“We need to talk, Owen,” Hex said, his tone shifting.
“Oh, I’ll just go to my room,” I started, turning.
“No, Lia. You should hear this, too. It’ll… prepare you.”
“Prepare me for what?”
“You’ll see. Come on, let’s sit.”
We moved to the living room. Owen and Hex took the couch. I sat across from them in the chair.
Hex took Owen’s hand. Owen looked suddenly pale.
“Are you… ending this already?” Owen’s words tumbled out fast. “I think this is a record. It’s okay, you don’t have to explain. We’re not really in a relationship. I don’t really do those. I just thought you felt different, but I guess I was wrong. Serves me right. I won’t let my heart make decisions anymore. Never listening to that thing again.”
I gave him a sympathetic look. I’d never seen him like this. He’d never latched onto anyone. With Hex, it was like he’d been hit by lightning. He was completely gone for him.
“Stop,” Hex said, his voice firm but soft. “I am not letting you go. Ever. I told you I wanted you for keeps. I mean it. I want you as my Old Man, Owen. I want to claim you so every other man knows you’re off limits. I’m not the only gay man in a motorcycle club. There are others. We have parties, we visit other clubs. I want you in my property vest. I want everyone to know you belong to me. You are mine. Only mine.”
“That is so fucking hot,” Owen breathed, and then he was kissing Hex again.
I sat there, a little amused, as they got lost in each other. After a few minutes, I cleared my throat.
They jumped apart, both blushing like teenagers.
“Sorry, cupcake,” Owen said, breathless. “Got carried away.”
“I could see that,” I said with a laugh.
Hex smiled, then turned his attention back to me.
“So. I’m claiming Owen. Which means he’ll need to move in with me. That leaves you here alone. Beast, our President Butcher, and I… we don’t think that’s a good idea. Not after what you let slip last night. So you’d have to move, too. You and Owen would come to the clubhouse.”
I just stared at him. What?
I couldn’t live at the clubhouse. See Beast every single day? God, what if I saw him with other women? I don’t think I could stand it, seeing some girl with him, touching him. I’d noticed couples at the cookout, right out in the open shadows. They weren’t hiding.
No. There was no way. I couldn’t watch that. I couldn’t let my heart break every day. I needed a plan. I would not ruin this for Owen.
“Listen,” I said, standing up too fast. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine on my own. I have money from my art commissions. I can get more clients. I think… I should stay here tonight. I need to pack some things and figure things out. Really, our lease has two months left. I’ll be okay.”
And before my voice could crack or my eyes could fill, I turned and hurried to my room, closing the door softly behind me before the first tear fell.