Verek (Savage Kings MC - South Carolina #3) - Lane Hart Page 0,60
possible.
But now I know that after six months, I still couldn’t stop thinking about Tessa. I want to be with her, to see her every day. I’m just not sure if I have what it takes to be a decent boyfriend, much less a husband.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Tessa
* * *
“So, I had a great time with you today,” Paul says with a smile when he walks me up to my apartment, pretending we don’t have an audience of two right behind us.
“I had fun too,” I agree. I don’t get out enough, mostly because I still freak out when I see work vans or groups of men. Charlotte drags me out with her and Roman to get groceries once a week and to hang out at the clubhouse on the weekends, but that’s about it. I’ve missed the sunshine, even though it’s winter. And the pier restaurant we went to at sunset was very romantic.
“Can I see you tomorrow?” Paul asks.
“Sure.”
“We could go grab lunch and then see a movie or a show?”
“As long as it’s a comedy, I think I would enjoy either of those,” I tell him.
“Okay, good. I’ll call with the time,” he says and reaches toward my arm before dropping his hand sadly. “Have a good night.”
“You too,” I reply even though I doubt our nights will be anything alike as I shove my key into the apartment to unlock the door.
“We’re supposed to take a look around before you go inside,” Jake says.
“Oh, well, Verek’s probably here,” I say as I open the door…and find the apartment empty. “Or not.”
“Just a second,” Lucas says as both prospects slip inside and do a quick sweep for anything out of place. It seems silly but does make me feel better since Verek’s not here.
While they search, I try to figure out how I would feel if Paul went to a hotel bar and picked up a woman to take back to his room tonight. He’s bound to have slept with someone since we’ve been broken up, and that thought…doesn’t bother me at all.
Verek on the other hand…well, as I try to recall some of my drunken conversation with him, that was one of the first questions I asked. I didn’t want him to sleep with anyone else, even though that’s unfair since I can’t sleep with him.
“All clear,” Lucas says when he and Jake come out of the apartment.
“Great, thanks,” I reply.
“We’ll be downstairs if you need anything,” Jake tells me.
“Okay,” I say and then blurt out, “Do you know if or when Verek’s coming back?”
“He said he had to go by his town house and pick up some clean clothes, then he’ll be back over here,” Lucas informs me.
“Oh, okay.”
When I hesitate to go inside, he adds, “He’s called at least five times today while you were with Paul.”
“Really?” I ask, not all that surprised.
“I’m sure he’ll be here as soon as he can,” Lucas tells me.
“Yeah, thanks,” I respond. “Good night.”
“Night,” they both say, but then they stand in the hallway, waiting for me to go inside.
Verek
* * *
It took longer than I hoped to get my bike and then go by my apartment because Cannon wanted to stop for a steak dinner. Then, every neighbor in my building had to talk to me, asking where I had been the past few months, where my cut was, etc.
Finally, once I got free of them, I took a shower and then changed into some clean jeans and a gray long-sleeve Henley and black hoodie before packing a bag to head back to Tessa’s.
I knew she was already back thanks to a call from Lucas fifteen minutes ago, so I broke a few speed limits on the way over.
Parking my bike near the prospects’ tent, I pop a piece of peppermint gum into my mouth, then climb off, throwing my duffle bag on my shoulder. On the way to the front of the building, Lucas jumps in front of me.
“Good evening, sir,” he says. “If you don’t mind, I need to check with Miss Singleton to confirm she’s accepting visitors tonight.”
“Fuck off,” I tell him, trying to sidestep him on the sidewalk when Jake gets in my way. “Move,” I snap.
“After we confirm you’re a wanted guest with Miss Singleton,” Lucas says when he puts his phone up to his ear. I hear Tessa’s voice answer, and then he’s asking, “There’s a Verek…what’s your last name?” he asks me, and I glare at him. “Yes, Verek Rhodes,” he repeats