Victoria Ashley - Slade

I have to go. Home is where I need to be.

I already know that Jay is outside because I hear a car door slam. He’s most likely opening the trunk for my luggage. I just hope Slade didn’t hear it, because I can’t face seeing the hurt in his eyes. He didn’t speak to me the whole way back to the house. It killed me. I just need to slip out of here unnoticed. I can’t let my heart break anymore tonight.

I grab my suitcase, stand up and drag it over to the door. When I open the door, I look around but don’t see Slade anywhere. I should be happy.

Right?

I find myself standing here for a moment, not wanting to move. I feel stuck. I allow myself a few moments of pity, suck it up and make my way outside. The first thing I notice is that Slade’s motorcycle is gone. Not sure how I missed him leaving, but he’s gone and the ache in my chest returns. I’ll probably never see him again. The thought kills me.

Why does it hurt so much? Why do I wish he was here so I could see him one last time?

Jay stands next to the trunk, but doesn’t make a move to help me as I drag my suitcase across the ground. Usually, this wouldn’t bother me because I’m used to him being this way, but right now, it bothers me. It bothers me a lot. Slade may be all tough and closed off, but he would help me without a second thought. I know that and I love that about him. He’s more than what he shows the world. There’s a really great side to him that I love and want more of.

Dammit, this is so hard.

I feel numb and closed off as I step up beside Jay and look at him. I thought I would be happy for this moment . . . but I’m not. I’m fucking miserable right now. Seeing him is doing nothing but making me angry. The feeling of wanting to kiss him has now been replaced with wanting to punch him. Unlike Slade, he wouldn’t get off on it.

Fucking Slade. Why can’t I stop thinking about him?

I stop and look around as if I expect Slade to just pull up on his bike, jump off and kiss me; save me from this possible mistake. The thought gives me the ultimate rush like it did when he kissed me in the bar with the assumption that guy was trying to pick me up. I loved that. It made me feel sexy and wanted. Something I’ve never really felt with Jay.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Come on,” he says while looking down at his phone impatiently. “I have to be to work early and it’s a long drive.”

I let out a soft breath and struggle with tossing my suitcase into the back. He doesn’t even notice. He’s too busy on his damn phone. I really feel a lot of hate for him right now; enough to almost stay.

I get ready to say something, but he looks up and smiles. It’s the sweet smile that I fell in love with. “Missed you, gorgeous.”

I feel a little bit of my anger fade, but not enough. “I missed you too,” I say while shutting the trunk and walking over to get inside the car. I feel like shit because to be honest with myself, I don’t mean it; not one bit of me.

I just hope I’m not making the biggest mistake of my life

Slade

Two weeks later . . .

It’s been two weeks since Aspen left and I still feel like the biggest ass for not fighting harder for her to stay. The one thing that made my life worth a shit I let slip through my fingers. I couldn’t even face her. Instead, I left. I couldn’t stand to stick around while she packed her shit to leave. I fucking left and rode for hours just thinking back on my life and all the fucked up things I have done over the past couple of years. It took her for me to realize that I’m not proud of what I’ve become; not one fucking bit. In the end I may not have her, but she has helped me in more ways than she knows and I will always be thankful for that.

I owe her a lot for finally waking me up and I still think about taking my ass to Rockford and showing her how much I have changed, but I know it would be pointless. She made up her mind. I don’t blame her for not wanting to give her heart to an asshole like me. I meant what I said when I told her she deserves better than me. We both knew that. That’s why she left. She did what she had to do to protect her heart. She could probably see that things would turn out disastrous. She chose to stay far away from me; choosing to walk away when I couldn’t.

It’s a Friday night at Walk of Shame and I’m working the bar with Sarah. Hemy and Cale are working on training some new kid, Stone, or some shit. The kid looks like he’s having a fucking blast; probably fresh out of school and dying to get his unexperienced cock wet. He’s like the old version of me: dark, dirty and out for a good fuck. Well, this kid is in for the ride of his life here.

     “You okay, Slade?”

     I lean against the bar next to Sarah and nudge her with my shoulder. “Don’t I look it,” I ask teasingly. “You’ve been asking me that practically every fucking day. You’re starting to sound like a damn broken record.”

     She lets out a little laugh and squeezes my arm. “It’s fucking weird,” she says.

     “What?”

“Not having you out there. How am I supposed to get used to this shit? You not taking down every woman in your path or slamming back shots and getting naked. It’s a big fucking change. Are you sure you’re okay? Have you talked to-”

“Don’t even bring her up, Sarah.” I take a deep breath and slowly exhale. “I’m cool, okay. It’s just going to take a little while to get used to the changes. You can’t expect me to do this forever. I just need a change of scenery.”

     She nods as I walk away to help a young woman waving me over with a flirtatious smile. She’s beautiful; long brown hair, big blue eyes and a body you just want to taste and fuck. You would think she would be enough to tempt me back into my old ways, but no. Surprisingly, she does nothing for me. I’m not sure how the fuck to feel about that. All I know . . . is that I’m feeling for the first time in years. It’s a scary feeling, but I think I’m going to go along for the ride; I have to.

     “What can I get you,” I ask while leaning over the bar.

The brunette looks at me long and hard while eyeing me up and down. She almost looks as if she’s ready to strip down right here and jump my shit. She’s desperate and it’s actually turning me off. I kind of liked having to work for it.

     “Whatever you’re willing to give.” She smiles before leaning in and running her tongue over her lips. “You’re Slade, right? I’ve heard a lot of things about you.”

     I stand here slightly amused, watching as she tries desperately to make herself seem willing and available.

     “I’ve had a rough couple days and am looking for someone to take my mind off things. I’ve heard you’re the man to do the job.” Her eyes rake over my body as she tugs on the top of her dress, exposing more of her firm breasts to me. “I’ve heard you’re the best.”

     Clearing my throat, I turn my head and point across the room to Hemy. I wait for her eyes to follow. “I’m good . . . but go take your offer to my buddy over there. He’ll be sure to fuck you nice and thoroughly. He’ll even throw in a friend to take you up the ass while he’s deep inside you, making you scream.” She looks curious and a little excited. “If you’re looking for a night to remember then Hemy will give you just that. He fucks like a rock star and he’s dirty as shit. He’ll give you anything you want. He holds nothing back in the sack.”

     The brunette looks me up and down before fixing the top of her dress and nodding her head. “He’ll do just fine. It’s a shame you’re not up for the task, though. I had my tastes set on something. . .specific.”

“It is a fucking shame.” I pour her a shot of Vodka and slide it across the bar. “You’re a little too late, but the shot’s on me, sweetheart.”

     I walk away and take a deep breath; a little pissed at myself for not even being the slightest bit turned on by her offer. A couple weeks ago, I would have taken her right here in front of Sarah and then let Sarah suck her taste off my cock.

Damn. This girl really did something to me.

Sarah rushes over to me and shoves my shoulder before slapping me with a towel. “Are you serious? I would have even fucked that one. Are you sure you’re not sick?”

“Sarah. Leave his ass alone.”

     I look up to see Cale step behind the bar, wiping down his sweaty chest with his shirt.

     “How’s the new kid doing?”

     Cale smirks while grabbing for a bottle of water. “I’m almost positive you two fuckers are related.” He opens the water and pours some over his face. “Are you sure Stone isn’t your long lost fucking brother? He’s a slightly smaller version of you, but with shorter hair and less tattoos. It’s a little fucking scary. It’s a lot like what you looked like when you were a suit.”

“Good. Then he can make up for your slack like I did.”

     Cale punches my arm before pouring the rest of the water over his head. “She’s still eating at you, isn’t she?”

     I ignore his question. “Have you heard from her yet?”

     He shakes his head. “Nah, man. I haven’t heard shit.”

     To be honest, I’m still a little pissed off at Cale for not telling me Aspen had a boyfriend the whole time. That asshole knew we were fucking and he couldn’t even warn me? What happened to the bro code? I find that a little fucked up and he knows that.

     “Dude, stop looking at me like that. I told you it wasn’t my place to say shit. They were sort of on a break and plus you usually only fuck them one time and move on. I didn’t know you would fall for her.”