Coming Home: Dominant Devils Book 2 (25 page)

“Avery, please don’t take off again. Don’t take my son away from me. I want you both but, if I can’t have that right now I, at least, need him around here with me,” I begged.

“I’m not going anywhere, yet. I have some decisions to make before Hunter starts school in September but I won’t be leaving without letting you know first. However, get this in your head, I don’t belong to you. You made that very clear. I will stay at the house in my room but without you. If you can’t except that, then I’ve liquidated enough assets to find a place in town for Hunter, Trevor and myself. Now I’m thru talking bout this shit. Take me to my son or get out of my way so I can call for a taxi,” Avery said with no emotion.

What the fuck have I done? I’ve ruined this shit between us and I’m the one to blame yet again. We’ve been down this road before only this time I have a feeling it’s for good. I’ve broken her and if I’m not careful she’ll be headed back to California with my son by September to get him enrolled in school. I had to figure out a way to fix this shit or I will lose them both.

Trevor

I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop on the conversation my best friend was in with her man but I couldn’t help it. I needed to know what I would have to do to get her back to the one who held her heart. My little dude needed his mother and his father. He deserved that shit and I’ll do whatever I gotta do to make that happen.

When I saw Avery move away from Axle, he let her go this time. She walked right past all of us towards the lone truck parked in the parking lot. I looked at Romy and signaled with a nod for her to go after Avery. I’d let Romy deal with our girl while I had a quick conversation with Axle. Wall and I stood still waiting for Axle to get himself together. When he made his way towards us I could tell that Avery’s words had ripped him to the core. I decided to try and put his mind at ease.

“Look man, I know you and Avery have history. You’ve known that girl longer than I have but I can guarantee she’s confided in me a hell of a lot more than she has you. I was the one, along with Layla and the rest of the girls, that held her every time she fell to pieces after making phone calls home. We’re the ones, especially me, who sat up late at night when she was feeling homesick and missing you. Right now she feels betrayed and defeated because she doesn’t think she can have it all with you. I’m counting on you to prove her wrong. She has a life outside of Great Falls, yet her heart has always been here with you and the rest of her family. Don’t make her choose between one or the other. Hell, even I can’t tell you what the outcome of that will be, but either way I’ll be in her life. Can you live with yourself if you aren’t,” I questioned Axle?

“Way to kick a man when he’s down Trevor. Maybe you just need to stay out of this shit. You might know Avery but you don’t know Axle asshole. He’ll take care of them no matter what,” Wall said in his defense.

“I never said he wouldn’t take care of them. What I don’t want to see is him having to live without her. I know Avery will be a pain in the ass for a few months but she’ll find a way to bury the pain like she did before. She’ll never get over him, probably never move on but I doubt very seriously that she’ll put herself out there for him again if he starts sprouting off ultimatums.”

The three of us stood quietly for a few minutes before Axel spoke. “Wall, go up and get the girls in the truck. Get them settled. Trev and I won’t be far behind you.” Wall gave Axle a nod before taking off to thru the parking lot. Axle waited til he caught up with the girls before he spoke to me. “I know your right. I know I fucked up when I sent that text in anger. I was hurt and scared that she could just disappear on me again. It took me a few days to realize I fucked up but it was like it was happening all over again. A part of me went with her when she left five years ago, then when she came back only to take off again, I felt like she took even more with her. I love that girl and always will. I will give her some time, but know this; Our story is far from over!”

I started to grin back at the sourly man. “I’m glad to hear that. I’ll help you get your girl back dude, just don’t make me regret this shit.”

That brought a smile and a look of hope to the big burly biker’s face. We said nothing more as we made our way to the truck. The girls were already in the back and Wall was already in the passenger seat leaving me to crawl in the back with the girls and Axle to get behind the wheel. Not sure when I fell asleep but I was startled awake with Avery shaking my shoulder. “Come on good looking. Let’s get you in the house. You can crash in my room and I’ll slip in to sleep with Hunter. I’d put you on the couch but I don’t want any of the over protective alpha males waking up to some strange dude sleeping on the sofa. We don’t need to be waking the whole house up. Plus, you’d probably catch a bullet before I could save ya.”

“At this point sweet-cheeks I don’t care as long as I get some sleep. I need a bed and a glass of water to take some ibuprofen. I’m sure Hunter will be up in a few hours and I miss the little dude. Lead the way chick.”

I climbed out of the back seat of Axle’s truck to find he had already pulled our bags out of the truck bed. I stood by Avery as he handed her the back pack with her belongings and promised to check on Hunter tomorrow. He slid back in the front seat of the truck leaving Avery, Romy and I standing in the gravel driveway.

I wrapped my arm around my best friend and whispered, “I know it doesn’t seem like it now, but things will be okay. You two just need some time and lots of sleep. Now show me to my room for the night. Everything will look better in the morning.”

When Avery dropped me at the door to her room she said nothing. She simply gave me a quick hug before moving to the door of the next room. When she closed the door, to what must be Hunter’s room, I walked into hers. I dropped my bag and kicked off my boots before falling into the comfy bed. Thoughts of how to get those two back together raced through my head as sleep pulled me under.

Two months later….

Avery

I had been back in Great Falls for over two months now. Axle and I still haven’t spoken about anything concerning “us”. There wasn’t any fall out when I returned with the exception of my mother, father and my sister speaking their piece. All three of them finally calmed down making me promise to never do such a stupid thing ever again. Trevor has been my rock through all my emotions the last couple months. He’s never broached the subject or called me out when he would find me a crying mess late at night. Even though he took Romy up on her offer at crashing at her apartment, he always seemed to be here at the house when I needed him. He never said a word. He just held me until I cried myself to sleep. The last week hasn’t been so bad though. We were due to leave later this afternoon to head back to California for Layla’s baby shower. Layla had extended my invitation to all the club women I considered family. Being she was too far along to travel out here and wouldn’t be able to for a while after the baby was born it seemed like the best way for her to meet everyone.

Romy, Madison, Athena, Carrin, Breezy, Hyde, Izzy and even my mother along with Momma Bear would be accompanying me, Hunter and Trevor to travel to California for a few days. I had already made my decision to stay in Great Falls to enroll Hunter in school in the next few months but I wanted to tell Layla and the girls face to face. I’m hoping that they would accept me living in South Carolina only flying back to California when needed. If not, I knew I would be looking for work when I returned home on Monday. I haven’t told anyone except Trevor, who was planning on staying himself until the next tour kicked up.

Trevor had found a way into everyone’s good graces over the last couple months. With the women of the club it had been easy, yet with the men it had taken some work. It took a while for the guys to accept the fact that Trevor was gay, then even longer to get over their own insecurities about the possibility of a gay man checking them out. In the end though, Trevor’s sparkling personality won them all over. My mother was his biggest fan. He had even started helping her out with the club’s new venture, a strip club. He even promised to dance for ladies’ night. Another wonderful idea he put in my mother’s head. The first Friday night of the month would be for the ladies. At first it didn’t go over very well but, Trevor promised to stay with the girls and watch them so the guys wouldn’t have to watch other men stripping for dollar bills. It seemed to put the guys’ minds at ease. Axle seems to have built a pretty good relationship with my best friend. Those two seem to get along quite well and has entrusted him with only one prospect to accompany the group of hens traveling to the west coast for the weekend. That speaks volumes.

Enough with my thoughts. I need to get my lazy ass out of bed and finish packing before the girls barge in to drag me off to the airport. I just couldn’t get myself motivated. I had slept in being Hunter spent the night at my parent’s house. I didn’t get the morning off very often since Axle was back to staying at the clubhouse, so I took full advantage of it. When I finally dragged myself out of bed I took my time in the shower enjoying the sprays of hot water stinging my back. I was cramping and I felt a bit sick to my stomach. It must be getting to be that time of month. I was due for my depo shot. I wouldn’t be able to get to the doctor until Monday morning before we flew back home. After this last visit I would have everything transferred back here at home.

A wave of nausea hit me as I was bent over to turn the shower off. I barely made it out of the shower to the toilet before I emptied last night’s dinner out of my stomach. When I finally stopped upchucking I rinsed my mouth out and brushed my teeth. I hope it was just something I ate or my damn crazy period trying to show its self after so many years. I had to get to California and I didn’t want to be bringing germs with me.

I went back to my room to dress in my sweats and hoodie before making my way downstairs with my bag. I had about an hour before my dad showed up with the club van to transport all of us to the airport. The plan was for my parents to take Hunter in to see Axle for his good-byes when they picked up the van. As I made my way into the living room I found that wasn’t the case. When I hit the bottom step I heard his laughter in the kitchen. It seemed everyone was gathered in the kitchen for breakfast. It wasn’t out of the norm but I just wasn’t feeling it. I’d get my coffee and head out on the back deck until everyone was ready to leave. By now I had a banging headache on top of a queasy stomach. Maybe this was just one of my migraines trying to interfere with my travel plans.

I made my way to the coffee pot exchanging pleasantries with everyone in the kitchen before pouring my cup of joe and heading out to sit on the deck. Since a little girl I’ve always enjoyed one season changing into the other. Spring was giving in to Summer and I wanted to soak up as much fresh country air as possible. By night fall the only thing I’d be breathing in would be the smog and salty pacific-ocean air. It might appeal to most but it never really has to me. Don’t get me wrong I loved it out there but I love my home more. Nothing will ever replace Great Falls.

Sitting in the lounger on the back deck I felt his presence before I heard the door shut behind me. He made his way over to one of the lounge chairs to sit down next to me before striking up small talk. I’m sure he was nervous about me taking Hunter and never coming back. I’ll tell him one more time not to worry but that was it. If he couldn’t believe me I wasn’t going to waste my breath anymore trying to get him to.

“You all packed and ready to leave,” Axle asked quietly.

“Yeah, I finished this morning. It wasn’t that much. Just a dress for the shower and a few change of clothes for myself and Hunter. I’m sure he’ll be coming back with a hell of a lot more than what we leave with. Everyone we left behind in Cali hasn’t seen him for a few months. I’m sure they’ll be waiting to spoil him when we get there. No doubt Hunter and Ben will be taking a trip to the nearest Toys ‘R’ Us for the latest video game as soon as we get there,” I answered Axle without turning to look at him.

“I’m sure they’ve all missed him like crazy. I want you all to have a good time while you’re out there. I know that your mom and Momma Bear are excited to see the Pacific Ocean. They’ll send enough pics to have us feeling like we’re all there,” he answered.

“Yeah I’m looking forward to a beach day with all of them. I think Layla was already planning on that for Sunday. Trevor and Hunter will be surfing with Ben,” I told him with a genuine smile when I finally turned to look at him.

“Are you feeling okay. Don’t hate me for saying this babe but you look like shit. You’ve got bags under your eyes and you’re as white as a freaking ghost, Avery. You going to be okay to fly?”

Damn, if Axle was expressing concern I’m sure I must look like hell. He hasn’t said anything to me in months unless it concerns Hunter. To have him letting his asshole guard down I must look near death. “I’m fine. Just have the start of a migraine kicking in. You’ve seen how bad they can get. The last couple of years they’ve dwindled off but when I get one it’s normally a doozy. I’ve got my meds ready. When we get on the plane I’ll take them and hopefully sleep it off between hear and Cali.”

“I don’t like it Avery. If you don’t get any better by the time you land promise me, you’ll go get checked out. I don’t want to see you sick babe,” Axle said with true concern.

“I promise Axle but, don’t worry about me I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself. I’m not yours to worry about anymore remember,” I said for good measure. I don’t know why but his concern was pissing me off. I didn’t need his pity or concern anymore. Even as the thought entered my head I know I was just being bitchy. I needed to apologize but before I could Axle snapped back at me.

“YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY MINE TO WORRY OVER. THAT SHIT HASN’T CHANGED AND NEVER WILL! YOU ARE MINE AND ALWAYS WILL BE,” Axle yelled before going back in the house slamming the back door in the process.

I couldn’t take the time to delve into what he just said. He left me standing on the back deck just as my parents pulled up with my son in the van. “Momma, Momma! Are you’d ready to go? I wanna see my Auntie Layla. She says she misses me like crazy. I don’t wanna drive her crazy momma,” Hunter says before he was even out of the van.

I laughed at my son’s excitement. I know he misses everyone just as much as they miss him. I took his hand to head in the house to round everyone up. I let go of Hunter’s hand so he could say his good-byes to Axle without me interfering. I looked to Trevor who had already collected mine and Hunter’s bag from the living room. He said nothing just gave me a look that he heard what was said outside and we would be discussing it. I know Trev won’t open that can of worms til we were in California. He wouldn’t want to call me out in front of everyone here or on the plane. That at least gave me a few hours to sleep of this god damn raging migraine before being hit with a lecture.

I must not look as bad as Axle made out because no one, not even my father, mentioned anything to me. I actually managed the hour drive, my goodbyes to my father and boarded the plane without really speaking to anyone. Once we had taken off and was given the all clear from the captain I excused myself to the jet’s small bedroom in the back. I planned on taking my meds and sleeping until it was time to land. Little did I know Trevor had his own plan. He followed me to the small room and sat quietly at the edge of the bed while I took my meds.

When I turned to tell him to leave me alone he just raised his hand to me to say his peace. “Look I know you’re not feeling well and if you took what you normally do for your headache I know you’ll be knocked out for a while. I’ll come in to get you when we’re ready to touch down but before I leave you I’ve got to say something. You might not like it but you’re going to listen to me.”

When I didn’t object he continued. “I’ve watched you both for months now girl. I know you’re hurting and putting on a brave face but so is that man of yours. When we get back the two of you need to address the elephant in the room. You’re obviously just as miserable without him as he is without you. It’s time to deal with that shit. He fucked up and so did you. He never gave you the benefit of the doubt that you would be coming back and you never gave him the benefit of letting you go. You we’re both wrong. You love him and he loves you too. It’s time to fix your shit and take your happily ever after back. For the time being get yourself better and spend some time with the family you won’t be seeing nearly as often as before. We’ll have some fun in the sun then when we get back Monday night you’re going to apologize to your man and move past this shit.”

I said nothing as Trevor got up from the bed and headed towards the door. He stopped before he opened the door to say, “I love you, girl and I’ll always be here for you but it’s time to get your head out of your ass and take back what’s yours. Now lay your beautiful little head down and get some sleep. You’ve got about five and a half hours to get rid of that funk before we are thrown into all the baby activities.” Then my best friend disappeared out the door leaving me to crash and sleep away this horrible headache.

We landed in LA around three pm pacific time. The stretched Hummer limo that awaited us had Ember written all over it. She must have planned our ride. I know from lots of conversations over the last few months she was in charge of planning the baby shower. If the music business ever failed, her she would make a killing as a party planner. The driver quickly loaded everyone’s bags in the back of the limo once we were all loaded up. Thank god everything we bought as gifts we just had gift wrapped and delivered to the house. We would have never been able to fit all of us, the bags and the gifts in the limo.

We went a little over board with the shopping. The older women of the club have sort of taking the motherly roll for Layla and Cali once they found out that the girls had no association with their mother. The two had a rough life growing up but it wasn’t my story to tell. The reasons why the girls had nothing to do with their drug addict alcoholic mother would never come from me. When Layla and Cali felt comfortable enough I’m sure they would indulge. So other than the few roadies with wives, the girls in the band, Ben’s mother and sister, we were the bulk of the guest. That didn’t mean my girl wasn’t going to have hordes of gifts to open though. She’d be fussing with me for sure when this is all over.

When we arrived at the beach house there was a lot of ooo’s and aaa’s coming from the girls. This was their first look into the rich and famous lifestyle. Once they were in the house they would see that the group might have lots of money but they kept the house very cozy and inviting. In no time at all the girls of the band and all the women with me hit it off. I think it helped because they all knew so much about each other already. Between all the stories I’ve told about the past plus, all the facetiming everyone’s been doing in the last few months everyone just clicked.

We took an easy night in with the feast Ben’s mother, Stephanie, Momma Bear and my mother decided to cook for everyone. We sat for hours around the dining room table eating and sipping good wine before everyone decided to retire to their rooms for the night. Trevor gave up his room to sleep on the couch which had all of us bunking in three rooms while Ben’s mother and sister took the guest house.

When we first landed I thought I was feeling better but after eating dinner tonight I was feeling a little queasy again. I left the girls to get some fresh air. Grabbing a blanket, I walked down to sit on the beach for a while. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn’t hear my mother come down to sit beside me. We sat in silence for a while before my mother spoke. “I know it hurt to be away from us but, I must say you found some pretty great people to build a life around. I can see the love you’ll share and the support they give you. It’s almost like the family you have at home. Just know that any decision you make, dad and I will support you. I want you close to us but, I’ll respect your choice either way baby girl.”