I shrug. “He left.”
“He left?” I nod my head yes and look away. “What the hell?”
A sarcastic laugh falls from me. “I really know how to pick them. I guess my dad is right.”
Drake moves towards me, taking my chin between his finger and thumb. He forces me to look at him. “He is never right about you. Don’t for one second allow him to win, Zo. You’re so much better than he will ever know. He doesn’t deserve to know you that way Zo.” His words hit my heart, one at a time and wraps around it like a warm blanket on a cold night. They make my body feel light. He’s always saving me.
I nod slowly and try to step away from him but he grips my elbow. “You should get back to your date.”
“I’d rather dance with you,” he tells me and I can see the sincerity in his eyes. I nod and he pulls me back against his chest. We sway to the music. I promise myself I’ll allow myself this one dance. This one moment to feel safe in his arms yet again but one dance turns into another and before we realize the prom is over. Tess has disappeared and Drake is driving me home.
Twelve
Drake
I roll my shoulders as I try to release the tension that has built up. I knew that if Zoey stayed around long enough she’d find out about Aubree and it’s not like I’m trying to keep her a secret, she’s the best thing about my life but it’s the fact that I can’t trust Zoey. I try, I really do but then I’m reminded of the fact that she’s always been a wildcard. A person that’s always looking for the next adventure or distraction. Zoey is a lot of things, but reliable isn’t one of them.
My life revolves around reliable and stability. My life isn’t just about me. It’s about Aubree and she’s at the age where she’s creating attachments and relationships and I know her well enough to know that she’ll love Zoey. I can’t have her getting attached to Zoey right now. I’m just waiting for her to start asking about her mother. I couldn’t handle having to answer questions about Jules and Zoey, once she decides to run again, and I’m certain she will at some point. It’s not a question of if she will run but when?
I knew when Zoey’s tawny colored eyes roamed over the picture of Dawsyn and Aubree on my sun visor that she was curious. I watched her eyes light up with recognition as she saw an almost grown version of my little sister, Dawsyn. I didn’t think that she would assume that Aubree belonged to my parents as well but I guess it does make sense. I make my way back onto the job site. I’m preoccupied, not paying enough attention and before I realize it I feel my boot connect with something. I fall before I can react. My ankle twists and the pain is white hot. I land on the ground with a thud, my hard hat rolling away from me. I hear Connor’s, my foreman and Uncle Jagger’s best friend, voices call out. “Drake! What the hell?” I hear the heavy footsteps from boots coming in my direction. “Are you okay?” Connor asks, and he kneels beside me.
I nod my head. “Yeah, but something is wrong with my ankle.”
“I’ll call an ambulance.” Connor grabs his phone from his pocket as some of the other workers reach us. I reach up and grab his hand that’s dialing the number.
“I don’t need an ambulance. Just a ride to the hospital,” I tell him.
Connor’s concerned eyes meet mine. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Just help me up and get someone to drive my truck and me to the hospital,” I tell him.
“I’ll drive him,” Wilder says as he and Connor help me up from the ground. We manage to get me over to my truck and then inside, it’s a difficult task because I’m not exactly a small guy. I’m at least 6’ 2” and a wall of muscle but somehow, I manage to hop to the truck with Connor and Wilder keeping me balanced as best they can. Once we make it to the main streets of Los Angeles it becomes clear that we have hit a madhouse of traffic. I instantly regret my decision to try and get this ankle looked at. I’m sure it’s nothing more than a twist or sprain anyways.
The traffic inches by, little by little. “This is bullshit. I should have just stayed at work. We’re just wasting time by sitting here in this mess. Can you turn around and just get us back to work?”
Wilder looks over at me like I’m crazy before laughing out loud. “Turn around?” He makes a show of looking around the congested lanes of traffic, bumper to bumper. “Where exactly do you expect me to turn this truck around at? I mean is this truck some kind of magic that will make the traffic disappear?”
I glare in Wilder’s direction and he cracks up laughing again. “Okay, point taken.”
“Look, I get it. You’re frustrated and you want to go home. I don’t blame you but it’s better to get your ankle looked at now rather than later, at least to be safe.” Wilder inches forward as the vehicles in front of us begin to move.
I sigh heavily. “I know. I’m just upset with myself for being distracted.” I hate admitting that out loud, but it’s the truth regardless. My mind instantly wanders back to Zoey.
The cab of the truck falls silent once more. The traffic moves slowly and the music on the radio is playing at a low volume. Wilder doesn’t speak again until we hit the next traffic jam in the rush hour. I can feel Wilder’s eyes on me, but I wait for him to speak first. “So, what’s the story with Zoey?”
I stare out the window as my jaw clenches. I should have expected this, yet I didn’t. I mean, honestly every one of the guys in Sons of Sin are going to be curious as to how Zayde suddenly has a twin sister. I don’t really feel like it’s my story to tell, but I also know that Wilder deserves an answer at least. “Look, I know you want an explanation. If I were in your shoes I would too, but the truth is it’s not really my story to tell. She is Zayde’s twin sister and a wild child at heart. They used to be inseparable then she up and left. I can’t fully blame her because their father was a world class ass to her, but still it left a mark on Zayde. The rest of the story is up to him to tell you.”
Wilder nods. “What is she to you?”
“What do you mean?” I ask. I can feel my defenses rising. I don’t like the tone of his voice and I also don’t like people asking about my personal life. I like to keep things personal, end of story. I let the brothers of the motorcycle club in as much as I can but at the end of the day I like to keep my personal life out of it.
Wilder gives me a side eye. “I mean, there’s something there…between the two of you.”
I scoff and shake my head, trying to play it off. I’m not even sure who I’m trying to convince at this point, Wilder or myself. “Not really. I mean we were friends back in the day because of Zayde but that was it.”
“Okay, sure if that’s your story,” Wilder says, with a low chuckle.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” I ask him, my tone much harsher than I intended.
He shrugs. “Look I know you all think I’m just a dumb pretty boy but I notice things. You two both look at each other when the other isn’t looking. There’s something about the way the two of you interact that says there’s much more there but if you don’t want to talk about it you could just say that. You don’t need to make up some bullshit lie,” Wilder explains.