I give him a small smile, but it’s the best one I have these days. “I guess it has been.”
Drake seems timid as he approaches me so maybe not that much has changed after all. “So, how have you been?” he asks, as he takes a seat on the stool next to me.
His cologne fills my nose and causes me to take a much deeper breath that I had intended to. I shrug and try to play down the fact that my life is in shambles at the moment. “You know, just living the dream.”
Drake nods his head slowly, a look crosses his features and I’m afraid to try and pinpoint what it could mean. “Must have been some dream if you couldn’t even bother to return a call or text.”
I sigh heavily. I knew that Zayde would give me the ten realms of hell for disappearing, but I honestly hadn’t expected it from Drake. He was always so nice and considerate. “Drake…”
“Oh no, I forgot you changed your number, so that you didn’t have to even be bothered by us,” his tone is slightly harsh, but I hear the hurt underneath and it shreds another piece of my beat up heart to know that I caused that sound. Silence, awkward and uncomfortable, falls between us. Finally, he rubs his hands over his face.
“Where is everyone else?” I finally ask, once I can find my voice and stop staring at the boy who was my best friend, but is now a stranger.
“They’re on a ride.” The look in his eyes tells me it’s not just any ride.
I nod. “So, you joined Sons of Sin, huh?”
He smirks. “Yeah, one of the best decisions I ever made.”
“I never thought I’d see the day that little Drake James was wearing a leather cut and riding a bike,” I tease him, with a nudge of his shoulder.
He chuckles. “Yeah.”
“So, where is Zayde? Is he like running around with a Sinner girl or is he on the ride with the rest of them?” I ask, adding a little laugh even though the idea of my brother lowering his standards to a Sinner girl makes me sick. Back in the day being a Sinner girl was awesome. We were basically the Sons of Sins groupies, but now I hate the idea.
Drake looks uncomfortable and shifts in his seat. His eyes meet mine. “I have to tell you something and I hate for it to be the first thing we have to discuss, but it is.”
I already know by the tone in his voice that I’m not going to like whatever it is that he has to say to me. My heart pounds in my chest. “Is Zayde okay? Did something happen to him?” The burn in my eyes lets me know the tears are coming. I can’t even begin to deal with something being wrong or even worse when it comes to Zayde. It’s been so long…
Drake shakes his head quickly. “No, no,” he says in a soothing tone, more than likely he could see the breakdown I’m on the verge of having. His hands grab mine. “It’s not Zayde. It’s your dad.” I feel my eyebrows pull together. “He passed away. That’s why everyone is on the ride.”
“When?” I ask, but I’m surprised he even heard me because my voice is nothing but a hoarse whisper.
I watch Drake’s Adam’s apple bob in his throat as he swallows. “About a month ago, he had been sick for a bit and it finally just got him.”
I’m not sure what I expected to feel when my father passed away. I mean, obviously we had never been close, most days I was certain he despised me, but he was still my father and a part of me still loved him, still longed for his love and acceptance and now…now that chance was gone. I’d never get the chance to fix our relationship. I don’t think I ever considered how I’d feel once he was gone, but I wouldn’t have guessed it would be this tidal wave of emotions that is waging inside of me right now. My forehead falls forward to rest on Drake’s broad chest just as a sob breaks free from my mouth. Instantly, Drake has his arms around me and in the middle of my chaotic, destructive breakdown I find a sense of calm that only his arms can deliver.
Six
Drake
I didn’t expect Zoey to breakdown like this. To be honest, I expected her to brush off her father’s death for two reasons: The first being that Zoey isn’t one to show her true emotions very often. She was always so good at hiding what she was really thinking or feeling, so you never really knew unless you knew how to read her eyes. The second being, I expected her to brush off her father’s death because of how their relationship had been. I didn’t expect her to be sobbing into my chest right now.
Selfishly, I have to admit that having her in my arms again after so long is like taking the first deep breath after being underwater too long. I can’t even begin to count how many times I wondered where she was, what she was up to, or if I’d ever see her again over the years. For a few years, she didn’t cross my mind as often. I had Jules, so it was easy to let Zoey slip from my mind, but after Jules left and Aburee and I settled into a routine, Zoey started to work her way back into my thoughts. Usually, at night while I lie awake in my bed wondering how different my life could have been, even though I wouldn’t change it for the world.
I wrap my arms around Zoey and cringe when I feel how tiny she has become. Her bones are clearly protruding in certain areas. She seems so fragile right now and I hate that. I don’t know what Gregg, if she’s even still with him, put her through since I’ve last seen her, but it’s been too much I can tell you that.
The door opens and I look over to see Wilder coming in. His eyes widen when he sees Zoey and her shaking shoulders. Wilder is smart enough, though. He walks over and lays the food on the bar before disappearing down the hallway to one of the rooms. I don’t know how long I hold Zoey like this, but it brings back a flood of memories for me. The first time was when this ridiculous bad ass wannabe broke her heart.
Zayde and I were sitting outside the clubhouse just like we did most weekend nights. The party was in full swing around us. The brothers of the club and the sinner girls were all drinking and dancing. Zayde and I sat on the cement steps outside of the clubhouse and took in the scene. It isn’t exactly what I’d call my scene, but if Zayde and Zoey were around, then so was I. I sipped on my water as Zayde tried to flirt with some girl. Eventually, he was shot down, just like every other night. I chuckle and he flips me off.
Zoey was out with some new guy. I didn’t bother to learn his name because I knew he wouldn’t be around long, plus he was a grade A douchebag. I could tell from the moment I saw him. He had Zoey’s attention, yet he was eyeing up everything with two legs around him. He was insane, in my opinion. I knew it was only a matter of time before he broke Zoey’s heart and I’d be here to pick up the pieces.
The instant she walked into the parking lot I felt it, like a moth to a flame. I was drawn to her and I couldn’t break that pull, not that I wanted to. I wanted to be the guy she looked at with wide eyes and a bright smile full of love. I wanted to be the guy that got to hold her hand and stand proudly beside her. I wanted to be the guy to take her out on dates. Instead, I was in the friend zone. Damned to pick up her broken pieces and put them back together each time another loser hurt her. I wish I could make her see me differently, but for now, I’ll be the one that saves her when she needs it.
Just like now; she’s walking with her arms wrapped around her stomach, as if that can keep her together, her head down. Zayde hasn’t spotted her yet, since he’s trying to flirt with another girl. I jump up from my spot and make my way over to her. As I get closer, I can hear her sniffle. I grab her shoulders and she flinches. When she looks up, her mascara is running down her face and her lip has a small cut. My anger flares. “What the hell happened?” I ask, dropping my hands to my side as they ball into fists.