Reaper walks in. He leans against the wall as his eyes survey my face. “How are you doing?”
“Pretty shitty.”
“I’m here if you want someone to talk to.”
I glance away, trying to think of how to explain my jumbled thoughts. “Look at what happened to her because of me. The club’s better off without her because of the trouble her father has caused… but I don’t want to let her go, and it’s tearing me up, and I don’t know what to do.”
He bobs his head. “I can’t tell you what to do, but I can say… she’s not better off without you. From what I saw, you were both genuinely happy. Trust me… when you find that person, you don’t let them go. You fight for your relationship. I believe you and Sophie could find a way to make Garrett listen. It’s his daughter, he’s overprotective, but I find it hard to believe he would want to see her upset and miserable.”
There’s a brief silence. “It took a while for Ava to feel safe again, after what happened, but I was there for her every step of the way.”
“But… what about the club? I don’t want to cause more damage than I already have. What would you choose? The club or Ava?”
“I’d make it work for everyone… whatever it takes.”
I nod. “Thanks for the talk, pres.”
“Any time,” he answers.
He’s right. I grab my phone and pull up Harrison’s name.
“Hey,” he answers. “I’m sorry to hear about you and Sophie.”
“About that… do you know if Sophie has left yet?”
“She left yesterday.”
Already. “Did she end up mentioning why she had the sudden change of heart to go back to New York?”
“Didn’t she tell you?”
“No, she didn’t.” Not the real reason.
“I’m loyal to my sister, but you’re the first guy I’ve seen her fall for and care about. I think you ground her and you’re decent, so… it was all Dad.”
“I knew it!”
“Lawson said he would ensure that the whole MC ended up in jail.”
I huff, though Garrett could if he wanted to, knowing his reach and how much power he holds within this town. Sophie protected me… protected the club.
“Would there be any way to change your father’s mind about me and the club? What do I have to do? We aren’t terrible people—we help a charity for women and children. The townspeople might be wary of us, but they know if they need help, we’re there for them. Candy’s no threat anymore. I made her leave town, and we don’t have enemies.” I rub my forehead. “I don’t know what else to do.”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “I don’t think there is anything you can do. It rests with Sophie. Only she can change his mind. She isn’t talking to him at the moment, and his mood swings are worse than normal, so I’d say it’s affecting him.”
The edge of my lip twitches. “Good! He deserves it.” I pause as a thought comes to mind. “Is she going to the wedding?”
“We all are.”
The thought of seeing her again ignites a rush of emotions. I crave more moments by her side. It was nowhere near enough. “I look forward to seeing all of you there.”
After I hang up, I glance at my bed. It’s not the same without her. Loneliness engulfs me. There’s a void inside me because she took a part of me when she left.
I want to prove to her that she’s been on my mind. I put my phone in my pocket and go downstairs to see Demon, Axle, and Rage sitting at the bar. I look between the three of them. “Just the three men I wanted to see.” Especially Demon, because he’s good at building things. “Are you guys free this afternoon?”
Axle nods. “Free as a bird.”
“Can you come to the hardware store with me?”
