Kayla POV
As soon as I walked through the door, I headed straight for my room. Tiger's phone rang and I'm sure it was Ace making sure she made it home safely, but I didn't stay long enough to find out.
Closing the door behind me, I slid down to the floor. Throughout the meeting, I could feel eyes watching me, and not just Whiskey's gaze, either. Several of the Disciples tried to grab my ass, or pull me in for a kiss, but I held my ground and kept my head held high. But between my "conversation" with Razor and seeing Whiskey's anger about the situation, my head was pounding.
Whiskey hadn't spoken to me the entire time, and over the last couple of days, he seemed distant. Maybe he didn't want me anymore? Or he doesn't think I'd be a good fit for the club. He doesn't know me after all, and that is on me. Maybe I should have told him everything and let him in, but then again, he hasn't been the most open either.
The pounding in my head increased the longer I thought about him. A bath sounded perfect to calm my mind and body. As I got up and turned on the water, my phone rang. The caller I.D. said it was the diner.
"Hello?" I answered.
"Kayla, it's Lily!" she grunted, as if she was lifting something heavy.
"Hey, is everything okay?" I asked.
"Um...no, not really. I know tonight was supposed to be your night off, but something came up and I have to leave as soon as possible. Would you be willing to cover for me? I'm so sorry for the last call, but I need some help," she pleaded.
"Of course! I'll be right there! Do you need anything else, or can I help you in any way?"
"No, no! Thank you Kayla!" Lily yelled before abruptly hanging up.
I turned off the shower and put on my uniform as a small knock came from my door.
"Come in!" I yelled.
Tiger stood in the doorway, fidgeting with her phone, looking like she had something on her mind. "Hey, so Whiskey is stopping by for a few things before heading out...are you leaving too?" she asked as I grabbed my car keys.
"Yeah, Lily called, sounding I don't even know, and asked me to come in and cover the rest of her shift. So I'm heading to the diner for the night. I know it's short notice and your brother will be upset, but it sounded urgent," I said.
Tiger looked relieved and stressed at the same time. I wanted to ask her about it, but I didn't have time and, honestly, I wanted to leave before Whiskey showed up. After everything that happened, and my still pounding head, I just wanted to head to the one place I knew would be quiet and Phoenix Rider free at this hour.
"I'll see you in the morning then," Tiger called out as I headed out the door.
*****
Lily left immediately after I had shown up, but not before giving me a hug and kiss on the cheek, thanking me for coming. Thankfully, she had done most of the dishes and made coffee, leaving me to clean the floors and do any deep cleaning I wanted. Whenever I am upset, I like to clean and tonight I was upset and wanted to forget.
To forget everything that had happened between Whiskey and I. Forget his soft lips against mine and the warmth he brings me. But most importantly, I want to forget the interaction and terrible taste Razor had left with me. Our conversation only reminded me of the life I left behind and wanted to keep from the Riders.
I plugged in my phone, turned on some music, a clean playlist in case someone walked in, and began deep cleaning the place. I started with the front. Cleaning the booths, tables, and floors, especially the grout. After that, I moved to behind the counter, pulling out everything from underneath the counter and reorganizing it.
Halfway through, someone walked in. "Welcome in! I'll be with you in a moment, but sit anywhere you like!" I called out from behind the counter.
Standing up, I found Whiskey staring at me from the other side of the counter-top. He looked beat up, literally and emotionally, and suddenly the room was too small for me and I wanted to run. Seeing the pain in his eyes, knowing it was my fault, hurt me and I wanted to go back and change it all.
He stepped up to the bar top. "Tiger told me you were here. I wanted to stop by before I left."
Nodding, I kept quiet, unsure of what to say. "I'm heading to Greece to help Tiger with the wedding and everything over there. I doubt I'll be back before the wedding, so I wanted to stop by and say bye," he quietly added.
My throat started closing, and tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to let him see my pain.
Is he leaving because of me? How do I tell him I want him to stay, knowing I haven't told him the full truth yet? Knowing I probably wouldn't stay myself, which made this even more painful.
Whiskey came around the bar and stood a few inches away from me, and my heart pounded in my chest. Taking my hands into his own, warmth spread, and I didn't want him to let go. His eyes softened, and I could tell he was struggling with whatever he wanted to tell me.
"Kayla...I - I'm not upset with you. It's just after you left the meeting shit went down and I made a mistake. Please, don't give up on me. There's so much I want to tell you and I just...please. Whatever you're running from, I can fix. Please," he pleaded, whipping away the tears that fell.
Warm, soft lips grazed mine, sending goosebumps across my skin. His lips moved intentionally and slowly, different from the last time. He didn't fight for dominance, or more. He simply kissed me as if it was a goodbye. As though he was unsure of the future and when he may see me next. As he pulled away, I stayed still, with my eyes closed, not wanting the moment to end.
Heat left me as the front door opened and closed before I opened my eyes. I walked to the window, watching Whiskey pull out of the parking lot and race down the street, away from me.
That was my breaking point. I let my emotions take over as I sat in a booth and cried, letting everything wash over me. I don't care if someone walks in and sees me bawling my eyes out over a man I had met less than two months ago, but who truly cares for me. A man who I never thought would want me as I am, despite me not being fully open to him. At this moment, I feel lost and hopeless, despite the immeasurable amount of growth I had done while living with the Phoenix Riders.
Torn between staying and leaving, I got up from the booth, wiped my face, and got back to work. I put Whiskey, and his goodbye out of my mind, not wanting to dwell on the past and what was to come. I don't know what I am going to do, but I have to figure it out quickly. Tiger and Ace's wedding is fast approaching and my decision has to be made before then.
Does Whiskey still want me to be his date for the wedding? Do I want to go anymore, or have I caused the Phoenix Riders enough trouble as is? I have 23 days to figure it out and I am lost.