Page 43 of Minus

“It was implied,” she said.

“Was it, now?” I challenged. “I think it should be stated that I don’t imply things. If I have something to say, I say it.”

“Is that so?” she hissed.

“Yes, it very well fucking is. I said I missed you because that’s the truth. I missed you so bad sometimes I wanted to fucking die.”

Cricket turned her head away, but I gently grabbed her chin, and guided her back to me.

“Of course, I’ve been with other women since I left Portland. But I’ve never been in love, and the relationships have never lasted long. I’ve never felt about anyone the way I felt about you.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“It’s not supposed to make you feel any particular way. It’s simply the truth, and I felt like I owed that to you.”

“You owe me a hell of a lot more than that,” Cricket said.

“Like what?”

“Like a full explanation of why we’re here tonight. You say you want to be honest with me, but I can’t help but feel like bringing me up to your room was some sort of stall tactic or diversion. Or worse, some way to try and soften me up.”

“Not at all. I couldn’t be away from you for one second more. That’s the truth, Cricket. I think it’s safe to say that neither of us planned on this happening, but I don’t regret it, and I hope it’s not the last time.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it. In fact, how much longer I remain in this room depends entirely on your honesty,” she said, her tone growing colder.

“I won’t ever lie to you and I promise to never keep anything from you, including my feelings.”

“You’re going to have to forgive me if I have a hard time believing you. The Jase I knew was more of the ‘diffuse with humor and bury his feelings deep inside until they turned into a ball of rage’ kind of guy.”

“That’s one of the reasons that it bothers me when you call me that,” I said.

“What? You’re telling me that criminal biker ‘Minus’ isn’t evenharder?”

“It’s difficult to explain. I think you’d have to come to Savannah to really see who I am… or at least who I’mtryingto become.”

“I’ll have to take your word for it, because that’s never gonna happen,” she grumbled, picking at an invisible piece of lint on the blanket. “What’s the other reason?”

“Because you’re the only one who’s called me Jase in years, and it hurts to hear it. It reminds me of who I was when I was here, and the things that I’ve done that I’d rather forget about. It reminds me of leaving you, and the things about myself and my club that I hate.”

“If you hate your club so much, then why are you here to convince me to work for them?”

“Cutter doesn’t just want you to work for the club, he wants you to help change it from within.”

“Why me?”

“For lots of reasons, and honestly, they’re not all that crazy if you’d hear me out. At first, I thought Cutter was crazy just like you, but after sitting down and talking with him, his plan makes a lot of sense.”

“Of course, you would like it. For you there’s a brand-new Harley, the President’s patch, and a roll in the hay with your ex-girlfriend. What the hell is in it for me?”

“For starters, how does a million dollars in cash sound?”

Cricket

Isat onthe edge of the bed, wearing only a hotel blanket and what had to be the dumbest expression ever. I glanced at my reflection in the dressing table mirror. I was a tangle of post-fuck blonde hair, and yep, I had the dumbest look I’d ever had on my face. I squared my shoulders and tried to bolster my nerve.

“I’m sorry, but what the hell are you talking about?” I asked, petrified to learn (and possibly incriminate myself) more.

“Three million, actually,” he said casually.

---