Page 12 of Eight Years Later

I had.

Things became a lot quieter after I left X-Rated and started school. My life was a little more laid back, and my priorities had changed. I had to learn things like a good bedside manner and how to comfort people—although, sometimes, when I workedweekend night shifts, I tapped into that take-no-shit version of myself to deal with the drunks.

I glanced out the open bathroom door into Tally’s bedroom.

The bed was a mess, but when I’d walked by before, it looked like only one side had been slept in, though I still couldn’t help but ask. “Should I be worried about getting my ass beat by an old lady if they walk in and see this?”

“Possibly,” he answered, and my stomach twisted. I quickly tried to pull away, but he held me even tighter, his deep laughter vibrating through me. “I mean, Harmony was really upset when you left.”

I shook my head.

This damn man.

I pulled back just enough to see his face. “Funny,” I deadpanned. “But I meant yours, butthead.”

“Never took one,” he admitted, though he couldn’t stop smiling. That was normal. It wasn’t like I’d been the most serious person in the world, but it was obvious he got a kick out of driving me absolutely freaking crazy. I guessed that hadn’t changed. “Not a lot of women out there who want to put up with my shit on a regular basis. What about you? There a boyfriend who’s gonna show up tomorrow and throw fists at me?”

“There’s not.” I scoffed. “Between being a single mom to a temperamental preteen and trying to get my career started, there’s really no time to try and build a relationship with someone.”

That was kind of a lie.

New relationships do take time. You have to learn about each other, go out on dates, and invite them into the small bubble you’ve already created and hope that they help it grow bigger rather than just popping it. But the truth was, there’s always time if you want to make the time.

And all I’d made over the previous few years were excuses.

Mostly because being hurt again was scary.

But there was a little part that avoided seeing anyone else because I was hopeful that I’d be right here one day, back in Tally’s arms. I didn’t imagine it being so bloody or traumatic, but there was something about being back in Alabama that honestly felt right.

“All right, now that my ass is completely numb and we’ve established no one is getting beaten up…” Tally helped me up before getting to his feet, “… you need to get some sleep.”

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to close my eyes and not see the road I’ve been staring at for five hours.”

He brushed my hair back from my face and grinned. “You should really try because when Harmony finds out you’re in the clubhouse, she is not going to wait until you get out of bed. She’s going to come looking for you, and those kids wake her at 6:00a.m. without fail.”

My heart sang at the sound ofthose kids.

Sophie kept me updated on the club, so I knew Harmony had kids, but it would still be surreal to see Harmony and Kit as parents.

I bet they were amazing, and they really did deserve it.

“I can’t wait to meet them,” I whispered, allowing Tally to guide me across the hall to the room Dylan was sleeping in.

As I reached for the handle, he grabbed my wrist and gently turned me to face him. “If it wasn’t for the fact that I don’t want Dylan to wake up in a strange place alone, I’d be dragging you back in there.” He pointed back to his room while holding my gaze. “Just so you know.” He leaned in, pressed a kiss to the top of my head, and finally stepped back.

I swallowed past the nervous lump in my throat and the butterflies creating a tornado in my stomach, nodding to let him know I heard him.

The feelings, the emotions, the connection between us—they were still there.

Even after all these years.

And maybe that was a sign, and something I shouldn’t ignore.

Not this time.

Chapter Five

KAT

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