Page 57 of Undone

“I said—He. Was. Right.”

“About what?”

“That you’re just as much of a pain in the ass—as Dev.”

“Asshole,” I muttered under my breath. But I trudged forward, following the silver fox anyway. He led me to the back of his property to an old shed of sorts. Its double doors had been locked with chains and secured with a padlock ever since Dev moved in. She used to joke that’s where the MC hid the bodies they dropped.

He paused, waiting until I stood right behind him. This time my own eyes rolled. “I don’t know any Club secrets… I swear.”

He bent his head and faced me. His lips twitched in the twilight as his powerful arms pulled the doors open wide.

“SURPRISE!”

I stood transfixed, trying to make sense of what was inside. Large string lights draped in diagonals from old wooden beams overhead. My favorite classical album from Chopin played and everywhere I looked were stacks of blank canvases.

The largest sat on an easel in the center of the room. My favorite paint was on a small table next to it; untouched.

“Wh-what is all this?” I spun in a circle.

“Your new studio,” Dev replied softly, coming forward to give me a hug.

“You did all this? For me?”

“Rog helped a little…”

“A little?” He rebuffed. “I ruptured a damn disc hanging up those lights.”

“Poor baby…,” Dev cooed, patting his arm. “I’ll make it up to you later.”

“You bet your ass you will, woman.”

“We both know you’re going through a tough time right now, Luce. I wanted to do something special for you…I didn’t plan on basically moving out as soon as you moved in but, well—”

“Shit happens? Right?”

“Exactly. Everything with Rog was so unplanned… so—”

“Unexpected?”

She nodded. “Do you like your surprise?”

“No. I freakin’ love it!”

“I installed a wood-burning stove.” Rog nodded over to a small black iron stove with a huge pipe going up through the ceiling. “It’ll keep this place warm. I’ll show you how to use it.”

I caught him off guard, launching myself at him and squeezed tight. “Thank you.”

He pat my back awkwardly. Dev popped open a bottle of champagne and passed around three plastic cups. “To Luce creating many masterpieces!”

“To unbreakable friendships,” I smiled, clinking my cup to hers.

Rog held his cup out. wincing, “I hate this shit.” But like a good boyfriend, he raised his glass and swallowed the bubbly champagne.

“Are you okay, Luce? I mean, really okay?”

“No. But I’m getting there—I think.”

“The MC life isn’t for everyone,” Rog replied.

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