Page 8 of Full Throttled

I pull her away from me. “I didn’t ask that. I’m telling you that you should eat something.” I nod to the food on the counter.

She rolls her eyes, but grabs the food. She might say she isn’t hungry, but I know that she is. I sit in silence while she eats. When she’s almost finished, she looks at me then back at the food. “You remembered all my favorites.”

I shrug then smirk. “You’re kind of a hard one to forget.”

Zoey blushes and looks away. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Zoey blush before. I used to compliment her all the time and she’d just shrug or laugh. Her confidence was unfaltering back then but now, something is different. She finishes the last bite and turns to look at me before covering her mouth. “Oh my god! I didn’t even think to offer you any of that. I’m the worst.”

I laugh. “Not even close, Zo. Besides, I didn’t want any.”

“You’d say that anyways to make me feel better. You were always the nicest,” she says quietly.

There’s that damn word that I hate, ‘nice’. That was always how she described me. I had always tried hard to be nice in my life, but Zoey always wanted something opposite of that and I could never get it figured out. “Maybe before, but things are different now. Look, Zayde is three days out. The club should be heading back this way tomorrow. You can stay here in your old room until they get back. Wilder won’t bother you, but he’ll be around if you need him or anything.”

Zoey looks at me. “You don’t live here?”

“No, it doesn’t work for my lifestyle. I have an apartment. Do you have any bags?” I ask, as I stand up.

She nods her head. “Yeah, but I can get them.”

“No, that’s what Wilder is for.” I holler for him and he comes quickly. I tell him to grab her stuff from her car and lead the way to her room. I used to sneak back here all the time when she first left. The room smelled like her and it still felt like her presence was there, but as time went on, the room became empty and cold. At one point, Allen, their dad, wanted to convert it into another room to have as a just in case a situation occurred and they needed it, but Zayde threw such a fit that Allen backed off.

We pass by what is technically my room, even if I don’t use it as we head for the stairs. Once we reach her room, I push the door open and flip the light switch. I hear her gasp before I register the sight in front of me. The room is trashed. I’ve only stepped into this room once since Aubree was born and it didn’t look like thisthelast time I saw it. Maybe, Zayde let his temper get the best of him or something. “Oh, Zayde,” Zoey quietly mumbles.

“You can stay in my room. I’ll get Wilder to clean this up for you tomorrow,” I tell her, as I turn off the light and turn around.

Zoey shakes her head. “Please, don’t have him clean it. I can do it.”

“Okay,” I tell her.

An awkward silence falls between us and I quickly move around her back to the stairs to take her to my room. I stop at my door and pull my key to unlock it. “I thought you didn’t live here.”

“I don’t anymore, but I still have a room here. It comes with being part of the club, but I rarely use it. It might be dusty, but the sheets and what not are clean,” I tell her.

The smell of baby lotion and mint fills the room. Last time I was here, I had Aubree and she had fallen asleep before I could get her home, so we had slept here. My heart aches to see my little girl now. I’m not sure if Zoey recognizes the scent of the lotion or not, but she doesn’t mention anything. “Make yourself at home. Wilder is down the hall in one of the empty rooms if you need anything. I’ll try to stop by tomorrow either before or after work to check on you, but I need to get going.”

Zoey nods and I turn to leave. “Drake?” I turn around and see her fidgeting with her hands. “Thank you.”

“Always,” I tell her. I want to remind her that I’ll always save her if she’ll let me and maybe I would have, but it’s not just about me. I have Aubree to consider now and Zoey isn’t dependable. My heart aches for both of these girls;Aubree and Zoey, but I know that only one can matter.

Seven

Zoey

When the door shuts behind Drake, I take a deep breath. I didn’t realize that I had barely been breathing. Being around Drake again stirred something inside me. It’s probably just nostalgia, but it feels like more. It’s overwhelming along with everything else. Leaving Gregg and the only life I had known for the past six years, and now to learn about my father…is hard. I’m still not sure why I had the reaction that I did, but I’m thankful Drake was there. He was always the best at calming me. He’s not like most guys who run away from an emotional, crying girl. He just accepts and comforts her.

The knock on the door nearly makes me jump out of my skin. I forgot Drake sent Wilder to get my things. I open the door and find the boy standing there looking uncertain. “I only found this one.”

I nod. “Yeah, that’s it. Thank you.”

“No problem. Listen, I’m sorry for not letting you in earlier, but I’m new and I didn’t know that Zayde had a sister.”

I wave my hand in a dismissive gesture. “It’s not a problem, really.”

Wilder nods. “Well, if you need anything I’m just down the hall. It’ll be quiet until the guys get back.” I nod my head and he turns to leave. “Oh, Zoey, I’m sorry about your dad.”

My heart clenches. “Thank you.”

Wilder nods his head. “Good night.”

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