VICE Crimson Tears MC (STANDALONE)

Chapter 4

He'd been avoiding me not for the reason I had thought. Though my thought had been a logical one. He didn't want me clinging to him. What an ass. Appetite gone I'd stormed back inside, earning my fair share of raised eyebrows. In the kitchen I grab a bottled water, twisting the cap off harder than necessary causing the water to slosh and the cap to clatter to the floor.
Bending to pick it up, a pair of low heeled boots come into my line of vision. Shit. Straightening, Nova is looking at me with a pointed expression.
"Girl. You've got the gossip mill going out there. All guessing at what the hell Maverick said to get you this heated. I should mind my business but being head club girl I also need to shut that shit down. So tell me the true version."
"It's a misunderstanding. On both our parts. He's brought this side out of me."
Placing a hand to my shoulder, she starts laughing.
"I've been on the receiving end of Maverick pissing me off. So I'll excuse you."
Nice to know I haven't been the only one. "I'll get started collecting dishes. Distraction will help me more than ruminating."
"I enact the same fallback when the times call for it. Hadn't failed me so far," she says.
Putting Maverick and his cruelty from my mind, I push on with work. The club girls and even Nosedive try to lift my mood. I'm grateful for their kindness.
Dishes done, I get to spraying down the long table. Taking the cloth I begin the wipe down. Only, I quickly come to realize I should have had someone else do it. The arm motion pulls at my healing side, making me wince. I'm not tapping out though. I'll push through the pain.
Making it three fourths of the way down, my muscles spasm forcing me to stop. Taking slow breaths, I ease into a chair, laying my head to the table. I don't know how much time passes when I feel a hand on my back.
"What's going on Fawn?" Nosedive asks.
Lifting my head, I find his face a bit too close.
"I overdid it a bit." I explain. "Yet I don't understand why this is too much but the laundry wasn't."
Pulling his face from mine, I notice his hand doesn't leave my back. I'd shrug it off if I wasn't scared it's send me into another spasm.
"Our bodies are weird that way. Maybe it'd be best if I took you to lay down in Mavericks room and I finished up here. I'll even bring you ice if you think it would help," he offers.
My reply is cut off by Maverick interjecting.
"You won't be taking her anywhere. Get your hand off her, prospect."
His touch disappearing, he quickly turns. "Didn't mean any disrespect Maverick. Just wanted to help."
I hate that Maverick has turned him into a near blubbering mess. So I stand up for him.
"Leave him alone. I was having a muscle spasm, he was only trying to help. As he said."
Jaw ticking, he practically stomps over to us, making poor Nosedive shrink away.
"Can you stand?"
Glaring up at him I slowly sit straighter. When nothing happens, I nod yes. Placing a gentle hand on my arm, he helps me to my feet.
"Thanks for caring, Nosedive. Appreciate it," I say.
"Get that ice, prospect," Maverick orders.
Scurrying away, it's just the two of us left in a standoff.
"Stop being such an ass to him."
"No, Fawn. I won't. You took his touch as concerning, I saw it for what it was. Kid was making a move on you. It's not to be tolerated. It isn't tolerated. You get me?"
Saying nothing, Nosedive returns with the ice. I reach for it but Maverick is quicker, snatching it from his hand.
"Move along. I've got her," Maverick says.
Cutting me a quick glance, he makes himself scarce.
Making our way to his room, he doesn't release his hold of me. I wish he'd knock it off with this overbearing attitude. He doesn't have a right to it after what he said to me.
Entering his room he helps me onto the bed as it's a little higher than I'm used to. Laying on the side that wasn't spasming, which means turning my back on him, he tenderly places the ice on me. It feels good.
Instead of leaving, he sits at my feet taking off my shoes. I look at him quizzically.
"You're done for the day," he explains. "My fault for not instructing Nova not to let you over due it."
"To be fair I should have figured my limit much sooner. My bruises haven't completely healed."
Lapsing into silence, I don't understand why he still isn't taking his leave.
Jaw ticking, he clears his throat.
"I...owe you an apology. I hadn't meant for my words to come out as harsh as they had."
...Wow. He's taking accountability. From the reddening of his ears he's not familiar being in the position of having to apologize. This is really uncomfortable for him.
"I accept your apology. Sorry for assuming and not asking directly what your issue was."
Grunting, I take that as his acceptance of mine. Giving one of my feet a gentle squeeze he gets to his feet.
"I'll be back to check on you. Don't snoop through my stuff," he says with a playful grin.
Once alone, I stare at the door. The big bad biker isn't used to having to apologize. It does something to me. To know that I'm one of few that's ever gotten one. Repositioning the ice, I hope he's not too hard on Nova. Then again, she can hold her own. Thinking of her makes me think of Nosedive. Had he been trying to make a move on me? Or was it that Maverick had been blinded by possessiveness? Not that he actually owns me. I don't want there to be awkwardness between me and Nosedive. Once I'm back with the others I'll talk with him.
Decided, I feel my eyelids growing heavy. I hadn't intended on taking a nap but with still being bruised up my body needs it. It'll be so nice when I'm fully healed. Burrowing my head into the pillow and Mavericks scent, I give into sleep.
The feel of fingers trailing over my cheek wake me. Looking up into Mavericks eyes I realize the room is darker and the ice is no longer on me. Sitting up, I turn to look out the window. Yup, suns set.
"I brought you dinner. Nova wanted to wake you earlier but I stopped her."
Turning my eyes back, I notice the plate. Reaching for it, he hands it over. Chicken stir fry. "You don't mind that I eat on your bed? I can go to the table if you'd prefer."
"It's fine. Eat."
Sitting beside me, I do. It's good. After a few bites I decide to ask the question on my mind.
"Are you going to interfere when I talk with Nosedive after this?"
Taking his time to answer, I wait him out. The conversation is happening.
"No. I will not be interfering."
I start to smile but narrow my eyes on him instead. "You won't be interfering because you've ordered Nova to keep an eye on him. Haven't you?" I accuse.
"Yes. He crossed a line. Refuse it all you like, he did."
This stubborn man! "This could cause him to leave. Or is that what you're trying to make happen?"
Groaning, he digs the heels of his hands into his eyes.
"Damnit Fawn. No, I'm not trying to get him to leave. Are you looking for another row?"
"No. I'm not Maverick. Just trying to make you see this could cost the club a good prospect."
Turning hard eyes on me, I don't look away. I know what he's thinking. I can't possibly know what a good prospect he is after only been here not even a full day.
"He's not going anywhere Fawn. That's a fact. Now will you please just eat the rest of your food?" he groans.
Once I've eaten the last bite, I'm first out the door. Maverick quick on my heels.
"Unless you plan on decking me with that fist, you can relax it," he says.
Looking down I hadn't even realized I'd made one. His words hold serious appeal.
Dropping my plate off in the kitchen, Lori offers me a beer. I take it. I'm cleared to drink since I'm no longer concussed. Getting the top off I take a sip.
"You know where I can find Nosedive?"
Biting her lip, she's hesitant to answer. Damn Maverick.
"Last I saw him he was headed out back."
Thanking her, I take another sip, heading out. Let Nova hover, this conversation is happening.
Making my way out back, Maverick ever my shadow I spot Nosedive across the yard.
Pretty damn sure it appealed to her to hit me. She would have done more damage to herself than me if she had.