Falling For The Biker: The Vice President's Girl Chapter 80

Ezra

"What did you just say?" Ray stiffens.

My jaw tightens. "Look, man, I know I could've gone about it differently—"

"He abused your mom?" He shoots to his feet, pacing the room. "Fuck, EJ."

I blink.

"I wish you said something, but I mean..." he sighs. "I am so sorry, man."

"It was something I had to handle myself."

"I get it, I do. But to think our entire friendship was built on you trying to get to my dad...kinda sucks, not gonna lie."

A tight smile lines my lips. "It wasn't all like that. I actually did get to know you, and Wren. Yes, it started out like that, but you're my best friend now."

As he approaches me, I stand. Ray engulfs me in a hug.

"I'm sorry that your mom experienced such a horrible thing. You killed my dad, and it's valid. If anyone touched Wren or Quincy like that..." His eyes darken, the utter menace in them almost chills me.

Wren and Quincy round the corner. Her gaze burns into the side of my face, but I don't look at her.

Not when Ray is watching and speaking to me.

"Hey, Chirp. Babe." Ray tugs Quincy to himself.

Her pregnant tummy is much more obvious now. She looks like she could pop any minute, and damn she looks exhausted.

"Hey, Ezra." She manages a small wave. "I'm sorry about your mom. How's she coping at the institution?"

"Institution?" Ray blurts.

I grimace. "Yeaa, I kinda left that out."

Intentionally.

"Christ! I'm so fucking sorry. I mean, my dad was horrible but I honestly didn't expect him to be this messed up."

"He used Wren as collateral."

"Fuck, that's true," he whistles, running a hand through his hair. "Well, Wren can stay for a bit. She's upset because she feels used."

Wren frowns. "Don't you feel used too, Ray?"

"I mean," he snorts. "I'd do the same thing if I were him."

She huffs and saunters to the living room.

My little drama queen.

A small smile tugs my lips upward but Quincy's cough breaks me out of it.

When I meet her gaze, she raises an unimpressed brow at me, one I immediately understand.

'Ray's here, behave.'

Those are the words she communicated with just a raised brow. Safe to say she's got that motherly sternness to her already.

"Thanks for understanding, Ray," I breathe. "It means a lot."

"Of course, man. You always have your head on straight, and I trust you."

Trust. That word that I've broken countless times.

If he's being reasonable with this news, he'd definitely understand if I'm dating Wren. Right?

"Now that that's out of the way..." I trail off.

"Let's talk EJ. Come on."

Wren gives me a look. I shrug, and follow Ray down the hall.

As Ray rounds up our conversation concerning the lack of headway we have with Reggie and the others, my phone chimes with a text.

It's Wren.

'I feel like I overreacted.'

My eyes narrow, and before I can question how she managed to string a perfect line of text, another drops.

'It's Quincy. I'm typing for Wren.'

I snort, a chuckle spilling without meaning to.

"This is the second time I've caught you smiling from a text." Ray raises a brow.

My smile dies off almost immediately. "Well."

"Well what? Still talking to the girl?"

"Yea," I lie. "We're still...talking."

"Now that Brittany's gone, you must be taking this new girl seriously, right?"

I shrug. "Something like that."

"Bring her around then."

"What?" I still.

"Your girl. Bring her around, I'd love to meet her."

"Urm," I clear my throat. "We haven't reached that stage—"

"It's more than a month, isn't it?"

"Kinda."

"Then you're serious about her. Don't be shy, EJ, I'll love to meet who makes you smile at your phone like that. She must be special."

She is.

Wren is the most special woman in my life, and I hate that I'm going to walk out of this house tonight without her.

"One day," I reply. "I'll bring her one day."

"How about next week?"

A lump lodges in my throat. "Let's sort out the Reggie situation first."

That's the only way I can diffuse this slowly spreading fire. I hope before Reggie shows up, Ray will forget this conversation.

"You're right." He nods. "If he's going to attack, he better do it fast. Quincy has two more months on her, and I want to be there for my girl's birth."

"You'll be there."

His eyes light up. "I can't wait. I'm actually happy Wren's here, she'll help us with the remaining part of the nursery."

"Yea..."

While I suffer the loneliness of an empty house.

"I know you and my sister are—friends," his lips twist, almost like he's tasted something sour. "And I know she loves your house. Don't worry, when she's much calmer, she'll go back."

"I'm not worried," I blurt.

Seems like the right thing to say because his chin lifts..

He nods. "Regardless, this is temporary. I can't keep an eye on three girls at the same time."

A short laugh slips out. "Got it. No worries, my home's always open."

"Thank you, again." He smiles. "Please, don't forget to look over the men I sent. We need to get Wren a boyfriend so she can get over her silly crush on you. She's like a kid, you know?"

My jaw tightens, but I force a tight-lipped smile. The grip on my phone nearly crushes it.

"And you're like her favorite toy. Give her something new to fuss over, and you're good to go."

Oh. Wow.

How does someone respond to that?

"I understand."

Ray stands. "Alright. It's getting...late."

Large, red numbers that read 946p.m indicate that it's well, and truly late.

We head back into the living room. Quincy is asleep with her head in Wren's lap.

She stares at me long and hard. Even as I wave goodbye to her, and hug Ray.

By the look in her eyes, I see the longing to go home with me, the realization that I'm indeed leaving without her.

My chest squeezes painfully, and it takes everything in me not to look back at her.

The drive back home is awful. It's quiet, somber and so fucking dull.

But the worst of it hits when I walk into my house. Her scent is everywhere. I see her baby blue nail polish on the center table, and I just stop.

Settling into the sofa, I know my room will never be or feel the same without her.

Pulling up the text thread, I type out my reply.

'You did not overreact, love. You were upset, and I understand why. I should've told you, and I'm sorry that I couldn't —and that I didn't. You needed space and some time, right?

'That's fine. Take all the time and space you need. But I'm truly sorry, I could've done things differently. I miss you, baby. And I hope you come home soon.

I love you.'

Pushing the send button, it goes through.

I squeeze my eyes shut, swallowed in the darkness and silence of the house.

My peace is interrupted by a buzzing.

I grab my phone quickly, expecting a reply from Wren. But that's not what I see.

Instead, it's a text from AJ.

AJ: Keep an eye out, Reggie might visit towards the end of the week. Delete this msg.

A smirk pulls on my lips.

It's about time, Reggie. Make your fucking move.