The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 73

He opened the door cautiously, his body language tense and ready for trouble. I could see his eyebrows raise in surprise, and he shifted slightly but didn't move away from the doorway, still blocking my view of whoever was outside.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I moved to get a better look around Derek's shoulder. When I saw who was standing in my hallway, my own eyebrows shot up in surprise.

Rhys. My handsome neighbor, looking as perfectly put-together as ever despite the late hour.

"Hi," Rhys said with that smooth smile of his. "I was just coming back from work and decided to say hello."

"Oh, thank you. Welcome," I replied, though I was still puzzled by the timing of his visit.

Derek hadn't moved an inch from his protective position in the doorway, and I could feel tension radiating from him like heat from a fire.

Rhys's attention shifted to Derek, and his smile became more calculating. "Hi there," he said, like he was just noticing Derek's presence.

Derek said nothing in response, just raised his eyebrow in a way that clearly communicated his skepticism about this unexpected visit.

"I'm Rhys, Athena's neighbor," Rhys introduced himself, extending a hand that Derek made no move to shake.

"I'm Derek," came the reply, accompanied by a pause that stretched just long enough to be pointed. "Athena's boyfriend."

I raised my eyebrows at that announcement but decided not to correct him. Something about Rhys's late-night appearance had me on edge too, and if Derek wanted to play the protective boyfriend role, I wasn't going to stop him.

The effect on Rhys was immediate and interesting. His perfect smile faltered for just a moment, and something flickered across his expression that looked almost like annoyance before he recovered his composure.

"Alright then," Rhys said, his tone still friendly but noticeably cooler. "I'll leave you two to your evening."

"Thanks for stopping by," Derek said firmly, already moving to close the door.

As soon as the door clicked shut, I started laughing. "Boyfriend, huh?"

Derek shrugged, not looking the least bit apologetic. "I don't like him."

"Based on what? A thirty-second conversation?"

"Based on the fact that nobody just 'stops by' at nine o'clock at night to say hello to their neighbor. Especially not a neighbor they've met, how many times? Once? Twice?."

I had to admit he had a point. The timing was odd, and there had been something in Rhys's expression when Derek claimed to be my boyfriend that felt off. Like Derek had interfered with some plan I wasn't aware of.

"I think it's time for you to leave too," I said with a small laugh, not wanting to get too deep into analyzing my neighbor's motivations.

"Oh, my heart," Derek said dramatically, pressing his hand to his chest. "Are you chasing your boyfriend away already?"

That sent both of us into another fit of laughter, releasing the tension in the air.

"I don't want my fake boyfriend getting mugged or attacked on his way home," I said when I could speak again.

"Then why not let him spend the night for protection?" Derek suggested with exaggerated hopefulness.

I rolled my eyes. "In your dreams, Derek. Now, out."

He raised his hands in surrender, still grinning. "Alright, alright, I'll leave. You're a tough woman to please."

We were both laughing again as he moved toward the door, and I found myself thinking that this was exactly what friendship should feel like. Easy, comfortable, with just enough teasing to keep things interesting.

"Take care of yourself," Derek said as he paused with his hand on the doorknob. "And don't let anyone else in after I leave, okay?"

I rolled my eyes again at yet another protective male in my life. "Yes, sir."

He turned back to face me one more time, flashing that genuine smile that had made the whole evening possible. "Goodnight, Athena. Thank you for an amazing evening."

"I'm not walking you out," I called after him as he stepped into the hallway.

"Good," he called back, loud enough that I was sure other tenants could hear him. "I don't want anyone else eyeing my girlfriend."

I shook my head with a smile, listening to his footsteps fade down the hallway. Derek had a way of making even ordinary moments feel lighter, more fun. It was a gift I envied.

As I cleaned up our glasses and put away the orange juice, my mind wandered to the look on Rhys's face when Derek had claimed to be my boyfriend.

The way his smooth smile had wavered, like the mask had slipped for just a moment. I'd caught a glimpse of something underneath that perfect exterior, something that didn't match the charming neighbor act.

Maybe Derek's instincts were better than mine. Maybe I was still too trusting, too willing to give people the benefit of the doubt.

I went to my small kitchen and opened the mini freezer, pulling out the smoothie I'd made that morning. I had a bit of an obsession with smoothies – I made them fresh almost every day and usually had one in the morning and another in the evening.

As I sipped the cold, sweet mixture of strawberries and banana, my thoughts drifted to Tristan. How was he doing? Was he eating properly, sleeping enough, taking care of himself the way he always insisted everyone else should?

He'd looked exhausted when I'd seen him at the office earlier, like he hadn't slept properly in days. There were dark circles under his eyes and a tightness around his mouth that spoke of stress and worry.

I wanted to tell myself that his wellbeing wasn't my concern anymore, that I'd moved out and moved on and his problems weren't mine to solve.

But this was Tristan. Despite everything that had happened between us, despite the hurt and confusion and mixed signals, there had been times when he'd been there for me.

Real, important times when his presence had made the difference between surviving and falling apart completely.

I just hoped he was okay.

A sound from outside made me pause with the smoothie glass halfway to my lips. It sounded like a knock, but it was so soft I wasn't sure. I waited, listening carefully, but heard nothing else.

Probably my imagination. The building was old and full of settling noises, creaking pipes, and neighbors moving around at odd hours.

I finished my smoothie and washed the glass, ready to head to my bedroom and call this incredible day complete. But as I turned off the kitchen light, I heard it again – a soft but definite knock at my front door.

Had Derek forgotten something? Maybe his keys or his wallet?

I walked to the door and stood there for a moment, listening. The knock came again, still soft but more insistent.

"Who's there?" I called, my voice coming out smaller and more nervous than I'd intended.

"Ath." The voice was low, barely above a whisper, but I heard it clear as a bell.

I knew that voice. Even in my sleep, even in a crowded room full of people talking, I could pick out that particular tone. It belonged to someone who'd been part of the soundtrack of my life for years.

What was Tristan doing here at this hour? And why did he sound like he was trying not to wake the whole building?

My heart started beating faster as I reached for the door handle, a dozen questions racing through my mind. Was he okay? Had something happened? Why hadn't he called first?

And underneath all those practical concerns was a deeper question, one I wasn't sure I was ready to face.

What did it mean that he was here, now, when we'd been so carefully polite and distant for days?