CHAPTER TWO

Payton

Macey and I used to be roommates, but I moved out just before she married Dallas. Coincidentally, Dani and Booker lived in the same building, so we would all be going to the club together. I’d known Booker insomuch as we knew each other’s names and chatted while getting the mail, but until he’d met and married Dani, I’d never really had a conversation with him. All I knew was that he was the hot guy in 8C.

After I’d moved out of the apartment, I moved back to Vancouver to live with my parents. It was supposed to be temporary, but I kind of liked coming home to my parents every night. Sometimes Mom even had dinner waiting. Sure as hell beat living in an apartment all by myself with no one but the walls to talk to, and as long as I followed the house rules (which were pretty nonexistent now that I was an adult) and texted regularly so Mom knew I wasn’t dead on the side of the road kind of thing, it was an ideal situation. Especially since they charged me a ridiculously low amount of rent and I essentially had the basement to myself, provided I save. So I did. A lot. Who knew having no overhead meant I could save over a grand a month?

Arriving at my old building, I used Macey’s code to the parking garage and slid into her extra space. Dallas was an FBI agent, along with my brother, and they were on an all-nighter, so we were going to the party and then I was going to stay at her place.

Grabbing the wine, I rode the elevator to the lobby and checked in with the guard before being given clearance to head on up to my old place. One of the best things about the building is the safety… and the million-dollar view of the water. Oh, how I missed that view.

I had a key to the apartment but it was for emergencies, so I rang the doorbell and waited for Macey to answer. My phone buzzed and I glanced down to see a text from her.

Macey: Use your key

I rolled my eyes and dug my keys out and let myself in. “Hey,” I called.

“Bedroom,” Macey called back.

I locked up, set everything on the sofa, and headed to the master bedroom where I found Macey standing in front of the mirror wearing jeans and a bra and holding a shirt to her chest. “What do you think?”

“What are you going for?” I asked.

She turned to me and shrugged. “I’m married to a badass law man, so I’m taken and you better not mess with me or my man will fuck you up?”

Macey could only be described as stunning. Long auburn hair, light blue eyes, and a body to die for, she was sweet and caring as well as beautiful. Her career as a nurse provided a flexible schedule for the most part, which is why she was able to join me tonight.

I laughed. “I take it Dallas said something similar before he left?”

Macey sighed. “Pretty much.”

“I think you should wear your Jason Maxx T-shirt. Then no one will bug you.”

She giggled. “Bikers don’t listen to country?”

“I have no freakin’ clue, but I’d venture a guess if they did, they sure as hell wouldn’t listen to him.”

“I don’t know why I’m even making an effort. I’m happy to stay home with wine and a movie.”

“But I need my wingman tonight.” I grinned. “What did Dallas say on the subject?”

“A lot,” she said. “But he likes Booker and I guess they had a conversation about making sure everyone knew I was off-limits.”

“He didn’t!”

“Ohmigod, he so did.” Macey opened a dresser drawer and pulled out her Jason Maxx T-shirt, pulling it over her head. “He also said something about me texting him every thirty minutes with an update of how I was.”

“He’s ridiculous.”

“Unbelievably,” she agreed with a grin. “Which is why—” Before she could finish her thought her phone pealed and she glanced at the screen. “Speak of the devil. Hi, baby.” She smiled at me. “Yep, she’s here. We’re meeting Dani in twenty minutes. Uh… yeah. Sure. Dallas, no. You’re an idiot. I love you, but you’re an idiot.” Macey gave me her ‘I might kill him’ look and took a deep breath. “Honey, I’ll be with Payton, Dani, and Booker. I’ll be fine. No. No, baby. Every thirty minutes is unrealistic. Well, then you text me every thirty minutes and let me know you’re okay, and I’ll respond,” she snapped. “Why yes you are kind of pissing me off, Mr. Stone.” She turned away from me, but not before I caught her blush.

I left her to her conversation and headed to the kitchen. Opening the fridge I grabbed a pop and sipped, my thoughts turning to the hottie in the store. Silly, but for whatever reason, I couldn’t get him off my mind.

“Sorry, Pay.” Macey dragged me from my thoughts as she strolled into the kitchen.

I smiled. “No worries. All good with Dallas?”

“Yes.” She giggled. “But he’s still ridiculous. I see you grabbed wine. Did you stop at Freddie’s?”

I shook my head. “No, I went to Safeway down here.”

“And?”

“And what?”

Macey grinned. “I feel like you’re holding back.”

I sighed. “I just kind of met the hottest guy on the planet.”

“Shut up.” She sat at one of the bar stools. “Tell me… details, missy. None of your vague, two-word answers.”

“Don’t get too excited, Mace. He’s obviously married. His little girl got lost in the store and I helped her find him.” I groaned. “Why are all the good ones taken?”

Macey wrinkled her nose. “Oooh, sorry, buddy. That sucks.”

“Totally sucks.”

“Well, maybe you’ll meet someone better tonight.”

“I’m not sure skuzzy biker guy’s my thing, Mace. But maybe I can find someone to get a little freaky with.”

“Ohmigod, Payton. Don’t say that out loud tonight!”

I grinned. “Why can’t I just have fun once? One time, Mace.”

She raised her hands in surrender. “Honey, if you want to make a quick change on who you are and have a one night stand, go for it. I will even hold you while you cry because you’re not a whore and your attempt to be one, just once, didn’t work out.”

I let out a dramatic sigh. “I wish I had absolutely no morals whatsoever.”

“Says the woman who made Brendon wait six months just to cop a feel.”

She had me there. “Well, one day maybe I’ll find a guy that believes the same things I do, but I highly doubt it’ll be at a motorcycle club get-together.”

Macey smiled. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

The doorbell rang and Macey checked the peephole before pulling open the door to Dani who looked adorable in her classy biker look. She wore dark jeans, knee-high motorcycle boots and a tight T-shirt with a Harley and their logo across the bust.

“Hey,” Macey said. “I thought we were meeting you.”

Dani nodded and hugged her. “Austin got stuck at the club and I’m hoping I can grab a ride with you so he doesn’t have to drive all the way back to get me.”

I grinned as Macey closed the door. “The more the merrier,” I said. “I’ll drive.”

“Awesome. Thanks,” Dani said, and pulled out her phone. She sent a quick text and then slipped her phone back in her pocket.

“We’re ready,” Macey said. “Should we go now or wait and be fashionably late?”

Dani chuckled. “Now works. People arrive at all hours, but I’m pretty sure most of the crew is already there.”

I grabbed my keys and purse and we headed down to the garage and, with the stereo blasting, made our way to the compound.