Chapter
19
One Month Later
~Hammer~
“Enough,” Evan says, picking up the glass on the table in front of me. “I’ve had enough, and the boys care too much about you to tell you they’ve had enough, too.”
Coal takes the glass from my brother’s hand and downs the amber liquid then smirks. “I don’t care too much. Hammer, get your fucking head outta your ass.”
“Fuck you!”
Evan sits down beside me. “You know she stayed in town for you.”
I want to smack him upside the head. Of course I fucking know she stayed in town. I also know she has a damn good job as a personal trainer at Flex, the hottest gym in the area. I know she got herself a nice pad and a sweet-ass ride. I know she’s looked over her shoulder more than a few times, still trying to feel comfortable. I know she has what they call ‘girls’ night’ every Tuesday with Morgan and her new friend from the gym, Paisley.
In being thorough, I learned her new bestie is a health nut who believes in organic foods and cleansing her mind and body. They attend a yoga class together three times a week and their girls’ night usually consists of popcorn and movies. Paisley also works as a cashier at the local grocery store and drives a Prius, the car she tried to get Des to buy for herself, as well, but my girl went for fast, not environmentally friendly, when she bought her Honda s2000.
Desirae calls back to Tank or Sass twice a week to check in. Her bank account didn’t take much of a hit when she set herself up since the Hellions put in a nice deposit in what they called a benefit’s bonus. She also calls weekly to check in with Evan, and they sometimes go out to dinner. And if either of them took the time to look out the window of the establishments they frequented, they would have seen me sitting there, not trying to hide.
“J-action Jackson, get over here,” Coal yells out as Jane struts by, all tits, ass, and blonde hair. “Get your dick wet and get your head outta your ass,” he orders me.
Without hesitation, Jane turns and stalks over to us with a sultry smile, stopping in front of me. I only raise an eyebrow at her, not making any movements.
Coal yanks my chair back with me in it, and Jane climbs on my lap.
“Our boy needs some attention,” Coal barks at her. Just as if she were there for him, he tosses a hundred dollar bill at her and walks off with my glass still in his hand.
Jane leans in, nibbling my ear lobe and grinding her pussy across my lap. I close my eyes and immediately see curly hair in my mind.
Ultimately, the ass on me doesn’t feel right, so I push her off.
“No,” I say, and Jane looks down. “It’s not you,” I assure her.
She blinks at me. “Oh, I know it’s not me, Hammer.” She gives me a sassy smile before she turns away. Looking over her shoulder, she stops. “I knew one day someone would get through to you, and when that day came, I knew it would be over.” She winks. “But it was damn sure good while it lasted.”
Not giving me a chance to reply, she stalks off with a sway to her hips that once would have had me fucking her on a table. Now, I can’t even get hard.
“Gonna get your head outta your ass now?” Evan asks with a smile.
“I’m no good for her.”
He smacks me on the back of the head. “Wake up. You’re no good without her.”
“Fuck you, Evan.”
“I swear on everything, if you don’t make your play, I’m calling Mom for a visit, and I’m gonna let her meet Des.”
I glare at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Who says I haven’t already?” He steps back as I jump up out of my chair, and then he takes off.
I should chase him. I should beat the fuck out of him. Instead, I sit my ass back down and try to figure out what to do next.
Looking around me at the bar, I wonder to myself, Is this how I’m going to spend the rest of my life? Miserable, drunk, and trying to stick my dick in women I don’t really want?
I might not be the best thing for Desirae, but I could change that, couldn’t I? I could make myself the best man I can be for her? After all, as much as I hate to admit it, my little brother is right. I’m no good without her. There has been a big, gaping, black hole in my life since I pushed her away, and the only person to blame is myself.
If my father were here, would he approve of me throwing away the only woman I have ever met who made me feel whole, especially when I was a broken man?