It was right that moment that I was reminded of my position, that I didn’t get to speak to the guy who’d been raised like my close cousin and good friend like he was those things anymore. Because he was more than that. He was my boss now too.
“A lot of shit has changed since you were in town, Valen,” he said, waving around the clubhouse. “But one thing hasn’t. I’m never going to stop being a dick. And for that comment, I’m going to have you be the one to show Louana around. I’ll be checking in with her, too, so don’t try to pawn that shit off on Voss.”
With that, he turned to walk away, but not before I saw the giant fucking grin on his face.
That was it.
There was no one else to appeal to.
This was really happening.
I would not only have to face Louana—something I always knew would be coming, especially since Seth had said he’d run into her and invited her around sometime—but sharing a short, awkward interaction at the grocery store or the bar was one thing. Having to live and work with her day in and day out for weeks or months?
That was a complete fucking other.
At least if it was just a chance encounter at a store or restaurant, there would be no time to really hash up all the old shit. Rip those scars off the wounds and let them bleed out.
Now, though?
Now, I knew there was no way around it.
Taking a deep breath, I turned around to find Louana standing there talking to Seth and Finn.
As if sensing my gaze, her head shifted, her gaze cutting to mine.
The impact damn near sent me back a step.
Not just because she was fucking beautiful.
Oh, no.
Because that look I found in her dark eyes promised me she was going to get me back for what I’d done to her.
And there wasn’t a goddamn thing I could do about it.