Next woman? I didn't even want to think about Tanner with anyone else but me.
I finished my red wine and grabbed the bottle and set it at the table. “But maybe I should've heard him out. I kind of ditched him at the bar without hearing his explanation.”
Rachel waved me off. “There could be no valid explanation for what he did to you. You just need to forget and move on. I was thinking about trying this pilates class next door to the photography studio tomorrow morning. We should do it together. It will keep your mind off all this bad stuff.”
“That sounds fun. It's been a long time since we've gone out and done anything together.”
“Beats watching the same movie over and over again.”
“I'll cheers to that.” We clinked glasses and giggled the night away. My sister always knew how to make me feel better. But now that she had a job, was she going to move out? There was a time that I begged her to leave. But we were so close now. The thought of living alone terrified me. I couldn't even bring up the question to her.
A knock at the door interrupted our girl time. “I'll get it,” Rachel said.
She left me at the table and I listened hard to see who it was. “What are you doing here?” Rachel mumbled.
My curiosity got the best of me. Who would be coming by at this hour? I got up and approached the door. Rachel kept the door open a sliver and blocked the way. “You need to go away now,” she repeated. “Grace never wants to see you again.”
“Just please let me see her.” The voice was so familiar. I pushed Rachel to the side and opened the door all the way. Tanner was standing there, his head down, his hands and clothes covered in blood. This couldn't be the same strong man who saved my life.
I pushed Rachel out of the way. “Come in.” I grabbed Tanner's arm and pulled him inside.
“What are you doing, Grace?” Rachel yelled.
“Let me handle this. Stay in your room, Rachel.”
Rachel waved a finger at me. “If he lays a hand on you, by god, I'll kill him.”
Chapter Seventeen
Tanner
Somehow I ended up at Grace's apartment. I didn't even remember riding here. “I'm sorry Grace, I didn't know where else to go.” Tears fell down my cheeks.
“Are you injured,” she asked, checking my body.
I shook my head. “I don't think so.”
“Let's get you fixed up.” Grace took my arm and led me to the bathroom.
I felt like a zombie as I followed her down the hallway. Her sister peeked at me through a cracked door and then closed it. Not the best first impression.
“Take off your bloody clothes and I'll wash it for you. A nice warm shower will make you feel better,” Grace said softly. She went under the sink and pulled out a fresh towel.
I stood there while she turned the knobs and made the water hot. I pulled off my bloody t-shirt and remembered Isaac dying in my arms. I collapsed onto the bathroom floor, sobbing. Grace bent down and held me.
“What happened?” she asked.
The tears burned my throat and I could barely speak. “The guy came out of nowhere and fired. I tried to warn him but it was too late.”
“Who? Who did you try to warn?”
“Isaac...he's dead.” I didn't know what else to say. I couldn't find the words to explain what happened.
“I'm so sorry, Tanner.” Grace held me close, her fingers massaging my scalp. I cried like a little baby, my face pressed against her chest. I had lost MC members before but Isaac was different. He had been there ever since I joined and we were close. He felt like a true brother to me. And now he was gone.
“He died in my arms, Grace. I tried to get him to you but I wasn't fast enough.”
Grace put her fingers to my lips. “Hush. You did everything you could.”
I don't know for how long we sat on the cold bathroom floor. Time didn't seem to matter anymore. Grace just held me until I was finished crying.
I reached for toilet paper and used it to blow my nose. “I'm sorry you had to see that. Isaac would be laughing at me right now for being such a little bitch.”
Grace shook her head. “He knew you cared for him.”
I looked up at Grace, her face only inches from mine. I stared into her eyes, wondering how somebody as hot as her could still be single. She was everything I ever wanted. I glanced down to her full and parted lips. I bet she tasted good.
I reached up and planted my lips on hers. Grace breathed in sharply, pulling me in. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pushed my body against her. She tasted better than I ever could've imagined.