Fleur POV

It's been two hours. 

Two flipping hours of silence from Justin. He was friendly and kind all throughout the evening we spent with Katie and Max and now that we're back at the hotel room, he's been giving me the cold shoulder. Am I too passive to ask him what's wrong? Of course I am, it's me we're talking about. I've been trying not to let it get to me too much, but I'm slowly getting aggravated. We're friends first. He should be able to tell me what's wrong. If he wants this to be something more, I feel he's doing a pretty bad job with communication. Then again... I'm just as bad for ogling another man in front of him.

Ugh, I hate me sometimes.

Max said he had some work to take care of tomorrow morning, but Katie was quick to volunteer and host us for brunch at her home. I'm hoping Justin is in a better mood. If I were a good girlfriend I would know what to do, but all I know is how to be a good friend. Here goes.

"Justin, are you okay?"

Stupid question to ask. I knew it the moment it left my mouth, but there was no way I could suck the words back in.

He turns to look at me with an 'are you stupid?' kind of face and softly nods once before turning his head back to the television.

I let out a soft sigh. I don't want him to see that I'm annoyed because I guess he has every right to be. His reaction is too immature right now. My mind suddenly wanders to the person who seems to he the rift between Justin and I right now. I wonder if Tank would act the same as Justin if he were upset with me? Son of a.....stop thinking of him. I can't have Justin mad at me. It's like having

"I'm sorry, Justin. I know what I did was...wrong." I say slowly. I'm desperately trying to make sure I don't say the wrong thing again especially because my mind and mouth don't work together very well most of the time. Too exhausted to try to make any other sort of amends, I lay down and turn facing away from him, willing myself to sleep. Hoping that for one night, my thoughts will cease and I can fall asleep quickly. It didn't work completely, but it was much better than most nights. Unfortunately, one of the last images in my mind was the large and beautiful man that was the root of our tension. 

~~~~~~~~~~

The sound of the alarm on my phone slowly getting louder and louder pulls me out of my dreamless sleep. No matter how much sleep I get, waking up will never be an easy task. Knowing that I might piss Justin off more by keeping the terrible sounding alarm going any longer, I reach for my phone and silence it. A couple text notifications catch my eye; a few from my mom and dad, Jazz, and Katie, who was hellbent on making sure she had my number before she let us leave yesterday. Out of everyone, I think she was the most excited to have met me...well, at least the one to outwardly display her excitement the most. 

After responding to my messages and copying Katie's address into my phones map, I slowly turn to sneak a peek of Justin to see if he's awake. I almost sigh audibly in relief when I see he is, in fact, still sleeping. I get out of bed with as much grace as I can muster and grab some clothes and head into the bathroom to shower and get ready for the day. I'm hoping by the time I am out Justin will be awake so we can leave for Katie's. I do hate being late to almost anything, but this time I just want to be around more than Justin. It's usually the opposite, where I want to be alone or only with closer friends like Justin, but with his attitude yesterday, I feel suffocated and a certain level of discomfort. 

Once I throw on my outfit of the day which consists of high-waist jeans and a plain grey cropped t-shirt, I make my way out to see that Justin is awake and sorting through his bag for clothes. He pauses for a moment after hearing the door open to look up at me and I give him a small smile, praying to whatever gods will listen that he's not upset anymore. He returns a small smile back and a weight I didn't realize was on my shoulders is lifted. 

"Morning, Justin," I say, testing the waters.

"Good morning," 

He continues to look through his bag, but the fact that he actually spoke to me has me feeling even better. I make my way to the vanity near my side of the bed where I can put my face on so Justin can have the bathroom. Although no other words are spoken, the tension that I could feel in the room all night has dissipated leaving me to believe that this will be a good day. We're going to see Katie for who knows how long, then possibly Max later on, and then I think I'll let Justin know I want to spend the evening just hanging out here. My social battery is practically depleted and I just want some time to veg.  

~~~~~~~~~

About twenty minutes later and we are en route to Katie's home with Justin driving. Katie's home is surprisingly close to Max's and her mother. All evening yesterday Katie made sure to ask me anything and everything as well as telling me a lot about her life. I can tell she's very much the life of any party and her personality is pretty much the Yin to Max's Yang: complete opposites, yet one side of the same coin. Thinking about both of them actually brings a smile to my face. And here I was two days ago having a complete breakdown and thinking the worst of the entire situation. 

We pull up to another beautiful home. It's slightly smaller than their mother's, but it is still just as beautiful and the full garden on the side with assorted plants growing in a sort of organized chaos scream Katie's personality. As soon as I unbuckle my seat-belt, Justin grabs my hand, making a small gasp leave my mouth. I look at him in confusion. Maybe he wants to let out some sort of ground rules for the day before we head in. 

"If it's okay with you, I'd like to drop you off and do my own thing for the day," he says, making my eyes widen. Okay, maybe he's still upset with me. This brings all of the worst thoughts rise up to my head, and the last thing I want is for one of my best friends to still be mad at me. I'm not a people pleaser or someone that wants everyone to like me by any means, but I do want my best friends to not hate me. 

"Justin, please don't. I'm sorry about everything, but please don't leave." I whine and cringe at how desperate I sound. Can I get anymore childish? 

He squeezes my hand in reassurance. "I'm not mad anymore, Flo. I just want to spend the day driving around and being alone. I feel...out of place and uncomfortable around these people." He has a small smile playing at his lips, I'm guessing an attempt to tell me it's okay without actually telling me. I can't help but worry if. I don't want anything to happen to him, but I know he'll roll his eyes and tell me how much of a grown up he is, so all I offer back is a small smile and nod.

"Please text me to let me know where you are throughout the day."

"Don't worry, Fleur. I'll text you. Call me when you're ready for me to pick you up," Justin says with more cheeriness to his voice now. "I'm going to go find some souvenir shops or something to get some stuff for Brandon, Jazz, and mom. He squeezes my hand before I turn away to exit the car. He waits for me to reach the front door before I hear the car start up again and I turn back to wave him off. I'm glad he's not upset anymore, but at the same time, I'm still worried with where we are as friends and if we're still attempting to be more.

Not two seconds after I push the doorbell does the front door swing open to show Katie on the other end looking like she's in the middle of a battle against the kitchen. Judging by her state, I'd say the kitchen is winning.

"Hey, Fleur...sweetie. Come on in, I'm just about done with cooking and then I'll clean myself up a bit," she says in her overly excited tone. She steps aside to let me enter and peers outside in search of something before she closes the door and turns back to me. "Where's that boy you're travelling with? I made enough for an army and was expecting a growing boys appetite to help with that."

"Oh, um...he's actually not feeling the best today," I lie. "He dropped me off and is going back to rest." I don't know why I tell her the fib. Maybe I just don't want them to pity me or something. She looks at me with concern and now I feel even worse for lying. "I'm sure he just needs rest. It's been kind of nonstop since we left home," I quickly add to make her feel better. The furrow in her brows releases and I relax with it.

"Okay, well I hope he's okay. What should I do with all this food," she says while her eyes roam the room. I'm guessing she's just thinking out loud so I give her time to figure out whatever she needs. Suddenly her eyes open wide and the light bulb goes off in her head. "OH! I know what to do. Give me one moment, dear. I have to make a quick call. Here, follow me and once you hear the timer go off, could you take the baking sheet out of the oven? Thanks!"

I literally have zero time to give her an answer before I'm in her beautiful, but slightly messy kitchen, before she's walking out while typing into her phone. I'm guessing the mess is from her morning preparations and I feel a little flustered and happy that she took the time to make food for me. I feel like she would have been the kind of aunt who spoils me and takes me side in anything had I grown up around here. That thought brings a wave of melancholy over me. Before I have too much time to reflect, the buzzing of the oven's timer brings me back to the present and I head over to the oven, put on the oven mitts in the counter next to it, and grab the food out of the oven. Fresh croissants are what she was making and knowing that they aren't the easiest to make makes my heart swell even more.

I love this woman already.

As soon as I place the baking sheet on top of the stove, Katie is rushing back in the kitchen. "Sorry about that, I was just making a call. I hope you don't mind someone joining us. I owed him a meal with all the extra work he's done for me," she says while grabbing a cloth to clean up the areas she dropped ingredients. "He'll be here in five, why don't you head over to the dining room," she points behind her, "and I'll finish up in here."

I abide and briskly walk to where I'm guessing the dining room is, not wanting to be in her way. I'm nervous, though. I don't know if I'm all that okay with having brunch with a stranger.

~~~~~~~

Tank POV

I don't know what the hell Katie does in her home, but the amount of times a brother or myself has to fix something for her is astounding. She's lucky I was already awake when she called me to come over immediately or there would have been hell to pay.

Who am I kidding? Katie scares me more than Ghost does.

The bright side of being on a bike is that I can weave around all the traffic and shitty drivers. I can't even understand how half the people that have cars were able to get a driver's license. Some people do not deserve to drive two ton death machines, yet they are everywhere.

A few minutes later and I'm heading up to Katie's front door. If it's a plumbing issues I'm going to lose my shit, metaphorically speaking. She knows to have prospects deal with the nitty-gritty stuff. If it's a bigger problem than that, then we get professionals involved. Most brothers are handymen, anyway, so it never usually gets to that point.

I don't have time to knock before the door opens with a Katie beaming at me. Why is she looking at me so maniacally happy? Fuck, am I a dead man?!

"Hey there, hun. I'm glad you made it," she says while grabbing my arm to pull me in. "You're just in time. Follow me."

As soon as I'm in, I smell food, reminding me that I haven't eaten since yesterday. I hope after whatever I'm here to do, she feeds me whatever she's been making. The woman has only promised me food a million times for all the shit she asks me to do.

We're heading in the direction of the dining room and I'm even more confused. Did she break a chair or something? God damn it, she better not have me do any petty bullshit work. I've got real shit I have to get done today.

My confusion is replaced with surprise as soon as we enter the dining room. Fleur? Her head jerked up as soon as we entered and I can see the shock on her face as well.

What in the world is Katie up to?

"Take a seat right here," Katie points to the chair across from Fleur. "Fleur, I'm sure you remember Tank." I hear mischief in her voice and after I sit and look at Katie's face, I see it as well. "I figured since I have all this food and I owe him, now would be the best time. Now, let's eat!“ Not missing a beat, Katie starts piling food on to our plates. Bacon, sausage, eggs, fruit, croissants. I'm suspicious of her, yes, but I'm also famished and Katie is a godsend right now. Plus, I get to be in the company of Fleur. Even though I'm sure Katie is conspiring, I'm too hungry and too happy to be bothered right now.

Other than the small 'hello' Fleur gave when we started, she hasn't said much during our morning feast. The silence from her wasn't uncomfortable or anything. It was nice. My mind is already drifting to many shared moments we can have where silence envelopes us and all of it seems like a good time to me. It took me all of ten minutes to realize her little 'boyfriend' wasn't around. Could it be trouble in paradise? I sure as fuck hope so. I'll say it again, he doesn't deserve to be someone intimate with this angel. He barely deserves her acquaintance.

Feeling guilty about breaking her silence, I pipe up. "Where's your friend?" I ask her, getting her to freeze and look up at me. She has that same 'deer in the headlights' look as yesterday when I first spoke to her. The fact that I cause such a reaction makes hope fill my heart. Fleur, you're mine, and no one can stop that.

"He...wasn't feeling well," she says. The hesitation makes me think it's a lie, but I don't want to grill her. She looks back down at her plate bringing that short conversation to a quick end.

Katie sees the shyness of her long lost niece, so she decides to start talking. The hard part is getting her to stop. This time, I'm grateful for her. She has us laughing at some old stories of her and Ghost growing up. I love her stories because she gives me so much to use against him, not that I ever would. Just having it makes me feel like a kid being given the whole cookie jar.

I didn't notice that over an hour had passed. I'm guessing all the fun I'm having and the special company I'm with makes it fly by. I'm surprised my phone hasn't gone off, but at the same time I was aware that prez and his vice had some business meetings to handle this morning. I'm guessing I'll have most of the early afternoon free as well. I could probably get some shit done that I've been holding off for awhile. Then again, I could sleep or workout. I could stand to burn some of this food I just ate-

"Earth to Tank," I hear Katie's voice snapping me out of my thoughts. "I was asking you a question."

"Oh..." I clear my throat. "My bad. What's up?"

"I was asking if you have a busy schedule today."

"No, not really. Why? Need something fixed?" I ask, thinking maybe she conned me into food first, and it just so happened that Fleur was here too.

She laughs. "No, I was messing with you when I called. I was thinking you could show Fleur around a bit. I know Max... Ghost showed her around a bit yesterday, but I'm sure you could show her some of the beautiful sites."

There's that fucking gleam in her eye. She's plotting and she knows that I know it. If she weren't right in thinking I'd jump to do if, I'd be storming out of the house. The think about Katie is, she's always right. It's cool and all until she's gloating about it. Fucking hell.

I want to shout 'hell fucking yes' and drag Fleur out right away, but firstly, I don't want Katie to know how goddamn right she is. And secondly, I see from the corner of my eyes the doubt settling into Fleur's face. Does she not want to go with me? Did I read her wrong?

That makes me feel sad like a kid learning Santa isn't real or some shit. I feel pathetic and fucking weak. Someone I hardly know shouldn't have control over my feelings like this. If any brother knew, they'd be laughing at me being pussy whipped or some shit.

"I um...I thought maybe I should check on Justin. Plus he has the car, so I'd need him to come bring it and if he's sleeping it might take him a bit..." she rambles. The hurt and anger I was feeling not a second ago vanishes with her adorable rambling. It should be illegal with how fucking cute she is on top of her natural beauty. She's perfect. She doesn't seem to realize it, but I'll show her in due time.

"Nonsense," Katie chimes in quickly, cutting Fleur off. "You should let him rest if he's not feeling well. Just shoot him a text, but you don't want to miss the sites. I'd love to take you myself, but I have to head into the club soon to run payroll." She looks at me strictly lole she's conveying a message then turns back to Fleur. "You can trust Tank. He'll keep you safe, I promise." oh, that's what she was trying to tell me telepathically. I'm guessing if she told me in words it would be something like 'you better damn well keep her safe or Ghost and I will cut your dick off and feed it to the wolves.'

Message heard. Loud and clear.

There's still slight hesitation coming from Fleur, I'm not sure why, but she still agrees with a small not and shy smile. My heart is racing because we're pretty much spending a large part of the day together and because I have the prez's daughter to keep safe and happy. I can die happy or of stress. Whatever comes first.

"Alright, well I've got to get ready," Katie says while getting up from her seat which prompts both Fleur and I to follow. She walks around to Fleur and brings her into a big embrace, a typical hug from her. "I hope I get to see you more, Fleur. You're my niece and I have a lot of catching up to do still."

A small chuckle escapes the appetizing lips of Fleur and I can't help my cock from swelling slightly as I picture those lips against mine. Jesus christ, I'm a mess.

I rid the thought from my mind before I make a fool of myself and say a quick goodbye to Katie and head to the front, hoping Fleur picks up the queue and follows me out. I just need a second to myself. I need to get my thoughts in order because the last thing I want to do is scare Fleur. She's the most innocent thing and I'm guessing I'll have to take things really slow as soon as she's officially mine, the last thing I need is to blow my chances before that even happens.

Happy that she got the hint, I hear the door open and see Fleur sliding out of Katie's house before she stops and looks at me in front of my bike. She looks worried.

I'm an idiot. Fuck! Of course she's probably never been on a bike. That makes me even more nervous. I was excited about the close proximity, but even that has dampened due to the worry.

"You ever been on one?" I ask, knowing fully well she hasn't. Her reaction gave it away.

She shakes her head and looks down in what looks like shame while shifting her weight back and forth. If she wasn't so fucking cute I'd be running low on patience, but I don't think I could ever be upset with her.

"Hey," I say, softer than I've probably ever said anything in my life. "There's no need to worry. I've got you." I hold my hand out and take a few steps to get to her which gets her to look back up. She still looks worried, but I see less of it as she slowly reaches for my hand. Again, feeling her hand in mine causes unnatural warmth in my chest and fluttering in my stomach. I try to push it aside for now. As much as I want to cherish this feeling, I have a worried angel I have to take care of.

I lead her to the side of my bike and reach for the helmet I have in the handlebar to put on her. I've never seen a reason to have an extra since I don't ride with anyone, but this moment makes me mentally note to get one just for her. She's watching me cautiously as I slowly bring the helmet down on her head. It's a little big for her, but tightening the straps will help a bit. Seeing her in my gear makes me satisfied in a way I never realized. I want to see her in my shirts, hats, socks, you name it. I'll share anything with her at this point.

God, maybe I am what the brothers would call 'pussy whipped.' I wonder if it will only increase the more I learn about her.

Once the helmet is secure on her, I toss my sunglasses on to protect my eyes and throw my leg over the bike and get on. I then reach for her hand again to help her up, pointing to the foot peg for her to use to stand on so she can then throw her other leg over. Even though she hesitates for a moment, she quickly lands her leg over and is seated behind me. This is an incredible feeling, having her on the back of my bike. It's like she was made for it, for me. I just have to make sure she knows I'm made for her.

I turn my head to tell her a few basics about riding. She listens intently and even though I can still see some worry, I see her relaxing. She trusts me. That's another beautiful feeling.

"Alright, I'm going to need you to wrap your arms around my waist, not too tight, but not very loose either," I tell her. I feel two small hands make their way around to the front of my torso and holy fuck did I want to let out a growl. Her hands barely meet with our size difference and I feel her try to scoot a little more forward to help with that.

I kick back the kickstand and rev the bike up. Before I get ready to take of I hear her say, "I'm scared," in a low, hushed tone.

I turn to her and see she's afraid. She doesn't have to be with me, though.

"It's okay, Fleur," I tell her with every ounce of sincerity in me. "I've got you. You're safe with me, always. Just don't let go, okay?" I face forward again and feel her squeeze her arms.

"I won't."

That's all I need for reassurance to start moving. I start out slow, especially because we're in a suburban area. I'm not that much of a dick and I have precious cargo to handle. She still feels tense behind me, but I will give her time to get accustomed. I'll be damned if I let something happen to her. I usually go well over the speed limit, but take it easy this time. Her thighs are squeezing the outside of my legs hard and it takes everything to keep my mind out of the gutter for now. I'll save that feeling for later.

About ten minutes into riding I feel her ease up and start to relax. I even feel her move her upper body to the side to try to see ahead. My God, she is fucking precious. The fact that she is comfortable and curious has me feeling on top of the world.

Knowing she's getting comfortable I start to make my way to the outskirts of the city where there is more nature than cement. It's a beautiful drive especially when you get to the wildlife refuge. I figured she'd like to see something like that and I'd like to be the one to show her. I see her searching everything around her through the mirror and I'm pleased that I was right. I can't remove the smile that I have and the contentment I feel inside. If this it what it feels like with her after only two days of knowing her, I'm definitely never giving her up.

'Fleur Belmont' has a nice ring to it anyway...

⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️

Thank you for reading and for getting this lil' story to over 2k reads. You all make me so happy!

Let me know your thoughts. ❤️