(Pic above is how I picture Katie)

Tank POV

The next time a moment I'm having with this precious flower gets interrupted, I'm going to pulverize said interruption. It'll be an extra favor to myself if that ends up being this Justin kid again. The little temper tantrum he threw last night was almost enough to slap him like the little bitch he is. Don't even mention his sly remark about their close sleeping arrangement. I felt like a raging bull after that and he, everything red.

Now here I am in an awkwardly quiet hotel room, waiting for Fleur to get out of the shower. I'm trying my goddam best to not think about her being in the shower...nude...and I'm failing miserably at it. The last thing I need is to appear like I'm some sort of caveman who can't handle their hormones. I may have my moments, especially when thinking about her, but I don't need her seeing that part of me just yet.

Justin-or what I'd like to refer to him as, bitch face-is busy outside on his phone talking to God knows who. I wouldn't want to be his friend. Although...Fleur is. Or was. I still don't know what the hell they are and it pisses me off. I saw the way she was staring into my eyes. She can't be in love with this little shit if she's looking at me like I'm something precious. The more I try to be patient, the more it's tested.

I guess nothing worthy in this world comes easy.

A few moments pass with me staring blankly into the TV that's on, but the volume is so low there's no real point in paying attention. My daydreams are interrupted by my phone buzzing and I pull it out to see Blaze calling. To be honest I sometimes hate the older brothers. They prefer phone calls to texting and I die inside everytime my phone rings.

With a groan and sigh I decide to not keep him waiting longer and answer. "What do you need," I say with obvious impatience. I know he's vice and I shouldn't be a prick, but he's aware it's morning and I'm never a morning person.

"Now, now, sweetcheeks, don't be like that," Blaze laughs. I roll my eyes, fully aware he can't see. "Just calling to make sure you and the daughter are alright. Ghost is acting like he's calm, but I can tell he's terrified inside."

"She's fine...we're fine." I wish there was a we. "Planning on staying in the hotel today, stay off the streets and such."

"Not a bad idea. I'll let prez know she's alright and maybe it will get him to sit for a few minutes. It's not helping him that Katie got an emergency call from God knows who and decided to take the day off last minute either," Blaze sighs. If Katie couldn't make it in, it must be something big.

"Let me know if there are any leads or updates. I hope Hawk and his group are going to be fine." I feel bad that I almost forgot we sent out some brothers to investigate. Hawk is a smart and calculating man and I have all the confidence in him to be safe and successful, but you still have what ifs that linger in the back of your head.

"They'll be fine. I'll try to get in touch with one of them in a bit. Just stay safe, little man." He hangs up before I have the chance to remind him I'm anything but little and it leaves me slightly irritated. I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm infatuated with a naked woman a wall away from me, and I'm stressed on top of being grumpy. When I get like this I'd rather be alone, but duty calls. Plus I'd rather not leave Fleur alone at all. Especially with this little prick of a man that came along with her.

Ugh, I have to get my shit together.

I don't get the chance to finish scolding myself for having human emotions, the bathroom door opens to reveal the only good thing about this morning. I can still feel my hands buzzing from holding her face. It fit perfect, like my hands were made for holding her, all of her.

She steps out and looks fucking delicious. She's not wearing anything revealing, but she is still enticing. She could probably wear a potato sack and paper bag over her head and I'd still feel my pants tightening at the sight of her. I want nothing more than to run my hands, the hands made for her, through her hair while she cuddles up to me. I've never been the one for affection, but I can't help but imagine all of the corniest shit with her.

She's not even mine and I'm thinking like a creep. 

To reign in my hormones I decide to jump into the recently vacant bathroom. A cold shower will help with a few of my current issues and I don't want Fleur to think I'm unhygienic either. Even under cold water thinking about her gets my blood flowing. I don't even have to think of her intimate parts to get excited, but the moment I do it takes me over the edge. I end up tainting the shower with my seed and decide to face the rest of the day.

When I make it out of the shower I find Fleur and Justin on the bed having a hushed conversation. It doesn't look intimate or like they were having a feud which relaxes me. As soon as they notice me make my appearance, Fleur jumps off the bed and walks towards me looking slightly concerned.

"Um...hi," she starts, with me wanting to smirk at how adorable she is without even trying. "Justin got a call from our friends and they want us to head out towards them to continue the road trip we had planned. Justin was thinking maybe it would be best if we do get out of here and when things calm down for Max then maybe I can visit him then or something." When she is talking I feel my heart gripping at what she's saying. She wants to leave? Now? I haven't even scratched the surface of her, hell her dad hasn't even gotten to know her like he should and this little bastard is trying to get her out of here? She stares at me with her large doe eyes and I can see the hesitance in her. I don't think she wants to go.

"And what do you want to do?" I ask and see her eyes widen even more. It's almost as if Justin is trying to make all her choices and doesn't realize she's a fully capable person. I know if she were mine, I'd value her opinion and ideas. 

She glances back at Justin who is sitting on the bed with his arms crossed. I'm surprised he's not standing right next to her and holding up her puppet strings. "I don...I don't really know," she mutters then bites her lip. An action that is making me want to take a second cold shower. 

"You have to have some sort of idea, Fleur. What is the stronger of the voices telling you to do." I can tell she's lived too sheltered of a life. Not having to decide on many things or make many decisions for herself. I don't want to push her too much, but at the same time I want to make sure she's aware this is how it's going to be as an adult. You're not always going to have someone to guide you or tell you what to do and sometimes you're going to have to make decisions that make others unhappy. Do I feel like a dick for pushing her to make a decision? Slightly. I just want her to find her voice more than anything so if I have to push her a bit to get there, then I will.

Shifting her weight between each foot, I see the wheels turning in her head and the fear in her eyes. I think she does know what she wants and I think it's what I want, but that could be wishful thinking on my end.

"I...uh... I don't want to leave without getting to know the family I have here, but I miss my friends as well. We're pretty much a family as well," she says while playing with her hair and avoiding eye contact whatsoever. I'm glad she's stated how she feels, which I guess is a start. At least she's not deciding for the sake of other people's feelings over her own. I can tell she wants to though. Justin continues to sit back with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face. I should be happy he's not near her right now, but she's still probably trying to factor in his feelings.

I should just factor my fist in his face instead.

Knowing that she's taken a step in the right direction of  becoming her own person, I decide to offer a compromise that will keep everyone, especially her, happy.

"Why don't they meet up with you here?" I say. Fleur's eyes jump from her hair up to me in surprise and what I could only hope is admiration. Again, more wishful thinking. Even Justin and his little baby scowl soften slightly at the idea.

"Why didn't I think of that, it's so obvious..." Fleur says almost to herself with a blush taking over her beautiful face. I'm definitely going to try my best to make her blush any chance I get. Her flustered state gets the blood rushing to not so rated G areas and I have to take a deep breath and think about anything else to get the blood back to its proper places. "Hey, Justin?" she turns to face him and my eyes work overtime to stay focused on the back of her head and nothing lower. "Can you call Brandon to ask him? I've still got to call and check in with my mom." He complies right away and both he and Fleur end up on their phone and me standing there wishing I could be of more use. 

A few minutes later, they are both done and excited to find out their friends are indeed coming to them. As much as I'd prefer Fleur alone, I'm glad they are coming here. Only because it keeps her here as well. Plus, I like seeing Fleur happy. Her happiness radiates bright and you end up being a moth gravitating to her light. It's contagious and puts me in a better mood almost instantly. 

Ugh...Why does she have to bring the mush out of me? 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Katie POV

"Babe, I just had to come up to Boulder. An old friend I haven't seen in a long time needs a little help with something," I say to Blaze who's on the other line and stressed that I left without telling anyone where I was going. Truth is, I was in too much shock to register many things other than my need to reach the person who just called. 

"You know what just happened last night, baby. You know as much as I do that was a dumb thing to do. You're gonna give me a goddam heart attack one of these days, woman..." he rambles on, making me chuckle. 

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again. I'll be back soon and I'll keep checking in, alright?" 

"We both damn well know you will do this again, Kay. You're lucky I love you."

"Yeah, yeah...I'm the lucky one here," I drawl, getting a small chuckle from him. After we say our goodbyes and he's not as mad as I thought he'd be most of the tension leaves my shoulders. Keyword: most. There's the lingering stress of the call I received and I'm terrified it's too good to be true. I can't help but let the curiosity get to me, so here I am driving the 25 minutes to Boulder just to find out if it's all real. 

I know it was stupid of me to just up and leave, especially with the threat going on around us. I've been told I make rash decisions and you could say I'm living up to that description. It's kept both Blaze and my brother on their toes for as long as I can remember. Someone has to do it, and I can't think of anyone better for the job than myself. 

A few minutes of getting through the town and I'm at the outskirts closing in on an older looking diner. An inconspicuous choice...a clever choice to meet up. I park and quickly make my way inside. It isn't full of people inside...just a few groups of people scattered about. I search the entire left side of the establishment before turning right and almost immediately find who I'm looking for tucked in a corner booth. I try to keep my nerves at bay as I make my way to them quickly. 

It's been awhile yet time doesn't seem to have passed in their face. As soon as I am at the booth the face of the person I've been searching forever for turns to fully face me. 

"Hello, Katie..."

A breath I've been holding for a long time finally frees. Unable to fully find my voice I whisper their name. 

"Chrystal..."

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Woo, another update. Much less waiting time for everyone 🥰

Not a very climactic ending, but we're getting places!

I hope the holidays treat everyone well!

Happy reading ❤️