Nova (MorningStar MC Novels, New Orleans Chapter #2)

Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

SIMONE

I t’s been three weeks since I called Maddox. Less than a month since I hired an escort to accompany me to my family home to meet the folks, I’ve been dodging my mother’s phone calls ever since.

I agreed to attend the stupid shower. Was that not enough?

I sigh as I watch my phone ring again. I pick it up this time and sigh before answering.

“Hello, Mother,” my voice sounds dry and bored, so hopefully, she’ll take the hint, but no such luck for me today.

“Simone! Why on Earth do you have a phone if you aren’t going to answer it?” It’s rhetorical, so I don’t bother giving in to her petty mom’s guilt.

That hasn’t worked since I was twelve.

“Your phone etiquette is atrocious.” I snort.

“I learned from the best. Was there something you needed from me? I’d think it was urgent from the number of missed calls I’ve had for the past few days. Has Tyler finally jumped off the short pier I gave him directions to?” Her scandalous sounds give me the first reason to smile since I hung up with Maddox.

That man is dangerous to my health.

He says all the right things, and I’d love to convince myself that it’s just from being a pro, but I know it’s not.

“My God, you really are out of sorts with him. It’s been months, honey. Can’t you find a way to forgive him?” She can not be serious.

“He’s lucky I don’t press charges. That’s as much forgiveness as he’ll ever get. Stop pushing this, Mom. You will not like how it ends. I’ll see you in a few days.” I hang up and block her number.

I never went into much detail about the split. Honestly, how do you tell your prude mother that your sister has been fucking your fiancee and hers? Oh, and that they tricked you into it by omission for funnies.

Yeah, hard pass.

It was better to keep it vague and to the point. He cheated. I will not stand for it, the end. It should be that simple. Alas, not in my family.

Duty is everything, and your feelings come last. Fuck all of that. It’s been my attitude since I was young. After several doctors and therapists, my parents were told I was “On the spectrum.”

Dad had a field day with that one, calling them all quacks and a waste of money. I was just stubborn like his mother. That became the reason for all my outbursts as a teenager.

God forbid it was that they were wrong in any way, shape, or form.

They would whisper to their friends, “She’s special,” or my fucking favorite, “She’ll outgrow this behavior.”

Right.

I’m pretty sure they’re still waiting on that. As evidenced by the email I just received from my father titled “Apologize and unblock your mother.”

I send the thing to my trash folder without opening it.

I’m an adult who can make up my own mind, and they can kiss my ass. I’m only going along with this to save his job. You’d think he’d be more grateful.

“Ugh,” I push away from my desk and run Felix’s tail over.

Again.

“Oh, come on, buddy! You can’t lay on the floor behind me like that.” I pick up the big orange ball of fur and check his tail.

His loud meow brings everyone to check out what’s happening.

“Not my fault! He was behind my chair again.” I swat them out of my way as they start to wind in and out between my legs.

“I can’t feed you if you trip and kill me.” I laugh as I walk into the kitchen to get their food ready.

My tuxedo cat, Angel, jumps on the counter and eyes my coffee cup with a look of destain.

“Don’t do it!” I scream as she swats it off.

I long ago switched to plastic cups when I realized six months into adopting her that she hated cups. Now, I just have to clean up the mess instead of replacing my glassware.

“Naughty pussy,” I grab a dish towel and throw it over the spill.

“Chow time,” I call out before pouring the food into their bowls and then cleaning my floor up.

I make myself food next, and I’m just about to start eating when my computer dings. I roll my eyes as I walk over to it. I’m sure it’s my father again, but when I see it’s an email from Maddox marked urgent, I frown.

I read his words slowly.

“No,” I snatch my phone up and dial his number.

“Hello, Dove,” I grind my molars.

“You can not cancel.” I seeth into the phone as my knuckles turn white around the device.

“Family comes first. I’m needed in Vegas, and I can not avoid it.” This can not be happening.

I need him. He’s the only way out of this mess.

“I will issue you a complete refund, of course,” I snap out of my head.

“NO! I’ll pay you double to fly here after.” The phone goes silent.

“Fine. On one condition.” I can hear the smirk in his tone.

He has me by the ovaries, and we both know it.

“What?” I bite my lip.

“Instead of paying me, be my plus one.” I shake my head.

“Excuse me?” He laughs, and it does a strange thing to my stomach.

Heat builds, and my spine tingles as I listen to him chuckle.

“A date Dove. Be my date to the wedding.” Ah, I see now.

“Fine.” I keep my tone clipped so he hopefully can’t tell how nervous that makes me.

I despise social gatherings and avoid them like the plague. I have never been any good at small talk, and always manage to say or do the wrong thing.

“You and me at the Little Chapel of Love. Could be destiny.” Oh God, no.

“Maddox,” his name leaves my lips on a soft whine.

“Oh, I’m going to enjoy making you repeat that soon. I’ll send you the hotel information. Bye, for now, Dove.” He hangs up, and I curse.

My phone pings, and my frown grows.

I should have said no, stood my ground, and refused, demanding he stick to the original plan. But I didn’t, and that is the most confusing part of this whole thing.

Do I want to see him in Vegas?

I remember every single moment in that bar when we first met. I replay it nightly in my dreams. I wake up hot and bothered with his name on my lips.

“Shit,” I hang my head.

I better start packing my bags.