Unveiled Wishes (Iron Shield MC #2)

20. Two Hearts in The Big Apple

Zook

“How is this going to play out, once you get back?” How asked Emily, as he drove us to the airport.

“I should have known I was going to stay. I wrote my resignation letter the day that I called you and asked for an invitation. There’s nothing personal at my desk, so I don’t have to head into the office, and I can just email Mr. Nelson and HR. I might do that from the plane.”

“What about the apartment?” How asked again.

“I am thinking about taking what I want and renting it furnished. I can call the property management company that Mom and Dad use tomorrow. They should have a department where they handle that type of stuff. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

How seemed to be on a fishing expedition, but I wasn’t sure why. I looked over at him, but his face was blank, and I couldn’t get a read on the situation. However, I didn’t stop the line of questioning. When I’d asked Em these questions earlier, she hadn’t come up with a plan yet.

“Are you planning on hiring movers?”

He was pushing too hard. If I was a betting man, I’d risk it all. I’d never taken part in the club’s bets, but this was a guaranteed win. How had a hidden agenda buried somewhere in this questioning.

“I am not sure yet. I was thinking about sorting out the stuff I want to bring with me into the living room. We can see how much there is and maybe just ship it to you. The stuff that won’t make the trip but I’d like to keep, I was thinking about taking to Mom and Dad’s. I’ll throw it in my room, and they’ll never know nor care.”

“How long do you think it’s going to take to get this done?”

I heard Emily shift in the backseat, but I didn’t turn around to look at her. I was curious how long it would be before she figured out this wasn’t innocent. How wasn’t very good at interrogations, and his cards were showing.

I hadn’t wanted Emily to head back to New York by herself, but I also hadn’t wanted to be an overbearing asshole. It had worked out well when she hadn't wanted to be parted from me, either. We’d spend a few days in New York and then head back to the clubhouse to start the rest of our lives. Together.

“I am hoping we can catch a morning flight on New Year’s Eve and be back in time for midnight,” Emily replied from the back seat.

“Why don’t you just wait until New Year’s Day?” How asked, shooting me a nasty look out of the corner of his eye. “Why rush it?”

The pieces clicked into place, and I smiled widely, knowing exactly what he was trying to do. He didn’t want Emily anywhere nearby for New Year’s Eve. The hang-arounds would advertise the club to their friends, and the clubhouse would look and sound more like an orgy than anything else. Something about being naughty before those resolutions kicked in.

“Why? I don’t have that much to do, and besides, it’s winter. Tyler and I are not fans of snow, ice, and all things cold.”

I could hear the confusion in her voice, and I was sure there was an indention forming in between her eyebrows. It made me smile wider until my cheeks hurt. I was enjoying How’s discomfort a little too much.

“You don’t want to miss anything, so why rush? Do your thing, take him sight-seeing, and then come back.” How was trying, but I waited. Emily was too smart, and she’d figure out that he was hiding something from her.

She sat forward in her seat and stuck her head over the center console. First looking at How, she then turned her head in my direction, and I could feel her analyzing my face. It wouldn’t be much longer now. Kissing my cheek, she turned back towards How.

“What happens on New Year’s Eve?” she asked, point blank.

“The start of a new year,” he said, suddenly focused on the highway.

“Besides that. You’re hiding something from me, and I don’t like it.” Her head was on a swivel. Em would first look at How, and when she couldn’t get any information out of him, she’d move to me. I’d just smile at her, and she’d turn back to How.

“You tell her,” How said to me. “I can’t.”

I laughed, holding my stomach. “Em, it’s been quiet since it’s Christmas, but most Friday nights there’s a party where the hang-arounds get to come into the club.” I turned in my seat and watched her face for any reaction to what I’d said.

“Okay, that’s not that big of a deal. I have party clothes.” Her nose crinkled, and the indention was prominent. “I might have to learn how to dance. I doubt they waltz.”

How chuckled, and I laughed. “I can’t put this delicately,” I said. “The only waltzing that will happen is the horizontal hula.”

“That’s why you don’t want me in the clubhouse?” She directed all of her attention towards How. “You’re afraid I am going to see you with a woman?”

“Something like that.” How’s face turned a little green at the thought, and his forehead glistened.

“They’ll be new women. They use New Year’s as an excuse to get a little crazy, as most of them won’t return.” I tried to supply Em with enough details so she’d let it go. It didn’t matter. The only woman I was going to be with was her. How was single and could do whatever the fuck he wanted.

“Oh,” she said. I watched her as she thought this through. At first, her face held confusion as she chewed on her bottom lip. When she caught me watching her, she let go of her lip, and her mouth curved into a sly smile. “It doesn’t matter when we head back. I am going to be too busy with Tyler to worry about you. Wrap it up, and everything will be fine.” She leaned forward and patted How on the arm.

I turned back in my seat and slid down, my fingers resting on the bridge of my nose as I tried to hold it in.

“I don’t like this,” he said, panic settling in. “I don’t like this at all. Thank God our rooms aren’t near each other. I am not old enough for this conversation.” He took one hand off the wheel and pointed at me. “Fix this.”

“I am not becoming celibate to appease you.” I couldn’t hold my laughter back, and I had to hold my stomach again before I could catch my breath.

“Oh God, you’re making it worse. Whose side are you on?” he asked me, still pointing and waving his finger around.

“Me neither. I don’t foresee celibacy in my future,” Em added from the back seat.

“Do they still make chastity belts?” How directed at her.

“Eric, just stop. You’re driving yourself crazy for no reason. I am an adult, and I can make my own sexual decisions. You’re an adult, acting like a teenager. Get it together.”

“How am I supposed to do that when those sexual decisions are with my best friend?” He side-eyed me, and that must have made it worse, because he quickly turned back towards the road. How’s face contorted as if he had smelled something foul, with his nose crinkling and his lips pushing back.

“I don’t know,” she said as he pulled up to the departure gate at the airport. “That’s your problem. You said you approved, but you’re not acting like it.”

I stepped out of the car and held the back passenger door open for her. “Go easy on him. He’ll be fine, eventually,” I whispered to her.

She pecked my lips. “He’s acting like a fool, and it’s disrespectful to you. He should be grateful that I am happy.”

“I heard you,” How said, coming around the back of the car. Popping the trunk, he handed me the suitcase that she’d brought. We’d emptied her stuff into my room, and I’d packed a duffle that was now in her suitcase for this trip.

How hugged Emily tight. “You’re right. I’ll be better by the time you get back.”

“If it’s a big deal, we can come back after the new year, but I wanted to celebrate in my new home.” She frowned, and her eyes were a little glassy.

“Nah, when you’re done, just head back. I’ll deal.” He tightened his arm around her. “I am glad you’re going to be close now.”

“Me, too.”

He pulled back from her as the meter maid yelled at him to move the car. He yelled back that he would only be a minute, so they needed to calm the fuck down. How reached over and pulled me into his chest. “I’m glad it’s you.”

“You know I’ll let nothing happen to her.”

“I know, because you’ve taken care of me all of these years.” He pulled back and smacked me on the arm. “Tell me when you’re heading back, and I’ll pick you up.” With a wave, he got back in the car, leaving us on the sidewalk staring after him.

***

Emily

I unlocked the front door of my apartment and took a deep breath. The rich scent of pinecones filled the entryway. I’d hired a decorating company to put up the Christmas trees and garland, but I hadn’t really been in the mood to celebrate.

It was good to be back, and that was when I realized that my perspective had changed. This was just a place I owned. I’d visit it once in a while, but my life was no longer here. Looking around, I couldn’t help but smile. My home was with Tyler.

He caught the look on my face as he wheeled the suitcase in. He didn’t ask if anything was wrong, preferring to wait until I said something.

“I was just thinking that my home is with you.” I hadn’t asked where we would live, but I’d make it work as long as I had Tyler, and I knew Eric would be close by.

“Always, Em.” He surveyed the surroundings. “This is really nice.”

I snickered. “The trust fund bought this place my last year in law school. I could have gone back and lived with my parents, but I thought it would be too awkward. That’s their home, even though they’re never there.” I removed my winter coat and hung it in the coat closet.

“It suits you,” he said, handing me his coat and taking his boots off.

We were standing in the foyer, but a few steps further in, the apartment opened up into the living room with the kitchen at the very back, in the corner. I’d been told the place was perfect for social gatherings, but I’d never hosted. There was another hallway that led to the bedrooms.

“I liked the layout, and some actress had just finished her movie and wanted to get rid of the place. I got it for a steal.” Wrapping my arms around his waist, I laid my head on his chest. His arms wrapped around my back, pulling me close.

“I was going to get you a place in town, but I thought it would be too far from the clubhouse. You’re going to want to be close to How after so many years apart.” He threaded his fingers through the back of my hair. “I don’t want to live in my room forever. I asked the club if anyone can build a home on the property. Pretty has to look into it, but it’s in the works.”

“A house? You mean like Sabre and Flo’s house?” I was firmly in the honeymoon phase, and I hadn’t thought about our living situation. He was right. I wouldn’t want to live in his room forever.

“Yeah. If the club votes, and we can develop the land, I want to build a house back there. You’ll be close to How and the other women. I’ll know you’re safe because you’ll be on club lands.” I felt him lay his chin on top of my head. “You’re going to give me a family, but they won’t grow up in the clubhouse. They’ll still be able to run and play outside, causing mischief, but they won’t have to grow up too soon.”

“When are you planning all of this?” I asked. It sounded amazing, but I didn’t want to rush our relationship. I wanted to enjoy our lives together and let things progress naturally.

“Not for a while.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “I want you all to myself right now.” His stomach rumbled, reverberating against my ear.

“My bed is really comfy. Why don’t we order food for delivery and lay like vegetables?” I offered.

“You had me at ‘food’ and ‘bed.’” He let go of me, but I grasped his hand. Leading him to the kitchen, I opened the drawer that had all of my takeout menus.

He took one look at the drawer and collapsed against the counter, laughing.

“Just for that, I am ordering Chinese, and you’re going to like it.” I felt his arm wrap around my waist, and he pulled me to his side as I found the menu to the restaurant around the corner.

“I don’t care. I am not a picky eater, like your brother.” We looked at each other and laughed at the inside joke. Eric was the worst eater, and I thought he would’ve grown out of that. The man only ate chicken tenders and fries if he could get away with it.

I ordered the food and then wrapped my arm around Tyler’s back and steered him towards the bedroom. “Strip,” I whispered in his ear. “It’s the only way to lay like broccoli.” I let go of him and headed towards my walk-in closet to change. I didn’t think I was in there long, but when I walked back into the bedroom, Tyler was looking at the pictures that I had framed on my armoire, fully dressed.

“You saved them,” he said, picking up a brown frame that I’d had custom made.

“I did. They were priceless to me,” I replied, knowing exactly which set of pictures he was looking at.

“I asked How to take them because I wanted you to know that I had listened. The only problem was, I opened the box, and I had to take a moment. He took the picture anyway and told me to suck it up, that you’d get a kick out of it.”

“When I look at that picture, I see the emotion on your face as if I can feel it myself. I didn’t get a kick out of it. I didn’t have any pictures from when you spent the summer in the Hamptons, and I wanted to see you. That’s why I pushed so hard,” I said to his back. His shoulders were bulging underneath his cotton shirt.

“Are these cut-outs of the balloons I drew?” he asked, not turning around.

“Yes,” I whispered. “There’s a small shop down the street that engraves trophies. I traced the original balloons onto printer paper and asked if he could make the frame.”

He sat the frame down, turned around and stared at me. “I’ll always remember this Christmas, but Valentine’s Day is our holiday. A year from now, on Valentine’s Day, marry me, Em.”

“Why in a year? Why not this Valentine’s?” If he asked, I would say yes immediately.

“I want to prove to you I am not leaving. I am in this for the long haul, but I worry that you’re going to keep expecting me to check out when it’s hard because I’ve done that before. Give me a year to prove myself.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary. I don’t want you looking over your shoulder, wondering if today’s the day I am going to leave because you didn’t prove yourself. That’ll be exhausting, and I would rather just be with you.”

“No, but this is important.” He took the few steps over to me and placed his hands on each of my cheeks. “I want to make sure that my actions match my words, so that you’ll never love me any less than you do now.”

I held his cheeks in between my hands, too. “You need to breathe, Tyler Mitchell. I would marry you tomorrow if you asked me. I am not leaving, but you need to believe in us.” Kissing him, I could feel the tears running down my cheeks. “One year. In that year, I am going to prove to you I love and accept you, just the way you are.”

***