Wrong Move

7 - Unwanted Guest

Taylor

I couldn't help but smile. It almost felt wrong on my face, like I wasn't used to my lips turning that way, but I couldn't help myself. Liam was being cute again.

Can't wait to hear all about it tomorrow. Send me a pic so I can see if Barry is settling in.

I laughed under my breath, my gut filled with butterflies. I went to the bedroom anyway and took a photo of the bear he'd bought me on our first date. He was wearing a cowboy hat and I couldn't wait to make up my bed properly and put him in pride of place. I sent Liam the pic before I lost my nerve, I was looking forward to another date with him tomorrow. Ever since the night we met at the country bar, we'd been texting constantly. We'd been on one date, where Liam took me to a diner for a casual, lovely meal. That was when he gifted me with Barry. It had been surreal, having someone want to spend time with me, actually enjoy my company. I focused on the stacked boxes instead. My Uncle was due any minute with some prospects who he'd roped into helping bring my bigger furniture. I heard pounding on the door and looked to see who it was before opening.

"Hey girlie," my uncle said, gathering me in a one-armed hug. He peered around me with interest, doing little to hide the disapproval on his face. I bit my tongue to stem the urge to defend my space, knowing that no place would be good enough for him.

"The boys are downstairs with the frame and mattress. I'll holler at them to bring it up."

"Of course, that'd be great" I nodded, latching the door open and waiting as he trotted down the stairs. It wasn't long before he was coming back, jostling the heavy furniture between Ace, Rapid and Sheep. My mouth dropped open. If Iron, the Prez, were here, it would be the old boys crew. The longest serving members and the gentlemen. They were stalwarts of the club and it gave me a little kick of warmth and surprise that they were here, helping me. I knew my uncle had pull, but it was nice that they came, anyway. Until I spotted one more familiar face, carrying a bulky tv box.

Wings.

What the hell was he doing here?

I ducked back inside, wiping my sweaty palms down on my shorts. I took a few deep breaths, sending the boys a smile I hoped looked unaffected.

"Hey guys, thanks so much for helping me out," I said as they angled the furniture through the door.

"No probs, sweetie, happy to do it," Ace grunted, and they shuffled down the narrow hallway to where my bedroom lay.

"It's gonna be a tight fit," my uncle guffawed and the four of them debated the way to get it in without taking off the door.

"Where do you want this, Tay?" Wings smooth voice crept right up my spine and I couldn't help that my shoulders bunched up at the sound of it.

"What is it?" I said, not meeting his eye but looking at the box. It was a brand new, 70 inch television, a ridiculous size for this modest apartment. "That's not mine"

In my confusion, I looked at him directly, his lopsided smirk like a smack in the face. I felt my whole body heat at the sight of him, slightly puffed and deliciously muscled. He had a plain white tee under his cut and it looked so good, so effortlessly handsome, pulled tight over his pecs. It wasn't fair.

"It is now," he replied, his teeth poking through wider. I only frowned, about to refute him, when my uncle squeezed my shoulder.

"Wings got you a housewarming gift," he explained, and I felt my eyebrows shoot towards the roof. First he was here, the last place I wanted to see him, ever. Second, he was buying me ridiculously expensive gifts. I wondered how that looked to the other guys. As my uncle pointed to a wall, I looked at Wings with anger.