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Chapter Five
Bella
As I’m about to leave work and go home for the evening after a long day of meeting with real estate agents, I find myself wondering what River is up to right now. We definitely spend our days very differently. My job is consistent and stable, yet River’s job seems anything but that. He could be doing random things at any given time, from working at one of the businesses, to hiding a body. I mean, I wouldn’t really know, because I don’t hear the minor details, but I can guess.
I guess opposites really do attract.
For me, becoming a property manager was a no-brainer as a Callisto—it kind of comes with the territory and family name. Property and motorcycles are our thing, and I know which one I’m more comfortable with. As much as I love riding on the back of a bike, I never got into riding them myself.
Bella: You coming over tonight? I can make us dinner.
I send River a quick text about potentially coming over for a home-cooked meal tonight as I get in my black BMW, and stop at the store to grab some groceries before heading home. From the outside, I don’t think anyone would know I was a part of an MC family. I probably look like any other businesswoman, in my white blouse and beige tailored slacks. But how different my life is. I suppose, unlike Julianna, I got to live my life with one foot out the door, and without all the responsibilities that she has.
But now being with River, who is so heavily tied into the MC, I have both feet firmly planted in one direction, and that is wherever he is. I haven’t given myself much time to process this, which is probably why I let River off the hook so easily. While this relationship is still very firmly in the casual phase, he’s not the only reason it is. I never pictured myself dating a biker, let alone marrying one. No judgment to my family or Julianna, but the biker life was never for me. I wanted “normal,” or what I saw on television.
But as Julianna quickly found out, the heart wants what the heart wants. Yeah, yeah, Selena Gomez, you were right.
While Mark was not the one I ever imagined being with for the long term, he’s the type of guy I saw myself ending up with. Normal guy with a normal job. I think he was an accountant or something. I actually don’t remember what he did other than he went to work in a suit every day. Shit, I was not a great girlfriend.
As I’m pondering my life, my assistant, Sally, calls. “Hey,” I answer while pulling into my driveway.
“Bella, I’m so glad I caught you. I was finishing up at the office working on the Lansdale property you gave me to finalize. There’s quite a bit of information missing that we normally need for me to enter into the system. Do you happen to have that info handy? It also needs your signature.”
Shit. The Lansdale property was something Julianna told me I needed to handle. I must not have properly looked over all the paperwork before I gave it to Sally.
“I’m sorry, Sally, I didn’t realize so much was missing. Is there a deadline to close?” As I wait for her response, I pull out my notebook to take a look at my notes. Shit, I left that at the office.
“End of day tomorrow.”
Dammit. “Okay, I’ll handle it first thing tomorrow morning.”
As I hang up, I get a text from River.
River: Can’t tonight, sorry. Tomorrow?
Bella: Sounds good.
At least he’s actually communicating with me now, and doesn’t just go MIA with no explanation.
The next day I decide to show up at the clubhouse before I head into the office with some food for him. This is the first time I’ve come here unannounced, but I figure Julianna might be around also.
Jeremiah arches his brow and looks up from his Fitbit when he sees me. He must have gone for a run—he’s bare chested, a sheen of sweat covering his six-pack abs. He’s a good-looking man, I’m not going to lie. With that light hair and his green eyes, he kind of looks ethereal. But the clothes he usually wears don’t make him look like an angel. He likes black and leather. Even now, his running shorts and sneakers are black.
“Hey, Bella, what are you doing here?” he asks, taking his earbuds out. “Does River know you’re here?” His tone makes me feel like now might not be the best time for me to be here.
I shift my feet in my black block heels, wondering if I should turn around now. “No, I was just dropping off some food for him. Is that okay?”
That seems to distract him, as he looks at what’s in my hands. “Is there any food in there for me? Because I am starving.”
“Yeah,” I laugh, looking down at the bag in my hands. “I put a lot in there. There will be plenty.” Knowing that the other men would likely want some, it would be rude for me to bring something just for River, and not for the others.
Jeremiah grins, flashing his teeth. “Well, why didn’t you say so? Come on in.”
Shaking my head in amusement, I follow behind him, wondering why he was giving me the vibe like now isn’t a good time to be here. Is something going on? Should I turn around and leave? This is River’s home and I want to get comfortable here, but only if I’m wanted.
Surprising him wasn’t the best idea. I kind of knew that. River is mysterious and likes to be in control. I doubt he’d appreciate me coming here on my own accord. But how are we ever going to cross this line and get closer if we don’t step out of our comfort zones? I want us to progress in our relationship, and guess what, these are the type of things people in a relationship do. I’m not doing anything out of the ordinary. Although it might feel that way for him, because he doesn’t seem used to having a normal, open connection with someone. I don’t want to push him, though, because it might make him step backward from me.
Why are men so complicated?
