“Tell me more about Harlow.” She questions as I throw my stuff in bags. I’d already called my professors who stated that as long as I kept up to date on the work, I’d be fine. They even offered to let me watch the lectures through Skype, which I thought was pretty cool. There is no need for me to call my boss. After I had lost Mia, I stopped going and quit without telling him. I’m sure my boss is pissed. I just don’t care.
“Harlow. Let’s see. She goes by Princess in the club.”
“Yeah, you said that. Why?”
“She’s always been the club Princess, the Vice President’s daughter and all. She’s been called that since she was young, but what really earned her the title of Princess is she’s the furthest thing from it.” I keep packing as I talk and Bella sits on the bed listening. “She’s a badass bitch and thank God she’s my friend, if not I’d be scared shitless of her.”
“Why?” She asks grabbing the shirt I just placed on the bed and folds it for me.
“She’s a fighter. And I’m not talking those girly fights where hair gets pulled and women scream. Oh no. Harlow can fight. As in she gets in the boxing ring with the brothers and goes blow for blow with them. It’s actually how she became an ol’ lady. Fought her man. It was a tie.”
“She actually fought her man?”
Grabbing my phone, I pull up a picture of Harlow with Cruz and Cooper. My heart gives a small ache, but I push it away. I hold it up to Bella, “this is Harlow and her ol’ man. The one she fought.”
“Holy fucking shit! Are you kidding me? No way.” Her head shakes in disbelief.
“Yeah. Seriously.”
“She’s not that big and well… He’s a monster. And a hot one to boot!”
“Yeah. But believe it. She’s something else.”
A very loud banging comes from the front door shaking the walls. “Damn Buzz.” I say moving to the door, Bella hot on my heels.
“What? You didn’t think I’d miss this did you?” Rolling my eyes we head to the door, just about reaching it when the pounding commences for the second time.
Looking in the peep hole, a very handsome Buzz stands before me looking either very agitated or angry, I can’t tell which.
Before I open the door, Bella grabs my arm and I turn to her. “You gonna be okay?” she asks.
“I don’t know. It won’t be easy, but I don’t have much choice.” I give her a small smile and turn to the door.
“You can do this.” She reassures me. I reach down and grab her hand, squeezing it.
I turn and swing the door open, “Damn. You knocked shit off my walls.” I bark.
He doesn’t answer instead he wraps his arms around me tight and begins to squeeze the living shit out of me, burying my face in his chest to the point where I cannot breathe. “Miss me, Buzz?” I mumble.
“Glad you’re comin’ home.” His deep raspy voice reminds me of a hot bedroom voice right after sex. As I pull away, I stare up into his sky blue eyes, eyes that definitely hypnotize the female race. His blonde hair has grown since the last time I saw him, but it wasn’t the only thing. He must have been working out as his body is more defined with his white t-shirt stretching over his broad shoulders and his arms bulging out of the sleeves, tattoos lining his arms. With his leather rag and jeans, he looks good enough to eat.
He pulls away and eyes me up and down. “What’s wrong with you? Are you not eating?” He questions and my heart sinks at the realization that it will be known right off the bat that something is wrong. Shit.
“Haven’t been feeling well, but I’m getting better. Where you been? Harlow said you’d be here in a half hour.” I move away from the door hoping he doesn’t press with my change in subject.
“Had shit to do.” Is his only response, his eyes land on Bella behind me. His breath catches making me chuckle for the first time in a long time. I knew the guys wouldn’t last long around her.
“Buzz this is my friend Bella. Bella, Buzz.” My hand waves back and forth to each of them.
“Holy Shit.” Bella grumbles under her breath. “Hi.” Her hand motions a small wave.
“And there are two of them.” Her eyes widen and her lips part ever so slightly. I grab my phone and pull up a picture of the two of them showing it to her. “Yep, his twin Breaker’s a brother too.”
“God help me.” She whispers shaking her head clutching the phone.
“I’m sure we could show you a hell of a good time beautiful lady.” Bella’s knees begin to wobble. I lean over and grab her arm not wanting her to pass out on the floor.
“I’m sure you could.” She turns to me. “Take me with you.”
“No. You have class. And you have to get me notes.” Bella huffs, coming out of her Buzz induced haze. “Buzz, don’t we need to go?” I ask his eyes locked on Bella.
“Yeah. We gotta roll. Too much shit going down.” His confidence in his words comes through loud and clear.
“How’s everyone doing?” I question hesitantly.
“It’s a mess, Casey. A fucking mess. Get your shit and let’s go.” I nod pulling a practically frozen Bella with me in the bedroom, her eyes not leaving Buzz once.
“Oh my God, Casey… I never… God.” I throw the last of my things inside my bags.
“I know. It’s hard to take sometimes.”
She sat there for a while, not saying anything as I ramble on about how Buzz is a Prospect and not a brother yet. How he has to earn his spot as a brother and some of what that entails.
“Why don’t you have a nickname?”
“Huh?” I ask tossing the last of my toiletries in the bag.
“Princess, Cruz, Buzz, Bam, and G.T. and then there’s you… Casey. Doesn’t seem right.”
Bella didn’t know that this fact in my life hurt a bit. It’s as if I have been pushed aside, no one having the time to come up with my name. My real name is Cassandra and Casey is short for that. But in the club, everyone has a club name. Princess got hers before she could walk. And me? Nothing. Another reason why I don’t feel like part of their family, but rather an outsider.
“Don’t know. Never asked. Can you help me carry this shit?” I do not have time to open that can of worms.
“Yeah. Are you sure you’re gonna be okay?” Her hand reaches out to my arm holding me softly.
I let out a deep breath. “No. I don’t know, but I’ll find out soon.” I give her a small smile.
After a teary goodbye and one last sweep through the apartment, I lock up the door, Buzz on my heels.
“Casey, wait!” Jace’s voice booms from the hallway. Buzz stiffens beside me.
“It’s fine, Buzz. No worries.” I reassure him, but he doesn’t relax.
“Where are you going?” Concern laces his voice.
“I’ve gotta go home for a while. There was a death at the club.”
“Oh my God, Casey. I’m so sorry.” Jace reaches out pulling me into a hug which I reciprocate.
“Get off her.” Buzz growls and Jace’s body tenses. I let go and turn to Buzz.
“Buzz, stop it. Jace is my friend.” I try to reassure, but the tension radiates off of Buzz.
“Don’t like it and don’t care.” I roll my eyes turning back to Jace, who has let go of me and is now standing in front of me.
“You gonna be okay?” He asks, his eyes darting from me to Buzz.
“We shall see.” I give him a soft smile. “I have to go. Bella has keys to my place.”
“Call me if you need anything.”
“I will.” I turn leaving the building.
Buzz follows very close behind my car as we weave down the road.
During the drive, I do not have Bella to distract me, so I let the bottled up tears fall for Diamond and Mia. I am smart enough to have thrown a box of tissues in the front seat, guess subconsciously I knew I’d need them. Then my thoughts drift to G.T., I can’t wait to see him, hug him and make sure he’s alright. But I’m also terrified to see him. I’m terrified that when I tell him about Mia, he’ll be relieved and I can’t handle that. If I thought his words cut deep, his relief would break me, shatter me.