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chapter 28
Harley
I can’t understand this feeling. It’s as if Erik has been slowly taking my walls down brick by brick behind my back, and I’ve been too distracted by him to notice.I’m in trouble.Usually, when the memory is triggered, I start to harden, it all gets stuck somewhere in my chest and I just shut down or leave. But this man, I want to tell him everything. I see him searching my face with such concern in his eyes that it almost breaks my heart.Big. Trouble.“The reason I stopped competitive fighting is because my trainer assaulted me, sexually.”The flicker of fury in Erik’s eyes was intense, strangely it made me feel safe. He leans back for a second, glances out the window, almost as if trying to get himself under control before coming back and giving me his attention."It was after my last National win. I had a crush on him for a very long time so when he started to kiss me, to touch me... Let's just say I didn’t coRelated chapters
SEEING HEART chapter 29
ErikHarley rushes into The Beanie and after a quick chat with Vanessa, she heads up to Vanessa’s room to borrow a change of clothes. I make a note to myself to take her shopping. It’s the least I can do after last night.Last night... The most incredible night of my life.I spend the rest of my shift with a stupid grin on my face, or as much of a grin as my face allows.The Marcos didn’t let me off easy. They both cornered me the first chance they had and demanded to know what happened to Harley’s clothes. It was amusing at first, and I told them it was none of their business, until I realized these pseudo-brothers of hers could ruin my chances with her in the long run. Luckily Harley walked by, scolded them in Italian and they got back to work but not before throwing out some heated words back her way.As things quiet down after lunch Harley comes over. I place my last dish on the rack and notice Harley's looking a little nervous. So ad
SEEING HEART chapter 30
HarleyErik just had to mark his territory in front of all the other testosterone meat bags at the gym. Especially in front of Bobby who was clearly checking out my dirty pillows. It wasn’t even subtle.What a neanderthal.I won’t lie, a part of me likes it when Erik proudly claims me before all others.When I enter Uncle Steve’s office, I’m surprised to see him talking with The Beast. That’s not his real name, and it’s not a very original nickname, but the man is a fucking beast. Not just in size but fighting styles and stamina. He’s been setting up some amazing fighting events once a month, all legal of course and putting himself in as the warmup entertainment. He takes on about five to ten challengers and fighting them in whatever technique they choose from his list of known styles. I went a few months ago, it was epic, made a few bets and came out with a bit of walking around money but that part is all hush hush.“Hey, sorry, I didn’t
SEEING HEART chapter 31
ErikThe feeling I had in my gut when I watched Harley walk out of the gym made me feel uneasy. I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was, but she felt a little off.I refuse Bobby’s offer to drive me home hoping a run might help clear my mind. It doesn’t help at all and by the time I reach the back door to the courtyard all I can think about is seeing Harley in the morning, having her safe in my arms and kissing that sexy, bulgar mouth of hers.When I open the back door to the courtyard, I see both Marcos sitting by the fire pit drinking beer. They’ve been waiting to ambush me this entire time, and by the looks on their faces they mean business.“Hey guys, what’s up?” I try to hide my amusement.“Sit down Erik, have a drink.” Marco hands me a beer while the other motions to a lawn chair they’ve prepared for me to sit at.I take the bottle, sit down and wait for the interrogation to begin.“We are here to listen.”“
SEEING HEART chapter 32
ErikAfter that dream, I couldn’t sleep so I ran. I ran for hours until my body burned and by the time, I got to the café everyone was up getting ready for our communal breakfast.Harley never came into the café that day. I never heard a word from her or saw her before I left for the airport, and it’s probably for the best. I thought about what I’d say to her while I was running when I saw her, none of it nice. Every word designed to hurt her, and it hurt me to think of saying these things to her, which didn’t make any sense after she spent the night with John.I’m assuming Vanessa told her I had found out, and booked a flight. Now she’s keeping her distance, waiting for me to just leave so she doesn't have to deal with the mess she made. I was wrong about her.Sam spent the morning trying to convince me that something wasn’t right about the whole situation, and that Harley would never not show up to work without at least calling. Sam was trying to call her all
SEEING HEART chapter 33
HarleyI hang up the phone after leaving the message on Erik’s voicemail. I look around his old room. He didn’t have a lot of stuff with him, now there’s even less of him in here. He just left. He just fucking left without even talking to me.After the night I had I came as soon as I could to the café to find out Erik had already gotten on a flight to LAX.Vanessa told me he overheard her stupid comment and assumed that I was fucking around with John behind his back. She apologized profusely, but to just leave without at least talking to me? That’s fucked up. I almost didn’t believe them when they all told me he left.That exfiance really pulled a number on him.The message I left would clear things up if he ever listens to it. I could never do that to him. I wouldn’t. I love him, though I’d never be able to say it out loud, I know it’s true.I lay on Erik’s bed, and everything just comes bubbling up to the surface. I can’t hold
SEEING HEART chapter 34
ErikFive Months LaterWe get off the conference call with Magnus. That asshole always rubs me the wrong way, every God damned time. If he wasn’t an old friend of my father’s I’d have no qualms with ditching him and his entire company off our client roster, but it’s not only up to just me.Simon sniggers next to me. “Erik, you really need to relax.”He starts to gather his sketches.He’s not wrong. Ever since I returned to Oslo I’ve been so tightly wound up and snappy that I’ve gone through four assistants, all quitting after just weeks at the company. I suspect the current one whose name I don't even remember is hitting send on her letter of resignation right now after my outburst this morning. I don’t even remember what it was about, but it sure felt important at the time.Simon stops to examine me and sighs. “You need to figure out a way to get closure on this. It’s festering, and it’s seeping not only into your work life, but
SEEING HEART chapter 35
ErikWhen I pull up outside The Beanie it takes a few minutes for me to go inside. Just looking at the place brings back so many memories and emotions. The longer I look at it the more I realize I was happy here. Jack was right, I needed this place; it did heal me after my mother’s passing. Not just the place but the family that lives withing it’s walls.As soon as I step inside both Marco’s eyes zero in on me, and they lose their shit. They start spouting what I assume are obscenities at me in Italian and all heads turn in my direction as they come to escort me off the premises.I don’t budge. “Where is Harley? I need to speak with her.”“Ti ha lasciato, figlio di puttana.”“Non è qui, vattene!”Sam and Vanessa appear in the doorway of the kitchen to see what the fuss is all about. There are a couple new faces I don’t recognize, but no Harley.“Where is she?” I look to Sam and Vanessa.“She’s gone.” The words g
SEEING HEART chapter 36
HarleyThe warehouse is packed tonight. I’m not surprised, it’s the last series of fights for the season. Good thing too, I’m getting over the whole thing. It’s really helped to rebuild myself after everything’s that happened, but I feel like it might be time to start a new chapter.But first, there’s one butt left to kick for the title: Kevin fucking Flanders. I love the guy but that won’t stop me from pummeling his ass in the ring.I say title but it’s just bragging rights. They’re not exactly underground fights, we have medics standing by but it’s not like they’re legitimate national fights.Dan, AKA The Beast, did an amazing job fixing this place up. It used to be an old shoe factory, now it’s a mix of night club, bar and cage match arena with a luxe industrial feel. Right now, Dan’s in the cage taking on one of his challengers for the warmup entertainment. Every 10 minutes he’ll fight someone new. If they win, they get 5 grand cash.
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