When I'm With You (Little Hollow Series, #2)(78)

I open the door to the right of the kitchen and hold out my arms. “It’s nothing much, but it’s home.”

He doesn’t say anything so I move further into the room, admiring the ornate black furniture. It’s all pre-owned furniture but me and Sam spent a whole day painting it black, it is after all my favorite color. When my feet touch the fluffy rug, I crouch down slowly and run my fingers through it.

“You know... when I was in that cold room, I thought about this rug.” I laugh a humorless laugh. “I wanted to be back here so I could feel how soft it is against my feet, weird huh?”

He bends down and runs his hand over it. “Nah, that’s not weird. It is pretty soft.” He winks and puts me at ease. “I like your room, it’s very… you.”

I look around in pride. “Yeah, I like it too.”

He pulls me up with one hand. “I know this is going to take some getting used to, but you don’t mind me being here do you? I know this is your space.”

I wave him off. “Hunter, we practically shared the same room for most of our life. I think I stayed at yours more times than I did at my own house, until we got older.”

“Well you’ve got me there. But I meant on a more permanent basis,” he says slowly.

I look into his expectant eyes, conveying his feelings about me. “I really didn’t think about living arrangements this whole time, but you’re here now and I don’t want you to leave. If this is what you want, then I’m up for trying.”

He grins. “So I guess this means we’re roomies then.”

I pull him by his t-shirt onto my bed. “I guess it does.”





There’s nothing more I want than to be here with Keeley, but the memory of the betrayal on Jacques’s face as he walked away from me won’t leave my mind. Pops doesn’t pay much attention to him anymore now he’s grown up, so how he acted toward me doesn’t surprise me one bit. He must think I’ve abandoned him.

I get up slowly and sit on the edge of the bed, debating whether to call him or not. Deciding to try, I grab my cell and make my way out of the room into Keeley’s kitchen, well I guess it’s my kitchen now too. Shit, that’s going to take some getting used to.

I pour a glass of orange that Sam and Connor brought back earlier on, and punch in his number. It’s ten at night so I know he’ll still be awake.

He answers on the third ring. “What the fuck do you want?”

“Don’t be like that, Jacques. I tried to find you before I left but you weren’t there.”

“Yeah, ‘cause I didn’t wanna be found!” He shouts back over the loud music in the background.

“Where are you?” I ask.

“That ain’t none of your business, now go play happy families with your new girlfriend, Nomad.”

“Wait… Jacques.” I’m too late, he’s already hung up on me. I guess he just needs time. I’ll text Smokey and tell him to keep an eye on him for me before trying again.

I make my way back to bed with Keeley. My Steely. I’ll never let her out of my sight again. Giving up club life won’t be easy, I’ll still want to ride but now I’ll have her on the back of my bike instead of my brothers by my side. It hurts a little, but for her, it’s worth it.

I climb back into bed and kiss her shoulder as she stirs. “It’s just me, beautiful. Go back to sleep.”

She moans in contentment and I find myself falling asleep shortly after.



“Wake up, sleepyheads!” A voice shouts through the door with a round of knocks.

Keeley groans beside me, “Fuck off, Sam. We’re trying to sleep.”

“Cover yourselves!” Sam walks in with her hand over her eyes while she talks to us. “I decided last night that in light of everything that’s happened, I don’t much like having you out my sight. So we’re going to the beach.”

Keeley sits up rubbing her eyes. “We’re covered.” Sam takes her hand away. “But-”

“No buts, I’m going to sort your mop out then we’re going.”

Keeley runs her fingers through her hair then flops back down. “Fine. Just go wait outside, Miss fucking sunshine.”

I laugh and give Sam a little wave. “Morning, Sam. Connor here?” She nods. “I’ll go see him if you wanna do girly shit.”

I pull back the covers and climb out of bed.

Sam gasps. “Woah! How many tattoos have you got?”

I chuckle at her amazement. “I stopped counting when it all started joining together.”

She eyes my body.

“Way to make a man feel appreciated,” Connor drawls, walking in and hugging her from behind. “Nice ink.”

“Thanks, man.” Connor has sleeves and they’re pretty decent, but I love my ink. “Apparently we’re being dragged to the beach.”

If I wasn’t looking at him, I would’ve missed the little flinch. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Him and Sam exchange a sad look but it changes to one of acceptance quickly. Wonder what that’s about?

I pull a t-shirt over my head and leave the girls to it, following Connor out to make some coffee.



Sam flops down onto the bed beside me and folds her hands behind her head. “Your guy is one hot piece.”