Falling For The Biker - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Arthur's POV
Our table was usually filled with drinks, laughter and drunkenness, yet today, it was filled with concern and curiosity. All eyes were on Jackson, who was seated slumped at the counter of the bar, nursing his invisible wound.
He had not taken a single drop since he walked into the bar, but one would think that from the way he looked; dejected.
“What's wrong with Jackson?” Ben finally blurted out, his eyes flickering from Jackson to me. Beside him, the couple, Carol and Ian, nodded in unison, their eyes peaked for some gossip.
“Break up,” I simply said, my voice flat.
They all laughed, not of mockery but something else. “So, they finally broke up?” Carol said.
“Good riddance, I say. It was expected, wasn't it?” Ian added.
“No one liked that Shelly, anyway. She was never good for Jackson,” Ben chimed in.
I offered a tight-lipped smile. It was Shelly's and Jackson's relationship, and I certainly was not going to dissect it for their amusement and gossip.
I got off the table and went towards Jackson at the bar. The music and the clicking of glasses in the background were very much welcomed.
“Three shots,” I gestured with my fingers to the bartender, who gave me a smile and went to work.
“We are just two,” Jackson mumbled as I took the stool beside him. His voice was slow and filled with emotions.
The bartender placed the three shot glasses in front of me, already filled. I slid two glasses to Jackson, picking up the remaining one. “You need more,” I said, my gaze on his downcast face.
Without a word, he picked up the glasses, downing them the next second. I smiled, before taking mine, the burn grazing my throat. “You know,” I began, placing the glass down.
“If I knew that picture was going to cause this level of heartbreak, I would not have sent it,”
It was a blatant bluff. I watched Jackson, a hint of amusement flickered in his eyes, catching onto my bluff. “You weren't expecting me to be this upset about Shelly, were you?” he asked.
“Well, it's just that she is not exactly known for her fidelity. The breakup was going to happen, eventually. If you didn't do it, she would have. Frankly, it was long overdue,” I said, not mincing words.
A small smile tugged at the side of his lips. “I'm not upset about that,” he said.
My brows rose, surprised. That's a new discovery. Jackson seemed to have loved Shelly. He doted on her for the most part, even though he knew how she was.
When I sent that picture, it was only to make fun of him, which I usually did, and he brushed off. He was usually hurt, not as much as today. But he never broke up with her before. If he wasn't upset about that, then what?
“What is it then?” I asked.
He sighed, running his hand through his hair. “I had another fight with Sierra,” he confessed.
“What did you do this time?” I asked, and he shot me a look.
He turned away and sighed. “I don't know why she can't understand that I am doing this for her safety,” his voice was laced with frustration and pain.
“Doing what?” I asked. “Why do you keep acting like I want to hurt her when that is the last thing I want to do?”
His sharp gaze rested on me. “You want to fuck her, Arthur,” he accused. “Not love, not respect, not care. You just want to do what you want and leave her to the side.”
That accusation stung. I had a reputation and I won't blame him for it, but this was different. It's not true,” I said. “When have I ever lied to get a woman?” I asked.
I got ladies without trying and even if I was interested in any lady, I never once lied. If they rejected, which was rare, I never gave a fuck. “That's what scares me,” he said. “Sierra is special. She's been hurt. I don't want her hurt anymore.”
“Hurt how?” I asked.
I knew she was, but I don't know what and every time I looked into those eyes that held unto so many emotions; it made me wonder what could be so cruel. It was hard holding myself back not to ask her.
Jackson shook his head, signaling the bartender for some drinks. “She won't say. But we all can see it. No matter how much she smiles and acts like she was fine, we know she isn't,” he said.
The bartender slid two glasses to us. Jackson took a sip before adding. “I can never trust a man around her again,”
“Even me?” I asked, my tone defensive.
“Especially you,” he said.
A flicker of hurt with a taint of anger filled my heart at this, but it was soon replaced by determination as I took my drink from the counter. “Then I'll just have to convince you otherwise,” I said.
I knew I was a good distance away from making Sierra mine and adding convincing Jackson was going to be a lot, but I didn't mind. Not now or ever. I would not want him a hurdle to being with who I love.
He gave me a look of surprise. “But you will just have to promise me-”
My phone buzzed in my pocket, cutting me off. I pulled it out of my jacket's pocket and my manager's name danced on the screen. The call ended, and I was about to place my phone down when he called again.
“Pick up. Take his yelling like a man,” Jackson said, a smug smile dancing on his lips as he took his drink.
“I didn't do anything,” I said, sliding my thumb on the screen. “Hey, Rod,” I said.
“Arthur! What the hell is going on? I just got the official notification. You have been removed from the international race,”