Where I Belong
Chapter 63

"Anything wet" I grinned not really caring what kind it was as long as it was wine. Resting my head on my hand I watched as she placed a beer mat and a wine glass in front of me. Producing a bottle of rosè she unscrewed the lid and filled up my glass. "So what brings you here then?" She asked putting the cap back on the bottle before placing it in the fridge.

"Peace and quiet" I replied taking a sip of my drink sighing as the coolness slipped down my throat. "I'm Ava" I said holding out my hand.

"Danielle" She replied giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "Are you here visiting?" She asked taking a seat on the side of the bar. "I'm here on business" I lied. I didn't know who this woman was and she didn't need to know I was connected to the MC.

"What about you?" I asked "do you own the bar?"

"I don't own it but I run it the owner is never in town he's always on the road on business and only ever checks in every couple of months to see how the place is going". "Its a nice place how long-.."

"So this is what I'm paying you for? Chilling with the customers?" I was cut off mid sentence.

I knew that voice!

"Shut up Nate and I'm not chilling with the customers Ava here needed some cheering up and I was helping" She grinned sticking her tongue out at him. Turning round I gave him a small smile "Hey" I whispered.

"Ava?" He gasped

"Wait you two know each other?" Danielle asked.

Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip I nodded my head not being able to take my eyes of his. I wish I didn't leave him hanging I should have called him.

"Well this is awkward" Danielle sang looking back and forth between Nate and I. Clearing his throat he tore his gaze away from mine and made his way behind the bar.

"Nate you can cover its time for my break" Before he even got the chance to reply she had disappeared through the back. Something told me it wasn't time for her break at all. This really was awkward!

Watching him pour some bourbon into a glass he downed it his eyes locking with mine. Breaking his stare I stared playing with the beer mat that was once under my glass. What could I say to him that would make this situation any better? "What brings you here Ava?" He asked breaking the silence.

"You don't want to know" I whispered keeping my focus on my half empty glass. Out of all the nights to run into Nate it had to be tonight.

"Try me" Was his reply.

"I'd rather not" I sighed pushing the glass away from me and getting to my feet. This wasn't the Nate I knew but I couldn't blame him for acting this way. Pulling out $20 from my pocket I lay it on the bar. "It was nice seeing you again Nate" I said giving him a small smile before turning around and making my way towards the exit.

"Ava hold up" He yelled my feet coming to a stop just as I reached the door. Turning to face him I gasp when he pulled me in for a hug holding me tight against him. "Sorry for acting like an ass" He muttered.

He was sorry? I should be the one apologising!

"I'm the one that should be apologising I should have called you Nate and I'm sorry I didn't". Pulling back slightly I moved my arms so I could grab a hold of his hands.

"You look like hell babe" He whispered taking his hand from mine and running his fingers down my left cheek. "Wanna get out of here? I'm staying at the Hilton and Shane's right outside".

He didn't have to ask me twice and I sure as hell didn't need anytime to think about it. I wanted to go with him because when I was with Nate I didn't have to worry about anything. I could be myself around him and not need to worry about a crazy girl wanting to knife me.

"That's the best offer I've had in a long time" I croaked giving him a small smile.

...

"The penthouse suite really?" I grinned "money talks Nate". Shoving him lightly I moved further into the room.

"I always have this suite when I stay here. You want something to eat, drink?" He asked moving towards the kitchen.

"I could murder a coffee right now" I sighed following behind him my eyes taking in the beautiful room. I wonder how much it cost a night? Leaning against the island I watched him as he move around the kitchen. Ever since I met Nate being in his company felt right.

"So what's the real reason you out here?" He asked placing a steaming hot cup in front of me. Another thing I loved about him was I could tell the truth because he wouldn't judge me.

"I didn't have a choice-." I started to say only for him to cut me off.

"You always have a choice Ava remember that. Let me guess this has something to do with my idiotic brother and the MC? If you ask me I'd say you need to get out of there before you get yourself killed and trust me I'd hate to see that happen. Tell me what is it that's holding you back from leaving and cutting all ties with them?"

He was on fire tonight!

"They're still my family Nate even tho.-"

"Family? Ava your dad broke your jaw and not one of those fuckers stopped him. How can you still want to be around that behaviour? How can you go about your day to day life when you have no idea what's in front of you. You are so much better than that Ava why can't you see it?".

"What? I'm better because I'm a doctor?" I asked taking a sip of my coffee. I didn't think of myself as better than anyone. Yeah they have hurt me but blood is thicker than water.

"That's not what I mean and you know it. Is this how you want to live your life? Is this how you imagined it would be like when you were studying to become a doctor?". "No" I whispered.

"Then baby why aren't you doing anything about it?" Standing behind me he placed both hands onto my shoulders.

"I can't just abandon them they would disown me and then there's my mom I can't leave when she's about to give birth". Taking a hold of his hands I laced my fingers through his.

Feeling his breath against my neck he lay his head against my shoulder. "Forget everyone else Ava what is it that you want? What would make you happy? Because right now you look like your ready to crack".

"I've forgot what's it's like to be happy" I said my shoulders sagging. "I never wanted this life but I went looking for it. I was the one that went looking for my dad even against my moms word even after all the warnings she gave I still did it. I have no one to blame but myself. You really want to know what would make me happy? I want the white picket fence, a house to call a home. I want kids and a husband that will love me till death do us part I want a normal life Nate but I will never have a normal life because I am the daughter of Franko Mendez. It's the way it has to be am I happy about it? Defiantly not but what can I do?".

"You can have all of that Ava all you have to do it replace it and take it. You shouldn't let anyone stand in the way of your happiness and sweetheart you deserve to be happy".

"I'm sorry Nate" I whispered "I'm sorry for how I've treated you".

"You don't have to apologise babe I get that your life can be hectic but just to let you know I'll always be here. You ever need anything you come to me. I've told you this before but I'm going to tell you again I like you Ava, I like you a lot and I understand your not ready to date but just-.." Not letting him finish I turned around gripped the front of his shirt in both hands and pulled his lips to mine.

Nate was good for me I just had to remember that!

Pulling away from me a groan fell from his lips. Taking a hold of my hands he gave them a gentle squeeze. "I can't do this Ava not because I don't want to because trust me I've wanted to since I walked through the door and saw you tonight but I can't take advantage of you when you're like this it wouldn't be right sweetheart".

"You wouldn't be taking advantage Nate but I guess you're right". Dropping my hands from his I slide out of the stool I was sitting on. "I should get going".

"You're not going anywhere Ava. I won't allow you to leave this hotel when I don't know where it is you'll be going. I know just by looking at you that you don't want to go back to where ever it is you came from. Stay the night and clear your head I'll take you where ever you want to go tomorrow okay?".

Smiling at him I leaned in for a hug "Thank you Nate and thank you for being there for me. You're a great guy and a great friend I sometimes wonder what I'd do without you"

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Making my way across the kitchen and through the living room I stopped when my hand reached the bedroom door. "Do you mind if I share with you tonight? I don't want to be alone". I asked as he still stood in the exact spot I left seconds ago.

"Ava I don't think that's a good idea" He whispered his hand going up and rubbing the back of his neck.

"Okay" I frowned twisting the handle and going inside. Leaning against the back of the door I let out a loud sigh. Maybe Nate was right maybe I could run from it all leave it all behind and never look back. Pushing myself of the door I stripped out of my clothes and got inside the bed pulling the covers up and around my neck. I didn't deserve the hospitality Nate was showing me but it was nice to know he still cared. Hearing a knock at the door I frowned why was he knocking this was his hotel room.

"Come in" I called clearing my throat.

"You may want to do something about this" He said chucking what looked like my phone onto the bed. "It's been vibrating like mad" Leaning against the door frame he crossed his arms watching me.

"43 missed calls from my brother in the space of what an hour maybe two? I'd say he's a little obsessed with you".

Not to mention the two dozen text messages either.!

Grabbing a hold of my phone it started to vibrate in my hand 'dad' flashing on the screen. Now that was bad Blaze only ever contacted my dad when he couldn't handle a matter on his own and let me tell you he hates not being about to handle the situation.

"Ava what's wrong? The colors drained from your face sweetheart" Nate said his voice closer. Looking at him he was now standing at the foot of the bed.

"I need to answer this" I muttered sliding my finger across the screen not realising I had hit the loud speaker button as I did so.

"Ava baby where are you? Are you hurt? Please say something". My mom?

"Mom I'm fine I just had to get out of there" I sighed taking note that Nate was hanging on to ever word I said.

"Jesus A do you want me to go into early labour? You cannot just disappear like that honey not with everything...". "Give me that phone" My dad growled cutting her off.

"What the hell are you playing at Ava? The reason I sent you up there was to be protected, was so that Blaze could protect you. Why the hell would you leave without him dammit".

Holding the phone at arms length I cringed at how angry he sounded. Okay so maybe running out of there was a bad idea but I'm not hurt and I'm not in any danger.

"Ava Maria Mendez are you fucking listening to me? I want you to phone Blaze and tell him where you are so he can pick you-"....

Chucking my phone to the side I pulled my knees up to my chin. Yeah he'll probably be a lot more angry now that I hung up on him and he has no idea where I am but to hell if I was going to sit and let him scold me like a child. As my phone continued to vibrate I lay my head on my knees staring at floor. Feeling the bed dip I turned my head when I felt his hand on my leg.

"You sure put up with a lot of shit Ava. Can I get you anything? Is there anything you need?" He whispered. No matter the situation Nate always thought about my needs always put me first.