“Yeah, because I wasokayto go back to the way things were between us.”
“Ah, shit,” Eli mutters.
“Will someone please explain to me what the hell you all are going on about?” I’m losing my patience with the lot of them.
“Don’t hit the messenger,” Cash says, smirking. “But if I’m hearing this right. Your woman made a mistake, overstepped, and you dismissed her from the clubhouse for it. Right?”
I nod. “Yeah, but then she came back and apologized, and we were good.”
“No,” Cash says, pursing his lips. “Youwere good. Linzie was looking for some kind of gesture or something other than the typical presidential response.”
I lean back, pinching the bridge of my nose, trying to stave off the headache that’s creeping in.
“Women like reassurance, Pres. A hug. A kiss. Hell, putting your arm around her shoulders and bringing her close might’ve been enough. You were in Pres mode. But Linzie isn’t one of your men or one of the brothers. She’s not a prospect. She was supposed to be your woman. But you treated her like one of the boys.”
“Fuuuck.”
“And we have a lightbulb, boys!” Eli shouts, and I flip him the finger. I need to make amends and have a talk with Linzie. I need to hear fromherabout why she ran off and where we stand in all of this. I want to claim her and make her my ol’ lady, but if what my brothers say is true, I have some shit to make up for first.
CHAPTER 11
LINZIE
It’s still dark out this morning as I head down to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee. I feel silly wearing my son’s hoodie and sweatpants, but in my rush to grab my clothes from the house I forgot my pajamas and had to borrow some again. At least this time I don’t have to worry about running into Gabe when I return them. Trevor will come home and get them later if need be.
“What do you think is going to happen if this snow doesn’t let up soon?” I hear a male voice ask. Slowing my pace, I tiptoe the last few feet so I can hear and not get caught.
“We’ll just have to keep everyone here until it does. The clubhouse has plenty of rooms and supplies to last us.” I recognize Gabe’s deep voice saying.
“Yeah, but what about the kids, Pres?” When I get to the corner, I spot Mason sitting across from Gabe at the table with a cup of coffee in his hand. “They can’t go without presents and a visit from Santa Claus. Kaylie’s only six, Pres. I can’t allow her to be let down by Santa. It would crush her little heart.”
“Yeah, I know. We’ll figure something out. I know Mom and Dad have some of the gifts up at the house. If we can at least getup the hill to grab that stuff, there will be something to put under the tree. But I can’t guarantee we have anything up there that’s on that little girl’s wish list. Did you see how many pages she wrote in her letter?” Gabe chuckles.
“Yeah, I did. I planned to get most of it too, if this weather ever lets me get out of here.” Mason sounds so frustrated. It’s sweet how much he cares.
I make my way into the room and quietly head for the coffee machine. I find the box of coffee pods Andi brought with her, and rummage through until I find a blonde roast.
“Here, Linzie. You make coffee all the time for everybody else. Let me do this for you. Would you like anything to eat? I can whip up some eggs, bacon, and toast if you’d like?” Mason offers, taking my cup from my hand.
“No, thank you. Coffee will be fine.”
“Blonde roast, huh?” Mason smiles.
“It’s the best.” I wink, and he chuckles.
“Go have a seat. I’ll bring it over to you. Would you like cream or sugar?”
“She takes cream and a teaspoon of sugar,” Gabe answers from his spot at the table.
“Got it, Pres.” Mason goes behind the bar and grabs what he needs from the main fridge and tips his chin in the direction of the table, urging me to go have a seat. Not wanting to be difficult, I walk over and sit down in Mason’s abandoned seat.
“Good morning,” Gabe greets, sipping from his cup. “Sleep well?”
“As well as to be expected with all the excitement about the wedding and Christmas. Not to mention the grumblings of a disgruntled teenager who had to share a bed with a six-year-old starfish.”
“I’ll see if there’s another air mattress in the basement one of the guys can bring up and put in the room. Maybe Kaylie would like to have her own bed,” Gabe offers.
“I don’t know about Kaylie, but I’m certain Lilah would appreciate it.” Gabe nods, his lips curving at the corners in a soft smile. Mason comes over, setting my fresh cup of coffee down on the table. “Thank you.” He nods and shuffles off.
