Damn, I want more than a friend. She’s gorgeous inside and out. I can see she has her own demons, but she’s extending an olive branch to a complete stranger. I’m so out of practice with being with others it actually scares me.
“Yeah, I can go for some food, if you don’t mind. I’ve got some cash on me so, well, I guess if you have room for my stuff and will drive me back either here or the other side of the trees, I’d be grateful.”
Instead of saying anything. she walks up, grabs the pack, and starts back to her vehicle. I’m shocked that someone so tiny not only picked up the pack but is carrying it like it’s no big deal. Damn, she’s full of surprises. I quickly bend down, grab my backpack, and follow her to the driveway. She opens the back hatch and we put both of the bags in there. She looks at me,quietly telling me to sit where I’m comfortable. Yeah, she gets me. I make my way to the passenger side and look inside. I’m not a fan of any kind of vehicle, but hers looks pretty roomy. Taking in a deep-ass breath, I let it out and slowly open the front passenger door. Taking my time I manage to get in and close the door. Once Dottie is in, she looks my way.
“Please put on your seat belt.”
Nodding, I reach behind my right shoulder, pulling down the belt, then clipping it in. She starts the car quickly, turning the radio down. My God, how can she hear anything, that was killer loud. She makes a three-point turn and heads back toward the town I briefly saw when I first got here. Neither of us talk so I reach over and turn the radio up a bit. It’s been years since I’ve listened to music. I mean, yeah, I’ve heard it depending on where I was at but not in a car. Pretty quickly we are in town, which by the sign I saw, we are in Timber-Ghost in Montana. When I was told to find Ollie out in Montana, thought it was crazy. Then I went to the library one day because first, it’s one of my favorite places to go ’cause I love to read. Secondly, it allowed me to do research on Montana and on the Blue Sky Sanctuary.
Fuck, I fell in love with Montana with the first photo I saw.Beyond stunningis what I thought and now that I’m here, that photo didn’t do it any justice. As the car starts to slow down to turn, I just make out the end of the sign “Bar & Grill” so I’m gonna assume this is the place her club owns. Looks pretty busy, which sets my nerves running wild. I don’t do well with people, especially now. I jump when a hand grabs mine, briefly squeezing it, and just as quickly letting it go.
“Got no worries here, Benji. If you want to eat in the bar we will, or we can find a quiet table in the grill area. Or we can sit in the kitchen with Cook and eat. Whatever you want to do, I’m game.”
She opens her door, gets out, and slams it shut so I follow suit. Once I make it to her side, we start to walk toward the back door when it flings open and a younger guy walks out with garbage, looking our way he then smiles at the woman at my side.
“Hey, Dottie. Shit, mean Storm, how’s it going?”
“Not too bad, Kon. Is it busy in there tonight?”
“Nope, been steady though. Heartbreaker’s been busting her ass, shit, mean butt, as that new waitress called in and quit. And Peanut’s not feeling well, so since I was here having dinner with some buddies, told Heartbreaker I’d help out by bussing and taking the garbage out. Hope that’s okay?”
Realizing both the kid and I are watching her, she smiles my way. Then she answers, I believe she called him Kon.
“Dude, why wouldn’t it be okay? I’ll make sure Tink and Taz know so they can take care of you for being so kind. Oh, crap, this is a new friend. Kon, meet Halo. Halo, this is Konstantin, who’s a friend of the club.”
I watch as Kon’s shoulders go back a bit. He seems to be trying to look bigger, but shit, next to me he looks like a scrawny kid. He must read the vibes coming off me ’cause he doesn’t extend his hand, instead he puts up a closed fist for knuckles. I’m shocked as he seems to get me as I knock knuckles with him.
“Nice to meet you, Halo. Go on in. I got to get this garbage dumped then get back inside. See ya both in there.”
I nod with my eyes on Kon, and when I turn I see Dottie watching me.
“He looks a bit lost. The kid okay, Dottie?”
“Not really. His family has just gone through a huge shitstorm and they are slowly trying to regroup and recover. I introduced you as Halo, as that’s what everyone calls you. You okay to head inside now, Benji?”
Again, she calls me Benji, which I like. I nod as I pull the door farther open and walk inside after her. As we get farther in, I can hear the noise and music from the bar area. First person I see is a very skinny woman and, damn, she looks really sick. Dottie walks over to her, putting a hand on her shoulder, which has the woman jumping. I hear her gasp.
“Oh damn, Dottie, you scared the crap out of me. What’s up? Didn’t expect to see you here tonight. Oh, wow, are you on a date?”
I hear Dottie suck in air and guess a date with me isn’t such a good thing from her reaction. Though before I can hear Dottie’s words, I speak up.
“Sorry, but doubt this woman would ever date someone like me. Can you point out where the restrooms are? I’d like to wash my hands.”
The woman points me in the direction of the bathrooms, knowing the women would talk while I’m taking care of business.
I watch her grab Dottie’s arm while winking, so guess that’s her subtle way of telling Dottie I’m on my way back. I keep scanning and looking around but can feel my body is still on alert. Damn, will I ever be able to truly relax? When I join them again, after Dottie introduces Peanut to me, we are told to take the table off to the side, in the back. I can see why she did it because it’s out of the way and one of the quieter tables on the restaurant side. Dottie tells her thanks then we move toward the table. I move around Dottie, taking a seat on the side that is up against the wall. Military training and life in general has me doing this whenever I’m in similar situations. Looking at the woman across from me, I can tell she understands. Just as Dottie goes to sit, I hear a long whistle before I see a smokin’ redhead grinning. She’s standing at the edge of the row looking at our table, eyes filled with mischief.
“Forget to tell me something, prospect?”
Dottie just shakes her head, I guess knowing the woman is trying to get under her skin. I quietly watch their interaction but say nothing. Before Dottie can even introduce me, the redhead takes it upon herself to do the introductions.
“Hey there, tough guy, I’m Heartbreaker. I’m one of Dottie’s club sisters. And you are?”
Not sure how to respond, I just wait, taking in a deep breath. After a few minutes I try to do what normal folks do, even though it takes a lot from me. “Hi, I’m Halo. Nice to meet ya, Heartbreaker.”
Just as she goes to reply, Kon comes up and puts a hand on her shoulder. His eyes meet mine and he doesn’t hold back.
“Sorry, my man, but this one dates no one until I approve them. Since I’m too young for her, we agreed I’d have a say in who she sees.”
