Dex and Halligan had asked Speedy if he wanted to go too, but Speedy wasn’t sure he’d be good company. This first Christmas without his parents was going to be hard, and he wasn’t going to bring everyone down.
Baron, one of the Originals of the club, walked in. Speedy would have thought he’d be spending the afternoon and evening with his wife, Regina.
“Can this old man join you?” Baron asked.
“As long as your money is green, we don’t care your age,” Dex said, holding his hand out. Baron slapped some cash into it and took a seat.
“I figured you’d be with Regina,” Speedy said.
“Aww, we’ve had plenty of time this holiday with each other. And she has a book from an author she’s been wanting to read. She said she wanted quiet time,” Baron muttered with a grin.
“Texas Hold’em, Baron, and you’re little blind,” Dex said.
Dex dealt the cards and the betting started. Speedy chuckled at the trash talking. This place he’d moved to so he could take care of his parents had become what he considered home.
“Are we going to be losing you to Texas, or have you decided to stick around?” Baron asked.
Speedy paused to answer because the chattering had stopped at Baron’s question.
“I’m just asking because you moved here because of your parents. I’m hoping you’ll stay, but I can understand if you are set on moving back to Texas,” Baron said.
“Nope, he can’t move back. I’ve got a car I’ve been wanting for fifteen years and if I find it, there’s only one man I want working on it,” Stone said.
Speedy grinned at his friend. Stone didn’t say much, but when he did, people listened.
“I’ve thought about it a lot in the last two weeks. Bootstrap called and asked my intentions,” Speedy said.
“And…” Dex asked.
“This place feels like home. I loved Cider Creek, but you all have grown on me. So, if you all will have me, I’m staying,” Speedy said.
“Good. We’re happy to have you. Now, I need to win some cash. Regina’s got her eye on another animal to add to the farm. She hasn’t said what it is yet. I’m guessing because she thinks I’ll say no. Like I’ve ever said no to that woman over the years. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. Now, ante up, boys, and get ready to lose,” Baron said.
Some days, Speedy wished for a love like he saw with Baron and Regina. Someone to share the ups and downs with. He’d only found one woman he was attracted to here. Her curves and thick thighs were what caught his attention first. Then her sweet smile and the way her eyes lit up when she was happy or someone complimented her.
He wasn’t sure if it was shyness or something else that had her walking around scared to talk to people. He wanted to know more about her and make her smile. He lived for those smiles, but she wasn’t for him.
He was ten years older than her and miles older in experience. His time in the Army and in Cider Creek had him seeing too much of the evil in the world.
She’d lived in a small town her whole life. She was sweet, innocent, and too good for someone like him. Someone would snap her up, and then the temptation would be gone.
He just hoped he could live with it when that happened. When he closed his eyes at night, she was the one who was in his dreams.
Sometimes dreams don’t come true. He couldn’t bear to be the man that wasn’t good enough for her. It was better for him to keep his distance. Yep, he’d keep things friendly because he wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings but not too friendly. She could never know how he felt about her.
Too young, too innocent, and too perfect. Nope. Not for him, and he’d keep reminding himself that until he believed it down to his core.
Chapter Three
Speedy grabbed the platter of fried chicken that Regina wanted to bring to Sunday dinner. The group kept getting bigger and bigger. Speedy kept the smirk off his face because he wasn’t facing Regina’s wrath, but her tirade when Baron suggested separating tables so they would have more seating had been funny.
Regina wanted everyone at the one table but with the number of people, it wasn’t feasible. Not that it had mattered. Baron’s suggestion had been met with silence, and then Regina had let him know her not-so-happy thoughts.
“I know you’re smiling inside, Speedy,” Regina muttered.
“I’m just carrying the fried chicken and trying not to drool on it because of the delicious smell,” he said.
“Good answer, kiss ass,” Regina replied.
