Titan - New Year's Eve
I propped my elbows on the bar, studying the depths of my whiskey glass. On New Year’s Eve, the clubhouse was jam packed. The noise levels were quickly reaching a deafening level, but it was comforting too. Now that I was settling in Juniper Creek for the long term with Ruby, maybe I could resume my membership with the Reckless Order.
Then again, I might have my hands full raising a family and being a husband. I hadn’t decided yet. There was still time to figure it out though.
Ruby was working late at the coffee shop on account of the crowds. We agreed to meet at the clubhouse to celebrate the new year. She was due to show up any time now.
“Can I get you anything to eat?” the waitress asked, practically shouting to be heard over the din.
Elaine,her nametag read. Roughly in her mid-thirties, if I had to take a guess. With a kind gaze, soft voice, and laugh linesaround her eyes—too sweet to work in a joint like this, but when bills piled up, they needed to be paid, one way or another.
I remembered her from my VP days. She worked part-time back then for extra cash. Something about a kid at home…
“Not yet, no,” I said. “I’m waiting on someone.”
“I suspected as much.” She nodded to my phone, resting on the counter next to my elbow. “Every time you look at your phone, you get this dopey little smile on your face.”
“Am I that obvious?”
She shrugged and tilted her head from side to side.
“Maybe. Or maybe I’m just nosy and I like to gossip about people’s love lives too much.”
I huffed a laugh.
“You must have plenty of entertainment in a joint like this.”
“It never fails to amaze me what sappy romantics you boys are,” she replied. “Underneath all that tough guy talk and tattoos, you’re just as soft as marshmallows.”
I made a slicing motion across my throat.
“Quiet down, woman. You'll ruin our reputation.”
Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she touched a finger to her lips.
“Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”
Then a pair of arms latched around my neck from behind. Ruby pressed a loud, smacking kiss to my cheek. Her chestnut waves spilled over her shoulder as she hugged me.
“What secret?” she demanded. "Are you hiding a secret from me?"
My hand strayed to the pocket of my cut, tracing the shape of the small box hidden there. Barrett had helped me pick out the ring two days ago. He thought I was absolutely insane, but at the same time…I could see the understanding in his eyes.
Because he knew what it was like to love a woman with everything he had. That’s how he felt about his ex-wife. She hadmoved on. But he never did. I hoped one day that might change. He deserved to have another chance to grow old with someone who loved him back.
“Your biker told me I’m not supposed to blab that he’s a softie for you,” Elaine said.
Ruby snorted and rolled her eyes.
“Oh, is that all? I figured that out ages ago.”
Elaine chuckled as she headed for the kitchen.
“I’ll get you two lovebirds some dessert. On the house.”
Ruby hopped onto the bar stool next to mine, threading our fingers together.
“So, I have a surprise for you.”
