“Fuck. Sorry, Caroline. I was sorry anyway, but now, fuck, yeah, really really sorry. I’m just a tactile guy, but that’s not your problem, it’s mine. I swear I’m not a…” he trailed off and adjusted the tissues under his nose as he sniffed, “I’m sorry. Truly.”
That’s when the door to the shop opened, and in walked the last person I expected to see.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
ITURNED TO LOOK over my shoulder at the customer who’d just walked in, and it was a woman I didn’t recognise. One who looked instantly pissed off and stormed over to Caroline, practically shoving me out of the way.
“Are you okay? What did they do to you, C? I told you, men are all shitheads!”
Ah. She must be cousin V. That’s my assumption anyway. I picked myself up off the floor, and smoothed my jeans.
“You must be-”
“I’ll be your worst fucking nightmare if you’ve hurt her!” The woman snapped, getting right in my face, while Caroline argued with her, jumping up to tug on her arm, as the woman, V, jabbed a finger right at my chest.
“He’s not hurting me, V!”
Rocket started chuckling, even though the fucker was still trying to cover his bleeding nose.
“I like her.”
“And you can fuck off too!” V snapped at him, her arm darting around me to point at him next. I could see his point. She was fiery, direct, and couldn’t be less like her sweet diminutive cousin.
“Hi V, I’m Harley. This bellend here is Rocket. He’d shake your hand, but he’s being a wuss about a little blood right now.”
V’s lips twitched, and she backed up a step, turning to check on my Caroline. Yeah, that’s right, MY fucking woman. My old lady. I just declared that, didn’t I?
“Rocket, can you fuck off to your area, and let me sort out this little misunderstanding?”
“Yeah, wouldn’t want to eat your fist again would I, VP?”
I ignored him and backed up a few steps, giving V room, although it put me further away from Caroline than I’d like.
“Nobody was hurting Caroline, I promise. Rocket scared her, I hit him, and she got all horny about it. Right, baby?”
Oh, how I fucking loved those cheeks glowing bright red like that. She gasped, stepping past her cousin to slap my chest.
“Harley!”
“Am I wrong, baby?” She buried her face against me, and I hugged her, kissing the top of her head, while V stared at us open-mouthed.
“I’m not really a complete heathen, V. Just have a really bad sense of humour. While Caroline gets herself under control, welcome to my little shop. You want a coffee? I can send Rocket to the place down the road.”
“I’m not your bitch, VP. I’m working here.”
I grinned, watching him checking his nose via his reflection on the counter.
“Yeah, looks like it. Doing nose jobs now?”
“Fucker.”
“I’m fine, thanks. I don’t need coffee from some dickhead.”
Caroline groaned against my chest, and sounds like that while we’re in a public place are really not helpful.
“Hey, am I the dickhead?” Rocket yelled from his counter, like he needed to even raise his damn voice.
“You’re always the dickhead, and can you keep it down? Caroline likes quiet, remember?”
