“Thank you, darlin’. I’m just in my street clothes. I’d much rather be in leathers.”
“That’s what she said,” Rocket murmured under his breath, as he straightened out a stack of flyers with intense concentration.
“Let’s go, baby.” Harley took my hand and tucked me under his side, and not for the first time, I marvelled over how perfectly I fit under his arm. Like we were made to fit together like this.
“So, uh…” Henley stepped up on my other side, maintaining a respectful distance, but feeling very much like a protector flanking me. There was something about him that put me at ease pretty rapidly.
“Yeah. They teach you conversation starters like that in Henley, mate?”
They both laughed, and I found myself relaxing further, as we crossed the hard grassy ground toward a large food tent.
“I’m a master of many things,” Henley joked, gesturing to a large group to step around us, while he acted like a barricade between them and me.
We made it safely into the crowded tent, with two men providing a support bubble for me, one a virtual stranger and the other, hopefully my forever.
“Damn, look at those burgers,” Harley groaned, watching people heading away with their food. They were huge, definitely man-sized.
“I’d never get all that in my mouth!”
A snort and then chuckling had me blushing, because it was definitely a ‘that’s what she said’ moment, but I appreciated neither of them actually saying it.
They both ordered burgers when they reached the counter, and I opted for a cheese and ham panini, because it was a safe option, and I could definitely get it in my mouth.
We each ordered a coffee too, and Rocket’s order, and then we made the short trek back to our stand. Rocket had it shipshape again, so you’d never know there had been any kind of altercation there.
I took my seat and the men stood around to eat and chat, while I listened, and kept half an eye on the crowd of people moving around the stands, stopping to talk to vendors, or heading straight for beer and food. I didn’t feel unsafe anymore, but I still felt edgy, like someone else could turn nasty or something.
“Caroline, you want me to get rid of that?” I lifted my eyes to see Harley reaching for the paper sandwich box, which I’d held on my lap while I ate.
“Thanks.”
He gathered up everything and headed off to the recycling area, while I picked up my kindle again and started to read, but when Harley returned, I ended up tuning back in on the conversation around me.
“So, you want to come to the club tomorrow, and I’ll show you around? You can meet our Pres, Micro, and a few of the others. It’s Sunday, so there are bound to be plenty stopping by.”
Henley nodded, looking as relaxed with our group as if he’d known us for years.
“That’d be great, thanks. I’d love to find somewhere to hang regularly. I’ve been living here nearly a year, and I’d given up hope.”
“You might still, when you meet the Pres,” Rocket joked, looking suitably spanked when Harley shot him a glare.
“Micro is fucking solid, and I’ll beat down anyone who disagrees,” Harley warned, and Henley laughed.
“Can’t wait to meet him. How does he feel about vintage rides? My pride and joy is myVincent Black Shadow.”
They all fell silent, as Harley and Rocket stared at the potential new member in shock. I wondered if he’d have to be a prospect if he joined up. I had no idea how these things worked.
“You have what? How… Jesus fuck, yeah, bring that. I need to see it.”
The rest of the day went pretty smoothly, but I was exhausted by the time we were leaving, even wondering if I had the energy to hang onto Harley for the ride home. He kept suggesting I go in the van, so I could rest, but I didn’t want to be with them. I wanted to be with him.
By the time we reached my house, luckily with no mishaps, although I had almost dozed off a few times along the way, Harley pretty much carried me inside, and put me to bed, wrapping himself around me as we both drifted off into blissful sleep.
Chapter Thirty-Six
AT LUNCHTIME ON SUNDAY, we had a meeting scheduled with Micro and Grease, to go over the plans for the new site. I’d also compiled, with Caroline’s help, a list of requirements for while the demo/build was in progress, and vendors to use for those.
She was surprised when I asked her to come with me, to help talk them through the ideas, but by the time we reached the clubhouse, her laptop safely tucked in her backpack, I think she’d relaxed into the idea. It was looking more and more like she’d be able to tolerate biker life, even if it wasn’t as fully as I’d love her to be involved. It was a huge fucking relief.
