“My surgeries are my 55thbirthday present from her.”
“Gypsy, baby, even if Meggie put the fucking idea in your head, Derby ass should be happy you willing to go through all that fucking pain on his behalf.”
“He won’t be.” She met Mort’s gaze and drew in a deep breath. “I-I…c-can I say you gave me the money?”
Before he overcame his shock, Symphony reappeared and he crooked his finger at her. She stomped to him, lifted her chin, and folded her arms.
“If you want me to continue being cool with you, act like you got fucking sense.”
“I-I’m sorry,” she croaked. “It…I thought…I didn’t know you’d chosen someone else. I thought I still had a chance.”
“And I told you you didn’t,” he said, not as irritated but still harsh. He nodded to Gypsy, who’d resumed eating. “Gypsy a longtime friend of mine.” More of an acquaintance after she and Derby got together. “I’m still not fucking over Bailey, Symphony. With you, Gypsy, or no other woman. I love my wife. However, and this shit quite important, if the day ever come when I got a new woman and I bring her here, I expect you to respect her. Understand?”
She nodded.
“I could be the biggest motherfucker alive, baby.”
“He’s not,” Gypsy said. “Bailey’s a lucky woman.”
“Yeah, tell her that,” Mortician grumbled before he caught himself. She had to hate him if she wanted to fuck with CJ and Ryan and call the cops. He smiled at Symphony. “All you see is my handsome face, girl. But I’m a stingy motherfucker. You deserve a motherfucker spoiling you.”
“I-I met a guy,” Symphony admitted, shifting her weight. “He’s nice enough. He isn’t a biker, though. I thought about asking CJ if he wanted to go out. We had been texting each other, but I haven’t heard from him in days.”
“He got a lot going on, baby,” Mort said. “It’s not my place to say what. Hit him up and see what he up to.”
“He’s so young, though. He isn’t a biker, either.”
“You want a roughneck, huh, baby?”
“Who wouldn’t?” Gypsy asked. “Bad boys know how to catapult you to heaven then drag you into hell. It’s worth every minute.”
Symphony’s eyes lit up and she nodded.
“I got somebody I can introduce you to,” Mortician reminded her, referring to Bishop. “If you want me to play Cupid, I’ll bring the little motherfucker in later this week.”
“He’s a biker?”
“And in my club,” Mort confirmed. “I sponsored him.”
“I’d like that.”
“Good, now get my burger, fries, and beer, before I decide not to tip you.”
She looked at Gypsy. “I apologize for my behavior.” She pointed to the nearly empty plate. “Your meal’s on the house. What would you like to drink?”
“A beer.” Gypsy smiled at Symphony. “I understand, babe.”
Symphony scampered away.
Mortician stretched out an arm across the back of the booth. “Why you came to me with your request?” He had his suspicions. “Meggie girl paying. Why not ask her to say Prez gave it to you?”
“You’re the only one on the outs with his wife,” she admitted, confirming Mort’s theory. “Outlaw would do it for Meggie but Derby would still believe she put the idea in my head.”
“She saved his fucking life and he still got problems with her?”
Pushing her plate aside, she leaned forward. “Please don’t tell Outlaw. He wouldn’t be happy.”
No shit. “About the only thing I can do is talk to Meggie and Roxanne. Maybe, my mama-in-law can say it’s her gift.”
