“What happened to you after that night?”
He stares down at me for a moment. “We were lucky enough to get a job with an ornery older woman named Blanche. She owned a 24 hour diner. She gave us the night shifts and then let us crash in her place upstairs during the day while she worked. We did that for a couple of months until we had enough cash to get us a place and some furniture.”
“That’s very kind of her.” I smile, thankful that someone in the world cared enough to look after three teen boys until they got on their feet.
“She was a grumpy old thing, but she had a huge heart and taught us everything we know.”
I nod, and take his hand, lacing our fingers together. We stand in comfortable silence as we watch the girls, now dressed as Spiderman, aggressively singing into the karaoke microphones. I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face. Our pasts may be messy but they’re ours. And now we have each other to make sure the girls have everything they need to move forward and live the lives they dream of. Just like I’m doing.
Chapter 8
Vex
Iguide Loyal and the twins to a table in the clubhouse with the DRMC women and then stumble my ass into the kitchen.
“Holy shit, what happened to you?” Rider asks, side eyeing me.
Blinking, I rub my eyes to focus, for some reason I’m seeing two of the big bastard.
“No use rubbing your eyes. What you are seeing is correct,” Wire says on his way past with coffee in one hand and one of Mama Debs’ donuts in another.
“Did we?” I mumble, looking around for my chapter brothers.
“Yes, it appears we got ourselves a Rider,” Dex answers drily.
“He’s fuckin awesome, cher! You know that he’s walkin ‘round missing half a nipple?” Damian asks, looking around at us like this is the most mindblowing thing he’s ever heard.
“Ignore them. They don’t understand real greatness or celebrity. Do you know when it happened the little kids wouldn’t even share their cookies? I wasinjured,man!”
“Savage cruelty, mon ami.” Damian shakes his head sadly.
I stare at them a moment longer, then decide coffee is more important and those two are starting to creep me out. Moving to the machine I pour a large cup, not even doctoring it any. I need it black.
“Rough night, brother?” Sniper asks, and I’m surprised by the interaction.
“Let’s just say it was long.”
He raises a brow in question, and I take a long gulp, letting the warm caffeine flow through my bones for a beat. “The girls were so excited by their new room that they were up far too late singing karaoke. And I use the word singingveryloosely.” He snorts, taking a sip of his own coffee before waving me on. “The prospects did a seriously amazing job on the redecorating, but there was only one bed in the master bedroom.”
“And? You want Loyal to be yours, don’t you?”
It’s my turn to raise a brow while he takes a gulp. “What makes you think that?”
“I have eyes? Fucking good ones?”
“Yeah, I want her. But I don’t want to rush her. She’s not had the best life, man. And now she’s working to become an EMT and I don’t want to stifle her in any way. I want her and I’ve told her as much, I just have to make sure she wants the same thing and that she isn’t going to put off her dreams to make me happy. It’s what she’s conditioned to do. Shit, it’s what all the women we rescue have been conditioned to do.”
Sniper leans on the counter, studying me for a moment in silence. “Her programming must have been shit then because she’s the one that was smuggling women to your sister. She’s still doing that now with people like Nell and her daughter.”
“Wanna know what I think?” a voice says from behind me.
“Not really but I know you’re gonna hit me with it, Love Prez.” I turn to find Pops standing in the pantry cupboard doorway, Mama Debs behind him.
“Wait, have you two been-”
“Shut it Rider 2, none of your business.” Pops barks at Damian who just grins back. “I think you should acknowledge Loyal’s past, then forget about it. You know the girl that shewas.You’re only just learning the woman she isnow.So, take your time getting to know the woman. I mean, shit, kid, you’ve got her on a silver platter at the moment.”
“He’s right,” Tank butts in. “This is what Mira calls the ‘forced proximity’ trope. Two people with the feels find themselves thrown together in a situation where they have to spend time together. And you said there was one bed, yeah?” I stare at him while Sniper nods the affirmative. “Ah, yes, the ‘one bed trope’. This is a great one but terrible at the same time.”
