“I shouldn’t need you anymore today. I think he’ll be finished soon.”
“Well, that’s good. He seems to really like you.”
“He does, and I think he’s one of the good ones. He served with Ryan. He was there with him the day he died.”
“I’m glad he can be here for you, too, sweetie.”
“I am, too.”
She shoves her needlepoint into a bag and stands. “Well, if you don’t need me, I’ll head home.”
“Tucker, say goodbye, honey. Mrs. Harding is leaving.”
He trots over and gives her a big hug.
I’m so lucky to have her. Maybe Tucker and I could bake her some cookies or buy her some flowers.
After she leaves, I cuddle Tucker on my lap and brush the hair from his forehead, kissing him. “How’s my baby boy?”
“Good.”
“You’ve got a birthday coming up soon. What kind of party do you want?”
“Superheroes!”
“Okay. Deal. Superheroes, it is, then. Do you want a chocolate cake?”
He nods. “With lots of icing.”
“Then you shall have it, and a big number five candle right in the middle!”
“Yeah!”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Cody—
My bike heads in the direction of Sonny’s without me consciously realizing where I’m going until I see the marquee.
Tonight’s Headliner:
Ginger
I’m not supposed to bother her. I know that, yet I can’t stop myself from making the turn onto the lot.
It’s late when I back my bike to the walk by the door.
Tiny is bouncer, and when our eyes connect, I know he’s not glad to see me.
I don’t owe him an explanation, but he deserves one anyway.
“Not here to cause any problems. I swear.”
He nods and lets me by. He’s big enough he could stop me if he wanted. I’m sure he’s been told not to let my patch get any special treatment as far as breaking the rules. Tiny has been in the club’s employment for a long time, and Cole trusts him completely. At least until I fucked that up. Still, it’s me on the outs with our president at the moment, not Tiny.
I walk down the corridor and into the main room. It’s already the last show, but I haven’t missed Heather yet, or should I sayGinger?
I find a seat in the back, and a waitress comes and takes my order. Her gaze drops to my cut, and I’m sure she knows about the trouble last week. Dancers talk, and news like that travels like wildfire.
