CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Starlet
“What’s he doingnow?” I ask Juanita as she enters my bedroom and closes the door.
“Sitting on the couch and watching the news.”
“Did you offer him anything? Water? Tea? Blankets?”
“No. You asked me not to.”
“Damn it,” I complain and start pacing. “Brick is impossible, you know. Persuasive and overwhelmingly sexy.”
My best friend sighs and sits on the end of my bed. “I warned you, Starlet. The more time you spend with him, the harder it gets to break away.”
“You’re right.” Juanita always is—she’s lived through the best and worst of times as an old lady. “We can’t just kick him out of here.”
“Technically, we could,” she says.
“What are you suggesting?”
“9-1-1.”
“Seriously, Juanita?”
“No.” She rolls her eyes. “I know better than to involve the police where an MC is concerned, but a girl can fantasize, right?”
“I do it all the time.” If she only knew what about. A husband and kids… “Well, he’s not sleeping with me. Is Joe coming over tonight?”
“Not a chance. I told him to stay away for a couple of days. I’ve worked hard to keep my old life and new life separate. He knows I was an old lady, but I don’t ever want him exposed to anyone connected with an MC. Can you imagine the humiliation he’d be exposed to if they found out he’s bisexual?”
I don’t even want to think about it—brothers have one track minds. “I’m the exception to the MC thing?”
“No, no, baby girl. Those words weren’t meant for you.” She extends her arms and I accept a much-needed hug.
“You’re the one good thing to come out of the Devil’s Crusaders. The rest of them can burn for all I care. Bastards.” Juanita strokes my hair. “I just want you to think things through. Try to weigh the pro and cons. If you keep sleeping with Brick, he’s going to claim you. Do you see how he looks at you?”
“Sometimes.”
“It’s scary, Starlet.”
I shake my head, blowing off the urgency of the situation. “He’s just in lust.”
“That, too.”
We share a silent look. “What do you mean?”
Juanita stands up. “Come here, Starlet.”
She positions me in front of the full-length mirror hanging on the wall and stands behind me. “I know you have a problem recognizing the truth of who you see in the mirror. But let me tell you what I see, okay?”
I nod.
“A beautiful, compassionate person who has so much to offer the world. You’re kind, Starlet. Underneath the layers of pain and distrust is the real you. In time, you’ll learn to manage your old feelings, maybe even forget if you’re lucky.”
I look at her reflection. “Have you forgotten?”
“Honestly?”
