Holden scoffed. “Well, yeah, but I thought I was empowering him to makegoodchoices for himself. If these are his choices, he has more growing up to do.”
I winced, because Holden wasn’t totally wrong. Bailey had been young and foolish to do this. But if Holden was pissed about this, how would he feel about Bailey choosingme?
Was I just another bad choice of a rash young man?
I’d been looking forward to telling the brothers about me and Bailey. I wanted to be open and honest with them.
Minutes ago, they’d made me feel like family. They’d told me I’d earned my place here, that I was an honorary brother.
I’d begun to hope that they’d be okay with me being involved with Bailey. Hell, in my wildest fantasies, they were even happy. They said shit like,He chose a good manorWe know you’ll take good care of him.
But now, Holden was questioning Bailey’s choices. Wondering what other mistakes he’d made.
And I had the sinking feeling that was exactly how he’d see a relationship with me.
Just another mistake made by the problem child.
CHAPTER 24
Bailey
The holdingcell smelled like urine, stale sweat, and weed. My stomach churned, though I wasn’t sure if it was the scent or nerves over what Holden would have to say when he got here.
I’d forestalled his lecture, but I was sure it was coming. I couldn’t even be mad. I’d done a stupid thing.
Owen had already been racing, but would he have ditched me like Petie if he weren’t? These guys weren’t my friends. I’d let my longing for home, for the mechanic work that was so second nature to me, cloud my judgment.
“You fuck off!”
“No, you fuck off!”
Two dudes started a shoving match on the far side of the cell. I stayed where I was, seated on a hard metal bench near the corner.
The guy to my left laughed like it was the funniest shit he’d ever seen. “Fuckin’ fools!” he called.
I winced, hoping he didn’t attract their attention. They were in each other’s faces, bumping chests, and posturing. Justbehind them, I recognized a face from the crowd at the drag race. Another unlucky bastard who got left behind.
“Hey, settle down in there!” a voice boomed.
I recognized the ring of authority. I’d heard it in Dalton’s voice a few times when he got his sheriff on.
A police officer came into view. The guys jumped apart like a couple of lovers caught in the act.
“We gettin’ out of here?” one asked hopefully.
“Not you,” the officer said. “Steele! You’re up.”
My heart skipped. It was way too soon for Holden and Flynn to be here. I glanced around to make sure there wasn’t another Steele in the cell.
“Bailey Steele? C’mon. I don’t have all day.”
I hopped up. “That’s me.”
“Move your ass.” He unlocked and slid back the cell door for me. “The rest of you just hang tight.”
I stepped out into the corridor. The officer locked a hand around my upper bicep to keep me there while he closed the door. Then he tugged me alongside him. “I’m going to do you a favor and not bother with the cuffs, kid. But don’t make me regret that.”
“I’m not being bailed out?”
