“There are no red flags with Harley. I’ve never met a more ‘green flag’ person in my life. He puts me first, always. He checksin on me and actually makes sure I don’t forget vital things like eating or hydrating. He’s good for me.”
I pushed aside the last few bites of my cold toastie. Yeah, it was full on cold by the time I ate it. Not my preference.
“I know. I’m happy for you both. I think you make him feel more fulfilled and soften his edges a bit. He’s different even since I first met him.”
A cheeky grin warned me that the subject was about to change. “So… you and Rocket? K.I.S.S.I.N.G.”
I rolled my eyes at her, even though her cuteness was just another hint at how much she’d grown lately.
“Nobody does that anymore, C. Not grownups anyway. Rocket’s…” I trailed off, because what could I say? He’s hot? He is. I couldn’t say it though. He’s fun? He is, but am I? He’s gentle when it counts? He definitely is, but I can’t let myself fall for gentle, can I?
“He’s taken on something big and important, and I’m just helping him with it.”
I swear she fucking dimpled at me this time.
“With your tongue?”
“Bite me.”
“Seriously, though, you guys seem to get on well, and he doesn’t back down from you.”
Oh that’s a compliment, right? Not.
“I’m hard work, I know. He seems to know just how to take the stuff I throw at him, and sends it right back. It’s refreshing. I don’t feel like I’ll offend him, because he seems to have a really thick skin. I’m not like I was. I won’t be weak again, and I think he understands that.”
Caroline sipped her coffee, looking perfectly at ease in a public place, again something I never thought I’d see.
“What’s their club like?”
She shrugged a shoulder. “I’ve only been there a few times so far, and it was empty when I got there that first time, but then there were so many noisy men. Rocket actually got into a bit of a scrap with Grease. I ended up with the old ladies, and they’re lovely. It made me realise the club might not be a terrifying place for me after all. And then there was the day I had my old lady tattoo-”
I lifted my eyebrows at her. “I still can’t believe you got that. You letting someone tattoo your skin like that.”
“Rocket did it. He’s very talented, and he knows how to make me feel safe with him up close. He chatted away to me, distracting me as much as he could. He’s a good man, V.”
It was something I was realising more and more. Perhaps the brash exterior was nothing more than a suit of armour he used, to hide the gentler man inside. The good, kind man. The one who Caroline had obviously met already, and felt safe with. If she could cope with him, despite how loud and offensive he often chose to be, there had to be more to him. Hadn’t I been seeing it now and then? Not only that, but I kind of wanted to see more. More of everything.
Chapter Eight
When the ladies returned,I think they noticed the awkward silence between us right away, because they exchanged puzzled glances, and Caroline practically wrapped herself around her man, like he was the fucking injured party here. I was the poor fucker who always got treated like I had no feelings, but whatever, right? The worst part was V looking at me like she wanted to do something, but had no idea what, because we were practically fucking strangers. She didn’t owe me anything. In fact, it was the other way around. She’d gone out of her way to help me with Nixie, and I hadn’t repaid that, had I? What could I possibly offer this, frankly, kinda dangerous woman, that would make up for her time and effort?
“Did something happen while we were gone?” She asked softly, uncharacteristically so, in fact, as she leaned against my counter. I glanced over her head at Harley, who was watching me with a little crease in his brow, just like he had ever since our little spat earlier. I don’t know why it was such a shockto everyone that I had fucking feelings, but I clearly couldn’t change their opinion of me either way.
“Rocket?”
I shrugged, trying to hide how fucking hurt I was by Harley’s attitude.
“Don’t mind me. I don’t have feelings apparently.”
“For fuck’s sake! That’s not what I said. You’re twisting my words, brother.”
I glared at Harley as he approached me once more, tossing my mask on the counter, and naturally sending it bouncing onto the floor on the other side.
“Brother? You call me brother now? I thought I was just some pissant who’s not worthy of licking a woman’s shoes, even though I never even fucking tried. I just wanted a friend, do you get that? Someone to fucking talk to! Someone to maybe give a shit if I live or die, but yet again, all I get is being judged and treated like a cunt.”
Fuck hanging here and putting up with that asshole’s judgement. I moved around the counter, grabbing my cut, for what it was fucking worth at this point, and leaning in to grab Nixie.
“Rocket, wait!”
