“You did what?! How dare you? How dare you think you have to speak for me! I don’t need you or anyone else protecting me, do you get that? I don’t need a fucking man to be my saviour, because I can save my own damn self!”
Did I advance on him as I snarled those words? And did he back up warily, no longer using Caroline as a shield, because he really wasn’t the kind of man to do such things. Maybe for a laugh, but not for reality.
“V, I’m sorry, okay? He was there and we were talking, and I just… I guess I just wanted to remind him what you’ve been through, because I didn’t want him toying with you or something. Of course he’s been through hell too, so he took it as me taking your side over his, and yeah… I fucked up. I know it. We all know it. I’m sorry. I’ll apologise to him too, even though I know it’s not going to fix what I said.”
I unfolded my arms, but my fists were clenched, because I was so fed up with men thinking women needed their protection. Maybe Caroline needed that, because so much of life was a struggle for her, but I sure didn’t. I’d just left a man who didn’t protect me though, so was it rebellion, or was it just a sense of unfamiliarity with such things?
“I get that your heart was probably in the right place, Harley, but you don’t speak for me. You never get to speak for me, and you need to be nicer to him. He’s a good person. He’s… he’s got a real heart, and he hides it well, I know, but that’s because of people treating him like shit!”
“A little help here, baby?”
Caroline shook her head, folding her own arms, but for some reason it just looked cute on her. She was so petite that, with folded arms and a frown, she looked the absolute opposite of threatening. Harley’s face fell though.
“You made this bed for yourself, Harley. I love how you protect me, I really do, and I love that you wanted to extend that protection to my loved ones, but V’s right. She’s strong enough to navigate life and fight for herself. And for the record,” she smiled a little, avoiding my eye, “I know she liked kissing him, so-”
“Dammit, cuz! You’re supposed to have my back!”
She shook her head again. “I’m literally caught between a rock and hard place here. I can’t back either of you, not because either of you are right or wrong, but because it isn’t my place to get involved.”
I shot Harley a triumphant look as he groaned in anticipation.
“Just like it wasn’t yours.”
He lifted his hands. “I’m sorry. I’m a prick, I get it. I’m staying out of things involving you, I swear. I’ll make it up to Rocket at the clubhouse or here tomorrow. Assuming he comes back.” He glanced at Rocket’s setup, which had been left in disarray since he left in such a hurry.
“I’ll sort his stuff out,” I said firmly, even though I had no idea what to do. I just really didn’t think he’d want Harley back there messing with it all. I picked up the discarded mask and took it behind the counter, and then I checked that things weren’t left powered up, but beyond that I had no idea what to do.
“I need to go and see him. He needs this stuff of Nixie’s for tonight,” I said as I gathered up the bits he’d left without.
“He’s left the clubhouse apparently. Micro just sent me an update. Said he spoke to him, and it got a bit heated, but he’s going to meet a friend for a drink. Probably Has. They’re close.”
I shrugged. “Don’t care. Text me the address of where he’s gone, and I’ll take these to him.”
Harley nodded, gesturing to the bags. “Or I could take them to the clubhouse for him?”
“No. I need to see he’s okay.”
I waited while Harley sent a text to someone to find out where Rocket was, and then he pinged me the address of a classy pub on the edge of town. Not the kind of place I’d imagined he’d go to, but who’s misjudging who now?
Chapter Nine
The pub was nice,and Has arrived about fifteen minutes after me, which was enough time for me to sink a beer and let the last of the anger seep out of me. I was always quick to anger, but it usually dissipated pretty damn quick. Unless it involved that prick, Grease. Honestly, I couldn’t really remember what I hated him for, but at this point, backing down seemed like the pussy way out. He seemed to feel the same way about me, so why bother.
“Hey man, oh my god, who’s the little darlin’ in your lap?”
“That’s what she said,” I muttered with a grin, passing a sleepy Nixie to him, “I’ll get you a beer while you get to know Nixie.”
I watched him for a moment to make sure he had a good grip on her, because fuck me, I’m like a nervous parent with her, and then I headed to the bar, and bought two beers for us. I knew I shouldn’t have more than one and drive, but I figured I could crash in one of the rooms here if need be and head home tomorrow. Has wouldn’t have more than one, but he’d stay and talk as long as I needed. I missed him every day now I livedaway from him, but he had Elise now, so he wasn’t exactly lonely without me.
“Okay, why Nixie?” He asked when I set his beer in front of him, and realised he had no intention of passing my baby back to me just yet. For some reason, instead of snapping at him, like she’d done with both Harley and Micro, she’d snuggled right into his arms. That said a lot about him as a person, I was sure, because dogs had better instincts than us. They could tell an asshole on sight, or scent. Whatever.
“Nix, like Phoenix. I’m not real imaginative,” I said bashfully, as I took her back now and settled her in my lap again. She was so warm that I’d missed her while he held her.
“I like it, and stop that shit. You know you’re a fucking smart, creative guy. Someone’s done a number on you today, and on top of what the bitch did, I’m betting it’s fucking with your head.”
I shrugged. “Harley made his opinion of me clear today. The thing I don’t get is why he’d choose to invite me into his business if he thinks I’m such a cunt.”
Has sipped his beer, glancing at the pup in my lap again. “Dogs like good people, and she’s happiest with you, so that should tell you who you really are. And if that doesn’t do it, hear it from me. You’re better than everyone realises, including yourself, so you need to try and remember that. You wanna talk about what he said? Just so I can point out how he’s wrong and stupid?”
