My gut says no, but my heart…it’s going to hurt if I am wrong.
***
I should have been kinder. Her being a user doesn’t excuse me for being rude…Is telling the truth rude?
The clubhouse comes into view through the trees. Work will distract me. Maybe I’ll get some time in the shop to work on bikes. I’ve barely had any time there lately.
Being the prez definitely has its drawbacks. The gate opens as I pull up and straight into my spot. I’ve barely gotten the kickstand down when Leech rushes out.
Something happened.
No one better be dead.
“Sylver wants to stay,” Leech says even before he reaches me.
Sylver? Who is Sylver? The name sounds vaguely familiar, but I don’t remember any of the brothers dating someone named Sylver. Why can’t I remember? My hot neighbor fried my brain. “Who?”
“Sylver. Reaper’s…it feels wrong to call her his girlfriend. The woman he used as a punching bag.”
How could I forget about her? She helped bring a bomb into my home. “Don’t really care what she wants. She isn’t welcome here.”
Leech shakes his head. “But she has nowhere else to go. Sylver said she’s afraid he’ll hurt her or worse if she leaves.”
Not my problem…and I really wish it wasn’t. But while she’s recovering at my clubhouse, that makes her my problem. “Do you believe her?”
Doctors are generally good at spotting liars.
“I want to…”
At least this is a distraction. “Let’s go talk to her.” Then kick her out of my clubhouse.
We start towards the medical center.
“Even with all the pain she’s been in, she’s been a model citizen. Kind, respectful, and even thoughtful at times.”
Which still doesn’t excuse bringing a bomb into my home or planning to let another woman get hurt under my roof. “That’s something.”
The main room isn’t full, but like always, there are people hanging out, talking, drinking, and relaxing. I nod to a few people but move quickly and avoid prolonged eye contact, which would doubtlessly result in a conversation or ten.
“Have you heard about Bram’s new lady?”
“That’s all everyone has been talking about. I haven’t met her yet. Have you?”
Leech shakes his head. “Nope, I’m not sure I want to until she’s on the back of his bike. From what I heard, she’s enough to tempt a brother, and she knows The Cake Lady. What more could a guy want?”
“You do know amazing food isn’t everything.” Though those crepes this morning were amazing, even with all the roasted vegetables inside. That must have been what caused my temporary insanity. What was I thinking, taking Greer shopping?
“According to Fly and Bear, this woman has it all. But food ranks pretty high on any man’s list.”
“Not any man.”
“Most men aren’t women-haters.”
“I don’t hate women.” Except maybe Greer.
Leech raises an eyebrow as he opens the door to the medical center.
And it’s a full-blown medical center. We had everything we’d need installed down here to have our own trauma unit available 24/7. You can’t be too careful, or always rely on small towns for all the urgent medical care you might need. Those arethe times I’m not complaining about all these doctors wanting to join.
