Wandering into the parking lot I press the unlock button on my keys. My little car may not be the fanciest around, but she’s safe for me and Kit and was one of the first things I bought once Travis’ money came through. I was never allowed to own a car when he was alive, so buying the little Toyota seemed like a bigmiddle finger to him. He may be dead but that doesn't mean I’ll stop trying to give him the middle finger as he rots in hell.
We wander closer and Switch plucks the keys from my hand, rushing to the passenger side and holding the door open. Peeking up at him he looks a little sheepish as his big body shifts from one foot to the other.
“I’d feel safer if I drove you. I promise to take good care of your girl.”
I look up at Switch, brows furrowed. “How did you know she’s a girl?”
He grins. “Kit told me you’d named her Petal, so it made sense.”
I have the urge to hide my pink cheeks, to dip my head in embarrassment, but I don’t think I feel embarrassed. Travis would have belittled me, Switch accepts it as fact and joins in. I fight against my instincts and keep my head up, burning cheeks on show and a smile on my face. Petal makes me happy and I think she makes Switch happy too because he beams at me as he waits patiently for me to get in. He shuts the door gently behind me and then walks around the front of the Petal. I watch him with hungry eyes, he’s so handsome. Not in a pretty boy way, but in a ruggedly handsome way. Broad shoulders tapering to his waist, thick thighs and a booty that really fills out the jeans he has on today. My body flushes and my fists clench to get myself under control. I am in no position to be leering after Switch. We’re friends, he said so himself. And I’m damaged goods with self esteem in the gutter. I may be free of my monster, but that doesn't mean I’m ready for anything more. I need to build myself up stronger, to be better, for Kitandmyself. And I won’t be able to do that if I’m walking around with heart eyes for Switch. No, I have to just stick to being friends, enjoy his company and keep my baby safe.
A grunt breaks me out of my thoughts and I try to hide the smile on my face as Switch tries to maneuver his big body into the small drivers seat.
“Are you OK?”
“Yeah,” he grunts again, fiddling between his legs for the lever that moves the seat back. Even at his furthest setting, Switch’s legs are still up around his ears. “She’s a smooth ride.” He says, cheeks pink.
I burst into laughter and his shoulders relax a little as he gives me a playful smile. “Maybe next time we’ll take the DRMC SUV.”
I bravely pat his leg in sympathy, trying to ignore how good the bunched muscles feel under my palm.
“So, how was your day?” Switch asks at the intersection, his red hair bouncing as he looks left and right.
“First off, thank you for putting in a good word for me,”
“Nope. Stop right there, I may work there -”
“- your name is on the front -”
“Well, yeah, but I didn’t hire you. That was Sandra and she doesn’t do anyone any favors, so you obviously impressed her with your skills.”
Butterflies hit my stomach at the thought that I could have impressedanyonelet alone the crotchety office manager at Rose Grove Medical Center, but I’ll take that win.
“Well, thank you. Anyway, Sandra is a total sweetheart.” Switch’s brows fly up at that and I laugh at the look on his face and his gaping mouth. “Truly. She’s always so helpful and helps me with the systems if I get stuck. And everyone who came in today was so nice, even if they are sick.”
“Yeah, that’s the downside. I know it’s shit, but for the next six months you’ll probably pick up everything going around.”
“Oh, that would explain the sick days,” I say thoughtfully.
“Yeah, better for our staff to take the time to heal than walk around looking like day of the dead dealing with our patients,”Switch replies, flicking the indicator to turn into my drive. “I still can't believe you think Sandra is a sweetheart. Holy shit.”
“She is! Stop being a meany.”
He raises his thick brow as he looks over at me. “A meany? Oh Joy, sweet, kind Joy, you really need to get better at your insults.”
“Well, good thing I’ll be staying at the clubhouse,” I joke, even if my gut drops at the reason why I’ll be staying there.
“Ah shit, they’ll corrupt you! Maybe just don’t hang out with Rider. Or Pops. Or Chewy, Blanche and Ana. Actually, Kaia can be a little prickly too. You know what? Maybe just stick to Mama Debs.”
I laugh before it dies in my throat as Willa comes into view, storming across the front yard, her floaty dress blowing in the breeze as she stomps her cowboy boots to where Switch slows to a halt. Oh yeah, and she’s carrying two shotguns.
“What in the fuck is going on?” Switch mutters before pulling to a stop and rolling down the window.
Before he can get a word in I’m leaning over his lap, heart in my throat, “Willa! What’s going on? Are you OK?”
Switch grips the back of my neck and the pressure feels good, good enough to have my heart dropping back down to my chest.
Willa looks at me before her blazing gaze darts to Switch. “Three men inside, wearing tactical gear. I’ve called Mad Dog and was about to go threaten them.”
