GAUGE
Iwas patched up and put back together by Belle’scapable hands once more, though this time she didn’tcomment, and this time Itook the pain pills she suggested. There was, after all, only so much pain aman could be in. I’dswung by the clubhouse and seen the remnants of it before heading over to Shooter'shouse for the barbecue that he and Laney were putting on.
Construction on the new clubhouse was being started the next week, and we’dall had ahand in designing it, dipping into our personal savings to make it be as good as it could. In some ways it felt cathartic; the Highwaymen were finally ridding themselves of Hardy and everything he stood for, and that was never abad thing.
Ipulled my bike out front of Shooter and Laney’sand duckwalked it into position before switching the engine off. We had two new prospects thanks to Beefcake who, after along talk with me, had suggested that Richie Rich and Nik transfer to us so Icould get them into shape. Right now, the two of them stood guarding the bikes out front, looking bored.
“You expecting to be somewhere?” Isnapped as Istalked toward them. “’Cause you sure as shit don’tlook alert.”
“No, sir,” Nik replied automatically.
“What about you, Richie Rich?” Iasked, stepping into his space.
He lifted his chin, his teeth gritted as he held my stare for afew seconds before backing down. “No, sir,” he replied, tempered anger in every letter.
“That’swhat Ithought.”
Istalked away, heading around the back and into Shooter and Laney’sbackyard. Afire pit had been lit and his large grill was going. Fighter was currently flipping steaks and Harlow and Charlie were talking by the cooler, laughing about something. Laney was sitting on Shooter'slap, his arm wrapped around her waist, his hand upon her small bump. She kissed the top of his head and he looked up at her with asmile. It was good to see them back to where they should be. Ihated to admit it, because she was my little girl, but they were perfect for each other.
“Picture perfect, right?” Jolie said from beside me.
Iturned to look at her before sucking in my lower lip and releasing it. Ilooked her up and down, my nostrils flaring at the sight of her. She was wearing apair of tight blue jeans and alow-cut top that showed off her more than ample cleavage. Her long dark hair was piled up on top of her head, loose curls framing her face. Large gold hoops hung from her ears, and her eyes were lined with thick black eyeliner. She looked fucking delectable.
We hadn’tseen each other in the passing days since the shit that had gone down. I’dgotten her home, called Belle over to fix us both up, and then when her mom had arrived I’dleft so she could heal and be with her family. It had been aweek, apainfully long week without her, and Ihated to admit that Ihad missed her, but I’dbe lying to myself if Ipretended Ididn’t.
“Jesus, Jolie,” Isaid, my tone thick with desire. “You wanna get outta here?”
She smiled as she leaned in close. Her perfume washed over me, making my nostrils flare again, memories of being between her legs flooding my mind. She reached into the top pocket of my cut and pulled out acigar before lighting it. She held it between her teeth and smiled ared-lipped smile at me before winking and walking away.
“Is that ano then?” Icalled. Itrailed after her like she was the Pied Piper, my eyes glued to her ass the entire time.
As we passed the back door, Dom stepped out and placed ahand on my chest. “We need to talk, brother.”
Istopped in my tracks. “All right, let’shave it then.”
“Not even afuckin’ apology? Really, brother? That’show it is?” he asked with ascowl.
Ifolded my arms across my chest, knowing Ihad to give him my time despite wanting to tell him to fuck off. Who Ifucked was my business and no one else’s, and having to answer to anyone was going to take some getting some used to. But this was his sister, and Iwas just as surprised as he was that it had happened.
“That’show it is,” Iagreed.
Dom shook his head and looked toward the party. Ifollowed his gaze, looking at my family, grateful that they hadn’tbeen in the clubhouse when it had exploded. Shooter was watching us both carefully, his gaze intense.
“She comes across like ahard-ass, Gauge, but she’sjust akid. Ihaven’tbeen there for her—for any of them—like Ishould have been, and that’son me. But Ican’tever be good with this—with you and her,” Dom said, and Ilet out aslow sigh. “You get that, right?”
I’dknown he was going to say that, but I’dhoped for the easier route regardless.
“She’smore mature than most of us,” Isaid. It was afeeble argument, but it was true. “Idon’texpect you to be good with it, but you do need to get on board with it. Idon’tknow if this thing is gonna work out, but Ican promise you that Ido care about her.”
Dom huffed. “And those feelings run deep?”
Ishrugged. “It’sme, brother. Those feelings are as deep as they are shallow right now.”
“You’re not arguing your case well enough, Gauge.”
Ishrugged again. “That’sbecause Iain’t. Idon’tneed to argue my case to you, brother, as shitty as that sounds. She’sher own woman and I’mmy own man, and what we do is on us. Like you said, you haven’tbeen there for her, so who are you to tell me what Ican and can’tdo with her?”
“She’sseventeen, brother. You’re old enough to be her dad, or worse, her grandad!” Dom snapped, and Ifelt my brow furrow.
