“No way. I’m completely over her. My heart is now solely focused on loving my club, family, and, of course, Goblin.” The dog heard his name and barked at Rowdy, who leaned down and grumbled, “I said I loved you, dumbass.”
The dog barked again, making Rowdy laugh and pet his little head.
“I miss Beef Jerky.”
“Just bring his tiny ass back to Little Memphis.”
“He’s angry with me for leaving him. Besides, my mom likes having him around.”
“Naw, man, you’re making his heart hurt more by giving him space. Beef Jerky wants you to sweep him into your big, strong arms and claim him full-time.”
Grinning at his dramatic wording, I asked, “What about my mom?”
“She got attached to your dog because she didn’t have you around. Now, you aren’t locked up, so she doesn’t need Beef Jerky anymore.”
“He gets more attention at my parents’ house.”
“Boone, you’re a tough guy unless it comes down to inconveniencing those you care about. Then, you turn into a little bitch.”
Grinning, I poked at Rowdy by saying, “Beef Jerky is more sensitive than Goblin.”
Hearing his name, the dog barked at me.
“You’ve hurt his feelings,” Rowdy insisted.
Realizing this conversation could go on for a long time, I threw in the towel. “I’ll consider moving Beef Jerky back here.”
“Good choice. I’m very smart. Do what I say, and you’ll never go wrong. So, what’s the plan for Nova?”
“I’m taking it slow and easy.”
“Or maybe, and hear me out, you ought to move her into your place and marry her.”
“Good Lord, you’re acting weird.”
Rowdy blew out smoke and laughed. “Dating Nova will be trickier once Exile and Lula are back at the house.”
“Exile will chill once he realizes nothing big is happening. Nova and I are getting to know each other.”
“You’re being passive. You let my sister set up your date, and then you had your sister help you come up with ideas for yesterday,” Rowdy said and put out his cigarette. “I know thispassive shit comes from life with your mom and Duffy. You can’t push them like you can other people. But Nova isn’t like that.”
“She had an abusive husband. I don’t want to trigger old pain in her.”
Rowdy stood up and muttered, “That guy wasn’t normal. He was all twisted and fucked up. You won’t remind her of him.”
“How do you know that?”
“He’d have to be twisted and fucked up to abuse someone as sweet as Nova. You know she probably gave him everything he wanted and didn’t ask for nothing. She’s so quiet and submissive. But that wasn’t enough. Whatever was wrong with her man, it’s a good thing he’s dead and can’t mess with those girls.”
“All abusive men are twisted and fucked up.”
“Sure, but imagine if someone tried to put our sisters in a box. They’d fight tooth and nail to break free. A guy would have to get violent to make them behave. Of course, they’d just end up killing him. Meanwhile, you’ve got Nova, who would have gotten in the box and put the top down. But that still wasn’t enough to please that asshole.”
“You’re making her sound weak.”
“Novaisweak. I heard her stepfamily was puritan and expected her to be submissive. Our sisters were taught to be loud and aggressive. Nova’s just reacting to her upbringing like most people.”
Unhappy about him talking negatively about Nova, I muttered, “Sure.”
