“I can leave you to handle this, but I want back in,” Butch said, turning away.
“That’s it. How do we know we can trust your work?” Nash asked. “You’ve not exactly been a good enough friend the past few months to take your word for it.”
Pain exploded inside him. “I f**ked up months ago. I know that.” He threw the keys at Tiny. “I’m a civilian now, but I’m begging for a chance.” He glanced around the shop. “I bought this place for Cheryl. It was a gift as I’m going to marry her.” Licking his lips, she stared at Tiny. “I’ll give it to The Skulls, and Cheryl can work for you. Any money this place makes, apart from Cheryl’s salary goes back to the club.”
“How does this work?” Tiny asked, glancing down at the keys.
“I’m not going to leave The Skulls knowing this place belongs to you.”
“If this doesn’t make any money, we’re back to square one,” Zero said.
“Cheryl will make sure this place earns its keep. She’s a hard worker and loyal.” He stared at Alex. “She’s the one who has been trying to get me to come back to you. Cheryl trusts you, and she knows me.”
“What if she leaves town?” Alex asked.
“She won’t leave town. The only time she considered it was when you turned back up. Cheryl’s not the running kind.”
“Unlike you?” Nash asked, pointing at him.
“I deserve all the shit you want to throw at me. I’ll let you make a decision on what you want to do with me. You can own this shop, and I’ll talk with Cheryl about it. I’ll do all the shit a prospect does. I want back in, and I promise you, I won’t back out.” He moved toward the door, breaking inside at the fact they didn’t snap him back up. This is your fault, shithead. “Deliver the keys to Cheryl’s. You know the address, and I’ll leave you to clean up the mess. I’ll wait for your decision.”
He turned away knowing they were going to make him wait for an answer, but he was done running away. The club was his life and would always be part of him. Closing the door behind him, he climbed into his car and drove home. Cheryl was on the sofa with Matthew asleep curled up to her. He slid down, wrapping his arms around her.
“You’re back.”
“Yeah, I’m back.” He let out a sigh, wishing the club had accepted him back into the fold.
“What’s the matter?”
“I asked for my spot back at the club. I want to be a Skull again.”
Cheryl smiled. “That’s amazing, Butch. You’re a Skull.”
“They’ve not accepted me back yet,” he said. “I’ve got to wait for them to make a decision.”
“I don’t blame them. You can’t just change your mind when it suits them.”
“There’s more,” he said.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I promised to give them the shop.” The smile on her face fell. “Please, let me explain. They wanted to know how they could trust me to not leave when all this shit is over. I promised them the shop so they knew I’d stay. Wherever you are, I’ll always be.”
“I don’t like the fact you did that,” Cheryl said.
“I know, baby.”
She blew out a breath. “If they give you back your patch then I’m happy about it.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yeah, I love you, Butch. If that means The Skulls own the shop and I run it, I’ll be fine with it. I get to stay with you.”
“You’re so f**king sweet. I don’t deserve you, but I’m going to do everything in my power to make it up to you.” He leaned down, kissing her head.
The turmoil inside him refused to go away. He knew he’d made a mistake, but he was prepared to take all of the club’s shit to get back there. It was the only way for him to protect Cheryl and Matthew.
Chapter Fifteen
“We don’t have to go,” Butch said.
Cheryl finished wrapping up the lasagna she’d baked, glaring at him. “I want to go.”
“It’s part of the club, baby. We could stay in, watch some movies, have some fun.”
“Matthew’s home with us. I’ve told him about the picnic, and he’s excited. We’re going whether you want to or not. They’ll get back to you, Butch, don’t give up.” She gave him a smile then turned toward him. He’d been concerned about her ever since she had seen the head in the box. She couldn’t think about it like that and chose to pretend nothing was different. The last couple of days she’d been speaking to Eva, and the other woman helped her get through the visible nasty of it all. “Eva’s expecting us. I know you don’t want to be part of the club, but I like her.” Butch still hadn’t heard anything back from the club, and they were both waiting to hear news.
He groaned. “It just figures. I quit the club, and you’re okay with the women there.”
Chuckling, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “I love you, Butch. I’d never ask you to choose between the two, and they’re going to let you back. You deserve this waiting period.”
Butch cupped her cheek tilting her head back. “You’re going to drive me crazy. You should be on my side.” He kissed her lips, and she opened her mouth for him to slide his tongue inside. They groaned together. One of his hands ran down her back to cup her ass. “Fuck, I need you.”
She felt the evidence of how much he needed her pressed to her stomach.
“When we get home Matthew will be exhausted. I’ll take care of your needs then, and I’m on your side. I just know when you’re wrong.”
“Baby, that better be a f**king promise ‘cause it’s the only way I’m going to get through this picnic, and I’m never wrong.”
Kissing him on the lips once again, she smiled. “It’s a promise. I’ll take care of your needs, and you’ll come to the picnic. It’s a pretty fair trade off, and you can be wrong.”
He groaned but no longer in pleasure. “Fine, I’ll come along without causing a problem.” Fingers sank into her hair, and he pulled her against him. “You better remember who you belong to.”
Tapping his chest, she pressed another kiss to his lips. “I do.” She noticed he didn’t make another comment about his wrong opinion. Cheryl must have won that round.