He shook his head but went on.
“Gotta say, your dad feelin’ that for me, thinkin’ I got what it takes to handle shit for the Club in his stead when he calls on me, speakin’ for him, the Club when they need me, that’s tight. I like it. That’s a tribute I didn’t expect, not at my age. I know the history with him and High. High seriously butted up against him when Tack was tryin’ to clean up the Club. Luckily, that shit got sorted but I know Tack didn’t forget, so I know why he doesn’t go there when High’s got more time in with the Club than me. I know Hound can go off on one, doesn’t have the disposition for diplomacy. Still, he could stick with Hop, have only one man he calls on and he called me up. I like that. But I’m thinkin’ I need more time with the brothers, I need it to feel solid again before I give more back.”
“Okay, then take your time,” I agreed and his head gave a slight jerk.
“Say again?”
“I feel you,” I told him. “It’s not like you’re being a dick. You’re being real. You’re right, that was uncool. Hop spoke for you when you came forward to recruit. He’s also totally nailing Lanie, still, and, by the way, Dad saw them going at it by the garage, so that cat’s gonna be out of the bag soon. So he knows the shoes you were standing in. Roscoe and Tug did their time at your side, not one of those three put words forward for you when they all should, Hop especially. If you need to feel more solid, do it. Take your time. If Dad chooses another lieutenant, High isn’t trustworthy, Hound is possibly clinically insane, Dad may soon be looking to fill those motorcycle boots and Chaos will feel it if those men don’t represent their brothers well. When it’s your time again, they’ll be ready for you, but you need to be ready to give it to them.”
He studied me a beat before asking softly, “You’re not ticked I’m turnin’ down your dad?”
“It’s your time, your life, your standing with your brothers, honey. Your decision. My job is to stand by it, not get ticked about it.”
He studied me for five beats before he whispered, “Fuck, but I love you, Tabby.”
I grinned. “Good, darlin’. That works for me since I love you too.”
Shy did not grin. His thumb moved out to stroke my jaw as his eyes burned into mine.
I lifted a hand, curled it around his wrist, let him have his moment, and enjoyed the warmth he was giving me.
Then he was done with his moment, his brows went up, and he asked, “Tack saw Hopper and Lanie?”
I smiled and answered, “Yep.”
“Brace, baby,” he muttered.
“I guessed that,” I told him.
“No, brace. Cherry knows about Hop and BeeBee. Apparently, Cherry actually saw them doin’ the deed, which is somethin’ I do not wanna picture.”
I curled my lip in disgust because it was something I didn’t want to picture either.
Shy continued, “Cherry doesn’t know Hop and Mitzi were on a break, but I don’t think she’d care. Hop had a chat with her and she and him have moved past that, but that doesn’t mean she’s gonna be big on him bangin’ her best friend, who happens to be the woman who took bullets for her dead old man.”
Well, that might explain why they were keeping things under wraps.
Shy kept going, “Until tonight, Hop has managed to keep this from Tack and Cherry, but most of the boys know, they’re talkin’, and they’re bettin’. The odds are with Cherry losin’ her mind not only with Hop, but with Lanie for makin’ what she thinks is another poor choice.”
My head tipped on the pillow. “Did you place a bet?”
“Fuck no. Lanie is beautiful but she’s a f**kin’ nut. There’s no guarantees with her in the mix, and Hop’s not sayin’ it, but he’s gone for her. I caught sight of them late one night standin’ by his bike and I can’t say I’m an expert at readin’ bitches but, body language, she’s gone for him too. Cherry or Tack get in his face, Cherry butts up against Lanie, there’s gonna be fireworks.”
“Well, we’re old hands at that,” I muttered, and Shy grinned.
“Bet it’s more fun observing,” he muttered back.
I was not going to take that bet because I knew he was right.
“He’s gone for her?” I asked quietly.
“Had a dad who loved his wife. See what Tack has with Cherry. Dog and Sheila. Feel what I have with you. When they’re together and not yellin’ at each other, that’s what I see.”
I felt my chest get warm.
There it was, maybe they didn’t need my invisible vibes. If Hop was “gone” for Lanie, he’d do right by her.
Or at least I hoped so.
“I like that for Lanie,” I told Shy.
“And I like it for Hop, baby. Mitzi was a bitch. Lanie’ll keep him on his toes, but if they have those tender times, it’s worth it.”
It so was.
“Yeah,” I whispered.
“Yeah,” he quietly repeated after me.
I slid my hand down his back. “So, if we’re done talking, are you gonna tell me what you thought of me doing while you were lyin’ in this bed?”
His face got dark as it got closer.
“Definitely.”
I tightened my arm around him, using it to press my body up into his, and I whispered, “How about you show me what you did while you tell me?”
His eyes flared, his mouth moved to mine, and he replied, “My girl wants it like that, that’s what she’ll get.”
Awesome. I not only wanted it like that, I… couldn’t… wait.
“Though, sugar, I’m ready for you to climb on, you swing astride me. I’m finishing in you,” he ordered.
I grinned against his mouth.
I could do that.
Chapter Sixteen
It’s Me
Four days later…
I was at the nurse’s station reaching for a chart when I heard, “Ms. Allen, may I have a moment to speak with you?”
I knew that voice. My back went straight, I turned to look up and my mouth dropped open.
Dr. Dickhead was standing there, eyes to my shoulder, his face messed way the heck up. We were talking massive. Both eyes black, blue, and very swollen, a bandage on the bridge of his engorged, reddened nose, fat lip with three angry cuts and yellowish bruising around both of his cheekbones.
Oh God.
“I, um… of course,” I said quietly, my gaze skimming through my colleague, Peggy, who was sitting behind the desk at the nurse’s station and who also was staring at Dr. Dickhead with an expression on her face that I was certain mirrored mine.