by M. Merin
“What time does your class start?” He whispers into my hair.
“Not until 10:15. “
“Let’s get going, I’ll take you to your SUV then get to Mrs. R’s place. Uh, can I get a key to your apartment to meet the delivery team for the mattress?”
“Shit! I forgot you were seeing Gram today. What are you going to talk about?” I’m debating skipping my database class to tag along.
Tapping me on the nose, Gunner laughs, “You’re going to class. We have a lot to cover, she and I; I’ll fill you in later.”
Gunner
With Riley off, I head to Mrs. R’s a full thirty minutes early. Unperturbed, her butler / chauffeur / right-hand man, Rogers, brings me right in to see her.
“Good Morning, Alex! I thought you’d be early today.” Of course, she did, I think; flinching at the sound of my given name.
“Mrs. R, you know how I feel about you, but I’d like to know what you’ve got up that sleeve of yours. No more games.” I stare down at her.
“Have a seat, Alex; I’ll develop a crick in my neck otherwise.” Sighing, I do as she asks.
“What happened to your eye?” She asks, leaning forward.
“Riley,” I grunt.
“Did you deserve it?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t betray her, I trust?”
“With that temper, I’m pretty sure she’d geld me if I had.” Mrs. R sits patiently until I elaborate. “I don’t deserve her, I want her more than anything but she’s so goddamn –“
“Language, Alex!”
“Sorry. She’s so, just, everything. I tried to walk away the other night, give her an out. Then I tried to touch her and she knocked the sh…sorry, um, she gave me the smackdown I deserved for hurting her.”
“You’re acting like a schoolboy, Alex. I trust you with her, now you need to trust yourself.” She raises an eyebrow at me and I feel like I’ve been hit again.
“I told Jasper and Flint.”
She giggles. “And how did that go over, Dear?”
Frowning at her, “About like you’d expect. I would hazard a guess that you’ve been making plans for her this past year; care to let me in on them?”
“I’m not getting any younger; I will make sure she’s taken care of and I know enough about her miscreant parents to be able to protect you. With the obvious caveats.”
“Riley is safe and happy.” I fill in the blank and she nods imperiously.
“Don’t think being with her will be a free ride, though, Alex. I won’t make the same mistake I did with her mother.”
“Mrs. R, I don’t want your money nor any of hers. I make enough to support us, not to the level she’s had but she’ll know she’s loved. Every day, she’ll know that; I swear.”
“Very good, Alex. Have you told her?” I duck my head, looking away.
“No, I mean, we’ve only had a few days together.”
“I expect you to do so before making use of that huge bed you bought!” My jaw drops, and she gives me that little grin of hers. That same grin that frustrates Riley, because there’s a world of machinations behind it. “The one caveat you didn’t guess, Alex. Any children she has must be college educated, I insist on it even if they chose to follow you into the Grizzlies. I will leave money for that and any medical issues that may arise, but do not expect a golden goose.”
“That’s more than generous, but just so you know any children we have will attend the local school. None of that private tutor bull…, well, and I also hope you will agree that if not college, then a technical institute of some sort?”
“Acceptable.” Mrs. R smiles and nods to herself. “You realize you just advocated harder for possible future children than Riley’s parents ever did for her? Do stop thinking you aren’t just what Riley needs most. Now, this certainly hasn’t been our usual chat nor can I offer you lunch today; I had to schedule another appointment. You needn’t wait a month, if you wish to visit sooner, Dear.”
Crossing over to her, I ignore the surprised look on her face as I drop a kiss on her cheek. “Take care of yourself, Gram.” I wink at her before heading out, enjoying her laugh as I close her parlor door.
Eileen Riley
Seeing Alex, or Gunner, as he prefers, all grown up makes me feel old. He was such a solemn boy and as he grew, his grandmother would talk of his honesty and loyalty; even if he got himself in trouble he wouldn’t lie.
Ava was a good woman with an oaf for a son. As disgraceful as Alex’s start in life was, she always did right by him. In the years since his return from the Marines, I have been pleasantly surprised that he has kept up with our visits; giving me plenty of notice if another commitment arose or staying around to help fix something he sees around here.
I am not blind to his antics; I had him investigated when his visits became a regular fixture, trying to figure out if he was looking to get something from me. He never asked for a thing, instead, he would bring pastries from the bakery and even gifted me a beautiful side table one Christmas. While he never discusses anything about the MC, other than an occasional mention of Flint, in this house; I have been pleased with his plans for his furniture business.
Then came the day he did ask for something. The most precious thing in the world to me.
Initially, the thought of this rough, dour, giant of a biker with my kind, happy granddaughter; who is well over a foot shorter than him, shocked me. As he spoke, I started to picture the serious, earnest child, rather than the man before me; and realized he could be the best chance for Riley to find happiness. While I initially gave him my blessing, it wasn’t until I next saw Riley that I was convinced. The girl was glowing.
Riley did not have a conventional childhood, hers was lonely and she turned to books for companions very early on; because of this, she is wise beyond her years and due to her parents, she does not trust people easily.
I began to make plans for Riley and Gunner. I knew she had no interest in Pre-Med, but that would be up to her to work out. However, she would need a decent place to live and an income; I could provide that for her, as long as she pitched in with becoming a responsible property manager / owner. Next would be the issue between my son-in-law’s position in State politics and Gunner’s position in the MC. Well, I could handle that also.
Appearances are deceiving, and Riley’s parents have become quite the shady characters over the years. I sat back and watched, collecting information from my investigator. Releasing that is not in my best interest, but the knowledge of it could smooth any kick-up the MC leadership would foresee.
Flint
Double Double Toil and Trouble
Being called to Mrs. Riley’s home was hardly how I expected this day to go. I knew her husband a bit, he was older than me but we’d had some dealings. Nowadays most of the commercial property in town is divided up between the MC and Mrs. Riley.
She’s always been one to hold things close to the vest; I would not like to play poker with her at all. The old Shakespeare / Macbeth line has always sounded in my head when I’ve been around her, and today is no different. Though I hardly need a crystal ball to know what the topic will be.
Fucking Gunner. With the deals we have lined up the last thing any of us needs is Maddock coming after us harder and that goddamn giant makes a move to abscond with the man’s teenage daughter. I love Gunner like a son, but that is some serious bullshit to bring our way.
Pulling up in front of Mrs. Riley’s home, I brace myself for this conversation.
“Flint! I’m so glad you weren’t early.” She calls out as I’m shown in to see her.
“You are looking lovely, as always.” Eileen Riley was a renowned beauty in her day and the years have been kind to her. I have never seen her granddaughter but can’t imagine her being anything but beautiful.
“I understand you are to be married?” I nod in reply, sitting across from her. “I would like to meet this woman. She bought the bar property from under our noses, I understand?�
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“Yes, she pretty much runs it with Rusty now. Great lady.” I concede.
“Well, she brought you to heel, so I would expect so.” I raise my eyebrow at Mrs. Riley’s comment; trying real hard to respect my elders.
“I understand your granddaughter has brought Gunner to heel. No mean feat there.” I tilt my head to the side, she’s not that much older than me, after all.
“Well done, Flint.” She benevolently smiles at me. “My husband always did enjoy your company. Which brings us to your visit.” I lean back and let her speak.
Thirty minutes later, my head is spinning as I’m standing on her doorstep. I have to get to Jasper. I have to let him know I’ve agreed to validate Gunner’s claim on Riley when he formally makes it. That and Mrs. Riley’s assurances she will tie her son-in-law’s hands in the event of any interference from his side.
Double Double Toil and Trouble, indeed.
That woman is diabolical. Again, I can’t help but wonder what her granddaughter is like. I shudder at the thought of either of them and my Bree ganging up.
Chapter 14
Riley
Classes are going really well this term, liking the subject matter puts school in a whole new light for me. My three classes and time in the lab speed by and before long I’m texting Gunner that I’m heading to the apartment. Checking my missed calls, I see that I have two from my mom and a text that it’s urgent to call her.
Sitting in my SUV, I decide it’s safer to get this out of the way before hitting the road and silently hoping that they will be asleep as they’re eight hours ahead of me right now.
“Riley.” She picks up on the first ring. “Where have you been?”
Frowning at the phone, I reply, “Class.”
“Your tone is inappropriate and you know what I mean, young lady. I checked the logs for the home security system and you have barely been there plus I see a large charge on a card you barely ever use. At the Superstore, no less.”
“I am in the process of moving out actually, Gram gave me a place in town,” I reply, trying to act my age and not beat around the bush.
“Absolutely not, Riley. We will discuss this when your father and I get back. We expect you to concentrate on your schoolwork, then you can move away for Med School but not undergrad while we’re footing your bills.”
“I expected to have this conversation when you returned. I am no longer in Pre-Med, I was able to secure a scholarship for a CIS degree.”
“That is not acceptable; I will be calling the school next. You will be changed back to the right track immediately.” Mother is snarling at me. I understand this is a lot to take in, but I always told them what I wanted.
“Mom, I actually turned eighteen this past weekend.” I sigh into the phone. “This is my decision now, I am happy to further explain my plans with you and father upon your return, but staying at home or returning to Pre-Med is out of the question. I wanted to discuss this with you after New Year’s but you and Father ended up going to D.C. without letting me know.”
“Riley, I don’t think YOU understand. All of our friends are aware of your future path; this is not to be borne.” Her voice has gotten shrill and I can hear my father start to make noises in the background.
“I’m sure it’s late there. Let’s speak when you are better rested.” I silently disconnect. Wiping the tears that are streaming down my cheeks, I start back to town. God forbid I let down their friends expectations.
Nearly to my apartment, my phone rings. Seeing a number from my school advisor, I sigh and pick up. “Mr. Elwood, how are you?”
He snorts at me. “Been better. The President of the University just spent ten minutes yelling then hung up on me. It seems I was supposed to notify your parents of your degree change.”
“I know I was seventeen when I applied for the change, but I am eighteen now so it is my decision.” I brace myself for the fallout.
“Relax, Miss Maddock. You see, that is where you are correct; you are legally responsible for yourself now. And, as I reminded our esteemed President, the University is in the business of guiding children to become adults. Keep your grades up and your head on straight, all right?”
“Yes, sir, and I am sorry you’ve been put in this position.” Phew. We say our goodbyes and disconnect as I’m pulling up to the apartment, right behind Gunner’s Explorer.
I head inside my nearly empty place and call out to him. “Back here!” Comes the reply. I walk towards the Master Bedroom to see him making the bed.
“I hoped to get this set up before you got home, Sweetheart,” Gunner crosses towards me, distracting me from a huge, nearly-made mattress sitting atop an amazing dark wood platform with a padded headboard. “Took me longer than I thought to get the platform reassembled up here.”
I look between Gunner and the bed. “Gunner! It’s beautiful! You are amazing!” I wrap myself around his mid-section and hold him tightly to me; squealing as he suddenly picks me up and tosses me in the center of the bed.
“Had to test it!” He laughs down at me; quickly joining me, he covers my face with kisses. “I wanted it to be perfect for you, and we can change out the platform if you don’t like it.”
I stop him with my finger over his lips, smiling up at him. “I love it. I may need a ladder to get into bed though!” He is so much taller than me that I don’t think he accounted for the height with the mattress on top of it.
“Outta bed, Sweetheart, or we’ll be here till morning!” He rolls me to my side to give my ass a quick swat before sliding off the bed. Groaning, I follow him slowly; preferring to stay in bed.
“I didn’t eat much today and wanted to take you out, okay?” He asks.
I quickly nod and go searching for towels. Showering and getting ready, I walk out to the living room to find him pacing. “Everything alright, Gunner?” I pause, tensing up.
He spins to face me then freezes.
“You’re so beautiful, Riley.” He says in his smoke-roughened voice. Crossing to me he kisses me until all the stress of the past couple hours evaporates. Smiling at him as he reaches for my jacket. “Come on, if we stay here you’ll starve.”
Going downstairs in silence, I see our trucks lightly coated in snow; dim streetlights reflecting off of them. “Where to, Big Guy?” I ask, tugging on his hand and trying to keep up with his long pace.
“I could use a steak?” He slows down, then opens the passenger side of his Explorer and deposits me inside.
We drive across town, avoiding the tourist options and park outside the local favorite. Walking inside, I notice Gunner once again scans all available seats and selects one to his liking; the host hurries to catch up to us. This time, Gunner sits next to me in the booth and sends the host away with our drink order.
“I don’t think I’ll be back before Saturday, you okay with that?” He starts, and I’m quiet not expecting his sudden launch into this topic. “The weather looks like shit and I don’t want to push it.” He continues.
“Thanks for letting me know, just text if you’re able.” I can’t control this aspect of his life and won’t attempt to try right now. “I just have classes, homework, and then I will see Gram on Friday night. Oh – I have to start finding someone to rent the store also.”
“Can you give me a week or so on that? I have an idea. I’ll run it by you when I think it through more; maybe when I’m back?” I nod, glad to put this off for a little bit. The waiter stops by for our order, both he and Gunner give me incredulous looks as I order the chili, an eight-ounce filet, garlic mashed potatoes, and sautéed spinach. Puh-lease, I barely ate earlier.
“So, my mother reached out to me today.” I start. He pauses, having started to lean into my neck. “She’d seen the charge on the credit card then checked the security logs for the house. I had to tell her everything; well, not everything. I didn’t mention you. Not yet.”
“I bet everything else went over like a ton of bricks.” He wraps his arm tighter around me while sw
irling the condensation around the outside of his beer mug with his other hand.
“I told her about the apartment, didn’t mention the storefront. Then I brought up my change in major, pointing out that I had been telling them I wanted to do it. Her biggest argument was that it would look bad to their friends who have heard about ‘my future plans’ – can you believe that?” I reach out for his beer mug, but seeing the waiter approach with my chili, I draw my hand back and down nearly all of my Coke. Gunner asks for another beer. “Right before I got home my advisor called me. Mom had already called the freaking President of the University trying to get my decision reversed. Then the President gave my advisor an earful!”
The waiter arrives with the beer and Gunner asks for another, the waiter gives me major side-eye, knowing the reason for all the beers.
“I saw your Gram today.” He says as I’d forgotten he was heading there earlier. He slides the newly arrived beer in front of me while I start in on the chili. “As we thought, she seems to have spent the last eight months figuring out the details. She didn’t share much but said to leave it to her.” Swallowing, he gets quiet for a moment.
“She really doesn’t like them, does she?” He asks me quietly.
“My parents?” At his nod, I continue, “they never spend any time together, I don’t know if they speak.” I shrug. “Hey, she likes us!” I laugh up at him as the food arrives. Then I’m too busy eating to speak much.
Leaning back with a groan after he cleans the meat off the bone of his steak; “I love that you eat like a real person, Riley.” I can only smile, as I finish up my spinach. “I love you period.”
I freeze. He said it so softly I wonder if I didn’t just have a hallucination. A moment ticks by in silence.
“You can take it back. Food coma rules?” I close my mouth to stop myself from babbling.
“Not taking it back. Probably won’t say it much. Sorry, Sweetheart, but you gotta know that I do.”
Shaking and pushing him out of the booth, afraid to make eye contact, I say; “Get the check, Gunner. Now, please.” Pulling my jacket on, I head towards the door leaving a dumbfounded behemoth in my wake.