by Nicole James
Then she realized she already had some place to go and someone who needed her and wanted her around. She drove to an ATM, took out every bit of the two hundred and eighty dollars she had in the bank, and headed the car westbound. She’d text Cat later. Hopefully she would forgive her for taking off with her car.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Joker knew the minute he rode up and saw Whitney’s car that something was fucked about this situation. Did the girl really have the brass balls to just show up out of the blue?
He’d half expected Holly to be here when he got home. She’d been hinting around about a surprise today, and she was about as subtle as a sledgehammer. If the girl ever planned a surprise birthday party for him, he’d see it coming a mile away.
He grinned just thinking about how happy she was to be getting through with her finals and having the summer off. They’d been talking about a business, remodeling boats, or perhaps even barges like his. Well, actually it was more like daydreaming about it, but with her enthusiasm, it almost felt possible, like he could make a go of it. Correction, like they could make a go of it together.
He took a breath and walked inside, preparing himself to deal with Whitney again.
She stood in his kitchen, cooking barefoot. He frowned, so confused by the sight it took him a minute. What the ever-loving fuck?
The delicious smells of steak filled the room.
“What are you doing here?” he snapped.
She looked up with a bright smile. “Cooking you dinner. You have no food in the place. I got steaks and potatoes and your favorite: coconut crème pie.”
“Why are you here?”
“Your mother didn’t tell you I was coming? She knew I was passing through, and she wanted me to stop by and pick up something. Now what was that? She didn’t tell you? I thought for sure she’d talked to you.” She shrugged. “Oh, well. Sit down. The food’s ready.”
He sat, scrolling through his texts, looking for one he may have missed from his mother. There were several from Holly and a missed call from her, but nothing from his mom.
She set a plate before him, and damned if he wasn’t starved. Before he touched it, he dialed Holly and put the phone to his ear. It rang and rang, then went to voicemail. That was odd, but maybe she had another final he’d forgotten about.
“Babe, when you get this, give me a call.”
While he was leaving the message, Whitney called out to him, “Honey, can you zip the back of my dress up?”
What the hell? That was going to be in the background on the damn message now. He turned and glared at her. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“My dress. The zipper slides down sometimes, and it’s hard for me to reach it.”
He stalked over to her and zipped the damn thing up the three inches it had come down. Then spun her around by the arm. “You do that on purpose?”
“Do what, honey?”
“And stop callin’ me that. I’m not your honey. I haven’t been in a long time.”
“Boy, you’re cranky tonight.”
“I want you gone, Whitney. I didn’t ask you here.”
“All right. I’ll go. Can I at least eat the food I cooked before I drive two hours home?”
He slumped at the table. “Fine. Eat. Then you’re out of here.”
“Johnny, there’s a bottle of wine on the counter. Can you open it for me?” She held up the empty wine glass at her place setting. He frowned. He didn’t even know he had wine glasses.
Whatever would get her out of here quickly. He moved to the kitchen and was uncorking the wine when he heard a bike pull up. A minute later, Blood and Cat walked in. Cat’s eyes moved from him opening the wine, to Whitney smiling from her seat at the intimately set dining table. Hell, she’d even lit candles. When had she done that?
“Where’s Holly?” Cat asked, frowning.
The cork on the wine popped, and Joker set the bottle aside. “Haven’t seen her. I tried to call her and she didn’t answer.”
Cat looked at the table and Whitney, her expression confused. “But, I thought—”
Whitney stood with a big smile on her face and extended her hand to Cat. “Hi, I’m Whitney, and you are?”
“Catherine.”
“Catherine, pleasure to meet you. I’d ask you and your handsome gentleman here to join us, but as you can see, we’ve only enough for two.”
Cat glared at Joker, then spun on her heels and stormed out, snapping over her shoulder, “Blood, let’s go.”
Blood paused and pointed a finger at Joker. “I’m takin’ my ol’ lady home and calming her shit down, which may take me all night. Then I’m comin’ back here to beat your fucking ass! You better be here when I get back!” With that he stormed out after her.
Fucking hell. His life was spinning out of control, and he didn’t know how this had all started. He looked over at Whitney, stalked to the table, and leaned on his fists. “What are you really doing here?”
“I told you, I came to see you.” She stood up and moved to him, sliding her arms around his neck. “When I saw you in Meridian, all the old feelings came rushing back. You felt it, too. Don’t deny it. I saw your reaction.”
He yanked her hands from around him. “You’re wrong. What you saw was surprise. There was a time, Whitney, when I thought you hung the moon, when I would have done anything for you. And yeah, couple years back, I’d run into you, maybe things would’ve been different. But too much time has passed, and that’s all ancient history now. I got no feelings for you anymore.”
“Your mother said you’d be difficult.”
He stepped away, raking his hand through his hair in frustration, then whirled back to her. “Leave my mother out of this! She probably doesn’t even know you’re here!”
“There’s no reason for you to get so worked up. Come sit. We can eat a nice dinner and—”
“I don’t want to eat dinner with you Whitney. You want to eat, then eat. Then you’re out of here.”
Joker slammed the slider closed behind him and stepped out into the fresh night air. He needed a minute to cool his shit down and think. He tried Holly again, leaving another message.
“Babe, I need to talk to you. Call me back right away.”
Then he tried texting her.
Where r u?
He waited a minute, then tried again.
Holly??? Call me asap!!
Holly? You’re sister was looking for you. Where the fuck are you?
Now I’m worried babe. Please call me.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Holly pulled off the Interstate in Beaumont. On her way to the hospital, she drove down 11th Street, past the pawnshops and the liquor stores and the used car lots. It was a street she knew all too well. She slowed when she approached the Shady Lane Estates Trailer Park, where the only thing shady was the manager.
The sign was rusty, and broken down vehicles up on blocks were the norm. An old chain link fence surrounded the property. She supposed at one time it had been to keep the property safe, but it had always made her feel like a prisoner. Most residents lived off government checks and many struggled with addictions, alcoholism being the most prevalent. Lucky for them they were conveniently located across the street from a liquor store.
Of the fifty-four trailers, almost all were rundown. All except Gabi’s mother, Mrs. Garcia, who had the first trailer up front and kept it immaculate.
Mrs. Garcia had moved back to Mexico when her only daughter, Gabi graduated high school and married Alejandro Vargas. And Holly couldn’t blame her. Luckily for Gabi, she had Alejandro. He was the best thing that ever happened to her. He was strong and handsome and a good man. And most of all, he loved Gabi.
Holly turned into the lot, wondering even as she did so, why she was tormenting herself this way. She had few happy memories here, but she had to see for herself if the trailer where she grew up was still there and if it looked the same as it had the night she and her sister had left. Cat had packed a qu
ick bag for each of them, and they’d fled in the middle of the night when Holly was younger.
Their mother had become an alcoholic after their father died. She had a string of boyfriends after that, all of them losers, each one worse than the one before. As long as they could afford to keep her in booze, she didn’t care. The last one had tried to abuse Holly, and that’s when Cat had taken her and run.
Holly slowed when she saw the familiar green and white striped metal awnings. Rusty and dirty, they shaded the filthy screen covered windows from whatever precious sun might have brightened the interior of the place. The porch looked the same, only sagging at an angle now. Cases of empty liquor bottles, specifically her mother’s favorite brand of vodka, were piled up on the porch. The same faded pink curtains hung in the window over the sink. Her mother still lived there.
Holly thought about parking and knocking, but she didn’t have the courage just yet. Instead she drove out and headed to the hospital.
When she arrived, she stopped in the gift shop, catching it just before it closed, and bought a pink bunny and some flowers. Then she found Gabi’s room. Visiting hours were ending, but since she’d driven from out of state, and Gabi had no one there for her, the nurses let her in.
Gabi was awake and looked up when she entered, then burst into tears, holding her arms out. “Holly!”
“Where’s my little soon-to-be-Godchild?” Holly gave her a bright smile, set the flowers and bunny down, and leaned over to give Gabi a big hug.
“Y-you came!”
“Of course I did. I drove straight here.”
Gabi brushed the tears from her cheeks. “I’ve been an emotional wreck.”
“Does Alejandro know yet?”
“The Red Cross was supposed to get a message to him, but I haven’t heard anything.”
“I’m sure they’ll give him leave as soon as possible.”
“I hope so. How am I going to do this all alone?”
“You’re not alone. I’m here.”
“Thank you so much for coming.”
Holly tiptoed over to the hospital basinet. It was clear plastic, and she could see the little bundle of swaddled baby. The little angel was sleeping. “Oh, Gabi. She’s beautiful.” She turned to her. “You did good, Mommy.”
“I did, didn’t I?”
Holly nodded, looking back at the baby. “She’s precious. What’s her name?”
“Isabella.”
“Well, hello, little Isabella. This is your aunt Holly. I’m going to spoil you rotten.” She turned back to smile at her friend who was brushing her tears away.
“How long can you stay?”
Holly shrugged. “Took my last final today, so I can stay as long as you need me. I thought I’d get a motel tonight.”
“You will not. Take my keys and stay at our apartment.”
“You’re sure?”
“Of course. And if you did a load of the heaps of laundry I left, I would kiss you.”
“Hmm. I’ll see what I can do.”
Eleven O’clock that evening—
Holly walked out of the shower, wrapped in a towel. She’d left New Orleans with the clothes on her back, so she found a pre-pregnancy nightgown of Gabi’s and slipped it on while she threw her clothes in with a load. She may have to wear the same outfit tomorrow, but at least it would be freshly laundered.
She curled up on the bed and checked her cell phone. She’d put it on silent, and it lit up with a dozen missed calls from Cat and Joker.
She checked her texts and saw the ones from Joker. She ignored those, but she couldn’t ignore the ones from Cat, and typed out a response.
I’m safe. Gabi had her baby.
She was alone and needed me.
I’m sorry I left so abruptly.
Please don’t tell Joker where I am.
Her sister immediately called back.
“Are you really okay?”
“Yes.”
“Does this have anything to do with that woman, Whitney?”
“You know about her?”
“She was at his place when Blood and I were looking for you.”
“Oh. Was Joker there?”
“Yes, they were having an intimate candle-lit dinner. He was opening a fucking bottle of wine when we barged in.”
“It’s true then; they are back together,” Holly whispered.
“Who is she?”
“His high school sweetheart.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” Cat said softly.
“I’ll be okay.”
“Do you want me to have Blood go over there and get rid of her? He already swears he’s going back to beat the crap out of Joker as soon as I calm down. Now that you’ve texted and we’ve talked, I guess he’ll head out.”
“He doesn’t need to do that on my account.”
“Not sure I can stop him.”
“Please don’t tell him where I am. He’ll tell Joker. I know he will.”
“Well, technically you haven’t told me where you are, just that you’re safe and that your friend had a baby. Doesn’t necessarily mean that’s where you are.”
“I love you. Thank you for almost lying for me,” Holly said, trying to smile.
“I love you too, honey, but I’m worried about you. Promise me you’ll text me tomorrow.”
“I promise.”
“You better,” Cat insisted.
“I drove past mom’s today,” Holly admitted quietly.
“Oh my God. Did you stop?”
“No. I didn’t have the guts.”
“Please don’t go back,” Cat pleaded.
“I want to see if that picture of Daddy and me is still there. I want it.”
“Please be careful.”
“I will. Besides, what’s going to happen?”
“Depends who her latest hook-up is.”
Holly huffed out a pretend laugh and yawned.
“I’m so glad you’re safe, Hol. Go to sleep. And promise me you’ll answer your phone.”
“I will,” Holly agreed.
“Goodnight, baby.”
“Goodnight, Cat.”
When she disconnected, she felt even lonelier than she had before. Now she knew for certain things between her and Joker were over. He’d gotten back together with Whitney. No surprise there; the woman was gorgeous, and she was his first love. That held a powerful pull.
An ache tightened over her chest. She missed him already. She missed the way he teased her. She missed the way he let her pour her heart out. She missed the way he held her in his arms. She even missed the way he called her brat.
Sadness at knowing she’d never experience any of those things again weighed her down. It made her think of the last time he held her in his arms, the last time he’d kissed her, the last time he’d made love to her, and how she wished she’d known at the time that it would be the last.
She curled up in the fetal position as the pain of losing him washed over her.
They’d only been broken up for a few hours and already she missed him so much she thought she wouldn’t survive it.
His words rang in her head. You’re stronger than you think you are, girl. You’re a survivor.
And she would. She would survive this, too, just like she had everything else.
But that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Joker walked into the clubhouse, dreading having to tell Undertaker that Holly was gone, he couldn’t find her, and she wasn’t taking his damned calls. But if there was one man whose calls she wouldn’t dare blow off, that man was Undertaker.
Coming out of the bright afternoon sun into the dimly lit interior, it took a minute for his eyes to adjust. He made his way toward the bar and saw Blood and Cat along with his president. Great, a trifecta of people he did not want to tell this news.
Undertaker was on his phone. “Yes, babe. I’ve got it. Headin’ out now. Sweet n’ Sour Shrimp, Moo Shu Pork, fried rice and an order of wontons, I’ve
got it.”
Blood chuckled and Cat elbowed him.
Undertaker gave him a glare and spoke into the phone. “No, I don’t mind stopping to get you some Rocky Road ice cream, too.”
When he disconnected, Blood burst out laughing, and Undertaker barked, “You tell me I’m whipped, I’ll knock your ass out.”
Blood chuckled. “I didn’t say you were whipped. I thought it really loud, though.”
Cat’s brows shot up. “Baby, she’s pregnant. Pregnant women get cravings.”
Blood turned to her. “Just for the record, you get pregnant I am not hauling my ass all over town getting you food from every damned place.”
“You will if you want me happy,” she teased, cuddling close, rubbing her chest against his bicep.
He glared at her from below his brow, but his eyes dropped to her cleavage. “Don’t try and distract me with those glorious tits of yours.”
“Give it up, Blood,” Undertaker said. “Tits win every argument known to man.”
Blood let out a huff. He didn’t like it, but he didn’t dispute the fact, either.
Undertaker stood. “I better go before AJ calls back and wants me to stop and get BBQ, too.”
“Can I get a minute first?” Joker asked. They all turned, just now becoming aware of his presence. When Cat spotted him, her eyes narrowed with undisguised malice.
Blood twisted, straightening. “Oh, good. You’re here. Saves me the trouble of having to ride out to your place in this fucking heat to beat your fucking ass.” He jerked his chin back toward the door. “Outside. Now. You and me.”
Joker met his gaze. If the man still wanted to beat his ass after he talked to Undertaker, he may have to get in line behind his president. “I need to talk to Undertaker first. Then you can have at me.”
“Damn straight, I will.”
Undertaker’s eyes moved between his two men, then settled on Joker, his voice rising as he broke in. “What’s this about? Why’s he want to beat you bloody, and why am I going to want to be the first in line?”