“Good to see you too, Hunter.”
“Everything all okay with the...” Hunter did a stabbing motion with his hands.
I put my arm around Natalie's shoulder. “Yeah the doc right here fixed me pretty good.”
Hunter looked Natalie up and down with wide eyes. “Well if that's the case the drinks are on the house. What can I get for you two?”
“Just a beer for me.” I gazed over at Natalie and waited for her to choose but she looked so lost. “Get the lady an expensive cocktail.”
Hunter rubbed his hands together and flipped a white towel over shoulder. “Coming right up.”
Natalie leaned over and I got a nice whiff of that same flowery perfume. She smelled so damn good. “The bartender seems very nice,” she said.
“We've been friends ever since we were kids. But he's only on his best behavior because there's a lady present. Normally he's foul mouthed and rude.”
Hunter returned with drinks. “A Guinness for the son of a bitch and a watermelon margarita for his lovely date.”
I took a sip of the beer and watched Natalie take a drink. She scrunched up and turned her nose at it. I chuckled and whispered in her ear. “I never said Hunter was good at making drinks.”
“Its fine,” she replied, taking another sip. “Just a little too strong for me.”
Once Natalie got a little more relaxed from the alcohol, I'd take her back to my place and tear that tight dress right off. She'd look good bent over my bed with her ass in the air.
I felt a slap on the back and looked behind to find Isaac. His long black hair made him look like he was apart of a metal band from the 80's. He was the treasurer of the Devil's Hellions MC which meant he took care of all the money. Isaac was smart—almost too smart to be a biker. But we were lucky to have him.
“Glad to see you out and about, Breaker,” Isaac said.
“I had to get a little time away from Emily. She was checking in on me every minute.”
Isaac noticed Natalie and licked his lips. Down boy! “Who's the chick, Breaker?”
“Natalie this is Isaac. He's also a member of Devil's Hellions.” I turned back towards Isaac. “Natalie is the doctor who saved me.”
Everything clicked for Isaac. “Thanks for saving this bastard. But nobody would have noticed if you had let him die.”
I playfully slugged him in the arm. Isaac loved to break my balls. “Pay no attention to him,” I told Natalie.
Isaac sat down next to Natalie. “You don't want anything to do with this guy,” he said, pointing his thumb at me. “This guy's bad news. Heed my warning, stay away from him.”
“Okay she's had enough, Isaac. Go bug someone else.”
Isaac grabbed my beer and took it with him. He deserved a sucker punch to the stomach later. Hunter saw what happened and already began pouring me another.
“Is this where you guys...” Natalie searched for the right words.
“No our club house is a few miles from here. We like coming here because there's more liquor.”
“Are there any other members here?” she asked.
I scanned the room. “See that big oaf in the corner with the two girls.” Natalie nodded. “That's Big Mike.” I pointed over at the other end of the bar. “That's Pain over there with the gray hair and glasses.”
“Oh yeah, I remember him from the hospital.”
“The rest of the MC are probably back at the clubhouse.”
Natalie nursed her drink and looked around acting bored. How could I engage her more? I'd never really been on a date before. My experience was one-night stands. I didn't even know most of their names. All it took was one look from across the bar and they'd be under my sheets within the hour. What do people normally talk about on dates?
“Why did you become a doctor?” I asked, shuffling closer.
Natalie returned to me, batting her long eyelashes. She seemed surprised by my question. Maybe that was a good thing?
“It started when I was a kid,” she began. “My parents wanted me to become a doctor since I was six years old. I never dreamed of doing anything else. They pushed me and my younger sister to be the best. Anything lower than an A- wasn't good enough for them.”
I fell into her eyes as she told me her story. I couldn't believe she was opening up to me so much. She was so damn sexy and her deep cleavage was so captivating that it was hard to look away. Hunter came over and set a beer in front of me, breaking my concentration.
Natalie continued, “When I became a doctor, I thought I'd finally get the recognition I deserved. But my parents only pushed me harder. I cut off all contact with them and they left me with a huge load of student debt to pay off. That was a couple years ago.”
“Damn that sounds rough.”
Natalie faked a smile. “Enough about my family. Tell me about yours.”
I was afraid she was going to say that. “I don't want to make tonight anymore depressing than it already is.”
“It's only fair. I told you everything about me. Your turn now.” Natalie crossed her arms and gave me a smug look.
I took a long sip of beer. “I grew up in a trailer home with my mom and dad. I had a really good childhood. Hunter could attest to that. But when I was eight, I came home early and found my dad...” Don't get choked up, Breaker! You're over it now. It's all in the past. I took a breath and continued, “My father committed suicide with a gun.”
“Holy fuck,” Natalie reached for my hand on the bar.
“My mom couldn't handle it and sent me away to live with my grandparents. They lived a few blocks down from the Devil's Hellions MC and the rest is history.”
“I'm so sorry, Breaker. That is so terrible. I can't believe I was complaining about my family when you went through all that.”
“Don't worry about it. It was a long time ago. Let's move on.” I waved Hunter over. “More drinks, bartender!”
Natalie looked around the room. “Do you know where the bathroom is?”
I pointed to the back of the bar. She smiled and left with her purse. I downed my beer and thought the night was going pretty well. Just don't fuck it up, King.
“Mr. King, what a pleasure to see you here.” That voice was like nails on a chalkboard. I turned around to see the one face I hoped wouldn't be here tonight—my ex-girl Skylar. She was my only girlfriend that ended years ago but she was obsessed with me. A tattoo of my name was permanently marked across her chest. Skylar loved walking around thinking she was my property.
“Not now Skylar, not tonight,” I said through clenched teeth, the anger in my belly already rising.
She pouted those big red lips that I thought used to be so sexy. Skylar draped an arm around me and kissed me on the cheek. I tried to shove her away but she was persistent. She blew in my ear and whispered, “Take me home tonight, Breaker. I want you to fuck me until I scream.” Skylar grabbed my arm and placed it down her shirt.
I instantly pushed her away and then I saw her—Natalie was standing ten feet away. She saw the entire thing. Her head was slowly shaking side to side. I stood up to defend myself but she turned and ran off. I chased after her calling her name over and over again.
I caught up to her outside in the parking lot and grabbed her hand. “Don't go, Natalie,” I yelled.
She tossed my hand away. “I'm only gone for five minutes and you already found a whore to keep you warm for the night.”
“It wasn't like that, Natalie. Let me explain. She means nothing to me. Skylar is just an ex-girlfriend.”
Shit! Maybe I said too much.
“I knew it was a bad idea to go on a date with you.” I went for her hand again but she slapped me right across the face. “Don't touch me. I never want to see you again.” Her words hurt more than my stinging cheek.
Natalie rushed away and left me alone in the parking lot. I really fucked up this time. I went back into the bar with my head lowered. Hunter better keep the place open late because I'm going to need to drink for a long while.
Natalie
I thought Breaker was different. But he was exactly like every other damn biker that I fixed up over the years. I couldn't believe I was so naive. How could I be so stupid? All men are the same—stupid boys that only think with their dicks.
I could barely see the sidewalk through my water-filled eyes as I tried to search for a ride home. It was late and they're weren't many cars on the road. It would be hard to find a taxi this late. My fingernails dug into my palms as I remembered that slut with her hands all over Breaker. I'd like to wring her neck out if I got the chance. The rage inside surprised me. How could I be so angry when I barely knew Breaker?
My hand still hurt from the slap I gave Breaker. Was that too harsh? I didn't usually let my emotions control me like that. But it felt so damn good giving him hell. I'd slap him again if I ever saw him again.
I didn't want to scare Winona but I couldn't walk all the way home. I reluctantly took out my cellphone and dialed her number.
It took Winona over an hour to finally find me which I was thankful for because it gave me time to gather myself. I was always the strong and collected sister. I didn't want her to see me all broken down.
The first half of the drive was all silence. She knew my date had gone horribly wrong but she was too polite to ask about it.
“I'm sorry you had to drive all the way out here,” I said, finally breaking the emptiness.
“You kidding me? Gone with the Wind is a super long movie and I was on my fourth viewing. There's only so many times a girl can hear Rhett Butler say he doesn't give a damn. I needed the distraction.”
I blankly looked out the window at the passing streetlights. “I thought he was good for me, Winona.”
She reached over and took my hand, concentrating on the road. “I'm sorry, Natalie. Do you want to tell me what happened?”
I didn't want to relive the experience so soon afterwards but I'd have to tell her eventually. “First he took me to the dirtiest dive bar I'd ever been to. The bathroom was co-ed and there was literally shit everywhere. I could only stand to be in there for a minute or two. This black dress was definitely the wrong attire.”
“But at least you look fucking incredible in it,” Winona interrupted.
I gave her the best smile I could considering the circumstances. “When I got back to Breaker, his ex-girlfriend was all over him, kissing him and whispering in his ear.”
Winona's grip on the steering wheel tightened. “That motherfucker. I'm going to kill him.” Winona got so cute when she was deadly.
“I just ran out after that.”
Winona gasped. “And Breaker didn't even try to chase you down?”
“Well he did, but his excuse was that she meant nothing to him.”
“Typical male.”
“I feel a lot better already from talking to you about it.”
Winona patted my thigh. “I'm your sister. I'll always be there for you.”
I leaned over and put my head on her shoulder as she drove. Winona turned into a Walmart parking lot. “Where are we going.”
Winona grinned. “This type of situation calls for two things: a big bucket of ice cream and a romantic movie to cry our eyes over.”
“That sounds perfect,” I replied.
“But can we forget the romantic movie. I think I've overloaded on those.”
I laughed so hard snot came out my nose. “Let's just do something else then. How about Wizard of OZ?
Winona nodded and grabbed my arm as we skipped to Walmart. “We're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of OZ!”
Chapter Thirteen
Breaker
My head was pounding and no amount of sheets over my head could protect my eyes from the blinding sun. I clumsily reached over to my nightstand and grabbed my watch. It was already two in the afternoon but it felt like I barely got any sleep. Time to finally get up.
I sat up in bed and the room began to spin. It took every ounce of power in my body to keep from hurling all over the comforter. After two deep breaths the intense headache calmed down. I realized that I wasn't at home but at the MC clubhouse in the spare room. What happened last night?
“Good morning, sunshine,” a voice said next to me. I didn't remember sleeping with anybody.
I glanced over hoping it to be Natalie, but the curly brunette hair gave it away instantly—Skylar. Fuck. The sheets barely covered the tattoo that bore my name and a used condom wrapper lay on the nightstand next to her. How could I be so stupid?
Skylar leaned over and kissed me on the shoulder. “Last night was absolutely amazing. I'd forgotten what you tasted like.”
I suddenly remembered the beginning of the night with Natalie on the motorcycle and the date at the bar. If only Skylar wasn't around to fuck everything up. After Natalie left me, I made Hunter give me a whole bottle of whiskey. I'd never drank that fast before. It was all a blur after that. Skylar probably didn't even have to try to get into my pants.
I got out of bed and threw my wife-beater over my head. “I need you to leave, Skylar.”
Her jaw dropped along with the sheets that were wrapped around her chest. “What the fuck are you talking about, Breaker?” Her large tits looked perfect and I had to turn away from her to hide my growing erection.
“Just get out of here now. Last night was a mistake.”
Skylar smiled and crawled across the bed towards me. “That's not what you told me last night. Those words I've been waiting to hear came out of that hard mouth of yours. You told me that I was yours and that you loved me.”
Fuck. Damn. Shit. Alcohol can really screw a man over. I needed to go apologize to Natalie. See if I could fix the mess I made last night. First things first—get rid of the Skylar.
“Skylar, I didn't mean a word of that last night. I was drunk and stupid.” I grouped up her bra and panties from the floor and tossed them at her face. “You better be gone in ten minutes.”
I grabbed my jeans and went to the bathroom, closing the door and locking it. Skylar screamed and cursed at me for a full five minutes. I stared at myself in the mirror, wondering how I got to this specific moment in my life. Did I always make the wrong decision? Did I even deserve someone like Natalie.
Finally Skylar left and I was able to escape from the bathroom. I went downstairs to find Slade sitting at the bar nursing a beer.
“Rough night?” he asked, his head swaying back and forth. He was still drunk from last night and still going.
“You could say that,” I replied, sitting down next to him.
Slade cracked open a beer and slid it over. “Kill that hangover.”
The thought of more alcohol made me want to empty my stomach all over the bar. But Slade was right, this would get rid of my hangover. I shut my eyes and took a few sips, suppressing the urge to throw up.
“Feel better?” Slade ran his fingers through his long dark hair. Why he never got it cut was beyond me. But the girls go crazy over it.
I set the beer down and wiped my mouth. “A little. Do you remember what I did last night?”
Slade laughed. “You mean you don't remember?”
“I remember being with Natalie and drinking a ton after she left.”
Slade laughed harder, choking on some beer. “Let's just say that you went a little crazy. Tried to pick a fight with anyone who walked by. Eventually Hunter had to kick you out. Took five of us to drag you out of there. Your ex-girlfriend followed you home like a lost puppy.”
Embarrassment flooded my cheeks. “Hunter is going to kill me.”
“Don't worry about it, we left him a big tip. At least you didn't get stabbed again.”
“Cheers to that.” We clinked our beer cans and continued drinking.
Dagger came over and draped his arms across both of us. “Pain said we have a meeting in an hour.”
“Better not be one of those boring financial meetings with Isaac. We don't need to know all that shit,” Slade said.
&nb
sp; I downed the rest of my beer in seconds, hoping it would erase the memory of Natalie. It didn't.
—
Pain slammed the gavel into the wood table. “I know everyone's busy but we need to talk about the Sacks County Annual Picnic.”
A collective groan echoed through the meeting room. Every year Mayor Jackson put on a big picnic to get Sacks county together. And every year, the Devil's Hellions MC donated a sizable contribution. It was the one time of the year that we could really make our presence known. To show the community that we were a force of good and not evil.
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