by Sam Crescent
“Depends? They cure all headaches.”
“Then they are magic.” She sat up in bed, moaning. “I only had like three shots. This is ridiculous.”
“Why? It’s not unheard of. So you got into a little partying mood last night. It happens.”
“Not to me it doesn’t.” She drank the entire glass of water. “I’m not good at the whole handling my alcohol.”
Baker sat on the edge of the bed as she lay back, wondering if the pain would ever cease.
“Some people handle alcohol differently.”
“What about you? Any headache?”
“Nope. Nothing. Just needed to take a really long leak this morning.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Next time, no shots.”
“You had fun, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“Any blank spots about last night?”
“Nope. I remember everything. Bumping into Brian, and him trying to accuse me of humiliating him. I hate him even more. I also remember telling you about the time I saw you waiting outside my shop. Your wife. I hoped I didn’t hurt you.”
“No, you didn’t.”
Millie tucked some of her matted hair behind her ear. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“What changed?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, one moment you were staring at your ring, and looking like you never wanted to let it go, and then you were wanting to date me, and ready for us to come away together. Love like you had with Katie, it doesn’t stop.”
“It didn’t stop. The pain, it faded away, and my acceptance of it took some time. It hasn’t been overnight, Millie. I’ve been dealing for over five years now. I think that’s long enough to finally put to bed the demons of my past.”
“Was it demonic?”
“It was a hard time. I never thought I’d find love again.”
Her heart skipped a little beat. “Do you think differently?”
“I do. I think love is possible if you’re ready for it. What about you?”
“I don’t know if love exists for everyone. I’ve not been lucky enough to find it.”
“Maybe someone will surprise you when you least expect it.”
She stared into his blue eyes, wondering. “Yeah, maybe they will.”
Baker gripped her thigh. “Just so you know, Alex and Sunshine are heading in tonight.”
“Will they be staying here?”
“Nope. They’re staying with Cheryl and Butch.”
“Interesting.”
“It’ll certainly be drama, or maybe not. Distance has made the heart grow fonder. Also, Butch is downstairs with Cheryl. How do you feel about a spot of breakfast?”
Millie nodded, then moaned.
“Maybe not?” Baker asked.
“No, no, I want to go. I don’t want any excuse to stay in bed, and cry over the fact I’ve got a hangover. It has to be in some special record. Girl gets hung-over with three shots.”
“I think Sally could do better than you.”
Millie blew a raspberry. “I’ll be ready in ten minutes.”
Thirty minutes later they were heading downstairs. Millie’s hair just wouldn’t go, and her stomach kept turning. She refused to be sick, even though there was no way she’d be able to control it.
Coffee, food, and time, and she hoped she’d be back to being sprightly.
Butch and Cheryl were sitting at a table together, laughing.
Both of them turned, and Millie pasted a smile onto her face.
“Hey,” Baker said.
“Sorry we’re late. I couldn’t get my hair to go right. I had a little too much to drink last night,” Millie said, sliding in.
She caught Baker rolling his eyes. “By too much to drink, she means three shots.”
“That’s a lightweight,” Cheryl said.
“I know. I don’t drink, like ever. I know why now.”
“Hi, I’m Cheryl. We’ve not been properly introduced.”
They shook hands.
“Where’s Michael?”
“He’s with Ned, training,” Cheryl said. “He likes to fight, and he’s having a few problems with his anger. Ned promised to help channel that anger.”
“He’ll do it, babe,” Butch said.
“I’m hoping Alex can help out.”
Millie saw a look pass between Butch and Cheryl that clearly went a little deeper than an anger-riddled kid.
A waiter came to the table, and Millie ordered a really strong espresso. Baker ordered them toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon. Her stomach growled.
“I’m so sorry. I really don’t know what is wrong with me today,” she said. Her cheeks were on fire.
“It’s nice of you to come out to Vegas,” Cheryl said.
“It was a last minute thing. I wanted time alone with my girl here, and Vegas was all I could think of.”
“You can get married here,” Butch said. “Very easily done.”
“Oh, we’re not here to get married. We just want to spend some time getting to know each other,” Millie said.
She wasn’t ready for marriage. At least, not yet. She’d already been screwed over by her first attempt, and she didn’t even make it to the altar.
“So, how are you?” Baker asked.
“We’re good. We’re expecting,” Butch said, kissing Cheryl’s neck.
“Really? How far along?” Millie asked. She did love kids. It was one of the reasons she loved owning a toy shop.
Seeing the magic in their eyes when they discovered something new, she loved to watch.
“Only a couple of months,” Cheryl said. “We didn’t want to announce it.”
“We’ve had some difficulty conceiving.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Millie patted Cheryl’s hand, trying to offer her comfort.
“How come the club doesn’t know about this?” Baker asked.
“Baker, you and I both know that this is not a club situation. I got sent out here as part of my punishment.” Butch held his hands up. “I respected the decision, and I wouldn’t change it. Even though it has been difficult, and a struggle. We’ve been able to make a life here, and it’s a good life.”
“There has been some difficulty though,” Cheryl said. “He does get homesick, and so does Michael. I think he misses his father a lot. I know I miss Fort Wills. Vegas is a great place. It’s always busy.”
“That’s the problem, right?” Millie asked. “It’s always busy. Always something going on.”
“Ned runs in some bad circles, and some of the guys he has fighting are pretty scary.” Cheryl looked a little pale. “It has been an adjustment.”
Millie stared at the couple. They were clearly in love, and were fighting whatever problems they faced together.
Their breakfasts came, and Millie dived in, moaning at the fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy bacon. She was so hungry.
Baker and Butch kept on talking. She enjoyed listening to the easy banter between the two men.
Cheryl looked a little sick, and when she made a mad dash toward the bathroom, Millie excused herself to follow the other woman.
“Are you okay?” Millie asked.
It was one of the rare occasions the bathroom was in fact empty.
“Yeah, it’s morning sickness. It comes and goes, you know.”
Cheryl exited the cubicle, wiping her mouth with some of the tissue.
“I want this kid so bad, you know?”
“I don’t have children, but I can imagine. Have you been trying long?”
“Over five years. At first when we moved out here, neither of us wanted any kids. Vegas was different from everything I’d known, and even from what Butch had known. Ned is a great guy. He’s the kind of guy you don’t cross, and providing you don’t, you’ll always be on his good side.”
“I think I understand.”
“He’s a one man army. Honestly, you say his name, and people are scared. Seeing the men he deals with, it
can all just be a little too much at times.” Cheryl washed her face. “I’ve lost three babies in the past.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. It just wasn’t meant to be.” Cheryl dried her face. “Come on, let’s go out to the others.”
****
Sally sat on the couch at her home. Daisy had already gone to bed while Lacey and Whizz had gone out for the night. She’d offered to look after her little sister. Her study books lay at the side of her, and she just couldn’t bring herself to pick them up. Ever since Steven had sprung that question upon her a few days ago, she’d been struggling to deal with anything else.
Why did he have to ask that kind of question now? She didn’t get it. Standing up, she waited to make sure that her leg was fine. After a long day of walking around, she was always careful about her leg. The prosthetic she’d gotten was brilliant. However, the human body was not perfect, and there were times she just couldn’t bring herself to stand upright.
Going away to college was supposed to be about her finding her independence, and her place in the world. All it had done was make her homesick, wishing she hadn’t gone away. She had held off for a year before heading off to college. She’d been nineteen when she started, and now two years later, she still wasn’t getting anything from the experience. Drew was a great support, but again, he wasn’t home. He wasn’t family.
Entering the kitchen, she grabbed everything to make a hot chocolate. In The Skulls, it was Angel’s drink of choice to help everyone to feel better. She adored Angel. Sally found Angel calming. Even when she was stressed, Angel always seemed to know what to say and do to take that worry away. She was like an angel. Lacey didn’t mind. Sally adored her mother, Lacey.
Just as she was about to put the milk on to simmer, the door was knocked on.
Seeing that it was a little after nine, she was tempted to ignore it, but then thought better of it.
She walked toward the door, and checked through the peephole to find Steven on the other side.
Opening the door, she stared at him. “Hey.”
“Hey, is it okay if I come in?”
“Lacey and Whizz aren’t home.”
“I know. I just heard, and I figured you’d want the company.”
“In case the one-legged girl couldn’t handle looking after her sister.”
“You’re more than capable of babysitting.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. I’m just stressing at the moment.”
“Do you have exams?”
“No. Well, in college you always have exams. They like to spring them on you when you least expect it. I’m good. I’m just a little tired. I’ve not been sleeping well just lately.”
“You haven’t?”
“A few pains. The cold never helps, and it’s getting colder. I’ll be fine in no time. Do you want some hot chocolate? You look like you need some.”
“Yeah.”
On the way into the kitchen, she had to grab the counter as pain rushed through her. The doctor said it was normal, especially toward the end of the night. She should probably remove her prosthetic, and rest. He always advised after a busy day to take it easy.
“Would you like me to finish the hot chocolate?” Steven asked, urging her to take a seat.
“Do you remember how Angel does it?”
“Sally, I’ve been doing hot chocolate with Angel for years. I was the first, original prospect that took care of Angel, okay.”
“Wow, all that long ago. You must be old.”
“I am, believe me. Way too old to be feeling the way I’m feeling.”
“How are you feeling?” she asked.
Steven turned toward her. She felt his gaze deep down to her soul, stripping apart the layers of protection she’d been working tirelessly to put in place.
“You know how.”
“Steven?”
“Look, I know there is a pretty big age gap.”
“The age gap doesn’t bother me, okay?” she said. There, she’d said it. Age didn’t count to her. To Sally, it was about feelings. “I remember hearing you freak out a little at the thought that I may have a crush on you.”
“You were fifteen, Sally. In case you didn’t notice, I’m ten plus years your senior. I could go to prison for fucking grooming or some shit.”
She frowned. “You didn’t even notice me, Steven. You were nice, and a friend. Might I also remind you that since I’ve been with The Skulls, I’ve not had any sexual experience at all? I’m twenty-one. You’re not a criminal, and don’t even for a second think you are.”
“I hate it.”
“What?”
“I want to go and find all the men that touched you, that hurt you.”
Sally sighed. “It’s all in the past. If you’re looking for a woman who hasn’t been touched before, then you’re looking at the wrong girl. Shit happened to me when I was younger, and I was nervous around Whizz when I saw him. Men in general scared me. The Skulls, you’ve all given me reason to see that it wasn’t my fault. I don’t want to talk about this. I’ve done the whole counseling thing, and it doesn’t work. Constantly moving forward, never looking back. That’s what works, and I lied to you.”
“When?”
“I had the biggest crush on you, and I didn’t understand it. You were nice, and you didn’t treat me like a kid, or show pity toward me. You were just you, and I liked that. Besides, you know you’re a hot guy as well. I had a crush on you.”
“Sally, are you okay?” Daisy asked, calling downstairs.
“Two seconds.”
She left Steven to think about what she said, walking toward the stairs. Her sister held onto her teddy bear, looking concerned.
“You were yelling.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Slowly, she climbed the stairs. “Steven’s being a silly boy again.”
“Mommy says he’s a weirdo.”
“Mommy is always right, and so is Daddy. Come on. I can’t pick you up tonight, Daisy.”
“Your knee hurts?”
“It really does.” Taking Daisy’s hand, Sally helped her back into bed. Pressing a kiss to her brow, she smiled down at her little sister.
Neither of them were related, not by blood, but to Sally that didn’t matter.
“You need to get some sleep, princess. You’ve got a long day ahead of you. Remember, we plotted mischief.”
“And mayhem.”
“Exactly.”
“Sally,” Daisy said.
“Yeah, would you wish for another sister?”
“What? No. Don’t ever think that okay? You’re my sister, and I love you so much.”
“A boy at school. His name is Brandon, said that I was a horrible girl, and that no one would ever want to be my friend because I smell like dog poo.”
Sally chuckled. “That’s okay. Girls are so totally awesome. He smells like poo. Not us. Besides, if we do, we’d still smell awesome.”
“I love you, Sally.”
“Love you, too, pumpkin.”
Leaving the bedroom, she got to the stairs, and sighed. Bum shuffling down them would do. Sitting on her ass, she started to move downstairs. Seconds passed, and Steven was there.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s the best way to get downstairs, when I don’t have any faith in my leg.”
He walked up, holding her in his arms, and carrying her back down to the stool in the kitchen. “Or sometimes you could just ask for help.”
Steven pressed a kiss to her nose. “I have a confession to make,” he said.
“You do.”
“I have a crush on you as well.”
Oh boy!
Chapter Eight
Later that night, Baker escorted Millie down to the restaurant. They had already gotten the call from Alex and Sunshine that they had arrived and would be meeting them for dinner.
Butch and Cheryl would be arriving with them. Ned was once again on babysitting duty.
Ned Walker, Eva’s
father and Tiny’s father-in-law, really was a force to be reckoned with. Everyone feared him, and most adored him.
Baker was heading toward the bar in the restaurant when he caught sight of his four friends.
Sunshine smiled at Millie, and the two shared a quick hello.
Helping her into her seat, Baker nodded at Butch and Alex.
“How’s the penthouse?” Alex asked.
“It’s perfect, Alex, thank you so much,” Millie said.
“Only the best for friends. I have to say I expected some other news to come home by now,” Alex said.
“News?”
“Yes. You, Baker, Vegas, a potential wedding.”
Baker chuckled.
“Why is everyone trying to marry us off?”
“They want us to be exactly like them, sweetie,” Baker said, kissing her shoulder.
“What’s wrong with us wanting to see you both happy? You’ve both got a right to it,” Sunshine said. “I’ve never seen you like this, Baker. It’s nice. The smile works for you.”
Baker kissed Millie’s head. “We’re not getting married. At least not this weekend.”
She turned toward him. “Is that some kind of proposal?”
“Nope. It’s a promise that it’s still on the cards to do.”
“Wow, is it?”
“What else do you think will happen?” He stroked her cheek. “We’re good together, you know that.”
He watched as her eyes dilated, giving away her aroused state.
“I’m starting to think The Skulls men are a little too confident,” she said.
“That you’ve got right,” Alex said, raising his glass. “To The Skulls.”
They all raised their glasses, sharing a toast.
“So, is there anything back home I should know about?” Baker asked.
“Whizz has been happy to inform me that Lash is perfectly well, and that he has a scheduled vasectomy.”
Baker spit his drink into his glass. “What?”
“Yeah, it seems the good Prez is so concerned with Angel and her giving birth that he’s taking the decision out of her hands.”
“No, it’s not just that. Whizz is being a girl, gossiping about everything.”
“I think I take offense to that. What about you girls?” Cheryl asked.