“He said that he’d come say hello, but Prez said ‘in one sitting.’ He won’t move until he’s done.” I finish explaining.
He smiles. The guy smiles. Look at that, the gates of heaven have opened and angels are singing. The guy has more than one facial expression. Nice.
We sit in silence for a few more minutes, then I see something in his face change. Anger? I haven’t said shit. His fists are closing tightly, I can see his knuckles going white. What the fuck is wrong with this kid. Bipolar?
All of a sudden he gets up and heads to Caleb. I turn and see a guy standing by him with a pissed look in his face. I jump up and walk over. I look to Caleb, he isn’t scared. He is showing no fear. He is smiling. Is this guy being nice? As I get closer, I hear the man speak and know he isn’t being nice.
“Watch your mouth little scar face, or I’ll give you a matching one for the other side of your face.” Caleb just smiles, at insults. He is smiling. This worries me. Pushing that to the back of my mind, Cole and I go to grab this dumb fuck, who is stupid enough to insult a Hell Hound child, let alone any child for that matter.
Before either of us reach this idiot, he screams in pain. I look down to where his hands immediately go. There is a fork sticking out of his leg with a piece of pancake still stuck to it. Fucking pancake. Caleb. I look back to him he’s smiling, reaching for my fork off my plate. He takes another bite of a pancake, like no one even interrupted him.
The man rears his hand back, ready to backhand Caleb. Caleb is sitting there, not cowering or flinching, not even looking at the dude. Just smiling and eating pancakes.
Before this douche bag even gets his hand all the way back, I see him fly through the air and land on his back—he’s out cold. Cole just slowly slid close enough and uppercut him. I see his knuckles bleeding. The only indication he hit someone. His face still has the same expression as I approached him. I couldn’t even react. What kind of shit is that? I’m stunned between Caleb and Cole’s reactions.
Cole looks to Caleb, they nod and smile at each other. I think my boy has a silent guardian angel. Did he just smile? So, Cole has a weakness for kids, aye. I hear angels singing again.
“It’s okay, folks, a misunderstanding.” I wave all the stares and whispers off and sit down across from Caleb.
“Will you sit with me?” Caleb asks Cole. Cole nods.
“Buddy, you want to tell me what happen. What did that man do?” I ask.
He talks as if he is telling a story. No big deal.
“He asked me if I was here by myself, I said no and pointed to you and him.” He says, pointing to Cole. I nod.
“Okay, then what.”
“He asked me about my face.” This is where I see his sadness sweep across his face.
“I told him, Grandpa, the truth.” He says, his little voice cracking.
“It’s okay little man, you can tell me.”
“He said, ‘If I wasn’t such a bad little boy, I wouldn’t have gotten them’.” My heart breaks, those little reminders of his past, his own little demons that haunt him. It breaks my big, tough, biker heart.
“I told him... I told him, fuck you. My Grandpa and all my uncles are going to kick his butt.” I look at him. He is looking at his pancakes. He won’t even look at me.
“Hey, buddy, look at me.” He has worry written all over his face.
“You did nothing wrong, you know that right?” I tell him.
“I know, but I said a bad word. Please don’t tell Grandma.” I smile.
“It’ll be our little secret. Okay?” He smiles, bringing back that confident spark to his eyes.
“You did good buddy. I’m proud of you and yes, we all would kick his butt.” I say, reassuring him we all would protect him.
“I know, all my uncles never asked about my face, Grandpa. They like me for me. I like them for not asking me.” He tells me.
“They love you, little man. Never forget that.” I tell him.
“I won’t.” I sneak glances to Cole who is hanging onto every word Caleb is saying. He has a hard face, a poker face some would say. But I see the care in his eyes. At this moment now, I respect this silent guardian to my grandson. We sit in silence as Caleb finishes his last pancake.
We all get up to leave, Caleb grabs Cole’s hand. Cole stares down at him for a moment, and they walk toward the door together.
I pay the bill, and as I step over the dumb ass still knocked out, he starts to stir awake.
“What the fuck.” he whispers, grabbing his jaw. I look down on him as he eyes my cut. Dumb-ass. Reality washes over his face, yea, he messed with the wrong fucking kid. Rage fills me as Caleb’s words play over in my head. He tries to put up his hands in an ‘I’m done’ manor. I don’t give a flying fuck. I pull out my knife. I kneel down to him. I grab his ratty, greasy hair and speak.
“You think he deserves his scars do you?”
His eyes go wide as he sees my knife.
“Well, answer me fuck-face or did my Brother knock the words out of you.” He looks over to Cole and Caleb standing at the door. I see Caleb stick his tongue out and flipping him the bird. Caleb, flipping someone off—I try hard not to laugh as I’m trying to intimidate this dumb fuck. But, a small smile escapes.
I bring my knife to his forehead and start carving. He starts to scream but I decide to knock him out and finish the job. I punch him in the face, with one swift right hook. He’s out again. I turn to Cole and nod for him to walk Caleb out. After Caleb is clear of view, I continue my art work. After, I wipe my knife on his shirt and slide back into its pouch attached to my side.
I stand and look at all the horror on every ones faces.
Caleb and I have been here a few times already. The waitresses love him. They all know he is a good kid. So I simply say.
“Does anyone else think my grandson deserves his scars?” They all shake their heads, disgust replaces their fear as they stare at the limp dick on the floor. A waitress brings me the coffee I ordered to go, as she steps over him, she hands me the containers. As she turns to leave, she kicks him right in the balls. His body jerks, but he doesn’t wake up. We share a smile and an understanding as to why I did what I did.
“Get that piece of shit out of my diner.” Big Rick says. We share a nod and I walk out.
Caleb is sitting in the driver side of my truck as Cole is leaning on the truck with the door open.
“I just gave him a reminder of this day, for the rest of his life.” I say laughing. Cole looks confused. I point to the limp body on the sidewalk as some customers carried him out and basically threw him to the concrete. Cole walks over, uses his boot and rolls the guy over. He tilts his head. He looks to me, smirks and nods. With that, we all head back to the clubhouse and Caleb talks the whole way about winning his bet.
Chapter Thirteen
Harley
I wake up cuddling Bronx. Caleb must have sent him in here for me. I love my little man, he’s so thoughtful and caring. Not a bad bone in his body.
I get up, Bronx hot on my heels like old times—feels good to get a little time with my boy. We walk to the kitchen and everyone is laughing and smiling, drinking coffee. There are two clubs in one kitchen. They barely all fit. I see our guys, and Cherry-something or other here too. Called a chapter? I don’t know. Ford says I’ll get the hang of it all the longer I’m around. I’m the first woman to actually have importance to the club as is Avery and Caleb. I see Caleb has even joined in on the laughing, having his chocolate milk in hand. I see the to-go coffee containers. I cut through the laughter.
“Can I have one of these?” I ask.
“Sure, babe.” I hear Ford’s voice behind me. All the men go quiet. I look around, slowly pulling a coffee from a to-go holder. I eye everyone. They look like they don’t know what to say.
I take a sip, waiting for them to continue their conversation. No one even so much as makes a peep. Even Caleb is eyeing everyone like I am. Why did they quit talking?
“What’s
so funny?” I ask, taking another sip of my coffee. Pure heaven in a cup. I needed this. I haven’t been sleeping well since Avery was taken.
“Nothing, baby. Prez made a bet with Caleb this morning. Needless to say, Prez lost.” All the men start laughing again. I look over to Exe, who is standing next to another member, I glace at this cut, which says president. He must be the president of this other charter? Chapter? Whatever. Exe just shrugs and smiles innocently at me. I return the smile shaking my head. Men will be men, I suppose. I don’t see Jack, I instantly look for him now for Lissa, keeping a silent eye on him.
“Where is Jack?’ I ask Ford. He shrugs. So I wiggle out of his embrace and walk to Exe.
“Where is Jack?” I ask him. He eyes me. Then asks.
“Why?”
“I promised Lissa I would watch over him.” His eyes go wide.
“She’s awake?” I sigh and answer him.
“Well, no, I made it a silent promise.” I say, biting my lip. He nods in understanding.
“He went straight to the hospital when we got in.”
“Thanks.” I turn to go back to Ford. He places me back into his arms. I’m so happy he’s home and so torn Avery isn’t. I welcome his big warm arms around me as the guys continue to talk.
“No plans for today?” I ask Ford. He looks at me with passion in his eyes. I bite my lip. His eyes drift to my mouth. Warmth spreads through me like a wild fire only Ford can extinguish. He reads my mind, throwing me over his shoulder as we head to our room. Cheers and whistles ring out from the kitchen.
“At least someone is getting pussy around here.” I hear Jinx voice from behind me, so in front of Ford.
“Perks of having your own.” Ford says.
“Let me watch, bro.” Jinx begs. I scream in protest and pound on Ford’s back.
“Get the fuck out of here, bro.” Ford yells at him.
“Okay, okay, I’m going. But if you hear heavy breathing from your bathroom, just know that it is not me breathing hard from jacking off.” He says as he walks off. I can’t help but laugh and Ford smacks my ass.
“Quiet, woman.” He says.
“Okay!” I scream in giggles.
We make our way to the bedroom, he kicks the door shut with his foot. Turning to lock it. I say. “Wanna check the bathroom, just in case we have an audience.” I tease him.
“Let them listen, baby.” He taunts back. He throws me on the bed and covers my body with his before I can blink. I instantly melt with his arms around me. He looks at me like I’m the only woman in the world that matters. He lifts his hand and gently glides it down my cheek to cradle my face, I lean into his touch, wanting to savor every inch. He glides his thumb across my bottom lip, giving me goose bumps. His other hand is playing with my hair.
“You’re so beautiful.” He whispers to me.
“Mine.” He says right before he crashes his lips to mine. Fireworks burst behind my eyes. His hand tightening in my hair, pulling me closer to his lips. I can’t get enough. I push back against his lips with mine, wanting to taste more of him. His tongue glides across my lips begging for entrance, I open happily. As his tongue tries to conquer mine, I wrap my legs around his waist, my hands lock around his neck—giving him the same force he is giving me. We both pull back, needing air. Panting, he says again.
“Mine. All mine.”
“All yours, baby. I’ve only ever been yours.” He growls as he mixes our tongues together once again. He pulls at my shirt. We only break the kiss long enough to take our shirts off. Then he is back on me like a dog in heat—I’m loving every minute of it. I don’t ever want this to end. This heat, this passion, and this love we have between us.
We make love for the first time in eighteen years. The other night was him claiming me. Right now, we make our relationship stronger. Expressing our hunger for one another. Our love, our loyalty. We had sex two more times before we emerge from the room.
I shower, and Jester (my guard, Ford says no one leaves without a ‘ride buddy’ now) and I head to the hospital for my daily visit with Lissa.
Leaving Jester outside of the room, at the door, I walk into her room.
“Hey, Lissa.” I say, reaching for her hand as I do every day. Jack isn’t here. He must have headed back to the club for some rest and fresh clothes.
I feel a squeeze of my hand, I look down. Lissa—she’s squeezing my hand. My heart swells and tears start to fill my eyes.
“Honey, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand again. I wait. Silently begging for her to squeeze, hoping it wasn’t in my imagination. Moment’s pass, just as I think it was my mind playing a trick on me, she tightens her hand around mine. I cry with joy.
I hit the nurses call button. Right away a nurse comes in.
“She is responding to my voice. She is squeezing my hand.” Now, being a nurse I should have expected this reaction. But, it caught me off guard. I’m off my nurse game a little, I see.
“It’s a reflex. The swelling in her brain has barely gone down. We’ll need it to subside substantially before there is a possibility of her waking up.” This answer angers me. I know the protocol for a coma patient. I do. But this is someone I love. She is a fighter, she is responding to my voice. It’s not a damn reflex.
“Thank you, that will be all.” I say with a scowl. Then, Jack enters the room.
“Hey.” He says, then he sees my tears.
“What’s wrong?” He asks nervously.
“She is squeezing my hand.” I tell him. He runs his hand over his hair and then over his face. He believes that damn nurse. I can see it all over his face.
“Harley...”—He hasn’t used my real name since we met, always calling me Sexy Name—“The nurses say…” I cut him off.
“I’m a nurse, or have you forgotten. She is responding to my voice, damn it.” I say, through a flood of tears. He comes to me and hugs me.
“I know, I know, she is going to be okay.” He sways me back and forth until my tears have stopped falling.
“Coffee?”
“Y-yes, please.” I answer him.
“You come every day.” He says matter of fact. I look at him with an arched brow.
“I checked with the nurses on her visitors.” He said, shrugging.
“I do, we talk and I read to her.” I say, running my finger in a circular motion on the hot coffee cup. The warmth from the cup is giving me comfort.
Jack and I sit and talk and in turn talk to Lissa.
*******************************************
Ford
The guys loved the diner story, only after hearing I carved ‘Dickhead’ into the dumb fuck’s forehead. They loved how Caleb stabbed him with a fork—calling him a ‘Hell-pup’ as I did in my mind only hours ago. They all have a new found respect for the little man. Not taking shit from anyone anymore since his rescue. I’m damn proud, but also worried. He had no remorse for his violence, just his use of cuss words. I’ll talk to Colt and see if it is possible for him to have PTSD as well.
After coming back to the party, Harley leaves for the hospital. I Join Prez at the bar with Caleb. After their bet, they have been together since we got back, besides his little crowd in the kitchen that Harley walked in on. I only told her the good part of our laughs. She doesn’t need to know everything. Prez sent Jester with Harley, thankful for her having a guard; can’t be too careful with the Jackals running around. Although, I’m surprised none from the other chapters have come for retaliation for killing almost an entire chapter of theirs. Odd. I make a note to bring it up to Prez, away from little man.
Getting a beer from Scamp, I join in on their conversation.
“Weren’t you a little bit scared?” Prez asks Caleb.
“Not even a little, Prez.” His words scream confidence.
“Man, you got to teach me to be like you. Fearless.” Prez tells him.
“You don’t want to be like me, I want to be like you.” He says to him.
“Why can’t I be like you?”
Prez asks him with a worry look on his face.
“I’m not brave, I couldn’t save mommy. Uncle Colt and Grandpa saved mommy.” He says. I sigh with sadness. I knew this was eating him. I just knew it. His happy-go-lucky demeanor was a front.
“You know what, that is in the past. You can only change today and tomorrow, make better choices than you did yesterday.” Prez tells him. Caleb nods.
“Tell me, why do you want to be like me?” Prez asks.
“Because, you’re Superman, mommy told me stories of a man that protects the world from bad men, and has big muscles and has black hair. She said he is fearless and brave. That’s you.” Prez’s face washes over with something I can’t recognize.
“How about this little dude, you be my hero, and I’ll be yours.” Caleb’s face lights up.
“Okay, deal. Did you order my chocolate milk yet?” Caleb asks. Prez chuckles.
“You gonna hold me to that, huh?” He asks Caleb. Caleb gets a ‘duh’ look to his face.
“Okay, okay Little Hero, let’s go to my office and order it.” Prez places little man atop his shoulders and smacks my back.
“See you two later.” I say over my shoulder. If only Avery could see the love Caleb is receiving, I know it would give her comfort that he is well loved.
A moment later, Cole grabs the bar stool next to me. He waves a finger at Scamp, who slides him a beer down the bar. I lift my bottle to him and drink. He nods and lifts his, and drinks. We sit in silence. I don’t know why he is sitting next me. Possibly because he knows I won’t question him being speechless. Fuck it. The kid will talk when he’s got something to say, I suppose. Downing my beer, I head to my room to take a shower.
I let the hot water ease the tension in my body. Avery is always on my mind. I want my baby girl back. This ache in my heart isn’t going to go away, it will only grow. I grab my chest, it hurts so much—it’s a physical pain. Being with Harley or little man only eases the ache for a moment. Being by myself, it rips and tears at me. I stand under the water until it runs cold. I reach over and turn the water off. Stepping out, I wipe the mirror. Seeing the tears on my face, I know it’s not water, because I’m still crying. Watching the tears slide down my cheeks, I do nothing to wipe them away. They are for my daughter, wiping them off would only mean I don’t care. Shedding these little droplets of my pain is all I can do for now. For tomorrow, we hunt again.
Delayed Love Page 18