I’d seen it happen too many times with other celebrities to question whether my fears were justified or not. Due to those reservations, George had become my closest friend. Nothing, however, could match the joy of having a female companion.
Andy picked up a piece of sushi with her chopsticks, dipped it into her soy sauce, and poked it into her mouth. “This place is awesome.”
“I love that word,” I said.
“Which one?” she asked.
“Awesome. It’s one of my all-time favorite words.” I chose a piece of sushi, paused, and looked at her.
She was beautiful, curvaceous, and had curly hair and perfect olive-colored skin. I had straight hair, sticks for legs, and was so pale-skinned that I should be the one with the nickname Ghost.
I wasn’t envious of her, I simply wanted there to be things we had in common with one another. A common thread that we shared between us beyond having bikers for boyfriends.
“Let’s say you’re at a buffet, and there’s all this food. Some of it is good, and some of it is so-so, and then there’s one that is just perfect. What word would you use to describe the perfect one?” I asked.
“I don’t eat at buffets,” she said. “They’re a breeding ground for bacteria, and you don’t know where they get their food. I like places like this that make food fresh and don’t use preservatives.”
“Okay. You’re at an all-you-can-eat sushi bar. And the itamae sets six different items in front of you. One stands out as being miles ahead of the rest in flavor. What one word do you use to later describe it to your friends. Good? great? Best? Fantastic? You know, something like that?”
“I’d say it was awesome, why?”
“I just love that word.”
She smiled. “I like it, too.”
At that moment, I decided Andy and I could be great friends. She was a property manager, which I found fascinating. She didn’t bother me about my job, ask a bunch of questions about my income, or even ask where I lived, for that matter.
She simply enjoyed shopping with me and getting a bite to eat.
“How’d you meet Ghost,” she asked.
Porter and I had talked about it and decided to tell everyone we met while he was getting his CAT scan for his head injury. It was as close to the truth as we could get without telling an out-and-out lie.
“I met him when he hurt himself at the gym,” I said.
“Oh,” she said. “At the gym?”
“No. At the hospital.”
She looked puzzled. “Oh.”
“How did you and Baker meet?” I asked.
The corners of her mouth curled up. “Well, he stays in Old Town, in a three-story building that attaches to every other three-story building on that block. So, it was on my first day as the property manager of the building that attaches to his, and he came up to see if we had any condos to rent, short-term. He said he needed it for a temporary home while his was being worked on. Personally, I think it was a ploy. A few minutes later we went up to look at a space I had for rent. He looked the space over, we hit it off, and that was pretty much it.”
I liked hearing how people got together. “How’d you guys start dating?”
She reached for a piece of sushi. “When he looked at the property.”
I felt that I must have missed something. “So, he looked at the property, and then what?”
She scanned the restaurant, and then leaned forward. “He, like, ripped off my cloths and bent me over the kitchen countertop.”
I slapped my hand on the countertop. “Get outta here. Seriously?”
She gave the Brownie salute. “Dead serious.”
“Oh. Wow. That’s pretty awesome.” I set my chopsticks aside. “Porter and I had been out a few times, and then he took me for a piece of pecan pie at some cute little town up north.”
“Julian Pie Company?” she asked.
“Yep, that’s it. Have you been there?”
She nodded. “We ride up there all the time. I love the pie. The Rhubarb is awesome. Add a scoop of cinnamon-vanilla ice cream and it’s scrumptious.”
“So, that Kimberly girl. What’s she like? Is she fun, too?”
“She is the best,” she said. “She doesn’t talk much at first, but once she starts, look out. She’s so funny. Her husband, Cash? His mother’s Irish. Like, Irish as F. She has this accent, it’s like she’s not even speaking English. She always says Irish sayings and stuff. They’re a riot to listen to. Kimberly and Cash arguing about flowers, which, by the way, he knows nothing about. And Erin, Cash’s mom, arguing about everything and sneaking drinks of whiskey from under the desk. It’s hilarious. You’ve got to go to the nursery.”
“I’d love to.”
“Seriously, we should go some time. It’s better than going to the movies.”
“OhmyGod,” I shouted. “Listen to this. We went to the movies, and there’s this guy, Luke Westham, and he--”
“The football player?” she asked.
“Yeah. He’s such a psycho,” I blurted. “So, anyway. He stalked me for a while, and I blocked him on Facebook, and on everything else sand--”
“Luke Westham is a stalker?”
“Yeah, but don’t tell anybody.”
She did the Brownie salute again. “I won’t.”
“Okay. So, we went in the movies, and that creep was in there. He looked at me and was like, oh my God, how have you been? And I was like, uhhm, go away, creep. So, he walked up and grabbed my arm. Porter punched him like ten times in two seconds and knocked him out cold. And everyone gathered around and said, oh my God, you knocked out Luke Westham. And Porter said, who the fuck’s Luke Westham? It was the best thing, ever.”
She laughed. “Baker pinched a guy’s throat in Target one night. At first, I didn’t know what to think, and then I decided it’s nice having a guy stick up for me.”
“Like, pinched his skin?” I wrinkled my nose. “I don’t get it.”
“No. He grabbed his windpipe or whatever. You know, pinched it. The guy was looking down my shirt. I had on this top that I loved, but I hated it too, because it creeps up in the back and down in the front, and it had creeped way down. In the front. The guy was staring into my cleavage. Baker made sure he knew not to do it again.”
Kelvin wouldn’t have hurt a fly, nor would he have stuck up for me in a similar situation. Having someone who was willing and able to do so, even if they didn’t ever do it, was a good feeling.
“I like these guys,” I said. “They’re all pretty nice.”
“They’re basically brothers,” she said. “They all moved here from Montana after high school. They’re inseparable.”
“I like it. It’s like a big family.”
“Exactly,” she said. “That’s exactly what it’s like. A huge family. Barbeques. Trips on the motorcycles together. Racing cars at the racetrack. Just hanging out. Now, you’re part of it. Do you like to ride?”
“On the motorcycle?”
“Uh huh.”
“I love it,” I said. “Love, love, love it.”
“Me, too.”
It was crazy. My life had gone from great to awesome after meeting Porter. I was in love, which I never thought was going to happen. I had a new girlfriend who wasn’t an attention whore, and the possibility of having another who had a nursery and a funny Irish mother-in-law.
I’d spoken to my parents about Porter, but not at length. I needed to do just that, and to schedule a time for Porter and I to go visit them.
“Have you met Baker’s parents?” I asked.
“They’re not alive any longer,” she said.
“Oh. Has he met yours?”
Her face went solemn. “They’re both deceased. I was raised by my aunt.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said.
She put on a slight smile. “Has Ghost met yours?”
I’d talked to my mother at length about Porter, but not my father. I suspected my mother may have mentioned him to my father, but she hadn’t
said one way or another. I remained nervous about revealing the news to my father, as I knew he’d react unfavorably.
“Not yet,” I said. “But he’s going to.”
“They’ll like him,” she said. “He’s pretty to look at. Parents like pretty boys.”
I’d never really thought of him that way, but he was pretty. My mother would love him. My father? Well, that was a different story altogether.
108
GHOST
George sat down across from me and looked at me like I’d forgotten to bring the turkey to the Thanksgiving dinner. “Where’s your better half?”
“She’s not feeling good. It’s either a bad piece of sushi, or a rotten oyster. We had seafood on Sunday and on Monday she ate raw fish with one of the girls.”
“One of what girls?”
“One of my friend’s wives.”
“She needs more women in her life.” He looked me over. “You’re not here to eat, are you?”
“Why do you ask that?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Why are you answering a question with a question?”
I shrugged. “I planned on eating, yeah.”
“What’s troubling you?” he asked.
“Who says something’s bothering--”
He cleared his throat. “I’m like the know-it-all bartender. Except I’m not a bartender.”
I chuckled. “So, you’re just a know-it-all?”
“The all-knowing diner owner.” He leaned against the back of the booth and crossed his arms. “I know there’s something you want to talk about. I guess that leaves the only question as being what is it?”
It wasn’t going to be easy to talk about no matter how long I waited, so I decided to do what Abby often did, and just blurt my thoughts out onto the table.
I wished I was all-knowing like George, but I wasn’t. All I knew was that I loved Abby, and that the love I felt for her had me wanting to commit to spend the rest of my life with her.
I drew a long breath and spit out the entire sentence as I exhaled. “I want to ask Abby to marry me, and I don’t want to do it without talking to you about it first.”
He pressed his clenched fist into his open palm and rested his chin on top of his hands. “Marry her, huh?”
He took it better than I imagined he would. Relieved that he didn’t give argument, I continued spewing my thoughts. “Yes, Sir. I mean, yes, George. Yes, I want to marry her.”
“Why do you want to marry her?”
“Because I love her.”
“A man doesn’t marry every woman he falls in love with.” He raised both brows. “What makes her special?”
“Everything about her is special.”
“You want to marry her because of everything about her?”
“I want to marry her because I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I want to spend every day of the rest of my life with her. It’s hard to explain, but I know it. Every day. Forever. I can’t imagine life any other way. And, if I know that, truly know it, asking her to marry me is the only way to express to her how I feel. We can wait as long as she wants to get married, but I want to put a ring on her finger. I want to make that commitment to her.”
He looked over his shoulder.
“Lawson!” he yelled. “Turn around the sign and lock the door. We’re closed of the rest of the night.”
“Closed?” Lawson asked.
“Closed,” George said.
“Aye-aye, Top,” Lawson said.
George faced me. “You’re sure about this?”
“Right now? Sitting here? I’m worried about leaving her at home. I want to take care of her. Hell, she’s not even sick, she just feels crappy. And, I can’t think of leaving her alone.” I laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
He pursed his lips and studied me for a few seconds. “So, you’re asking my permission?”
“Kind of. She says she has two fathers, you and her dad. I’m asking you first, and then I’m going to ask you if you know how to get ahold of him.”
He grinned. “She said that?”
“Said what?”
“That she has two dads?”
“She’s said it more than once.”
“I’m glad she looks at me like a dad, because I look at her as a daughter.” He exhaled a heavy breath and looked me in the eyes. “I can’t imagine her being with anyone but you, Porter. I remember the day she came in here telling me she loved you. I was pretty damned happy for both of you. Her wedding day will be a day that I’ll cherish for ever and ever, I can tell you that much. She’s like the daughter I’ll never have. If you’re seeking my blessing, you’ve got it. I’m convinced this can’t be anything but right. ”
“She thinks the world of you,” I said.
“You need help with money for the ring?” he asked.
“Appreciate it, but I’ve got it covered.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
“What are your thoughts about kids?” he asked.
I laughed. “Three months ago, I couldn’t imagine a life with kids in it. Now? Hell, it’s always on my mind. I want to have kids with her and give our children the family life that I never had a chance of having. A mother and a father, both at home, both taking part in everything. I lay in bed at night and think about it.”
“What about the club?”
I sighed. “I’m thinking when we decide to have kids that I’m going to walk away from it. There was a time and a place for it, and those men will always be brothers to me, but I can’t imagine having kids and staying in the club will be a good thing. I want our children to be my only focus other than her.”
“I like the way you think, Porter.”
“Do you know how to get ahold of her father?” I asked.
“I do.”
“Mind telling me?”
“For this occasion, I don’t mind at all.”
As nervous a virgin at a prison rodeo, I held the phone to my ear and hoped he answered. If he didn’t, I doubted I’d have the courage to call him again for some time. After losing count of how many times it rang, he answered.
“This is Anderson,” he said.
“Mister Northrop?”
“This is Anderson, yes.”
“Sir, my name is Porter Reeves. This might seem like an odd telephone call, but if you’ve got a moment, I’d like to talk to you.”
“Is Abby alright?”
I was surprised that he’d made the connection. “Yes, Sir. She’s fine. She’s got a little bit of a stomach ache, and she’s at home. I’m away from there right now. Actually, I’m at George’s diner. I got your number from him.”
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“Yes, Sir. Everything’s just fine. I uhhm. Well, I’m calling for your permission.”
“My permission?” He chuckled. “She already told us she rides on that motorcycle of yours. I guess I’ll tell you I’m pleased that California’s a state that requires the use of helmets.”
“Not for that, Sir. For something else.”
“She speaks highly of you, Porter. What can I help you with?”
“Sir, I’d like to marry your daughter. Not right away, but whenever she’s comfortable with it. Maybe a year down the road, maybe two. Heck, it might be six months. Whatever she, and you, Sir, are comfortable with. But I’d like your permission to ask her to marry me. I guess I’d like to propose to her. You know, give her a ring.”
The phone fell silent for a moment.
“Hold on a moment, will you, Porter?”
“Yes, Sir.”
I heard muffled voices for a moment, and then he returned.
“Porter?”
“Yes, Sir?”
“Anna and I would be thrilled if you’d like to ask Abby to marry you. When are you planning on doing it?”
“In the next few days, I think. I need to get a ring and everything.”
“Well, you certainly have our blessing on the matter. Don’t rush. Things like this t
ake time and planning.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Porter?”
“Yes, Sir?”
“We’re pleased with her decision to see you. I’d like for you to know that. She speaks highly of you, as does George. In fact, George said you’re one of the finest men he’s ever had the opportunity to meet, and he’s met a few.”
I was shocked that he had talked to George about me, but it didn’t last long. If I had a daughter a special as Abby, I’d want to know everything abou the man who was seeing her as well.
“Thank you, Sir.”
“When the two of you get time, you need to come see us. Connecticut’s only a few hours by plane.”
I laughed to myself. “Actually, we’re planning a trip up there this fall.”
“Well, we look forward to meeting you. Keep us posted on the engagement, will you?”
“Yes, Sir. I will.”
“I’m sure Abby will call her mother as soon as she settles down.”
“I’m sure you’re right.”
“Is there anything else?”
“No, Sir.”
“Have a nice evening, Porter. Keep this number. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to call.”
“Thank you, Sir. Same to you.”
After hanging up, I peered over the top of the booth and searched the restaurant for George. Helping a couple to a few menus, he glanced in my direction. He gave me the thumbs up, and then the thumbs down. A shrug followed.
I gave the thumbs up.
He grinned and returned the gesture.
I had one more task to resolve. Well, two, actually.
I looked at the salesman in disbelief. “You either take cash, or you don’t. Which is it? If you don’t, I can make other arrangements, I just need some time.”
“We do take cash, Sir. I am not, however, certain that we can take that much cash.”
“Who do you need to ask to find out?”
He raised his index finger. “Hold on one moment, please.”
A gray-haired man who walked like he’d taken a college course on the subject paraded down the corridor in front of my thirty-something salesman.
Devil's Disciples MC (Box Set) Page 58