by Jamie Begley
At midnight, she still hadn’t given up the forlorn hope that Hennessy would show. She kept the hope up until she lay down and turned the off light. Trying to stay awake, she failed miserably, not waking up until morning with the smell of breakfast waking her.
Seeing the other side of the bed hadn’t been slept in, Arin miserably thought about how she would wake up to see him gone in all the mornings in her future.
She sat up and wrapped her arms around her legs, trying not to cry. She didn’t want a future without him in it. If she was this unhappy without him for one night, how was she going to bear a lifetime without him?
A knock at the door had her raising her head from her knees. “Come in.”
Jewell poked her head inside. “Hurry up. We’re waiting for everyone to open presents!”
“I’ll hurry,” she promised.
Jewell didn’t leave. “You okay?”
“Yes.” Arin shooed her away, determined not to cry on her friend’s shoulder. “I won’t be five minutes.”
“Make it three. I want my purse.” Grinning, Jewell closed the door.
Keeping her word, Arin walked down the stairs in five minutes, seeing the members already had their presents piled next to them.
Breaking into a smile when she saw Hennessy motioning for her, she took the seat next to him on the couch.
“These are yours,” he said, pointing to a stack of presents sitting on the coffee table.
Arin didn’t reach for them. “Why are you wearing sunglasses? Did you spend the night drinking instead of putting bikes together?”
“Are you saying I can’t do two things at once?”
“Baby boy, I know you can.”
Hennessy winced. “I’ll make a deal with you. Don’t call me baby boy, and I won’t call you baby girl.”
“I can live with that.” She wouldn’t have to live with it for long. He was leaving tomorrow.
Forcing herself to feign excitement about opening her presents, she started in on them as Hennessy opened his. Each present she opened, she expected to see Hennessy’s name scrawled on the tags. However, when she opened the last one, and there hadn’t been one from him, she acted as if she wasn’t upset.
After everyone had opened their presents, the members went into the kitchen to eat breakfast.
Rising, she waited for Hennessy to follow. When he didn’t, Arin reached out to grab his arm, which he jerked away from her.
“Put on your coat. I want to show you your Christmas present.”
“My present is outside?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you acting so strange?”
Hennessy already had his coat on, but he was walking slowly toward the middle of the room as she put on hers.
“Did you hurt yourself putting toys together?” she asked in concern when Hennessy zipped his coat and, for the first time, she took a closer look at his hands, seeing they were swollen. “Did you get in a fight with one of the men?” When she found out which one touched her man, she was going to kick him in the nuts … or get Jewell to do it for her.
“We can do it after breakfast if you want?” he evaded her question.
“You’re not getting off that easily. Let’s go.” She started for the front door.
“Let’s go out the back. The steps might be icy with it being so early.”
Concerned at the strange way he was acting, she stayed quiet as they went through the kitchen and outside. She had been so focused on Hennessy that she paid little attention to some of the men who looked like they had been in a war zone. She waited until they were outside before giving him hell.
“Did you all get in a free-for-all? Jack has two black eyes. Did you do that to him? Zip looked like he was in bad shape. Did they get in a fight and you had to break them up? Why aren’t you telling me what happened?”
She was still fussing when they walked around the corner and she saw her SUV had a new hitch attached to the rear.
“Jesus, my head is killing me, and if you would give me five seconds, I’ll explain. Jesus.”
Irritated at his abrupt tone, she walked closer to her SUV. “Why did you give me a hitch for Christmas? What do I need a hitch for?”
“I bought it for us, so Core and I can ride in your car to Ohio.”
Happiness bloomed in her chest. It was as if he had given her a diamond ring. “You’re coming back to Ohio with me?”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!”
“I’m so happy!” She threw herself in his arms.
A pained curse had her pulling away.
“You’re hurt!”
“I’m fine. I’m in better shape than Core and Jack. I think his wrist is broken, and he won’t go to the ER.”
“You joined The Last Riders?”
“They have a clubhouse there.”
“I know … I was … At first, I assumed you were saying you were moving in with me.”
“I am. I’m going to work at their factory and hang out there when you get on my case.”
“You’re going to live with me?”
“If the offer is still open?”
Enlightened, it finally dawned on her that Hennessy was in pain and was hiding the extent of his injuries. A hiccupping sob escaped her at the joy sweeping through her at the speed of Santa’s sleigh.
“Oh, yes!” She gently hugged him. “What about the Road Kingz?”
“Core and I were the only ones left. The rest scattered after the fire.”
“How bad are you hurt?”
“Not bad …”
“… as Jack and Core?” She rolled her eyes. “You really didn’t have to join The Last Riders. I can give you a job in my company.” They could live together, drive to work together, be with each other during the day. Hennessy didn’t just give her a hitch for Christmas; it was a present that just kept on giving because she wouldn’t be going back home alone. Christmas Day was the beginning of a brand-new life with Hennessy … and apparently, with The Last Riders.
“Do you offer a game of pool and beer during lunchtime?”
“No.”
“Sex during my breaks?”
She nodded.
“Then I might consider it if I hate the job. Okay?”
“I can also provide other compensations. I give great back rubs …” Arin trailed off when she saw Moon helping Jack down the walkway.
“Going to the ER?” Hennessy asked when the two men drew closer.
“Yes. Core wants to go, too. Viper is bringing him.”
Arin circled her arm around Hennessy’s waist when he placed an arm around her shoulders to give her some of his weight. Her big, strong he-man had just run out of steam.
“Do you have room for Hennessy, too?”
“I don’t need—”
“You’re going.”
Since he was in no shape to argue, Hennessy found himself in the back seat next to Jack.
She pressed herself into the back seat with them. Core was left to take the front seat with Moon driving.
“Hennessy, thanks for going first with Viper. If you and Core hadn’t, I wouldn’t have made it in.” Jack carefully held his arm in the makeshift sling. “Did you beat Viper’s record?”
“Fuck no,” Moon butted in.
Arin gently snuggled against Hennessy. “This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”
All the men in the car looked at her as if she had lost her mind.
“Isn’t it your best, too?” With happiness bubbling in her chest, she expected the same response from him.
“I think my front tooth is loose, my ribs hurt like a motherfucker, and I haven’t slept in forty-eight hours. What’s so great about it?”
Arin didn’t let Hennessy’s grumpiness get to her. Her grinch always had a sour disposition when he was in pain. She almost reminded him about that man card he loved to brag about in his wallet but thought she’d wait until they we’re actually in Ohio.
“You’ll feel better when we get
home and I kiss you under the mistletoe.”
“Fuck mistletoe. Screw jingle bells. And all this ‘ho ho ho’ shit can kiss my ass!”
Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a flask. “Here, have a shot of Hennessy, brother.”
“It’s okay, big daddy.” She patted Hennessy’s cheek. “There’s always next year.”
Hennessy shot her a hot look, finding his man card again. “Now, that’s a nickname I can live with.”