Parker
Two years ago…
I WAS STANDING at the front counter of my store when my cell phone buzzed, and I saw it was Willow calling, so I picked it up with a smile. “Well, hi there, bestie numero uno.”
Jasmine was bestie numero dos, but only because I’d met her second.
“Hi, honey. You need to get Stevie to watch the shop.”
I owned a local flower shop, Parker’s Petals, that I’d opened three years ago to booming success. It was a good thing it worked, because I’d sunk almost my entire trust left to me by my grandmother, along with blood, sweat, and a shit ton of rose thorn induced tears, into it.
I was painfully shy, and it had been a personal challenge to work closely with the public to build a business with exemplary customer service and kindness, along with kickass flower designs. So far, I was happy with the results, partly because I’d proved my naysayers wrong, but mostly because it was forcing me out of my shell.
“Sounds intriguing,” I said, trimming the stem of a rose. “Why?”
“Rabbit’s been hurt.”
My heart stopped and I dropped my shears. “What do you mean, ‘hurt’?”
“There was an explosion—”
“What the fuck?” I squeaked as I yanked off my apron and headed to the break room. “Where?”
“Parker?” Stevie said, mid-chew, interrupting my conversation while her face scrunched up in worry.
“I need you to watch the front,” I said, grabbing my purse from one of the lockers, before focusing back on Willow. “Where is he, Willow?”
“He’s at Memorial,” Willow said.
I hung up and grabbed my purse, making a run for my car.
I defied every speed law as I rushed to the hospital, and probably parked totally illegally, but I didn’t care. I ran into emergency, saw several of the Dogs milling in the lobby and made my way to them. “Where is he?” I demanded.
Alamo, the club’s Sergeant at Arms and Jasmine’s husband, walked over to me. “He’s being evaluated right now. Doc’s in with him.”
“I want to see him.”
“They’re not letting anyone see him, sweetheart.”
I scowled up at one of my closest friends. “I swear to God, Alamo, if you don’t take me to him, I will never speak to you again.”
He studied me and I scowled deeper.
“Would the threat be worse if I told you I’d follow you around jabbering about nothing?” I demanded.
Alamo’s lip twitched and he turned to Badger standing close by. “Cover us.”
Badger nodded. “You got it.”
Alamo slid an arm over my shoulders and guided me through one set of double doors, then another, while Badger distracted and flirted with the nursing staff. His wife, Quin, wasn’t here, so he had a little more freedom, although, she probably would have sanctioned the plan.
We walked down a hallway surprisingly empty, other than Doc’s woman, Olivia, sitting in a chair against the wall. As soon as she saw me, she jumped up and closed the distance, pulling me in for a hug. “Hey.”
“How bad is he?” I asked, forcing back tears.
“Not sure. Doc’s in with him now.”
Doc was the club president, but as his club name would suggest, he was also a doctor, and a damn fine one so if he was in with Rabbit, he was in good hands.
Alamo checked his phone and gave me a squeeze. “We’re gonna head back to the barn. Doom’s got Lyric settled there with Willow. We need to meet.”
Olivia nodded. “We’ll see you soon.”
Just as Alamo walked away, Doc stepped out of Rabbit’s room.
“How bad?” I whispered.
“He’s got second and third degree burns up and down his side and is going to require a series of grafts over the next six months or so. He also got his bell rung, so he’s got a concussion,” Doc said.
“Is he going to die?” I asked, then covered my mouth with my hands to keep from screaming.
“He’s a tough motherfucker, sweetheart, remember that.”
I nodded, tears streaming down my face, and swallowing convulsively. “Can I see him?”
“He’s heavily sedated, but you can sit with him for a bit.”
I pushed into the room and forced myself not to crumble. Rabbit’s right side was bandaged, but he otherwise looked perfect. I dragged a chair close to his bed and took his good hand in mine, careful not to jostle the monitor on his finger.
“You’ve got about twenty minutes,” Doc said. “Then we’ll head back to the club. You’re locked down with everyone else.”
I nodded and he left me alone.
“Hey, Rabbit,” I whispered. “So, a funny thing happened on the way to the hospital. I realized I’ve been a total idiot.”
I kissed the palm of his hand, then settled my cheek against it.
“How have you been an idiot? you ask.” I took a deep, shaky breath. “Well. I love you. I have for a while, but I’ve been so fucking stubborn and too afraid to say it out loud. I know you know that, but now I’m confirming it.”
All of this was unfortunately true. Rabbit was four years younger than me and even though I’d told him it would never work, he’d pursued me from the get…hard. It scared the crap out of me, and I’d shut him down at every turn. I’d even dated other men, parading them in front of him. Not many. Three, but he just smiled his secret little smile and showed up with wine when I ultimately dumped them.
After the third break up, about a year ago now, I’d made Rabbit an indecent proposal. Well, indecent for me. I wanted sex. Friends with benefits, but on the way to the benefits, I fell in love with him.
We were from two totally different worlds and I’d been so hung up on appearances, I’d forgotten to just feel. He’d treated me better than anyone I’d ever known, and he was the best friend I’d ever had, and that was saying something because Jasmine and Willow were damn good friends.
“Zane, I need you to get better,” I whispered. “We’re gonna make up for lost time the second you get out of here. I’m going to be right by your side while you heal. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to figure it out.”
The door opened and Doc walked. “We need to get goin’. I’m leaving a couple of recruits here.”
“Okay, thanks,” I said, and followed him out, after promising Rabbit I’d be back the next day. Little did I know, my world was about to crumble in the worst kind of way.
Parker
Present day…
I UNLOCKED THE front door of my flower shop and entered the code for the alarm. I still had an hour before I opened, but a wedding order was being delivered in twenty minutes, so I needed to move some things around in prep for that.
I made a pot of coffee, moved buckets around in my storage fridge, then headed to the loading area at the very back of the store and opened the delivery door, quickly finding myself slammed up against the wall and my mouth covered with a large hand. “Close your eyes and don’t say a goddammed word.”
I squeezed my eyes shut and nodded, and the man loosened his hand over my mouth.