Okay, it’s just been the one. But Ashley left a bad taste in my mouth. And this chick. Isn’t she the one who got my man shot?
I eye her father carefully. If he pulls a gun on Rooster today, I’m kickin’ him in the nuts. I oughtta kick him anyway.
Only the tension in Rooster’s body stops me from asking what the fuck she thinks she’s doing when she wraps her arms around him, making sure to rub her giant knockers all over his chest.
Her cute-as-a-baby-giraffe eyes land on Jiggy next. “Figured you two would still be riding together. Come here! I’ve missed you.” She wraps Jiggy up in the same welcoming hug she gave Rooster. As she pulls back, she drops her gaze to his road captain patch. “My ol’ man’s RC here. You remember Acorn? You two should have plenty to talk about.”
Ah, I like how she worked her man into the conversation.
Her attention returns to Rooster, taking in his vice president patch. “I’d heard you made VP. Good for you, Rooster,” she says in a sincere way.
Well, now I feel guilty for being all bristly.
Rooster tugs me forward. “Heather, this is my ol’ lady—”
Heather squeals. “Holy shit. You’re Shelby Morgan!”
Next to Rooster, Jigsaw groans and shakes with laughter. Rooster not-so-subtly elbows him in the ribs which only makes Jiggy cackle louder.
Heather slaps Rooster’s arm and grins up at him. “Look at you rolling in all casual with Shelby Morgan as your ol’ lady. Oh my God. Shelby Morgan is in our clubhouse.”
Sure feels weird the way she keeps saying my full name like I’m not standing right here. I let out my own nervous titter of laughter. “Guilty as charged.”
We’re less than a foot apart, but the girl launches herself at me, hugging me like we’re long-lost sisters. “Welcome, welcome!”
I can’t say I’m big on hugs from strangers who’ve fucked my boyfriend, but I return the embrace—briefly. “Thank you.”
“I need to go pick up my kids, but we definitely need to hang out later at the park.” She glances up at Rooster. “You guys are coming to Gold Falls with us, right?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Rooster says with all the enthusiasm of someone about to be poked with a tetanus shot.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Shelby
While the men talk, my eyes stray to the massive slate fireplace in the center of the far wall. It’s late summer now but the homey hearth brings holiday traditions I’ve only heard about in songs to mind. Stuff like roasting chestnuts on an open fire while sipping cocoa with my man and watching the snow fall outside.
Part of me wishes we were visiting in the winter. Or there wasn’t the stress of the tour nipping at my heels. The lodge—I’m not sure how else to describe this clubhouse—fits right into the Northwest’s natural beauty. Rough-hewn timber gives everything a rustic feel. Black leather accents and a pool table used as a sex-ed prop remind you that bikers call the place home.
I catch my name and my attention returns to the conversation. For a man who once tried to shoot Logan, Hopper treats him like a long-lost son. Boy, he sure has some stories to share.
It’s a relief to finally escape what’s turning into a rather rowdy party. We find a room on the second floor. While it’s away from the noise of downstairs, there’s a festive air up here. Lots of open bedroom doors.
“So, people just wander around, pop into whatever room strikes their fancy, and…join in?” I ask.
“Seems like it.” Rooster pushes open a door at the end of the hallway and sets our bags down inside.
I flip the lock behind us and, as an extra measure of security, push my heaviest suitcase in front of the door.
“You think I’m lettin’ anyone get near my girl?” Rooster asks, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me in the air.
“Can’t be too careful!” I laugh and struggle as he carries me across the room, dropping me onto an unmade king-sized bed.
I scoot off the mattress, scooping up a pile of clean, folded linens on the nightstand. “Let’s make this up first. Unmade beds give me the willies.”
“The willies, huh?” He catches the fitted sheet I toss him, spreading it over the mattress.
“So, Hopper implied young Logan was all about the bunnies.” I shake out the top sheet and let it fall while Rooster smooths out the wrinkles.
“I’m sure he did.” He cocks his head and stares at me. “I let him think that so he wouldn’t suspect I was fuckin’ his daughter behind his back.” He tosses the comforter over the bed with a little more force than necessary.
I wrinkle my nose. “Solid plan. How’d that work out for ya?”
His laughter seems somewhere between amused and annoyed. “Well, he still tried to shoot me, so…”
“Maybe it was because he thought you were cheatin’ on his daughter?”
“Doubt it. Feel free to ask if you want. I don’t really care.” He stalks to my side of the bed and yanks me against his body. “I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”
I think I’ve teased Rooster enough for the day. “Yes, you are,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning up to kiss him.
He pulls away right before our lips touch, still staring at me with an intensity that singes my skin. “If I’d known you were in my future, I would’ve happily taken every bullet.”
Damn, he’s so sweet. “No wonder you were worried about my momma gettin’ a gun when she caught us in the shower.”
“Hell yeah.” He rubs his butt. “That shit hurts.”
I’m still laughing when he presses a finger to my chin and tips my head back. “You’re not charmed by our Washington charter, are you?”
“It’s too soon to tell.”
He presses a soft, lingering kiss against my lips. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For trying. Giving it a chance. Just being here with me. You could’ve done other stuff on your days off than watch prospects learn oral and hang out with my ex and her dad.”
“I’m just happy being with you.”
Someone knocks on our door and I swear Rooster snarls at the intrusion.
He toes my suitcase out of the way and opens the door.
Jiggy brushes past him. “Oh, good, caught you before the shedding of clothes happened.”
“Come in, join us, won’t you?” Rooster’s heavy sarcasm only makes Jiggy laugh.
“They’re getting ready to roll out in ten. Thought you’d wanna know.”
Rooster glances at me. “You sure you don’t mind?”
“I’m looking forward to it. Show me Washington. Everything I’ve seen so far is so pretty, I’m eager to see more.”
“All right.” He rubs his hands together. “Let’s ride, chickadee.”
In the parking lot, brothers are performing last minute checks on their bikes, throwing around some good-natured heckling of each other too.
While Ink had been a bit of a jerk—as far as I was concerned—earlier, he seems to have gotten it out of his system and joins us to talk to Rooster about New York and riding across the country.