“I don’t think he is, either. I just really like him, and I don’t have as much experience as he does. What if I’m not good enough at all that?”
“I’m sure you’re amazing at it, and if you’re a little rusty, he seems very take-charge. I’m sure he’ll show you the ropes.”
“That’s the problem,” Leah whispered. “Short of grabbin’ his rope, I’m not sure how to give him the green light without getting all flustered and coming across like a blitherin’ fool.”
“That’s what you’re worried about?” Starr patted her hand. “We can fix that. Are you seeing him tonight?”
“Yeah. He stays here every night. He’s coming over after his church meeting,” she said nervously.
“Perfect. All you’ve got to do is show him you’re ready. Landscape your girlie bits, lotion up with something that smells seductive, throw on a super-sexy thong or panties, a shirt that bares all your cleavage, and wear a miniskirt or something else that gives him easy access, and then flirt your hot little ass off.”
“My sexiest lingerie isn’t very sexy.”
“With you in it, it’ll be scorching, trust me.”
Leah was getting more nervous by the second. She looked down at her chest. “My cleavage hasn’t seen the light of day in four years.”
“Then it’s about time for those puppies to come out to play. I’m excited for you. After all those months of him staring at you across the bar, and the way he takes care of you and the girls, when you two come together, it can’t help but be perfect.”
“Then why do I feel so nervous I could puke?”
Starr bumped her with her shoulder. “Because as you said, he’s a lot of man and it’s been a long time for you. But what you don’t realize is that he’s probably nervous, too. Whether you know it or not, he knows you’re a whole lot of woman, and he’s lucky to have you.”
THE DARK KNIGHTS’ clubhouse was located down the road from the Salty Hog. The old brick building had once been a schoolhouse and had been renovated to include a large meeting area in the main space with pool tables and dartboards off to the side. There was an office, a kitchen, and a few bedrooms upstairs. The Wednesday-night meeting was in full swing. Tank sat with his brothers and cousins, listening to his father and Preacher discuss club finances and prospects—the guys who were trying to become members—and encouraging members to sign up for their upcoming anti-bullying and suicide prevention talks at the local schools. Tank had already signed up for both.
As his father went into detail about dates and times, Tank’s mind wandered back to Leah and the girls. Last week the girls had been sad that he wouldn’t be there to say good night because he had to go to church. He’d tried to explain to them why the club meetings were important. But they’d wanted to come with him, and after five or six why nots, he’d finally told them the meetings were boring rather than try to explain that the club was for men only. Leah seemed to think he’d handled it well, but it was still bothering him. He’d called to check on them and to say good night to the girls before tonight’s meeting, and they told him to have fun at his bowing meeting. Hearing theirs and Leah’s sweet voices had made him long to see them, and it had taken everything he’d had not to tell Leah how much he missed her. But she didn’t need that kind of pressure. It was enough that he got to hold her in his arms at night, even if he wanted a hell of a lot more.
Blaine nudged him. “You might want to pay attention. Preacher’s talking about Trunk or Treat, and you know the girls would love that.”
Every year the club hosted a Halloween event with games and contests. They dressed up in costumes, decorated their cars and trucks, loaded up the trunks and truck beds with candy, and roped off the clubhouse parking lot so children could roam safely under the watchful eyes of the Dark Knights.
“Thanks, man.” Tank turned his attention to his uncle, who sat at the head table with the rest of the club officials, his dog Buster lying by his feet. Preacher had a commanding presence. He wore his salt-and-pepper hair slicked back, kept his silver beard trimmed short, and had tattoos down both arms. He was like a second father to Tank. People joked that Tank should have been Preacher’s son because they were both broody and serious, while Conroy was playful and easygoing. All Tank knew was that he’d been blessed to be raised by the best men he knew—Conroy, Mike, and Preacher.
“Trunk or Treat is taking place on Halloween this year. That’s five weeks from Saturday,” Preacher announced. “We’ve got a sign-up sheet that we’ll leave on the table for volunteers to help run games and coordinate parking. If any of the women in your lives want to help Reba and Ginger with baking and other goodies, please sign them up, too. Any and all help is appreciated.”
Preacher wrapped up the meeting, and as guys got up to play pool, darts, and grab a beer, Tank pushed to his feet and said, “I’ll see you guys Sunday.” He planned on joining them for a ride while Leah and the girls were cooking with his mother and Madigan.
“You’re taking off?” Zeke asked.
“Yeah. I want to see Leah.”
Zeke nodded. “How is she doing?”
“You know. Tough road, but she’s strong.”
“I meant what I said about taking the girls on a hike when Leah’s up to it,” Zeke offered. “Or I can just take the girls and give her a break.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. Maybe in a couple of weeks.”
Zander said, “I meant what I said, too. If it would help the girls to hear me play the guitar, I’m happy to swing by. Anything to make things easier for them.”
“I really appreciate it, Zan. We’ll set something up.”
“You’ve been spending every night there since the accident,” Gunner pointed out.
Tank held his stare. “Yeah, and?”
“Nothing man, it’s cool.” Gunner held his hands up. “I was just wondering if you two were a thing now.”
Tank didn’t know what they were, but it was a hell of a lot more than a thing. “I gotta go.”
“Hold on.” Gunner got up from his seat and limped toward Tank, dragging one leg behind him.
Tank didn’t remember him limping when he’d come in. “What happened to you?”
“Your ball and chain got caught around my ankle.” Gunner laughed.
Tank shoved him. “Go ahead, jackass, get all this shit out of your system.”
Maverick chuckled. “Hey, man, you all gave me hell for a year about Chloe, remember?”
“That was fun,” Tank said. “This is annoying.”
Gunner clapped a hand on his shoulder. “I’m just razzin’ you, man. Leah’s great, and she’s lucky to have your ugly mug watching out for her.” He held his hand out toward the other guys and wiggled his fingers. “Pay up. Told you he was watching her all summer because he was into her.”
“Y’all are idiots.” Tank laughed as he headed for the door. He’d heard them placing bets in the weeks after Leah had first started working at the Hog, and truth be known, when he was younger, he’d done the same thing a time or two about them and other women. He waved to his father and Preacher. “See ya Sunday, Pops. G’night, Preach.”