I felt a bit insulted that he’d even think for a moment I’d hide something from the club, but especially him. He and I had no secrets. “Fuck you,” I fired back.
“Not bein’ a dick, man. But did you see the way he looked at you? Like he was gonna piss and shit himself there on the spot.”
“I didn’t miss it.” I breathed out deep as we took off down the road. Fuck, I needed my bike. “Don’t have a fuckin’ clue, man, but I sure as hell am gonna find out.”
Guns and ghosts … let the hunt resume.
14
KATIE
Work had been killer the first few days back after being sick. It wiped a woman out, and I could’ve used a few more days to rest. But this woman had to work.
Dryerson took care of me in a way no one had ever taken care of me.
He didn’t care if he got sick. He helped me shower and said not one word about the marks on me. He brought me soup and meds. He even washed the sweaty sheets and folded them. Who knew he was so domestic?
The thing was I liked having him in my home, sick or not. Okay, I was lying to myself. I loved him in my space, and it made everything so darn confusing.
This back and forth thing was giving me a headache.
On top of that, the old flip phone Margaret had brought me had never rang. Nope. I’d carried it everywhere with me just in case.
Ryker hadn’t asked me about it, not that I saw him all that much. But Ensley asked me every time she saw me. It was usually the first thing out of her mouth instead of hello.
They were her sisters too. Maybe she felt the same guilt that I did from leaving our siblings behind.
What we’d do when the call came was anyone’s guess. It could be next year.
Ensley had taken it upon herself to fill Ryker in on the phone and our sister’s ominous visit to Quickie Stock. calling. He said he’d help any way he could.
“Annee Kadee!!!” Remy screamed, opening the front door and rushing into me, wrapping herself around my legs.
My arms were filled with bags, so my hug back wasn’t that great. “Hey, bug. How are ya?”
“Goods! Youz payz wit me.”
“Of course.” On a smile, she led me into the house and closed the door behind her.
“So has she called?” my sister asked, entering the room in a rush just like all the other times.
Ensley was dressed in killer denim blue jeans, motorcycle boots, and a long-sleeved light blue top. She looked just like she should be on the back of a bike. Which she was going to be as soon as she left.
It was getting easier to relax and not have such a wall up with Ensley. I’d admit the war paint was light tonight. It was a step even if small.
“Nope,” I responded with Remy holding my hand and leading me through the house. No doubt to her bedroom.
“I’m surprised they want out,” Ensley said as we passed by her, Remy not stopping for a single second.
“Me too, but I’m glad they knew they could contact me.”
“Right.” Ensley slapped her hands together just as Micah came out of the main bedroom wearing much the same as Ensley, except his shirt was wine colored and he had a cut on. “We gotta get goin’.”
“Thanks for watchin’ her.” Micah wrapped his arm around my sister’s shoulders and pulled her close to him. “We needed to get away for a bit.”
“Please, for the love of God, have a boy this time!!” I yelled as we entered Remy’s room, and she closed the door. She was obviously done with adult talk time. But that didn’t stop me from hearing Ensley’s “bye” and Micah yell, “Not promisin’ nothin’!”
I loved that for them. Not that they we’re going right now to have sex, but them being in such love. I’d never seen a relationship like theirs before.
My experiences with adults and ‘love’ were minimal. Sometimes back at home, I didn’t think anyone loved anyone but their siblings. There were no brushes on the cheek or holding hands or opening doors for the women.
There would be an occasional hug for special occasions, but nothing like I’d seen with Ensley and Micah. Heck, the entire Ravage MC. And well, Dryerson too, but I wasn’t going to think about that. I was going to play Trolls and spend the night watching the movie with my sunshine.
I really couldn’t think of a better time to spend with my niece, even if I wanted to chop every trolls’ head off. But Remy didn’t need to know that.
“Helps!” Remy exclaimed, trying to put on her Troll costume I’d made her. It reminded me I needed to finish the sketches I’d started for Austyn’s dress. They were nowhere near done since I had been sick, but it was started and wouldn’t take me long because it was already in my head. Maybe after Remy went to bed I’d have some time.
Moving over to Remy, I helped get the costume on just right and zipped up the back. Maybe I should’ve had the opening in the front so she could get in by herself? A thought for another time.
“Iz Oppy. Whoz youz?” Remy asked, her little troll fingers coming up to the Troll’s face and tapping thoughtfully. “Youz Widget.”
I smiled wide and groaned inside. Remy was going to make me put the skates on. Ensley got them just for this purpose after Remy cried that I didn’t have skates for being Bridget and it didn’t look right.
Rainbow wig and skates were coming up.
“Sounds good. Where’s the…” I looked to the corner. “There they are.” The skates were neon pink, green, orange and blue. They were lookers alright. Did I mention my balance sucked, and I was not good on skates at all?
Well, I wasn’t. I sucked at skating, but luckily there were lots of things to hold on to around the room so I wouldn’t fall. At least too hard.
“Herez!” Remy handed me the rainbow wig. I swore Ensley and Micah went to the set of Trolls and grabbed every prop they could find. I was lucky they hadn’t gotten her a full-out costume yet. I had a feeling making another one would be in my future.
I took the wig and set it beside me while I tried to tie the skates. Roller skates that was.
“How’s school going?” I asked.
“Fines. Anny saids he lovessz mes. But I don’t want boyfiends.”
My head swiveled as I stared at my three-year-old niece who was in preschool. “What?”
“Anny a boys. And boys are goss.”
“You keep going with that. Boys are very, very gross. No boyfriends because they stink.”
Right after my last word, the bedroom flew open. Not remembering I had skates on, I tried to get up and get Remy behind me. Instead, I landed on my butt holding on to Remy, staring up at Dryerson.
“For the love a Pete. You scared the crap out of me.” My grip on Remy went away as she smiled warmly up at him.
After my heart started back up again, I finished tying the skates.
“What’s this about boyfriends I heard?” Dryerson asked as Remy ran to him. He picked her up and tossed her in the air, costume and all.
“Anny wants mez to beez his girlfiend. But I aid no.”
“Damn right you said no. Where is this Andy? He and I need to have a chat,” Dryerson asked her.
“Ms. Jennyz. Hez talks lite me.”