“Have them visit,” I mutter, removing my shirt and gaining Shay’s attention. “If you visit, your mom will make the visit about her.”
Shay reaches for me when I sit on the bed. “Makes sense. You smell so good.”
“I have a meeting in the morning.”
“Okay,” she says, nuzzling my neck.
“I’ll drop you off then pick you up later for dinner.”
“Uh-huh.”
Her lips caress my shoulder as she inhales my scent. She’s damn irresistible when she reacts in such an open way. Nothing seductive about her at all. I never want her playing games with me. Other chicks can lie and scheme, but not my Shay.
27
Ford
Mamas Love Everyone
The next day, we oversleep, forcing me to hurry Shay out of the house. She’s out of clothes and wears one of my shirts. Even in my flannel top, Shay is shivering like crazy when I drop her off at Darby’s house.
I know I need to get to the club meeting at Hunk O’ Love. Shay also should get into the house and warm up. I know all this crap, but I cup her face and study those chattering lips. When I kiss them, she wraps her arms around me. I like how tight her embrace feels.
Maybe I’m tired or reluctant to see the club after what happened to Tiny. Whatever the reason, I’d rather be in my warm house with Shay next to me than seeing men I call brothers.
“Be good,” I tell her.
“I’m always good. What the hell are you talking about?”
Grinning, I kiss her again then step back. “I’ll pick you up for dinner.”
“Okay.”
“Say you’ll miss me.”
Shay smiles softly then steps backwards toward the front porch. “I’ll miss your voice and your touch. I’ll miss your arms around me and your lips on mine. I’ll miss you inside me. I’ll miss seeing you look at me like you’re looking at me right now. Yes, I’ll miss you.”
“I didn’t need all that,” I mutter over my shoulder.
“Yeah, but I do my own thing, man. I’m an independent woman and all that jazz.”
Chuckling at her confidence, I climb on the Harley. Shay stands on the porch and waits until I’m at the corner before she disappears inside the house.
Everyone’s at the backroom of the diner when I arrive. No one pays me any attention as I give my order to the waitress Dee. Before she walks off, I ask, “How much does a pedicure cost?”
“You going metrosexual, Crawford?” she teases, flashing me a big red smile.
“Naw, I like being scruffy. Pax is thinking about getting that permanent eyeliner crap to make his eyes prettier.”
“Oh, he’d look divine,” Dee says, laughing. “So why do you need to know about a pedicure?”
“It’s for a chick I’m banging.”
“You charmer. Well, last time I went with my sister, we paid twenty five for a manicure. I remember seeing it was forty bucks for a manicure and a pedicure. I don’t know if that helps.”
“Yeah, it does.”
Leaving Dee to put in my order, I join the guys in the backroom and sit next to Pax. My brother leans over and whispers, “You missed a lot of clusterfuck shit. Lucky bastard.”
“Need a hug, little man?”
Pax gives me his sad kid expression and nods. I push him away then catch up to the conversation. Before I settle in, everyone is suddenly looking at me and Pax.
Joker scratches his jaw. “Wanda wants proof of death on the fuckers who killed her boy. She also wants to know they suffered worse than Tiny. She deserves vengeance, so you’ll get it for her.”
“I can get it,” Sharpie grunts from a few tables down. “It’s my territory and Tiny was my friend.”
Pax shifts next to me, ready to lose his temper. Joker likely knows what’s coming too.
“It’s the club’s territory,” Joker says. “Tiny died because of the club and the club will crush the fucker who did it.”
“I’m a member of the club, remember?” Sharpie says, slamming his fat hand down on the table.
Everyone tenses as Pax jumps to his feet. I ignore them and eat my eggs.
“You can’t handle this shit,” Pax says and Sharpie stands up to face him.
“I do the head cracking on the west side.”
“Yeah, for storekeepers who don’t pay protection or junkies making a mess near your car. Did you see Tiny? The fucker who did that will destroy you.”
“Ah, but you two are so badass. Right, right. Killing someone ain’t hard, man. Kids can fucking do it.”
“Kids can pull a trigger, but we need info. How you gonna get it when you rage into the place? More likely you’ll lose your temper, fuck him up, and we’ll get nothing.”
Sharpie bangs both hands on the table and glares at Pax. “You’re nothing special. Not even your mama loves you and everyone’s mama loves them.”
Joker knows Pax needs to kick someone’s ass now. My brother won’t jump across the table and make a mess of everyone’s breakfast. Contrary to what people think, Pax isn’t a loose cannon. He just plays one for show.