Torque

by Gillian Archer

The thought haunted me for the rest of the day until my phone buzzed with an incoming text.

  Dylan: Sorry about your car. I’ll pay to fix it. You’re right. I promise I’ll tell my bros everything.

  I sagged in relief. It wouldn’t be on me to tell Nathan and his brothers. Thank god. Now he’d get the help he needed to get the Kings off his back.

  And away from me too.

  Chapter Twenty

  Nathan

  I admit, I never really paid much attention to Maddie or her family life growing up. She’d always been the kinda annoying little kid hanging around and playing with Sabrina and Dylan. And I definitely didn’t pay any attention to her house or her parents.

  I kinda regretted that now. Because we were spending Saturday night at her parents’ house.

  Having dinner.

  As a family.

  I’d never really done the meet the family routine with any of the girls I’d seen outside of high school. And picking up a girl on the way to prom was lightyears from meeting the parents of the girl you were sleeping with, the one you were starting to have serious feelings for.

  It had sounded like a bad idea from the jump, and it never really got any better. Apparently, it was the price to pay for abandoning Maddie yesterday morning during her mom’s surprise visit.

  Huge regrets.

  And they started when Maddie’s dad, Greg, opened the door.

  “Hi, Dad.” Maddie kissed his cheek and then turned to me. “You remember Nathan.”

  “Nathan. Right.” I’d never heard two words say so much. Greg didn’t like me. He wasn’t impressed with me. And he clearly thought his daughter could do better.

  I agreed with that last one, but I wasn’t gonna let Maddie or Greg know that.

  “Evening, Mister Roberts.” I gave him a nod as I followed Maddie inside.

  “Oh, sweetie,” Maddie’s mom, Kim, hollered from the kitchen. “You can call him Greg.”

  “Mister Roberts actually sounds good to me,” Mr. Roberts rumbled behind me.

  Right.

  “Dad, be nice,” “Maddie scolded, holding my hand in a death grip as we stood in their living room.

  Judging by his grunt, Mr. Roberts didn’t think he had to. He crossed the room and sat in the slightly worn leather recliner facing the tv. “Well, sit down. Your mom will be out in a minute. She’s busy fussing with dinner.”

  I’d been following Maddie’s lead, walking toward the comfy-looking gray couches with nail head accents when she stopped abruptly, and I crashed into her. I grabbed her shoulders to brace the both of us and she spun around in my hands.

  “I’m so sorry. I forgot to warn you,” Maddie whispered.

  I frowned down at her and whispered back. “About what?”

  “My mom thinks—”

  “Maddie, honey. There you are.” Kim interrupted as she came into the room. She stood in front of us, a slightly older version of Maddie—the same dark brown hair and eyes, her face only slightly wrinkled at the corners of her eyes like she was a woman who smiled often. It was like looking at a future version of the woman at my side. Somehow it was comforting and kinda freaky all at once.

  Maddie took a step forward and hugged her mom. “Hey, Mom.”

  Kim’s eyes softened as she hugged her daughter back. The love in the room at that moment was palpable. I’d be lying if I said the sight didn’t make me smile.

  Maddie took a step back and held my hand again. “Mom, you remember Nathan.”

  “Of course I do.” Kim said as she took a step forward and folded me into a hug. Which was awkward because I’d already lifted my hand for a handshake. “None of that shaking hands here. I’m a hugger.”

  I patted her on the back awkwardly and took a step away the second it was socially acceptable to.

  “Sit. Sit.” Kim gestured toward the sofa we’d been headed for previously. Maddie and I headed for the couches as Kim continued. “The osso buco needs to braise a bit more, so we can chat for a few.”

  “Osso buco, Mom? Really?” Maddie sat then traded a look with her dad that had her dad raising his hands in innocence, his eyes rounded as he furiously shook his head.

  The gestures stopped when Kim crossed the room to sit in the other leather recliner. “I got a new recipe from the Gastronomic Network. It looked so delicious I had to try it myself.”

  Maddie leaned into my side and whispered, “I am so sorry.”

  I had no idea what was going on. It felt like I walked into the middle of a stage scene and all the other actors knew their lines. I didn’t even have a chance to whisper back a what before Kim was off again.

  “So, Nathan.” Kim smiled at me. “I’m sure you can imagine my surprise when I heard our little Maddie was dating you.”

  I blinked. Was that a question? Was I supposed to reply? “Uh, I don’t know why it would be surprising.”

  “Well I’m sure you remember Maddie was so—”

  “Mom!” Maddie cut her mom off. “Do not even finish that sentence.”

  If I thought Maddie had glared at her father before, it was nothing compared to the expression on her face now. She could’ve boiled her mom’s blood with the heated look she was sending her mom.

  Mr. Roberts cleared his throat. “Kim, let’s not embarrass our one and only daughter. We’ve only just got her visiting us again. It’s been weeks since Maddie stopped by.”

  Maddie closed her eyes with a wince. Knowing that her father’s comment had burned her, even though I doubted that was his intent, I jumped into the fray.

  “What’s your job again, Kim? I forgot to ask Maddie on the drive over.”

  Kim lifted her moist eyes to mine and smiled despite the pain reflected in her gaze. “I’m a fifth-grade teacher.”

  “That’s right. I think Dylan was in your class.” I smiled encouragingly at her.

  “Dylan and Sabrina. The school wouldn’t let me teach my daughter—something about conflict of interest—but I did teach both of your younger siblings. That Dylan was a handful.”

  “Still is.” I laughed lightly.

  “Isn’t that what they say about all the Burns brothers?” Mr. Roberts asked, his eyebrows raised. “Trouble times four?”

  “That was the byline of our first season.” My smile tightened and felt weird on my face. “But a lot has happened since then. I like to think that we’ve gotten a little bit more mature.”

  Mr. Roberts leaned forward and braced his elbows on his knees. “Was that the episode when you and your brother beat each other up and had to go to the hospital?”

  “Dad!” Maddie bit out, standing up. “Knock it off. I swear to god I don’t know why I came tonight. I’m annoyed with both of you. Is this the way you seriously behave toward company?”

  “Maddie, it’s fine,” I murmured, tugging her hand until she sat back down on the couch next to me. “They just love you and are concerned about the caliber of man you’re dating.”

  “Caliber. Sure.” Mr. Roberts mocked under his breath.

  “And I’d like to answer your question, sir, if you don’t mind.” I turned to give Mr. Roberts the look I used back when we built bikes for the Kings MC—Austin called it the don’t-fuck-with-me expression. I would’ve loved to go off on Mr. Roberts, but I had to keep it together for Maddie. “I did used to brawl with my brothers. Hell, I brawled back in the day just for the rush. I didn’t exactly grow up with the best of men to model myself after, and I thought the only way to get respect was to use my fists.”

  “Don’t give me that bullshit.” Mr. Roberts shook his head, his disgust plain to see. “You have a wonderful aunt who raised you. Wendy Wagner moved heaven and earth to get you boys and worked like hell to keep a roof over your heads.”

  “I never said she didn’t. Aunt Wendy is a wonderful woman. I love her like a mother. Almost. Because I still remember my mom. How she used to make us brownies and how she could keep us all in line with just a look. I also remember the night my father killed her, hiding in a closet wit
h my brothers and hearing that gunshot.” I had to take a breath and look away because of all the memories swamping me.

  I hated thinking about that night. That small description brought it all back. The sick helplessness I felt because he was hurting her again. The fear that something was different because Austin made us hide from them. The gut-wrenching grief when we found out what that asshole we used to call Dad had done. The fear when the cops took him away. I took another breath and tried to lock it all down. I was here for Maddie, and I wanted her father to look at me like a man and not the punk kid I’d been for so long.

  “Shit like that marks you.” I shook my head. I’d fucked this all up. But there was no backing down or do-overs. “All I’m saying is that I’m trying to be a better man. Your daughter makes me want to do better. And I hope I can live up to the example you set for her.”

  Mr. Roberts gave me another long, hard look before he nodded tightly. “I can respect that.” He turned to his wife. “How much longer ‘til dinner?”

  Kim raised her eyebrows and blinked. She did a quick head shake and turned to me. “I think what my husband meant to say was ‘thank you for sharing what is clearly a painful memory with us. I’m sorry about your mom. I never thought about how that kind of childhood event could mark someone.’”

  Mr. Roberts had the grace to look ashamed. He cleared his throat. “Yes. What my wife said. I am sorry for your loss. I lost my parents in a car accident when I was in high school, so I thought I knew what you’d gone through. Clearly, I was wrong. I do respect you coming here and putting up with my shit and the nice stuff you said about my daughter.”

  “Thank you, sir.” I put my arm around Maddie and she leaned into my side, grinning.

  “You happy?” Mr. Roberts asked his wife. “Can we eat now?”

  Kim shook her head. “You going to let him off the hook with the Mister Roberts b.s.?”

  Mr. Roberts turned back to me. “You can call me Greg. Everyone happy? Can we eat now?”

  Kim sighed. “Let me go check on the osso buco.” She tossed me a smile. “Welcome to the family, Nathan.”

  Once Kim had ducked out of the room toward the kitchen, Maddie snorted.

  “What?” I murmured to her, confused what was funny.

  “Not you,” she replied. “My dad.”

  I lifted a shoulder. It’d gone about as well as I could’ve hoped for. Maddie was worth whatever shit they wanted to throw at me. Metaphorical or actual.

  “Why are you in such a hurry to eat?” Maddie asked her dad with a frown. “I’d just as well put this fiasco off as long as possible.”

  “I wasn’t thinking.” Greg groaned. “I just wanted to get out of the hotseat.”

  “And now we’re all going to pay for your sins,” Maddie intoned dramatically.

  I looked at both of them in confusion. “What the hell is going on?”

  “You didn’t tell him?” Greg asked.

  “I didn’t know Mom was going to make osso buco. I thought you guys would’ve called an order in from one of your favorite restaurants like you always do.”

  “She’s on a new cooking kick. Which you would’ve known if you’d bothered to come home at least once in the last month.”

  Maddie’s cheeks reddened. “I was busy—”

  “Dinner’s ready,” Kim trilled from the doorway. “I hope you brought your appetites.”

  Maddie and her dad exchanged another look and slowly stood like they had an appointment with the gallows.

  “Don’t think that you’re off the hook, kiddo. We’ve still got to talk about your apartment and your job later.” Greg tossed over his shoulder before he pulled his wife into the kitchen, giving me and Maddie a moment of privacy.

  I wasn’t thick. I could read between the lines. Kim was a horrible cook who occasionally fashioned herself as a chef. I guess I was going to find out if I had any acting skills after all.

  I grabbed Maddie’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you for bringing me tonight.”

  “Seriously?” Maddie asked incredulously. “My father gave you the third degree—he all but jabbed bamboo shoots under your fingernails—and you have no idea what is going to happen over dinner. Spoiler alert: horrible food and more probing questions—my mom hasn’t even had a go at us yet. I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m glad you have a mom and dad who love you so much they’ll grill the man in your life to make sure that he’s worthy of you. You’re lucky.”

  Maddie shook her head slightly. “I’ve never thought of it that way. I’d always been so envious of your family. You have siblings to conspire and play with. You have no idea how much I wanted that my whole life. Being an only child, I had all of my parents’ attention—both of them. Don’t get me wrong, I love them, but it can be a lot.”

  “And I wanted what you have—a mom and dad who are here and clearly love you. It’s obvious that they’d do anything for you. I love Aunt Wendy, and I know she tried to step in when my mom died, but it’s not the same. At least it’s not for me. I remember my mom. I wish so much—” My voice grew thick and I had to clear my throat. “Sorry. I just wish I had what you have.”

  “I get that.” Maddie faced me, wrapped her arms around my shoulder, and lifted her face to me. “Thank you.”

  I leaned down and gave her a quick peck. “We better get in there before your dad gets out the bamboo shoots.”

  “I locked them up before you got here,” Kim said from the doorway.

  Maddie and I jumped apart like two teenagers who’d been caught necking.

  Because we kinda had been.

  “Mom!” Maddie groaned. “Seriously?”

  “I’m sorry.” Kim lifted a hand and wiped at her suspiciously bright eyes. “I didn’t mean to interrupt, and I’m so sorry I embarrassed you—now and most of your life. I know this isn’t the best of times to admit this but I heard a little of what you said, Nathan.”

  “Oh my god.” Maddie hid her face in my chest. “Just when I think tonight can’t get any more embarrassing.”

  “I said I’m sorry.” Kim wiped under her eye again. “But I am happy I did. I had some reservations, like your father, and I can honestly say those are gone now. I’m glad the two of you found each other. I think he’s exactly what you need to appreciate your fantastic parents.”

  “Mom!”

  “I’m teasing.” Kim’s eyes smiled at the two of us even though Maddie couldn’t see. “But thank you, Nathan. I appreciate the things you said, and I hope we haven’t totally mortified you.”

  “Not possible.” I smiled back at Kim then tilted my face down to Maddie who was biting her lower lip, her eyes sparkling.

  “Great. Let’s go eat.”

  The awed expression immediately fell from Maddie’s face and she muttered. “Lord, please give us strength.”

  “Get in here!” Greg hollered from the kitchen. “A big, strong guy like you should face your fears, Nathan!”

  “What the heck is that supposed to mean?” Kim yelled back as she marched toward the kitchen.

  I laughed. Apparently I had officially been accepted into the Roberts family. I wasn’t sure if I should be happy or scared.

  “Come on.” Maddie tugged me toward the kitchen. “Let’s go face our fears together.”

  Hell, who was I kidding? The big grin on my face wasn’t because I was scared.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Maddie

  “Nathan!” I shouted at the feet protruding from under my car. I didn’t have to wonder who would dare to screw with my car this time. I’d recognize those boots anywhere, and this wasn’t the first time I’d found him under my car.

  “What?” He grunted before I heard a metallic clang. And he didn’t come out.

  “Really?” I sighed. “You were just under there last week. How can there be something else for you to tinker with?”

  The last two weeks had passed in a haze of happiness and orgasms. I spent more time at Nathan’s than at Dylan’s�
��which Dylan didn’t seem to notice. Dylan had been MIA more often than not which made me wonder how truthful he’d been about telling his brothers about the Kings MC and the hold they had over him. But Nathan stopped asking me about Dylan, so I hoped that meant I was wrong. I was too afraid to bring it up and ruin the bliss that’d enveloped us the last few weeks.

  Nathan grunted and rolled out from under my car. “Well, maybe if I had checked your car out earlier you wouldn’t have had two flat tires. I worry about you driving this piece of shit to work and home.”

  Guilt swamped me, and it had nothing to do with how much Nathan did for me. And it didn’t help how he looked all gorgeous smeared with grease. I still hadn’t told him how I’d gotten the flat tires, and the more time that passed, the harder it was to come clean. And the easier it was to pretend that it hadn’t happened.

  But it always had a way of popping up and slugging me in the chest when I least expected it. I had to tell him.

  “Hey guys!” Hope chirped as she pushed her stroller with Felicity inside happily babbling away, waving her arms at Nathan.

  Nathan sat up. He made silly faces at Fliss, who whined and held out her arms to him. “I’d hold you, baby girl, but I’m filthy.” Nathan held up his grease stained hands and wrinkled his nose. “Yucky.”

  “Na, Na,” Fliss whined, her bottom lip quivering.

  “Uh oh.” Ryan laughed. “We better move fast, before the waterworks start.”

  “Something up with your car?” Hope asked with a frown as she paused next to us.

  Nathan tossed me a look that spoke volumes.

  I cleared my throat. “Uh no. Nathan’s just changing my oil for me.”

  That was the other thing. We still hadn’t told my friends and his family about the two of us. Nathan and I were together. We were solid. Heck, we’d survived the great inquisition that had been my parents. But Sabrina and Hope’s criticism still stung when I thought about it. We’d made amends—sort of—they’d apologized, and I’d accepted, but I still felt like that opinion they had of me—that I couldn’t stand up to Nathan—was still there. They thought I was a pushover. I wasn’t exactly eager to hear their lectures when they found out about us. So like the responsible adult I was, I’d put it off. Like so many other things.