by K E Osborn
Everyone around us starts to chuckle, except for Tremor, who rolls his eyes and takes a drag on his cigarette as Neala leans out giving his hand a gentle squeeze of support.
“It’s not a road name, Heeley.”
“It’s not?” Heeley’s eyes open wide.
He shakes his head, and I grin wondering how she’ll take this. “No, prospects like me don’t get road names until we’re officially patched in…” he pauses. “My birth name is Tremor.”
“Oh…” is all she says.
A low chuckle rumbles from my chest. “Tell her why, Trem,” I goad.
He groans. “My father was drunk when they were filling in the birth certificate details. They were supposed to call me Trevor, but he accidentally wrote Tremor instead. So yeah, Tremor it was from then on.”
We all burst out laughing, except for Heeley and Neala, who both frown and slump their bodies.
“Don’t laugh, that’s horrible,” Heeley berates.
We all stop laughing instantly as Tremor looks up at her, with a light in his eyes as Neala smiles at her.
“Thank you, Heeley. I’ve been trying to tell these fuckers that, but they don’t fucking listen.”
Tremor shrugs. “It’s not that bad, I’m used to it now. People laughing, I mean. Hell, I laugh about it now, too.” He takes a drag of his cigarette, the plume of smoke wafting through the air as more of my brothers sit around the bonfire.
“Well, I for one, think you’re brave keeping your name as Tremor. It shows courage. I applaud you, Tremor,” Heeley avows, and Neala smiles wide.
“I agree.” Neala nods.
“Yeah, yeah, don’t give the guy a big head now, ladies,” I tease, and Tremor smirks at me.
“The biggest head you’ve ever seen,” he boasts grabbing his crotch and shaking it a couple of times which makes Heeley and Neala both scoff.
“Aaand he’s back, ladies and gentleman,” Ace says as he relaxes into his deck chair.
As I look up, I watch Mom walking out of the clubhouse and over to the buffet table. I figure this is a perfect opportunity to introduce Heeley, and for Mom to meet her. So, I tap Heeley’s legs in a gesture for her hop off. She raises her brow but stands up, and I reach out for her hand and start to walk. She looks at me curiously, and I debate telling her but instead opt out of surprising her and figure honesty is the best policy.
“You’re about to meet my mother,” I blurt out.
Her eyes widen as she hesitates, but I drag her with me. “What? Torque, you can’t just dump that on—”
“Oh, boyo, I’ve been wonderin’ when you were gonna bring her to meet me,” Mom calls out in her full-on Irish twang which interrupts Heeley’s little meltdown.
She looks from me to Mom and smiles brightly, shoving her hand out dramatically for Mom to shake. Mom laughs and leans in taking Heeley into an embrace instead. “Don’t be silly, girlie. You’re here with me boyo, and you think I’ll be handshakin’ you?” she asks, pulling back from Heeley and looking her up and down. “Let me get a good look at you.”
Heeley’s stock still, apparently not knowing what the hell to do. I’m a little stunned. This sassy, feisty, strong woman is entirely thrown by meeting my mom. It’s actually kind of cute.
Mom smiles as she looks Heeley over, and she tuts her tongue. “Oh, Lordy, you’re one hell of a looker. Got the body of a muse and the face of a model. You could do far worse, boyo.”
Mom looks to Heeley as she stares at Mom, deer in the headlights, not saying a word like she’s paralyzed. I smirk glancing at her while Mom tilts her head. “Ahh… is she havin’ some sort of an episode, boyo?”
I snort out a laugh and bump Heeley in the shoulder as she clears her throat while shaking her head. “It’s so lovely to meet you, Torque’s mother… mother of Torque… shit! I’m no fucking good at this… I’m ballsing it all up.” She turns to me, her eyes pleading. “Fuck! Can we start this all over again?”
Mom and I burst out laughing as Heeley looks petrified like she’s completely spinning out, but the thing is she’s actually just said the most perfect thing. Mom reaches out grabbing her by the shoulders, and Heeley looks at Mom like a scared little rabbit. “Heeley. Stop. Take a breath, and remember, I’m just a girlie. No one special. Don’t be scared of me because to be sure, I ain’t someone to be scared of. Just ask your man here.”
I chuckle and nod. “It’s true, if there’s anyone you should be scared of, it’s probably Trax, and you’ve already met him. He thinks you’re hilarious, so you’re pretty safe with my family around you, foxy.”
She visibly relaxes and looks back to Mom with a small smile. “Sorry, I’m such a bumbling idiot sometimes. I wanted to really make a good impression and, of course, I’ve completely ballsed that up.”
Mom smiles. “Don’t you worry about a thing. You’ve made a great impression, girlie, you have. Now come to the barbecue with me, I want to show you how us bikers cook you a mean grill,” Mom chirps grabbing her hand and pulling her away from me.
Heeley looks at me smiling wide, seemingly more at ease, and I nod letting her know she’ll be okay with my mom. She heads off with ease, and I take a breath knowing she fits in. So far, so good.
The night’s going smoothly. My brothers are relaxing considering the tensions surrounding us at the moment, and Heeley’s getting along with everyone. Although I am keeping her by my side most of the time and introducing her myself. I don’t want her having any unnecessary encounters. Her impression of this place needs to be a good one. I definitely don’t want her thinking my brothers have any negativity toward her. At all. Which none of them seem to at this point. Everyone’s taking her in and treating her as one of their own.
But as the night draws to a close, and Heeley and I are in my room cuddled up in my bed, I can’t help but feel like this all went a little too smoothly. Things are going so right, right now.
There’s no word from the Andrettis with regards to what we did with Enzo, and that little fact alone has me on edge. I know something must be coming. It’s just a matter of when. And honestly, I don’t want Heeley caught up in the crossfire of our bullshit.
The club’s had its downtime to recover and relax. Now we need to regroup and focus on what the hell is happening in our city.
We need to take control back.
I need to focus on my club.
On my brothers.
On my city.
I’ve had my fun, now it’s time to get motherfucking serious.
HEELEY
Six Days Later
Work was dead again for a Friday night. Coming into the weekend, you’d expect people would be out roaming the streets wanting a sweet treat seeing as it’s the height of spring. But for some reason, the business is floundering. I hate the fact this is happening to Mom and Dad’s baby. They put their life into this shop, and to see it dwindling breaks my heart. I wish there were something I could do, something to bring it back to life, but I have no idea how to help them, other than to keep working as hard as I can.
The last few days have been filled with me going to college during the day, working at night, and trying to keep my mind off that damn sexy biker. But it’s so freaking hard when he texts me constantly. I know he’s checking up on me, and I’m almost certain he has someone watching me. I can never see anyone, but I’m sure I hear a motorcycle every time I go anywhere. And I know that can’t be a coincidence. But, I don’t mind. Knowing those Andretti guys are out there, and they like to target women, has me a little on edge. But knowing Torque has sent someone to watch over me, or at least I think he has, sets me slightly at ease. It means he cares enough about me to have me protected—and I like that fact.
The fact he hasn’t tried to see me in the last six days, though, since the barbecue, that fact I’m trying not to think about too much as I pull my Ninja up to my apartment, kick the stand out, and turn off the engine after a long night at work. Pulling off my helmet, I step over to my door. My cell beeps in my pocket, a
nd I pull it out as I slide the key in the door. I click the message to see it’s from the man who’s continually on my mind.
Torque: Hope work was good. I’m coming over. Finally had a break from the shit I’ve been dealing with here. Coffee… stat!
Laughing at the bossy nature of his text, I shake my head with a sigh. I decide not to reply as I figure my text back will probably be more abusive than it probably should be. So, I open my front door and walk in, throwing my backpack and helmet to the side of the small walkway between the living room and my bedroom. Then I make my way to the kitchenette to put on the coffee as Torque so kindly requested.
Anger bubbles away beneath the surface. I haven’t seen him for six long days, and now he’s coming without even asking if it’s okay and bossing me around. Torque’s always had an arrogant way about him, but I thought maybe after the texts he’s been sending over the last few days, that the first time we saw each other again might be on nicer terms.
Well, when he gets here, I'm going to tell him exactly what I think.
Grabbing the stuff I need for coffee, I get to work, huffing and puffing in annoyance. My temper growing with every movement as I think more and more about how angry I feel. I’m not sure if I’m more annoyed at the fact he hasn’t attempted to see me in six days, or the fact that now he has made an effort, he talked to me like that. Or maybe I’m just exhausted, and I’m in a bad mood, which is causing me to overthinking things.
I have no idea.
The coffee is percolating, and I turn resting back on the bench as I hear the unmistakable sound of his Harley approaching. My stomach twists with excitement—damn stomach betraying me. I want to be mad. I want to be angry. Hell, I am, but my body’s letting me know it’s all too happy he’s here finally after so many days apart.
I rush to the door and pull it open to watch him striding to the door. A small smile creeps up on my face, and then I remember I’m supposed to be upset. A frown follows, and I straighten my stance and fold my arms over my chest in annoyance.
Be strong, Heeley!
He pulls off his helmet, his long, strong strides up to me remind me just how fucking sexy this man is. My insides shudder, and I chew on the inside of my cheek to stop myself from combusting as I swallow hard. Pulling my brows together to try to convey my feelings, he tilts his head and smirks.
“Why, foxy, you’re looking a little vexed.” Torque steps up to me, his usual smell of leather and cologne hits my senses making my insides shudder again as the fucker leans in and places a chaste kiss on my cheek.
I stand stock still glaring at him.
My mouth a firm, thin line, my eyes hard and focused.
He softens his posture and slumps his shoulders. “Okay… what did I do?”
I scoff. “The fact you don’t even know is worse, Torque,” I chide and spin heading back inside.
He lets out a small chuckle following behind and closes the door with a click. “Gotta say… this is not the greeting I was hoping for. I was imagining you throwing your legs around my waist and kissing the fuck outta me. But… this temper tantrum… yeah, it’s just as damn hot.”
I spin around, my mouth opening wide as I glare at him. “A temper tantrum? Oh, you ‘ain’t seen nothing yet.”
He raises his brow with a smirk that only makes me angrier.
“You think you can just show up in my life, sweep me off my feet, send me a few text messages and leave me hanging for six days without an explanation?”
He sinks into himself with a wince. “Foxy—”
“Don’t you foxy me. You show up at my shop. We go on an amazing date. I come to your barbecue. Then you abandon me for days. Then send me that demanding message thinking you’re all King fucking Dick…” I pause to try and gain some control over the situation. “Just remember, I’m not some pushover, Rylan. I’m not one of your typical girls you can walk all over. I will always fight back. I’ll always argue with you. And I will, no matter what, always throw you sass.”
“Yes, you do.” He smirks.
I stop my tirade with a huff and drop my arms to my side looking him in the eyes with a frown. “I get you had stuff going on. I’m not going to be one of those girls who demands you see me every damn day. What I didn’t like was your message, Torque. The last six days your messages have been nice, no arrogance in them at all. Then the minute you decide to come and see me you’re all ‘do this for me now, woman.’”
His face scrunches, and he steps toward me reaching out for my hand. I pull back, and he grunts grabbing for me again, more forceful this time, and he makes sure to hold onto my hand so I can’t snap it away from him. I sigh and look at him somewhat begrudgingly.
“Heeley… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for the text to come across in arrogance. Damn sarcasm never comes across properly in text messages.”
I roll my eyes. “Sarcasm… mmm, yeah, right.”
He steps closer, so he’s in my personal space. His smell assaults my senses making my stomach swirl around in a heat of desire. Fucking traitor. I look up at him through my lashes as his thumb on my hand rubs up and down my skin tenderly.
“Okay, let me break it down for you. I hope you had a good night at work… that’s pretty self-explanatory, and I think fairly nice, to be honest.”
I swallow hard and clear my throat. Okay, yeah, I’ll give him that. He did start the message out kind of okay.
“I’m coming over. Finally had a break from the shit I’ve been dealing with here… that was me stating a fact. Okay, maybe I should have asked you if it was okay for me to come over. But honestly, Heeley, I need to see you. It’s been six long days. I’ve been so swamped at the club and shit with the Andrettis having stolen all my time. So the moment I knew you were free, I had to see you. I didn’t wanna give you a chance not to let that happen. Hence, I told you I was coming. No way for you to back out.”
Okay great. Now I’m starting to feel like shit.
“And that last bit. Coffee… stat! I get now how that sounded, but this is where my sarcasm came into play. I was making a doctor joke… you know… trying to be funny. Definitely not trying to be bossy, foxy. But it obviously didn’t come across that way.”
I sink into myself, closing my eyes at how much of an idiot I feel like. Fucking hell. He was only trying to be nice, and I read it all completely wrong.
Damn text messages and their lack of sarcasm filter.
Fuck. I flew off at him, and I had no reason to.
Man, I’m a bitch.
Opening my eyes, I look at him, my eyes drooping a little. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.” It almost comes out in a whisper, I’m that embarrassed.
He smiles, bringing his hand up to my waist and pulls me to him. Our bodies connect, and I let out a gasp as I feel his muscles against me. “Don’t be sorry, foxy. Always fight for what you believe is right. Plus, it turns me on when you unleash your sass.”
A sheepish giggle erupts from my mouth as I wrap my arms up around his neck, threading my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. “I don’t know how you can be so calm about me being so damn childish?”
He shrugs and presses his body even closer to mine. “I know a way you can make it up to me.” His eyes light up as he leans down with a smirk. His lips are mere millimeters away from mine, but he doesn’t make a move to kiss me. The tension rippling through the air as my chest begins to heave with the anticipation of what might follow. Sparks flitter through the air. The tickling of his breath on my lips as he breathes ignites a fire inside of me.
I want him to kiss me.
I need him to kiss me.
But I don’t want to stop this insane chemistry surging through the room right now.
“What did you have in mind?” My words come out as nothing more than a breathy whisper.
He moves slightly closer, our lips only a hair’s breadth apart. Both our breathing becomes rapid as our lips touch, only a fraction, and then he pulls away looking to the kitchenette.
&nb
sp; “Coffee… you can thank me with coffee.” He pulls back breaking the intense connection and smiling at me wide, then he winks as he lets me go and walks over to the kitchen leaving me reeling.
My chest is heaving.
My clit is throbbing with the anticipation of kissing him, and I know exactly what he’s doing.
Why he’s left me hanging like this.
It’s a form of punishment for carrying on like I did. I know how he works. Even though he likes me hollering at him, he still wants to punish me for it. And denying me what I want, what I need—which, in this case, is him all over me—it’s the biggest form of torture right now.
Fucker!
He pours both of us a cup. I let out a long huff as I turn to face his smug, gorgeous face and slump my body as I walk over to him. “Fine! One coffee. Then I’m going to kiss you like I mean it.”
He lets out a loud laugh. “Agreed. But for now, the loveseat’s calling our name. I talked it over with my brothers and… I got some shit I gotta tell you.”
Torque hands me my cup of Joe, and we walk toward my living room. We take a seat on the comfortable couch, and I don’t hesitate to throw my legs over his. His eyes open wide at my level of comfort, but I don’t care as a slow grin appears on his face, and he slides his coffee-free hand up to rest on my inner thigh which, of course, does nothing for my already-racing libido.
“So, what’s the goss, biker boy?” I ask then take a sip of my coffee.
He chuckles. “Looks like Enzo, Andretti’s head man, is making a move on Chicago. The thing is we don’t know why. The only thing we can think of is that it’s to push us out.”
“And by making a move, you mean?”
“Buying the local businesses at a lower cost than they’re worth and taking them over. Then gaining their profits. But the whole thing is… it’s not the Andretti style, and we’ve been working for the last three days trying to figure out why they’d be doing this. Tracking down the businesses which have been sold. No one’s talking, and they won’t confirm who the buyers are. Everyone seems shit scared. We don’t get it. We haven’t heard anything since shit went down that night at Club Modesty, and so we’re all on edge about what’s coming next.”
