Bronco (NOLA Rebels MC (New Orleans #12))

1. Bronco

1

brONCO

If you’d told me I’d end up with a giant, black Cane Corso — the last dog to be adopted at the New Orleans Faux Paws Rescue adoption event — I’d have told you that you’re nuts. I wasn’t looking, but I felt sorry for the dude. He played on my heart strings the second I saw him.

Okay, I admit he does look a little scary, but with a name like ‘Diablo’ how can one blame him? It’s a terrible name because even though he looks like he might be a guard dog for the devil himself, he’s surprisingly soft and playful and completely docile. He prefers to sleep for twenty-plus hours a day on a huge pillow the size of a Buick rather than be a working dog…. Albeit, he doesn’t seem to mind other dogs, but he’s a little hesitant with humans. The breed is known for their loyalty, temperament and their ability to protect; yeah, you could say I’ve done my research.

He’s only three, and was surrendered because his owners didn’t have the time to train him properly. They’re a strong breed, but he’s smart, and he loves his walks. For the last six months, I’ve been taking him to obedience training and we’ve learned a lot about each other. I also changed his name to Titan. Suggesting he’s anything like the devil is just an insult, and I hate how dogs are misunderstood just because their owners are complete fuckwits.

Titan would likely lick you to death before he ever charged at you; once he got to know you, that is. Then again, Nevada, my MC club brother, keeps telling me we need to train him as a proper guard dog and not mollify him so much, but I kinda like it. It’s nice having company at night; he lies in the doorway of my bedroom taking up all the room until he deems it safe enough to leave his post and jump onto the bed.

“You know, you spend more time gazin’ at that dog than you do tryin’ to score pussy these days,” Ryder, the VP and one of my best friends, laughs. He plonks down on the chair next to me at the bar. The clubhouse is quiet at this time of the afternoon because most of the members are out at their day jobs.

Titan doesn’t even look up. He’s used to most of the guys around here, it’s only new people he’s not sure of. He lets out a huge sigh as he falls back asleep, his legs in the air as he rolls onto his back.

“That’s not entirely true,” Amber says, from around the corner. Amber is one of my best friends and the only girl I really talk to about deep and meaningful shit. She’s restocking the bar for the weekend and I had no clue she’d appear right then. “I think that new girl, Cupcake, right? Pretty sure she has a crush.” She wiggles her eyebrows and I groan.

“She does not,” I say, hoping this news isn’t true. I really don’t need any woman drama right now, and since I’ve worked my way through most of the sweet butts over the last few years — the women who hang around the club for booze, grub and sex — I don’t need another clinger. Cupcake? What kind of name is that? “At least, I hope not.”

Ryder rolls his eyes. “The fact you’d rather hang around your damn dog is telling enough for all of us.” He slaps me on the back. “You savin’ yourself for marriage? I can highly recommend it.”

Well, he would know. He’s been married to Crystal for years and his dick hasn’t fallen off. They’ve got a kid together, Ade; a cute, lovable little terror.

Amber snorts and I give her the evil eye. I don’t like talking about other women around her, not that we’re a thing or are ever gonna be a thing, but we’re friends. I don’t know how it happened, but it did. She’s a cool chick. I also almost tattooed her ass one drunken night a few months ago, and ever since I caught sight of one of her bare ass cheeks, I haven’t been in my right mind. Thank you, tequila shots…

But me and Amber? That ain’t ever gonna work. She’s so far out of my league, I’m not ever gonna reach the summit. Plus, we’re friends. I’ve never been friends with a woman before. I didn’t think it was remotely possible, but she’s not naggy or annoying like most of the women around the club or in my life. She actually listens without judgment or ridicule. We can hang out and there’s no pressure or expectation.

“I’ve just been busy,” I lie.

“Riiiiight.” Amber laughs as I throw my hands in the air.

“Seriously? You’re gonna dump on me, too?”

She shrugs. “Someone’s gotta keep you honest.”

Ryder chuckles. Clearly he thinks he’s won. “The woman talks sense.”

“No, she doesn’t. She’s cute so she gets away with sayin’ whatever flies out of her mouth.” I gesture toward Amber and she pokes her tongue out.

“You’re just being nice because I know all your secrets.”

Ryder shoves me in the shoulder. “What about bro-code?”

Amber laughs out loud. “Oh my God, you did not just say that.”

“Bro-code is not sayin’ bro-code out loud, asshat.” I shake my head. “And anyway, she’s not talkin’ about club business, right AJ?” I’ve always called her that because her full name is Amber-Jane. Nobody else calls her AJ and strangely, I like that idea.

“Ooh, the dreaded club business.” She waves her hands at us and we both can’t help but laugh. “Heaven forbid.”

Club business is exactly that; stuff the club discusses in the meeting room that’s between the members. Usually, it involves what shit and mayhem is going on at any given time, and while we’re not a 1% club, we do have our fair share of ups and downs.

Ryder points at her. “You know you said a mouthful there, sister?”

She rolls her eyes. “Puh-lease, do you know how much swearing, groveling, punch ups, brawls, drunken rants, broody behavior, stalking tendencies, bullet wounds — not to mention tears — from bad ass bikers I’ve seen over the last year?” She snorts. “Trust me, I know all of your secrets, that’s the perk of being the bartender who listens. Kind of a rite of passage when you think about it.”

God, she’s fantastic.

Ryder stands, holding up his hands in surrender. “Can’t argue with that. Gotta run and collect Ade from preschool.” He gives us a two-finger salute and takes off.

After he leaves, I turn to look back at Amber. She has her long, chestnut hair tied up in a ponytail, thick curls falling back. Her tan skin and big, hazel eyes are pretty without even trying. Maybe I am a misogynist and I like her because she hasn’t slept around the clubhouse; that idea evokes a small heart tremor in my chest which is news to me. I’d also be lying if I said I wasn’t protective of her, but I am over all the girls. It’s how my mama raised me.

She’s average height at around five-six, with limbs that appear longer than they are because she’s slender, but has these hips and breasts that go for fucking days…

She snaps her fingers. “Ogle much?”

I lift my eyes. “Sorry, you wore a white tank with a black bra. I am a man, after all.”

She leans on the bench, ignoring me. “I have a date tonight actually.”

“Oh?” This is news. “Who with?” We’ve often shared our haphazard dating life over the last couple of years, but lately Amber hasn’t exactly had much time to hang out with her niece showing up unexpectedly. She’s cagey about it, and doesn’t want anyone to know because her sister-in-law, Erica, could be in trouble. I’ve been sworn to secrecy, and I’d never say anything to anyone, but I feel like I should do more and help her out. But how?

She gives me a look. “It’s a blind date.”

The fact she’s not offering any more than that is telling. “Did you meet him on Tinder?”

“Nope, I deleted that app. If I just wanted wild sex I’d take JJ or Bullet home, or both of them.” She shrugs.

I frown. “Two guys at once? You been talkin’ to Lace?”

Lace, my club brother Riot’s sister, is in a poly relationship with Manny, the club chef, and another club brother, Bandit. They’re happy and I’m stoked to see Manny, who’s been at the club a long time, thriving in a relationship where he’s appreciated. He’s a good guy and everyone loves him.

She snorts. “Yeah, on second thought, I think one guy at once is enough.”

“Clearly you haven't seen my dick.” I lean back in the chair and she gives me a withering look.

“Let me guess, it’s nine inches and goes all night?” Yup, she’s heard my usual spiel one too many times.

“A physical inspection could be on the cards.” I waggle my eyebrows. “You know, just so you have something to compare to.”

“Hey, I have sex.”

“Uh, huh, when? And don’t include dildos or vibrators.”

She does that cute thing where she bites her lip and looks up to the left, thinking about her answer. “Okay, maybe I haven’t in a while, but I could if I wanted to.”

I laugh. “Oh, I’m fully aware of that, sweetheart. Trust me. You’re hot, but guys only want one thing, no matter how nice they seem.”

She wiggles her butt. “This?”

“Uh, huh. And you’re a good girl. Gotta stay away from those pretty boys, they’re the worst.”

She laughs. “Are you gonna come save me again?”

“You know I got arrested for you.”

“You never let me forget it.”

I rest my chin on my hand, not ready for this conversation to end just yet. “So tell me about your date. What’s he like?”

She shrugs. “It’s a blind date, I have no clue. But apparently we have a lot in common, according to my best friend, Abigail. He’s also best friends with her brother.”

“So he could be a complete psycho for all you know?”

“Abi wouldn’t set me up with a psycho.” She rolls her eyes. “But it’s better than a bar. If you have a first date with a guy in a bar, he’s expecting sex.”

I like that she doesn’t have sex on the brain for a first date. I don’t like that she has a date at all, but at least it’ll be inside a crowded place… I’m guessing. It’s what they could get up to afterwards that makes me wanna follow her to make sure she’s safe. The streets aren’t safe for a woman these days. She’s got Olive to think of now until her mom comes back for her.

That gets me thinking. “So when can I meet Olive? I could get tickets to the Pelicans this weekend, they’re playin’ at home.”

She blinks and her demeanor changes; her eyes drop and her smile vanishes. “I think for now it’s best that she settles in. She just started a new school and I’m kinda struggling with what to tell her about her mom and when she’s coming back.”

“Babe, don’t look so glum. I’m just sayin’ I’m here, and if you wanna go to a game, with or without me, the offer is there.”

She swallows hard. “I’ll actually be going to that game already.” She cringes, then adds, “I scored a couple of tickets and invited him.”

I cross my arms over your chest. “Wow. You don’t even invite your best friend to a Pelicans game? Don’t tell me the seats are ringside?” I’m not a huge sports nut like Amber, but I don’t mind going to a game every now and again.

“They’re not ringside,” she huffs. “And I would’ve invited you, but when I told Abi about the tickets, she suggested we have our date there.”

“All men expect sex no matter where you meet,” I tell her. “Don’t be fooled into thinkin’ otherwise.”

She raises her eyebrows. “Oh, really? So when you just invited me to the Pelicans game, is that what you were expecting?”

Of course she’s smarter than me, that’s a given. But unlike this freak she’s meeting up with, I’m not expecting shit. Men are men, no matter what she says. Best friend’s brother? What a fuckin’ cliche.

“Very funny. That’s what you get for tryin’ to be a nice guy. I was just tryin’ to do somethin’ to take your mind off all of this.”

She sobers for a second. “I know, Bronc, that’s why I love you.”

I snort. “Right. That’s why you stuck up for me back there with my VP?” I thumb behind me toward the clubhouse doors.

“Aww, poor baby!”

“There you go again. So what else do we know about this dude aside from he could potentially be a serial killer.”

“You watch too many late night shows,” she sighs. “And for the record, it feels kinda weird leaving Olive for the first time. Audrina and West offered to babysit, as well as Harlem and Indi because she’s made friends with Cami and they want to do a sleepover…”

Audrina is West’s ol’ lady, and Nevada’s mom. Harlem is the club’s Enforcer; his ol’ lady Indigo runs NOLA Sweet Treats Bakery.

“So? Nothin’ wrong with havin’ a night out, it might be good for you. Long as he’s a gentleman.”

“I’m not looking for a hook-up,” she says matter-of-factly. “Though if I was, I wouldn’t tell you about it.” She throws a dish rag at me. I’m fast, catching it before it hits my face.

“Why not? We tell each other everything.”

“Because you’ll only rub it in my face when he doesn’t call.”

“Like I say, he’ll only not call after the deed if he’s after a booty call, babe.” I point at her. “And you’re better than that.”

This time she lobs a coaster at me, narrowly missing my head. “Very funny, you’re practically a club whore so you have no room to speak.”

“ Was,” I state matter-of-factly. I place a hand over my heart. “Past tense. I’m a changed man.”

“Aww, does having women running around doing your laundry get old? Poor baby.” She flicks her bottom lip with her finger… How have I just noticed her mouth?

I tear my gaze away from dangerous territory and screw my face up. “They don’t do my laundry.” Then under my breath I add, “ Anymore.”

She sighs. “You’re hopeless, Bronco. I think that’s why you’re single.”

“You think?”

“Uh, huh. I knew you were a momma’s boy when I first met you.”

I grin. “Is it that obvious?” I can’t deny it. Whenever my mom is in town, she spoils me rotten because I’m her baby. It hasn’t helped me a lot in the real world, but it’s still nice that she fusses.

“I have a sixth sense.”

“Fuck I hope not, otherwise you’ll know I was checkin’ out your rack just before.”

She wiggles her breasts at me. “Read ’em and weep.”

My eyes drop and my dick stirs at the same time. I almost glance down at my wood and say, ‘Bad boy!’ But I refrain. I can’t be having thoughts about Amber. She’s the only friend I have that isn’t a big dumb ass.

Titan glances up, realizes I’m not talking about him, and flops back down again, heaving another sigh like he’s hard done by.

“So much for a guard dog,” Amber laughs. “I think he’s missing the killer instinct.”

I laugh, too. “You should see him around kids, though. He’s like their own personal protector.”

I smile when I think about the day Ella; Hawk and Jas’s kid, Lexi; Hawk’s niece, and Kai; Harlem’s boy, were all over for a playdate and Titan sat outside watching them play basketball, not letting anyone get on the court who didn’t belong there. It leads me even further to believe my dog is just misunderstood.

“Oh, I can imagine.”

“So what’s his name?”

“My date?” She starts to unbox the drinks.

“Who else?”

Her eyes flick to mine. “Ben.”

“Ben?”

“Yes, that’s his name.”

“Benjamin?” I draw out the syllables like I’m five years old.

“Yep.”

“He sounds like a weirdo who wears corduroy, has a five dollar haircut and lives in his mom’s basement because he’s addicted to online gaming, or porn.”

“You got all that from Ben?”

“Just make sure you take that pepper spray I got you.”

“You know, you’re worse than my grandpa,” she says, indulging me with another roll of her eyes. “He used to guard us with a shotgun when we were little.”_

“I’ll wear that badge with honor then.” I give her a lopsided smile. “And if your date sucks ass and you want an excuse to leave, I’ll call half an hour into the game and pretend that I’m one of your girlfriends whose boyfriend just left them or somethin’. I’ll be a hysterical mess and need you immediately.”

She laughs out loud. “You’d really do that for me?”

“Of course I would, dummy.”

“Huh, well, in that case, I’m gonna think about hooking you up with one of my friends,” she says.

My eyes widen in surprise. “Oh, yeah?” I don’t know why that doesn’t feel as good as it should. All of Amber’s friends are pretty and smart like her. Any guy would be happy to get a potential date with one of them. But for some reason, all I can focus on is this fucking Ben dude and what he’s all about. Does he even have a job? I just don’t have a good feeling about this.

“You don’t have to sound so enthusiastic,” she mocks. “Or are you really taking a break from the ladies like you keep professing?”

I can’t lie to her, and I won’t, but I run the risk of sounding like a complete loser in the process by being totally honest, so I use work as an excuse. “I’ve been so busy at the shop ever since we opened, I’m workin’ twelve to fourteen hour days, seven days a week. Last thing I’ve got time for is a date.” I bang my knuckles down on the bar. “But I’d make an exception if it’s that Katie chick.”

I know full well Katie is dating some hot-shot lawyer and I’d never stand a chance, but it’ll throw her off the scent of the real reason why I’m not wanting to spread my wings and fly from our little nest. The real reason being I don’t want hook ups anymore. They’re old and boring and have been for a while. And if I’m honest, even if things aren’t romantic with me and Amber, I still like having her all to myself. Ben can go fuck himself, but one thing he won’t be doing is fucking her. Not if I can help it.

“She has a boyfriend.”

I rub the scruff on my chin. “She does, huh? That’s too bad.”

She narrows her pretty eyes. “You know Katie’s not single. Are you trying to dodge my matchmaking skills on purpose? I have nice friends and I’ll have you know I have a hundred percent success rate.”

I scoff. “Right. I’ll believe that when I see it. If you’re so good at match-makin’, then why haven’t you found your own Prince Charming?”

She starts putting the bottles into the cooler, her back to me. “Well, maybe I just have to kiss a lot of frogs before I find my happily ever after.”

Something in her words sounds sad; like she truly believes it and it isn’t just a joke anymore.

“Let’s make a deal,” I say, leaning over the bar toward her. “If your date doesn’t work out, and all of your friends are too prim and proper?—”

“Hey! They’re not prim and proper!”

“—then I think I should stand in and be your date, you know, like a worst-case scenario.”

She stops what she’s doing and turns. “Bronco, get outta here.”

“What? I’m serious. It’s like those pacts you make when you’re twelve with your best friend and one of you is moving away. If we’re not married by the time we’re forty, we’ll meet again and get hitched because we’re the only single people left,” I laugh. “Not that I’m suggestin’ we get hitched.”

“You know you’re only making me more determined to make Ben and me work, right?”

I fucking hope not. I grit my teeth and smile. “I still think he sounds like he’s a history teacher.”

“So he’ll be smart.”

“Smart enough to stay out of your panties, if he knows what’s good for him.”

She puts her hands on her hips. “Thanks for the pep talk, babe. ”

I wink. “Anytime. My door is always open.”

She shakes her head. “We don’t have a pact.”

“Oh yes we do. You might not agree with it, but I’d be bettin’ you’d have more fun on a date with me than Benjamin.”

“You really do keep me amused,” she jokes. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

I really fucking hope to keep it that way.