Chapter 9
Tank
Sunlight poured in through the window, making everything too bright. I’d had sex with Boiler. Shit tons of sex. I had lots of sex with lots of guys but nothing like last night. And Boiler had a crotch goblin, I mean a kid. Sweet kid, I reminded myself. Max had run back out to watch his cartoons, leaving his dad and me to face this. This mistake. Boiler had a freaking kid. I knew nothing about this biker.
“Tank, you okay?”
I turned to him, my expression hardening. “This never happened, Boiler.”
“What?” I could see the bewilderment and pain on his face.
“You heard me. This,” I gestured between us. “Never happened. It was a mistake.”
Boiler sat up, scrubbing his face. “A mistake? Tank, we—”
“No, Boiler,” I interrupted, my voice sharp. “It can’t happen again. I have a business to run. I have my own life. I can’t get tangled up in this... in you.”
Before he could say anything else, I was up, gathering my clothes and getting dressed. I needed to leave before I lost my resolve. “There’s nothing to talk about. I need to go.”
With that, I was out the door, leaving him behind. As I sped down the road on my Harley, the wind whipping against my face, I tried to push the night from my mind. It had seemed genuine, his feelings, us, but I had been sorely mistaken.
Arriving at Doghouse Delights, I unlocked the door and flipped the sign to “Open.” The familiar scent of baked treats and the sight of wagging tails should have brought me comfort, but my mind was elsewhere. I went through the motions, saying hi to customers and their cute pets, but all I could think about was Boiler.
By mid-afternoon, I couldn’t take it anymore. I needed to talk to someone, and there was only one person I trusted enough to confide in. I picked up my phone and found Pixie’s contact.
“Hey, Tank! What’s up?” Pixie’s cheerful voice came through the line.
“Hey, Pix. You free this afternoon? I could use some company.”
“Sure thing! Come by the salon. I’ll do your nails, and we can chat.”
“Thanks, Pixie. I’ll be there soon.”
I closed up the shop early and headed over to Pixie’s nail salon. Which meant I walked next door. The place was bright and cheerful, brightening the dark thoughts swirling in my mind. Pixie greeted me with a hug, her childlike innocence a comfort to my troubled soul.
“So, what’s going on, Tank?” she asked, leading me to a chair and starting on my nails. I kept them short but nice and polished all the same. It was just easier that way.
I took a deep breath. “I spent the night with Boiler.”
Pixie’s eyes widened. “No way! How was it?”
“It was... amazing. He was so good in bed, Pix. I mean, we had sex maybe ten times last night.
“Ten times? Ten orgasms… for you?”
“And probably about ten inches of dick.”
Pix cocked her head impressed. “Good for you.”
“Maybe more. But I woke up this morning to find out he has…”
“What, genital warts?” Pixie dropped my hands mid nail.
“No, no STDs. A fucking crotch goblin.”
“A kid? Is there a wife?” Pix’s voice had gone so high it hurt my ears.
“Fuck if I know. Apparently, I fuck first and ask questions later. Now I’m freaking out. I don’t think I can see him again.”
Pixie nodded, her expression thoughtful. “You should do whatever feels right for you, Tank. No one can make that decision for you.” She was always like this, very diplomatic. “Besides, he’s a Slayer.” She leaned over and spit.
“Hey, we’re not supposed to be doing that anymore.”
“Asshole didn’t even tell you he had a kid.”
“Yeah, I didn’t know until this morning when his son ran into the room. That freaked me out. I can barely take care of myself, let alone a kid.”
Pixie looked at me with understanding. “That’s a lot to take in. You’ve always been so independent. It’s okay to be scared.”
I let out a sigh, feeling the weight of my past crushing me. “You know my dad and brother used to beat the shit out of me when I was a kid. I promised myself I’d never let anyone have that kind of power over me again. Then there was Jeff. I’m scared, Pixie. Scared I would have to run again. I’m scared to let someone in, scared to have a fucking dog, let alone a kid.”
Pixie squeezed my hand. “You’ve been through hell, Tank. It’s okay to take things slow. But don’t shut yourself off completely. You deserve happiness too.”
I nodded, grateful for her support. Pixie had her own demons, but she always managed to stay positive. Her childlike demeanor hid a strength that I admired.
After getting my nails done and talking with Pixie, I felt a bit better. I headed back to Doghouse Delights to finish up some work. As I was closing down for the night, Boiler showed up, determined to talk.