Chapter 24
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Kayla
Due to the fact that Kira is an official Ariel’s Angel, she’s not allowed to leave the Haven House. Nina wants to spend some time with her and see if she’ll open up more without me around. It didn’t hurt my feelings when Nina sent me to the clubhouse to help Nana cook breakfast. I felt Kira was holding back. Let’s face it. She kept a lot from me while we were in Knoxville.
“Oh, Kayla. I’m glad you’re here. Will you take some coffee out to Granddad and Pops for me?” Nana only looked away from the stove long enough to see who entered the kitchen. She’s the only one here.
“Sure thing.” I’ve always jumped in and helped where they need me. I grab the freshly brewed pot and go through the door to the bar. You can’t get behind the bar from the Den side. It’s a safety feature Granddad had installed years ago.
“Kayla.” Pop calls out the moment he sees me. “Where you been hiding, girl?”
“I was in Knoxville for a few days.” I refill his cup.
“Brought us back an angel, too.” Granddad gives me a firm nod.
“That so?” Pop sounds shocked and impressed.
“It is.” I move to Granddad’s cup.
“Good job. Knew you’d be an excellent helper.” Pops gives me a high five.
The people who work closely with the angels are referred to as helpers. Most of them handle transportation. A few, like Nina, have official titles. This was my first time transporting an angel. I understand now how Nina felt when she made the decision to save Lily. Knowing your friend is safe and alive is far better than letting them continue being abused or worse.
“Can I get you two anything else?”
“Food. I’m starving.” Granddad takes a sip of coffee. He prefers his black.
Lily’s laughter fills the Den as she and Jack enter the room from the hallway. Jack gives her a long kiss before she goes to the kitchen. Jack walks up to the bar and slaps his hand down.
“Morning, Kayla. I’ll have a cup.” Jack takes the stool between Pops and Granddad. “You sleep well?”
“Not bad, considering.” I glance toward the hallway. It’s rare for Jack’s shadow not to be following him.
“He’s not here.” Jack takes the cream and sugar from Pops.
“What?” Playing dumb doesn’t work this morning.
“Coty went to his grandparents’ ranch. One of their ranch hands got hurt.” Jack grins. “But we’ll watch over you until he gets back.”
“Uh.” I storm back to the kitchen. “I don’t need anybody watching over me,” I grumble.
“Not true.” Nana pulls a pan of biscuits from the oven. “There’s a mighty big problem in Knoxville.”
“What problem? Nick said Cory was going to be fine.”
Lily grits her teeth as she scoops a large spoonful of scrambled eggs onto plates. “Cory will recover, but he’s a problem. He told the cops you and Kira attacked him.”
“What? No. That’s not true.”
“We know, but the police in Knoxville need proof.” Lily sets the frying pan back on the stove. “After breakfast, we’ll go to the office so I can take pictures of your back. Nina will document Kira’s injuries. I’ll give everything to Nick, and he’ll create a medical file.”
“Don’t we need a doctor for that?”
“I’m a nurse. Close enough.” Lily fits in perfectly here. She’s becoming as sneaky as the rest of the McLeods.
“Do you wanna trade places with Dobbs and work at the Den tonight?” Nana pushes a tray of bacon in front of me.
“I really need the tips from the Roadhouse.” I place four slices on each plate. Two slices will never do for a Viking.
“When does your shift start tonight?” Lily asks.
“At four. After breakfast, I need to go home.” I cover the sheet pan with a new piece of parchment paper and line it with more bacon.
“Not without a prospect you don’t,” Nana informs me.
I spin around. “What? I don’t need a prospect.”
“It’s the only way you’re leaving here.” Jack walks in. He kisses his grandmother’s cheek before wrapping his arms around Lily from behind.
“Why? Because Coty said so?” I snap.
Nana slaps a spatula on the counter and points it at me. “Listen here, missy. Rodeo is a patched member. He’ll be VP one day. He carries a lot of weight around here. Of course, we’re gonna listen to him and take what he says seriously.”
“But I’m not his ole’ lady. He doesn’t get to tell me what I can and can’t do.”
“If he hadn’t left, you’d already be that boy’s ole’ lady. We all know it, you included.” Nana starts another pot of coffee.
“He’s not a boy,” I mumble. It’s the only comeback I have for her.
“Good. Glad you see it. Now, stop acting like some high school drama queen and treat him like a man.” Nana doesn’t tolerate nonsense. Guess she’s tired of mine.
“Coty only left because of me. Sorry bout that,” Jack apologizes.
“Coty did what any good friend would do.” Nana pats Jack on the back. She comes to the opposite side of the counter and faces me. “But that ain’t all that’s itching your craw, is it?”
I lean back, unsure of what to really say. “Nana?”
“One, your parents are harsh people. Demanded things of you they shouldn’t have. Not your fault.” She gives a quick little point to me. “Two, you went off to college. Got tangled up with a man you shouldn’t have. Now, you’re bleeding on a man who never hurt you. You’re blaming him for leaving. Your bad things aren’t his fault.”
“Nana, that’s…”
“No, ma’am. I’m talking. You’re listening.” Nana doesn’t wait for me to acknowledge her. “You didn’t let Coty in when he tried to get close before he left.” She motions to Jack over her shoulder with her thumb. “If you had, he may have talked this yahoo into coming home after a couple of months, not two years.”
“That’s not my fault.”
“No,” she agrees. “And what happened to you isn’t Rodeo’s fault. He’s not the board you get to throw darts at because you can’t throw ‘em where they need to go. He’s a safe place. He loves you. You’ve loved him longer.” She slaps her palm on the counter. “Now, go make peace with it, and give that man the chance he deserves.”
Nana turns around and goes back to cooking like she didn’t just drop some truth bombs on me. What do I do with all that? Telling her she’s wrong will get me tossed out of here and banned from the club forever. She’s not wrong. I’m not sure how to process it, though. No one likes having the truth thrown at them.
“Thanks, Nana.” I sigh in defeat. “I think I’ll go home now.”
“Patches is waiting for you,” Jack says.
Fine. I roll my eyes, nod, and keep my mouth shut. I don’t want a prospect following me around. It’s better than being stuck here all day, though.
Sure enough, Patches is waiting by my car in his truck. I feel like a prisoner with him following me. Thankfully, he stays in his truck in the driveway while I go inside.
My apartment is dark and lonely. I used to think living on my own proved I was independent and successful. I preferred being by myself. After spending the week with Kira and last night at the Haven House, I’m not so sure I like being alone.
I go to the kitchen and grab a bottle of water from the fridge. I’ll need to go to the grocery store tomorrow. My University of Tennessee coffee mug in the sink catches my eye. I don’t remember leaving it there. I left in such a hurry on Monday. Maybe I had a cup before I left. I don’t remember. Most of that morning is a blur to me. Oh, well. I need a shower.
My bedroom is exactly how I left it. A big mess. It’s kind of like my life right now. The sheet Coty had wrapped around him is still on the floor. The comforter is on the bed, but it’s not made. I really did leave a mess in here and in the bathroom. My fluffy cream colored towel is hanging over the shower rod. I usually hang my towel on the clothing rack behind the door. At least it's dry and not a damp, crumbled heap on the floor. It’s my favorite towel. I’d hate to have to throw it away because it mildewed while I was gone.
I don’t like a messy apartment. There’s plenty of time to clean before I go to work. First, a nice, long, hot shower sounds like heaven.