Chapter 14 Eight
Eight
Scarlett
After getting an amazing head massage, we head to the chair so Kira can cut my hair.
“All right, girl, what are we doing today?” She brushes out my long hair, which now reaches near my butt.
“I want layers, with the shortest length to be at my shoulders.”
Kira stops brushing my hair and looks at me in the mirror. “Are you sure that’s a lot of hair that’s going to be cut off?”
I smile at her without even giving a second thought. “Yeah, I’m sure. It’s definitely time for a change.”
She smiles big at me through the mirror. “Now just sit back and let me do my magic while you tell me all about the man who can’t seem to take his eyes off you. Ghost was it?”
Sure enough, when I look in the mirror, Ghost is watching me. He sends me a wink before going back to his conversation. As Kira cuts my hair, I tell her all about him rescuing me from my father and us living together right now. “He says I’m his, and that’s big in the MC world.”
“Grandma Silvia told me a little bit about it. She said, when they find someone, it’s for life. That those guys treat their ole’ lady as if the world begins and ends with them.”
“It’s true; I’ve seen it firsthand with my other friends who are with other MC members.”
“Well, I’m happy for you that you’ve found that kind of devotion.
Lord knows there’s not a lot of men out that I’ve come across like that.
Especially with my latest disaster that doesn’t know when to leave well enough alone.
Besides, I’ve sworn off all men. Raising my brother on my own is enough for me right now.
They're all done. What do you think?” Kira fluffs my hair one more time.
The woman looking back at me looks so different I can’t even recognize myself. “OMG, I love it. Grandma Silvia was right; you are magic with scissors. Thank you so much.”
Kira laughs, shaking her head. “I’m glad you love it. We will have to hang out and go for a coffee sometime.”
I get up from the chair and pull Kira into a hug. “We definitely will. Don’t give up so easily on the idea of love. I have a feeling you're going to change your mind soon.”
We pull apart and Kira looks over at Crow. “I guess we will see.” She whispers as we walk over.
Walking over to Ghost, he has a smile on his face as he looks at my hair. As soon as I’m near him, he pulls me to his side, making me smile. “Your hair looks beautiful, Scarlett.”
“Thank you.”
He kisses the top of my head, looking down at me. “Are you ready to head out?”
“I am. Thank you again, Kira. I will call you and set up something for next week to hang out.”
“Sounds good. I’ll just have to get someone to keep an eye on Nicholas because Lord knows the trouble he can get into.” She rolls her eyes, making me smile while giving her brother the side-eye.
Before Nicholas can say anything, Crow steps forward. “Bring him to the clubhouse. I don't mind keeping an eye on him. Besides, I told him that I would show him my bike and the clubhouse.” Crow smiles at her, and I watch as she narrows her eyes at him.
Kira places her hands on her hips, stepping forward. “So what you're saying is you promised my brother something without, oh, I don’t know, talking to his sister first about it?”
I look up at Ghost and smile. I think everything is going to be all right with them as we both walk out of the salon heading for his bike. Ghost helps me on the bike, making sure my helmet is on. “I like Kira.”
He looks through the salon window and laughs. Whatever he sees must be good. “I have a feeling she’s going to fit right in. Come on, I promised you a date, and I intend to keep it.”
Ghost gets on and starts the bike up and pulls out of the parking lot.
There’s a slight chill in the air as we navigate traffic, so I scoot closer to his back to block the wind out.
I absolutely love being on the back of his bike, and I hope we get to go on more trips together.
Before I know it, we are pulling into the local steakhouse that I’ve yet to try.
Ghost pulls into the parking spot at the front and shuts the bike off before getting off.
He lifts me off the bike, keeping me steady.
Taking the helmet off me, he stores it in the saddlebags.
Ghost pushes my hair behind my ears. His touch lingers against my cheek, making me lean into his touch.
His eyes become intense as he looks at me while his nostrils flare.
The longer he looks at me, the more I think something is wrong.
I nibble on my bottom lip. “Is something wrong, Ghost?”
He shakes his head, smiling at me. “Naw, babydoll, nothing is wrong. I just realized I’m one lucky bastard, that's all. Come on, let's get you fed. Then I figured we could go home and snuggle up on the couch and watch a movie. How does that sound?”
“That sounds amazing.” He takes my hand, leading me inside the restaurant. We walk to the hostess stand, and as soon as she sees Ghost, she grabs two menus.
“Your table is ready if you will follow me.” We follow the hostess to the back, which gives it a more secluded vibe to it, which I love. She places the menus down as Ghost pulls out my chair for me. “Your server will be with you in a moment. Enjoy.”
Ghost takes his seat in front of me. “She didn’t even ask for your name.” I take my menu and open it, looking at all the steak options. They all seem so good.
He smiles at me as he grabs his menu. “We own the restaurant and a few other businesses in the area and the surrounding areas.”
Wow, I never knew. “That’s amazing. You guys must be proud of all your accomplishments.”
Before he can say anything, the server comes over with a smile on her face. “Hello, my name is Vanessa, and I’ll be your server for the night. Can I grab you guys a drink while you look over the menu?”
“I will have a Bud light please.”
She looks at Ghost, and I swear I hear her sigh. I’m not even mad because me too, girl, me too. “I will have the same, thank you.”
She walks back over with our drinks and takes out her pad to take our order. “Do you guys need a few more minutes, or are you ready now?” Ghost looks at me, and I nod my head.
“I would like the 8oz ribeye medium-rare with a loaded baked potato but no sour cream, please.”
“I’ll have the 10oz ribeye, rare, with a loaded baked potato, please.”
“I will get your order in.”
“Thank you.” Ghost turns his head to look at me and smiles. “To answer your question from before, we have been very blessed with all the businesses we’ve opened.”
I fiddle with my napkin, feeling a little out of sorts since this is my first date. But I want to get to know this man. I take a sip of my beer and just decide to ask him some questions. “You weren’t born here, were you?”
He sits back and takes a pull of his beer, his eyes never leaving mine.
I don’t think they have since we sat down.
“I was born in the next town over, but met all the guys at basic and we kind of just formed this bond. After we were done with our time in the army, we knew Blade wanted to come home to his sister, so he pitched the idea of forming our own MC, and we just followed. Most of us didn’t have any family to go back to, so it was a no-brainer for me.
We pooled our money together and started a few businesses. ”
“Add in all the work you guys do for this community. It's truly amazing. You and the guys formed this family.” Honestly, the things they have done most people wouldn’t even think of doing.
They have food drives and toy drives during the Christmas holidays because no child should go without on Christmas.
He just shakes his head and smiles. None of the guys ever want the recognition for the things they do.
“And you're part of that family now.” He winks at me.
I fiddle with my hands under the table; his attention makes me nervous. “Yeah, I'm starting to realize that now. It's a nice feeling to finally feel like I belong and that I have a purpose in life.”
Ghost gets a dark look in his eyes. He leans forward and lowers his voice. “Your father is a piece of shit for making you feel that way, and he will get his soon enough. You're mine, and I always take care of mine.”
His growled-out words make me shiver. His words are guttural and raw, letting me see the other side of him.
But I don't fear him; quite the opposite, really.
Maybe there's something wrong with me. I just don't have it in me to care.
Now that I'm learning more about myself, I'm finding I like when he gets all growly; it really does do something for me.
“So tell me about your artwork. Have you always loved drawing?” Ghost gives me his full attention.
“For as long as I can remember, I've always had a pencil in my hand.
At first, it was a passion; then it became a way for me to escape my life and everything that was going on around me.
I like to sit in the park and watch people for hours, and I will take my sketchbook out and just draw the people living their lives.
Happy and free. For just those moments, I feel like I'm a part of them.” It may sound stupid to some, but I was happy in those moments.
I always wished I would be that carefree, living my life without any worries.
The time I've spent with Ghost, I've been able to draw him.
His smile, which he sends my way, takes my breath away. “That's amazing. I'd like to see some of your art one day if you don't mind sharing it.”
Oh boy, I've never really shown anyone my drawings for fear of being ridiculed, but I have a feeling that Ghost would never do something like that. So I put my fear to the side. “I can show you when we get back home.”
I realize that I said the word home and not his house, and by the smile on his face, he likes that very much. Before he can comment on it, the server comes our way with the food.
The smell of the steak makes my stomach growl. “Here you go. Enjoy your meal and let me know if you guys need anything else.”
“Thank you.” I don't waste time cutting into my steak, and it's cooked to perfection. The flavors explode on my tongue. I don't even remember the last time I had a steak. “This is so good.”
Ghost smiles at me. I noticed he's been watching me eat, which makes me blush. I was practically drooling on my steak; how embarrassing. “I'm glad you're enjoying it, babydoll.”
He finally picks up his utensils and begins to eat, both of us too engrossed in eating to say anything else. I don't leave anything on my plate. I will definitely have to come back here. I drain the last of my beer as Ghost finishes his dinner.
“Did you have enough to eat?”
“If I ate any more, you would have to roll me out of here.” It’s true I don’t think I could put another thing in my stomach.
“Then let's get out of here and head home so we can watch a movie. How does that sound?”
I smile at him, feeling content and happy. “That sounds amazing.”