Chapter 8
NICKEL
Fuck, I love this woman.
Is it too soon to tell her? I have a feeling she’ll run if I do, but for me, it’s a foregone conclusion. There won’t be another woman for me. She’s everything I never knew I needed. She understands me in a way that nobody but my family does.
We’re drying off when someone bangs on the side of the home.
“Bee says to put her friend down and hurry up!” Copper shouts. “She’ll meet you in the office.”
I roll my eyes and look at Nora, expecting her to be upset, but she’s laughing.
“God, I’ve missed this,” she admits when she sees me looking at her. “The feeling of brotherhood, the teasing, and the comfort of family. I haven’t had this since I left the army, and until this minute, I didn’t realise how much I’ve missed it.”
I snort, tugging a shirt over my head. “No chance of missing it here.” I stalk towards her from our bedroom. “They’re a fucking nosy bunch, and as you’ve seen, they don’t care who they tease.”
“I like it.” Nora smiles up at me and rests her hands on my abs.
Lowering my head, I give her a quick kiss and back away. “I’m leaving because if I stay, we'll end up back in bed. And I can’t lie, I'm a little afraid of Bee. She seems the type to find me and drag me away.”
Nora chuckles, pulling her long hair over her shoulder. She deftly braids it, tying the end and throwing it back over her shoulder. “She definitely is. Come on. Let’s get some food. Then you can do some work, make some money, and maybe take me for a ride on your bike.”
“Sled,” I say, opening the front door and walking down the steps.
“What?” she asks as she jumps down the last two steps, landing next to me with a grunt.
Shaking my head, I take her hand. How she still has energy after this morning's PT and our fast-and-furious session, I have no idea.
“Nickel.” She shakes my hand. “What sled?”
“Our bikes. We call them sleds. No idea why. It’s something we’ve always done.”
“Huh, okay. Sleds.” Nora rolls the word around on her tongue as if experimenting. “I like it.” She nods. “So, will you take me for a ride on your sled this afternoon?”
“I’ll take you for a ride whenever you want, darlin’.” I smirk down at her, then grunt when she drives her fist into my stomach. “On my sled, on my sled!” I laugh. “You’ve got a dirty mind.” I tease.
“I do not,” she grumbles. “Although I’m not opposed to the other kind of ride, if you’re offering.”
“Oh, darlin’, for you? I’m always offering. Just let me know when and where.”
“You’re on,” Nora agrees. “First breakfast, you work, we ride on your sled, then I ride on you.”
“Jesus, would you two stop?” Bolt groans from behind us. “I can’t take it.”
I look over my shoulder. “Not my fault you can’t hold your liquor, brother,” I say unsympathetically,
“Fuck you, Nickel. I think the O’Sheas poisoned me at Christmas. Beer is the only thing I can cope with.”
“Don’t you go blaming my family for your weak stomach, Bolt Tin,” Jeanie scolds from the clubhouse’s open doorway. “Get your arse in here and get some food in you. Swear to God, next time you pick up a glass of whiskey, I’m confiscating it.”
“Sorry, baby,” Bolt murmurs, pushing past us and kissing his Old Lady’s cheek. “Love you.”
She rolls her eyes and pushes him towards the common room. “Love you too. Now go and eat and get some water in you.”
Jeanie turns to us and grins. “Morning, you two. Don’t you look chipper this morning? Food’s in the kitchen.”
“Thanks, Jeanie,” I say, bussing a kiss to her cheek on the way past. “Happy that Bolt found you.”
“Ah, get on with you.” She blushes, pushing me away. “Nora, control your man.”
“There’s no controlling a Tin man.” Nora shakes her head. “I’ve known them for five minutes, and I already know that.”
Jeanie laughs and slides her arm through Nora’s, drawing her away from me. “You’re so right, but they’re the best men. And I should know because I come from a family of good men.”
A sense of rightness settles over me as I watch the two of them disappear into the kitchen.
“You okay, Nickel?” Bolt asks, bumping his shoulder against mine before biting into a bacon sandwich.
“Yeah, Cobalt. Everything is fine.”
“Is she going to stay?”
Turning my head slightly, I see concern on Bolt’s face.
“She says she is, brother. I’m going to ask her to be my Old Lady. Ordering the cut today if the vote goes through Church. She’s still going to work, though.”
“Figured.” He nods. “The work she does is important.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “Doesn’t mean I won’t worry.”
“Trust me, Nickel, that never goes away, even when she’s working next to you. You’ll always worry. But take comfort in the fact that Nora is better trained than most.”
“You’re right. Thanks, Bolt.”
“Anytime, brother. It’s about time I was there for you.”
“You’re a good brother, Bolt,” I assure him. “Are you coming to get more to eat?”
“Nah.” He shakes his head and nods to his plate, which still has a couple of bacon and sausage sandwiches on it. “Jeanie’s fed me.”
Smiling, I tilt my head. Bolt found a good one. She fits in seamlessly with the other Old Ladies, and our mom loves her.
I halt in the doorway as I walk into the kitchen and smile. Nora has her arm wrapped around my mom, her head resting on Mom’s shoulder as she watches her cook at the stove. Seems I’m another lucky one.
Mom slides something from the pan onto a plate.
Nora kisses her cheek. “Thanks, Maggie.”
Mom smiles at her. “Welcome, sweetheart.”
Nora turns, holding two plates. “Breakfast. Your mum cooked the eggs because you really don’t want to eat mine. Can’t get them right for the life of me.”
Clearing my throat, I walk towards Mom. “Thanks, Momma.” I hug her and kiss her cheek.
“Welcome, baby.” She hugs me back. “Coffee is ready. Make me a cup, would you? I’ll be out shortly.”
“No problem.”
Going to the coffee machine, I pour three mugs. I gather them up and start to follow Nora out of the kitchen.
“Nickel.” Mom’s hand lands on my arm, stopping me.
Setting the mugs down, I give her my attention. Fuck, maybe I read the room wrong. Maybe my mom doesn’t like Nora. That would make things bloody complicated because deep down, I’m a momma’s boy. We all are.
But Nora owns my heart.
“Don’t look so worried.” Mom laughs softly. “I like Nora. I think she’s perfect for you, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to check on you. Make sure you’re okay. You’ve had a lot of changes over the last few days.”
“Fuck.” I let out a relieved breath. “I’m glad you like Nora. And I’m fine, Mom. I promise. Nora…” I pause for a minute, trying to think of how to explain that Nora calms me in a way that I’ve never experienced.
“Nora—” I start again, but I can’t find the right words to explain how I feel.
“She’s your person,” Mom says, patting my arm. “She understands you without you having to explain anything. She just knows.”
“Yeah,” I respond. “Exactly that.”
“I get it. Your dad does the same for me. I’m happy for you, Nickel. Now, let’s get out there before she comes looking and our coffee gets cold.”
Wrapping my arms around my mom, I squeeze her. “Love you, Momma.”
“Love you too, baby. So very much. I’m so glad my boys are happy. And I love the women they’ve brought into the family. Hope your sister is as lucky.”
“He’d better treat her like the precious gem she is, or he’s going to have problems.”
Mom laughs and releases me. She’s still laughing as she picks up her coffee and walks out of the kitchen.
I’m not laughing, though. Opal is my baby sister. Nobody is getting anywhere near her without running a gauntlet.
Following Mom, I set Nora’s coffee next to her plate and get started on breakfast. I’m nearly finished when Coal comes from the direction of the offices and stops at the table.
“Nickel, you’re with Bee this morning until eleven. Then we’ll hold Church for an hour and go over finances before lunch.”
“No problem, Pres. I need to have a quick word about something before I meet with Bee.”
Coal nods. “Meet me in my office when you’re ready. I’m going to grab a coffee.”
I turn to Nora. “What are you going to do? You can sit in with Bee and me if you want.”
“Oh, no.” She shudders. “Numbers give me hives unless they involve wind trajectory or coordinates. I’m spending the morning with Thea at the armoury, testing out guns. Much more my style.”
“Have fun.” I press my lips to her forehead and stand, reaching for our plates.
“I’ll clean up this time,” Nora says, placing her hand on my arm. She grins. “But don’t get used to it.”
“Never,” I assure her with a laugh.
“Payment is a kiss,” she tells me, rolling to her toes and pressing her lips to mine for a quick kiss.
“Always happy to pay your price, darlin’,” I croon, nuzzling into her neck and blowing a raspberry.
She squeals out a laugh. “That was mean,” she mock-grumbles, wiping her neck. “Go and do some work, and I’ll find Thea.”
I’m still smiling when I knock on Coal’s door and wait for him to answer. Thea is in there with him, and from her dishevelled look, I assume I’ve interrupted something.
“Sorry,” I apologise.
“No need.” Thea waves at me and smiles. “I was going to find Nora anyway. It’s good to see you smiling, Nickel.”
“Thank you, Thea. I’m happy.”
“Good.” She pats my arm as she walks past. “I like her.”
Turning to Coal, she blows him a kiss. “I’m going to go and shoot something with Nora and Jeanie. Your dad has Shea and Noah until lunchtime. He’s gone over to the Crows to meet up with Dog.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. I’ll see you at lunch. Enjoy your morning.” Coal grins at her.
“Aye.” She returns his grin. “It’s going to be better than yours, what with all that paperwork you have to do. Mine's going to be fun.”
“Wish I could join you,” Coal grumbles.
Thea laughs and pats my arm again on the way out. “Try not to have too much fun now, boys.”