Chapter Fifteen - Chapter Fourteen
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Chapter Fourteen
MADELINE TOOK OFF her helmet, her laughter bright against the rumble of arriving motorcycles. “My hair is such a mess,” she said, adjusting her dress and reaching into the saddlebags for her purse. “I’ll need to freshen up.”
I offered my arm with a playful bow. “Well then, my good lady, let me show you the way.”
She looped her arm through mine, her smile radiant enough to slay me every time, and we headed inside. The clubhouse was packed to the brim, the air vibrating with the continuous arrival of more bikes. The roar of engines outside blended with the lively chatter inside.
Slipping my arm around Madeline, I felt a surge of pride. The most beautiful woman here was with me. “Oh, Madeline! Over here!” someone shouted, and we both turned to see Casimir weaving through the crowd toward us. How did she know him ?
“It’s so crowded in here I’m about to faint,” Casimir announced, his eyes widening as he looked at Madeline’s hair. “Oh, Madeline honey, let’s go fix that hair. You’re doing me wrong coming in here like this!”
Madeline touched her hair, her voice soft but raised to be heard over the din. “I know. I’m heading to fix it now.”
“Come with me,” he insisted, taking her arm. “Daphne and Aislynn just headed to freshen up; we’ll join them.”
Madeline glanced at me, her eyes questioning. “I’ll be right back. Will you wait here?”
I kissed her cheek. “Yep, I’ll be by the bar.”
Navigating through the throng, I made my way to the bar, finding no empty stools. I leaned against the wall, scanning the room for Midnight but coming up empty. “Jesus, it’s fucking packed in here,” Leather growled as he joined me, side-eyeing with a smirk. “Did I see you looking all cozy with Mandy?”
I didn’t like how he said her name and snapped, “She’s Madeline to me.”
He raised his hands in mock surrender. “I wasn’t disrespecting her. How was I supposed to know her real fucking name? She was Mandy when I worked Twisted Heat.”
“Didn’t mean to get defensive but... you know,” I mumbled, my words trailing off.
“Yeah, I know, brother. I’ll kill anyone that disrespects my ol’ lady,” Leather chuckled, though his eyes held a deadly seriousness. “Just surprised to see you with a chick and not just a sweet butt.”
“Same here,” Hillbilly said, squeezing into the space beside us. “And I see Casimir is her friend too. Please let him be your problem and give me a break.”
“I don’t have the patience you do,” I joked.
“Where’s Jonesy?” Leather asked. “Figured since you’re the best man you’d be together.”
“He’s talking to Doc about shadowing him,” Hillbilly replied. “He’s going to be our Doc, only not with the credentials, if you get my drift.”
As we continued to shoot the breeze, my eyes kept darting toward the doorway, anxious for Madeline’s return. This irrational fear gnawed at me, the thought that some other man might snatch her away. I knew she could do a hell of a lot better than me, and that insecurity was a bitter pill to swallow.
The minutes ticked by slowly, each second amplifying my impatience. Finally, I saw Madeline emerge from the hallway, her hair freshly styled, looking even more stunning than before. Casimir and the other girls trailed behind her, but it was her eyes searching the room for me that set my heart racing.
As soon as our eyes met, a sense of relief washed over me. She made her way through the crowd; her smile lighting up the room. I pushed off the wall and met her halfway, slipping my arm around her waist.
“You look beautiful,” I whispered in her ear, pulling her close.
“Thanks,” she replied, her voice soft and sweet. “Sorry I took so long.”
“Not a problem,” I said, kissing her cheek again. “Let me show you around.”
We rejoined the throng, the energy in the clubhouse infectious. The air was thick with the mingling scents of leather, perfume, and cologne, underscored by the constant hum of conversation and laughter. I introduced Madeline to the other members and their ol’ ladies until it was time to go outside and have a seat.
TODAY WAS PERFECT . Jarrod was treating me like I had always dreamed a man would, like I was the only woman that existed in his universe. His hand in mine felt like a promise of something deeper, something real. While Jarrod talked with Midnight, who was seated beside him, I took a moment to look around. My eyes caught on a blonde woman leaning against the building, her eyes filled with a sadness that seemed to reach out to me. When she noticed me gazing back, she quickly averted her eyes, leaving me with an uneasy feeling.
“I thought there would be tents to sit under,” Casimir griped, taking the seat next to me. Daphne was on his other side, with Toby on her lap.
“Trust me, Cas, you’ll survive. Stop being a drama king,” Daphne scolded him. “And remember, don’t go near Patch. On this, I’m totally serious. For once, value your life.”
Casimir sighed dramatically and poked me in the side, chuckling. “Call a man a pirate one time, and he goes off the deep end, threatening murder. So uncivilized.” His eyes fell to where Jarrod was holding my hand, and he whispered, “This is quite a turn of events for you, Madeline.”
“I’m almost afraid,” I whispered back, feeling the weight of the moment. I waved at Margie as she moved to the front with her husband, Tom, where they took a seat. The music stopped, and everyone fell silent as Jonesy, Hillbilly, and Harker took their places. I loved the informality of it all, the men wearing their usual clothes and club vests. No dress code, just come as you are. It made everyone so much more comfortable, so much more themselves.
The band started to play the wedding march, and Lucky and Sarah walked to the front, Sarah’s arm linked with Lucky’s. They handed Sarah over to Jonesy, and I felt myself leaning into Jarrod, caught up in the romance of it all. Knowing firsthand how Sarah and Jonesy met, how their relationship blossomed against all odds, made this moment even more special. Sarah was so lucky to find Jonesy after all she went through, and it gave me hope that not all men judged based on appearances.
I glanced at Jarrod, who was watching me intently. I blushed, wondering what he was thinking. His gaze was intense, full of something I couldn’t quite name, but felt deep in my core. The ceremony went on, but my mind was consumed by the warmth of Jarrod’s hand in mine and the potential of a future together. Though uncertain, I felt genuine hope for once.