Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Goldie
By the time the sun started slipping toward the tops of the buildings, I finally understood why Tempi had insisted we all spend some time outside.
The clubhouse had started feeling smaller as the day wore on.
Not because it actually was, but because every conversation revolved around the same things.
The Ledger.
The tunnel.
The paperwork.
Gene Kettler.
Every time someone walked past a window, heads turned. Every creak of the old building made someone look up. Even when everyone tried to relax, nobody really did.
So after tacos, Tempi had planted both hands on her hips and announced that everyone was getting fresh air before they all went completely insane.
Twister hadn’t looked thrilled. Actually, he’d looked downright irritated. “I don’t like sitting out in the open,” he’d muttered.
Tempi had rolled her eyes. “I don’t like feeling trapped inside all day.”
Britta had immediately chimed in. “I vote outside.”
Then, before I even realized I was speaking, I’d joined them. “I could use some sunshine, too.”
Twister had looked between the three of us like he’d somehow ended up in a losing argument before it had even started. He’d sighed dramatically. “Fine.” Then he’d immediately started assigning security.
Sully and Gramps were sent across the street to keep watch. Chewy, Cord, and Plug were sent around back to keep watch there. They were getting outside time, too, but in a dingy alley.
The rest of the guys kept their eyes moving every few seconds.
Even sitting outside, nobody truly relaxed.
Still, it was nice.
The evening air carried the smell of fresh-cut grass from somewhere nearby. Cars rolled past every now and then, but traffic had slowed for the night. The umbrella over the table cast enough shade to keep the last bit of heat off us while the breeze stirred the edge of the fabric every few seconds.
Hodge sat with one boot stretched out in front of him. Nugget rocked his chair back on two legs until Plug threatened to kick it out from under him.
Twister sat stiffly beside Tempi, scanning the street more than he participated in the conversation.
Wheels sat beside me, close enough that our elbows brushed every now and then.
Not once since we’d come upstairs had he touched me, and I missed it.
That realization hit me hard enough I shifted in my chair.
Crossed one leg over the other. Then uncrossed it.
Good grief.
The man had kissed me, and somehow he’d managed to wake something inside me I didn’t even know existed. Every few seconds my eyes drifted toward him.
His beard. His hands. The muscles in his forearms resting on the table. The profile of his face while he watched the street.
I caught myself looking again. And again. And... again.
This was getting ridiculous.
I looked away toward the road for five seconds, then looked back.
Tempi caught me. Britta caught me too.
She was standing in the clubhouse doorway with her back against Swift’s chest, his arm resting around her waist.
Britta smirked.
Tempi suddenly tossed her napkin onto the table and burst out laughing. “Are you guys blind?”
Twister looked over at her. “What are you on now, babe?”
She waved one hand around dramatically. “You boys are watching every building... every car... every person walking down the sidewalk...” She pointed between Wheels and me. “...except what’s sitting right in front of you.”
My stomach immediately dropped.
Oh... Oh no.
This was happening.
Twister’s eyes slowly moved from Tempi... to me... then to Wheels.
Nobody said anything.
From across the street, Gramps hollered loud enough for everyone within two blocks to hear. “They’re knockin’ boots!”
Every head whipped toward him.
My jaw practically hit the table, and Tempi jumped to her feet laughing.
“We’re not!” I blurted.
“Yet!” Gramps shouted back.
Well... I couldn’t exactly argue with that because if things kept going the way they’d been...
He wasn’t wrong.
“How the hell did you know that?” Tempi yelled across the street.
Gramps cupped a hand around his mouth. “I’m older, not dead, Tempi!”
She nodded thoughtfully. “You know what...” She pointed at him. “You’re right.”
Laughter spread around the table.
Twister looked hard at Wheels, then at me.
Neither of us said anything.
Finally, I cleared my throat. “Uh...” I looked between them. “I hope this is okay.”
Twister didn’t answer immediately. He tipped his head to one side before finally shrugging. “The only people who have to be okay with it are you two.”
Relief washed over me.
He leaned back in his chair. “If anything...” His eyes settled on Wheels. “...he’ll do a hell of a lot better keeping you safe now.”
“I was already doing a pretty damn good job,” Wheels muttered.
Twister smirked. “I’m sure you were.”
Nugget snapped his fingers. “I knew something was different.”
Plug looked over. “You did not.”
“I absolutely did.”
“You asked me earlier if Wheels was constipated because he kept smiling.”
Nugget pointed at him. “Exactly.”
Plug blinked. “That isn’t the same thing.”
“It kinda is.”
“It absolutely isn’t.”
Hodge rubbed both hands down his face. “I lose brain cells every time you two talk.”
“Not possible,” Nugget replied. “You need those to lose ‘em.”
Before Hodge could answer, Podge stepped out the clubhouse door carrying a bottle of water. He looked around the group. “What’d I miss?”
Tempi grinned. “We just told everybody Wheels and Goldie have a thing.”
Podge looked at us. “Oh.” He shrugged. “I thought everybody already knew.”
I blinked. “You did?”
He frowned. “I mean...” He looked genuinely confused. “...you stare at each other a lot.”
Several of us laughed.
Hodge pointed at Podge.
“Bro, you may have book smarts, but there is no way you clocked those two being anything.”
Podge frowned.
Tempi looked from one to the other, then back again.
She blinked and shook her head. “Wait.”
Britta straightened away from Swift. “Hold on.”
I looked between them too. “...What?”
Tempi pointed. “You...” She looked at Hodge. “...and you...” She pointed at Podge. “...are related?”
Both brothers stared at her.
“You didn’t know?” Hodge asked.
Britta shook her head. “No!”
“Hodge and Podge,” Swift deadpanned. “Have you never heard of Hodge Podge?”
Britta looked over her shoulder.
“Yes, but I never put their names together like that.”
Swift sighed toward the sky. “I worry about you.”
She smiled sweetly. “But you still love me.”
“Unfortunately.”
Tempi looked back at Hodge. “But...” She motioned between the brothers. “You’re so different.”
“We hear that a lot,” Podge admitted.
“I’m better looking,” Hodge added.
Podge snorted. “In your dreams.”
“I’m older.”
“By one year.”
“Still counts,” Hodge shrugged.
“It barely counts.”
The table erupted again. Even Twister chuckled.
I laughed so hard my stomach started hurting.
While everyone argued over which brother had inherited the brains and which one had inherited the attitude, I felt a warm hand settle lightly on my knee beneath the table.
I looked down and saw Wheels’ hand on my knee.
He wasn’t even looking at me. His attention stayed on the brothers while his thumb brushed softly against my jeans.
I leaned just a little closer until my shoulder rested against his.
He glanced over and our eyes met.
His hand squeezed my knee once before relaxing again.
Across the table, Tempi caught the movement.
She looked at me and then at Wheels. A tiny knowing smile crossed her face.
The teasing around us continued for another minute before Wheels slowly stood.
He looked down at me. “C’mon.”
I didn’t even ask where. I slipped my hand into his and stood.
Behind me I heard Britta softly clear her throat. When I glanced back, she simply smiled. Just a little smile that somehow told me she knew exactly where we were headed.
Wheels led me through the clubhouse doors while everyone else continued arguing about whether Hodge or Podge had inherited the family brains.
The noise faded behind us inside the clubhouse; everything felt quieter. More private.
We stopped at the bottom of the stairs, and I looked up at him.
“So...” I smiled. “What’s the plan?”
“The boys know now.”
A smile spread across my lips. “So?”
He stepped closer and pulled me close. “So now I don’t have to pretend I don’t want to kiss you every five damn minutes.”
His hand came up to my cheek, and then he leaned down and pressed a slow, warm kiss against my lips.
When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested lightly against mine. “The plan,” he said, his voice low enough that it was only for me, “is we’re gonna get to know each other a hell of a lot better.”