Chapter 25
brOOKE
Iopen my eyes and find Bear in front of me. He looks so peaceful sleeping, like he has nothing in the world to worry about. I start to reflect on what happened this past month.
It’s been a month since I woke up at Razor’s house.
Bear confessed that he loved me the night we had sex, but I didn’t hear.
He told me about it the following morning.
Without any hesitation, I told him I loved him back.
I love being around him, caring for him, and so much more.
He has helped me in ways I didn’t think were possible.
He has gotten me back to the old version of myself I was before I met Jared.
I have also gotten more comfortable around the rest of the club and started speaking to a lot of them. They were all shocked that I started talking, but were really happy that I felt I could.
The day I talked to most of them, they had all thrown a last-minute celebration.
I hadn’t laughed that long in forever, and it felt good.
Bear has become way more protective of me and makes sure that I am okay twenty-four-seven.
Gears has had to tell him to leave several times so he can get to work, and I can, too.
I try not to complain too much to Bear about him being protective and caring because I have never had this before.
Sure, my parents were protective and caring, but sometimes I felt like they were just like that because they were parents and had to be.
I never felt like it was genuine with them, but just an obligation.
Bear has shown me genuine compassion and care, and it makes me feel loved.
“Good morning, baby,” Bear says in his morning voice.
I blink and look at him, getting out of my thoughts. I give him a smile and hug him.
“Good morning,” I say against his chest.
I am pretty sure it was mumbled as Bear starts to chuckle.
“Come on, it’s time to get out of bed and start our day,” Bear says, sitting up.
I let out a little groan and try to push him back down. Bear lets out a laugh at my attempts. Bear is so much stronger than I am that I can’t even budge him.
Pouting, I look up at Bear. I don’t want to go to work today. We have been super busy these past two weeks, and it is exhausting. We work twelve-hour shifts Monday through Friday, and sometimes Saturdays.
Gears lied to me when he said things were slow around the shop. They were the exact opposite, but he didn’t want to worry me. I caught him working late one night to try and catch up. He had been working early mornings, too.
I felt really bad and started to work extra hard. It was exhausting in the beginning, but after a couple of days, my body got used to it. Gears and I came up with a plan to work long days to catch up, and it has been working so far.
Bear had a fit when he found out. He did not like that and started to shout at Gears. I managed to calm him down and explain the situation. Bear didn’t like it, but at the end of the day, it was my decision and not his.
“I don’t want to go. I am so exhausted,” I whine.
Bear places his hands on each side of my face, tenderly holding me.
“I know you don’t, but who knows, maybe today will be really good,” he says.
Confused, I open my mouth to say something, but he gets up and walks toward the closet.
I watch as he grabs his clothes and mine. He places my long-sleeved shirt, pants, and scarf on the bed and walks toward the bathroom. I stare at my clothes as I hear him start his shower.
I kind of want to wear a short-sleeved shirt and no scarf today, but I am worried about what everyone will think. I don’t want people to think that I am ugly or pity me. That is the last thing I want from people.
I am starting to feel more comfortable with my body and around the bikers. I’m safe, it is the right time to do this.
“Why haven’t you changed yet?” Bear breaks me out of my thoughts.
I look up at him and then back at my clothes.
“Can... can I ask you a question?” I whisper, barely able to hear myself.
“I didn’t quite catch what you said. Can you say it again?” Bear sits on the bed.
I look up at Bear and take a deep breath.
“Do you think it would be okay to wear a short-sleeved shirt today and no scarf?” I softly ask.
I watch as his face turns into one of shock. I stand and grab my clothes.
“Never mind. It was a silly question. I’ll just put these on,” I say quickly, walking toward the bathroom.
Before I can make it there, Bear grabs my arm. He turns me around, and I stare at his chest, not wanting to look into his eyes.
“Why did you say never mind? What’s on your mind?” he asks.
“I just don’t want pity from people or shock when they see my scars. I just want to be normal again and be comfortable in my skin. I don’t want to have to worry about always making sure I am covered up. I feel safe here, but don’t want to be judged,” I say, my eyes welling up.
Bear grabs my face and turns it toward him, making me look into his eyes. I blink, and a tear starts to make its way down my face.
Bear keeps his eyes locked on mine as he wipes away my tears.
“Everything is going to be okay. If you want to wear a short-sleeved shirt, then do it. I will be with you every step of the way,” he says softly. “I think it is a great idea.”
He pulls me into a hug and holds me. I hug him back and try to relax.
“I know several people, if not everyone, in the club will support you all the way. They are so proud that you are comfortable enough to talk to them. They will be even more proud of you for being willing to be vulnerable and show them your scars. They love you and will always,” Bear says, kissing my head.
“Really?” I whisper, unsure.
I am so insecure about my scars, and I don’t like it when people stare too long.
“Yes, really. You go pick out a T-shirt you like, and we will walk down together,” he says.
I give him an unsure look, starting to second-guess myself.
“It will all be okay. I’m going to be with you every step of the way,” he says.
Before I can change my mind, Bear walks to our closet. He comes out a second later with one of his older shirts and hands it to me.
“Here is a T-shirt you can wear. It might be a little big, but it’s one of my smallest and oldest shirts,” he tells me.
Nodding, I take it from him. I make my way toward the bathroom, but stop. He normally gives me privacy, so I don’t feel uncomfortable. but I don’t have to worry about him. I know he doesn’t care that I have scars; it’s everyone else I have to worry about.
I quickly pull my shirt off and put his shirt on. I turn around and see Bear giving me a small smile. I smile back and walk toward him, wrapping my arms around his torso.
“I’m so proud of you,” he whispers, kissing my forehead.
He takes my hand and leads me outside our room and toward the stairs. The closer we get to the main room, the more I try to hide.
We walk into the room, and everyone stops talking to stare at us. I start to fidget and hide behind Bear, trying to get their eyes off me.
“Mind your own business!” Bear yells.
Most of the bikers go back to what they were doing. Every once in a while, I catch someone staring.
I still cling to Bear as we make our way toward the bar. Whiskey, Ink, Gears, and Pres are sitting together. I watch as all of them, but Pres turns to us and smiles.
“You look absolutely beautiful,” Gears says.
“You really do look beautiful.” Ink gives me a bigger smile than before.
My eyes well up with tears at their words. I can tell from their voices that they are genuinely saying that. I bring my hand to my eyes and wipe them.
“Are you okay?” Bear asks, blocking their view.
“Yeah,” I whisper.
I am all right. I thought they would have said something mean to me, but they prove me wrong again and tell me that I am beautiful. I normally wouldn’t cry over this, but my emotions have gotten the better of me recently.
“Here are your pancakes and some fruit for both of you,” Butch says, interrupting us.
I look over Bear and give Butch a smile.
“Thank you,” I say.
I sit next to Gears and start to eat, not waiting for Bear. Whenever Butch puts food in front of me, I stop what I am doing and dive in.
Before I even realize it, all the food is gone, and I am still hungry.
“Butch?” I say, trying to get his attention.
“Yes?” He turns around.
“Do you have any more?”
He turns around and then looks back at me.
“I have two more,” he replies.
I give him a small smile. “Could I have one of them?”
He chuckles and puts two pancakes on my plate. He knows the way to my heart. I wanted both, but didn’t want to take them in case someone else wanted one.
“I could tell from your face that you really wanted both.” He laughs a little.
I give him a sheepish smile and chuckle.
“Thank you,” I reply.
Before anyone else can talk to me, I start to eat again. Right as I finish, Bear starts talking.
“Hey, Pres,” Bear semi-yells.
Pres looks over in our direction.
“Yes?” he replies.
“I was wondering if I could take Brooke out for a couple of hours?” Bear asks.
Pres thinks for a couple of seconds before smiling.
“Yeah, you can have the whole day off. Both of you,” he says, walking away.
“Thank you,” Bear calls.
I look toward Bear, confused.
“I can’t be gone all day. Gears needs my help in the garage,” I say.
“I promise you we have a very light load, and I can handle it. We have worked so hard these past couple of weeks, and we have caught up,” Gears says.
I open my mouth to interject, but Bear puts his finger on my lips.
“He says it’s a super light load and he can handle it. I want to show you something,” Bear says.
I look over at Gears, and he gives me a smile and a thumbs-up.
“I’m really telling the truth this time. I promise. Go have fun.” He puts his hand out.
I look him directly in the eyes and shake his hand.
“If I find out that you are lying, you won’t like what will happen.” I turn around and look at Bear.
I don’t wait to see his reaction, but from the chuckles I hear, I can only assume that he looks nervous.
“Okay, I’m ready,” I tell Bear.
Bear stands from his seat and walks toward me. I give him a little smile, which he returns. He grabs my hand and starts to lead me toward the front door.
“We will see you guys later!” Bear yells.
Several people shout bye to us as we walk out the front door.
“Where are we going?” I ask on our way toward his bike.
“That is a surprise,” he replies.
Before I can even respond, Bear beats me to it.
“I won’t tell you, so don’t waste your breath asking me or telling me you don’t like surprises. I know for a fact that you do like surprises, and you will love this one,” he says.
I blush and look at the ground by his bike. He knows me so well. Sometimes, I think he knows me better than I know myself.
Bear slides onto his bike and puts his helmet on. I stand next to him and let him put mine on before getting on his bike. This is our normal routine.
I wrap my arms around his waist as he starts his bike. We ride past several shops and toward the highway. We haven’t been on the highway much. I don’t really know what is out this way.
The scenery changes from the small town to the country. I love the country and being in nature. It is one of my favorite things to do.
We come to a stop at the end of a dirt road. I slide off the bike and wait for Bear to get off.
“We have to walk past these trees,” he says.
I grab his hand this time as he leads me toward the trees. I wonder what he has to show me. Maybe it’s a stream or a waterfall.
Bear pushes a couple of branches out of the way and lets me walk before him. I walk into an open field. My mouth hangs open at the beauty before me.
To the right is a cherry blossom tree that has bloomed. Off in the distance, I can see a little stream. I would love to sit here and enjoy nature.
“Do you like it?” he asks.
“I love it. It is so beautiful,” I whisper. “Can we come here another time? I think this is going to be my new favorite place.”
Bear chuckles. “Yes, we can come here as many times as you want.”
Bear puts his hand on my lower back and guides me toward the cherry blossom tree. Once we make it to the tree, I look closely at the flowers.
“Did you know that this is my favorite tree?” I look over at Bear.
“I did. You mentioned it to Gears, and he told me,” he replies.
“Why did he tell you?”
Bear swallows and steps closer to me. He grabs hold of both my hands.
“Brooke, I know we have only known each other for four, almost five months, but I love you. You came and started working for the club, and didn’t want anything to do with us.
The first time I saw you, I was so mesmerized, I knew I wanted you to be mine.
It was hard, and there were a lot of bumps in the road, but it was so worth it,” he says, taking a breath.
I know he needs time to either collect his words or himself.
“I brought you here because I wanted to ask you a very important question. Will you be my old lady?”