Chapter 5
BOONE
My condo at the Five Points Lofts had always been comfortable.
I had a loft bedroom and a small side bedroom for my parents or Goldie to bunk in if they stayed over.
I liked my view of the city. Everything about my condo fit my style.
I didn’t even mind being on the third floor while Rowdy, Rock, and Clint were up on the fourth.
Tonight, I returned home and wondered if this place would work for kids.
The size might be enough since Skylar and Lyric were used to sharing a room.
But they were also used to a backyard with a play set and space for their dog to run around.
Living here would be a step down from their current home.
I told myself I was rushing things. Nova and I had one date. We hadn’t been around each other enough to know if this attraction would fade. I was jumping ahead to the kind of relationships I saw growing up.
The next morning, I felt more centered. My condo was fine. The girls were happy where they were currently living. Nova wasn’t looking for an instant husband. We could have fun and get to know each other.
Restless with nothing to do before the date, I walked around the condo complex and looked for someone to chill out with until I could head to Nova’s place.
The building’s courtyard was neutral territory between the Crimson Guard and another local club called the LM Jokers.
Its president, Tricky, and VP, Jagger, lived in the condos.
Their club was founded at the same time as the Crimson Guard, and a few of their earliest recruits were also residents.
Tricky, Jagger, Clint, and I had been friends growing up. Our clubs had been allies.
Yet, something shifted when Tricky chose to patch in guys who moved up from Baton Rouge.
Their fathers and uncles had been pushed out of the Black Rainbow by Zodiac and his guys.
Now, the Crimson Guard had an alliance with the Black Rainbow, inspiring many LM Jokers to be openly hostile toward our club.
Meaning, every time I walked out to the courtyard, I found myself wondering if I’d encounter attitude from men that I used to consider friends.
Fortunately, rather than the enemy, I spotted Rowdy in the courtyard. His tiny dog, Goblin, ran over and barked at me. I barked back at him and walked to where Rowdy smoked a cigarette on a bench.
Rowdy’s long brown hair was tied back in a little braid that I assumed a fox gave him. His pale blue eyes watched me with amusement.
“Date night, huh?” Rowdy said and smirked. “Everyone’s falling in love and settling down.”
“I don’t know about that. It’s our second date.”
“Bullshit. You’ve had your eye on Nova for months. Now, you need to nail this thing down before she escapes.”
“Why would she escape?”
“Women are crazy. You know that shit.”
“Is this about the woman who ran away from you?”
“No way. I’m completely over her. My heart is now solely focused on loving my club, family, and, of course, Goblin.” The dog heard his name and barked at Rowdy, who leaned down and grumbled, “I said I loved you, dumbass.”
The dog barked again, making Rowdy laugh and pet his little head.
“I miss Beef Jerky.”
“Just bring his tiny ass back to Little Memphis.”
“He’s angry with me for leaving him. Besides, my mom likes having him around.”
“Naw, man, you’re making his heart hurt more by giving him space. Beef Jerky wants you to sweep him into your big, strong arms and claim him full-time.”
Grinning at his dramatic wording, I asked, “What about my mom?”
“She got attached to your dog because she didn’t have you around. Now, you aren’t locked up, so she doesn’t need Beef Jerky anymore.”
“He gets more attention at my parents’ house.”
“Boone, you’re a tough guy unless it comes down to inconveniencing those you care about. Then, you turn into a little bitch.”
Grinning, I poked at Rowdy by saying, “Beef Jerky is more sensitive than Goblin.”
Hearing his name, the dog barked at me.
“You’ve hurt his feelings,” Rowdy insisted.
Realizing this conversation could go on for a long time, I threw in the towel. “I’ll consider moving Beef Jerky back here.”
“Good choice. I’m very smart. Do what I say, and you’ll never go wrong. So, what’s the plan for Nova?”
“I’m taking it slow and easy.”
“Or maybe, and hear me out, you ought to move her into your place and marry her.”
“Good Lord, you’re acting weird.”
Rowdy blew out smoke and laughed. “Dating Nova will be trickier once Exile and Lula are back at the house.”
“Exile will chill once he realizes nothing big is happening. Nova and I are getting to know each other.”
“You’re being passive. You let my sister set up your date, and then you had your sister help you come up with ideas for yesterday,” Rowdy said and put out his cigarette.
“I know this passive shit comes from life with your mom and Duffy. You can’t push them like you can other people. But Nova isn’t like that.”
“She had an abusive husband. I don’t want to trigger old pain in her.”
Rowdy stood up and muttered, “That guy wasn’t normal. He was all twisted and fucked up. You won’t remind her of him.”
“How do you know that?”
“He’d have to be twisted and fucked up to abuse someone as sweet as Nova.
You know she probably gave him everything he wanted and didn’t ask for nothing.
She’s so quiet and submissive. But that wasn’t enough.
Whatever was wrong with her man, it’s a good thing he’s dead and can’t mess with those girls. ”
“All abusive men are twisted and fucked up.”
“Sure, but imagine if someone tried to put our sisters in a box. They’d fight tooth and nail to break free.
A guy would have to get violent to make them behave.
Of course, they’d just end up killing him.
Meanwhile, you’ve got Nova, who would have gotten in the box and put the top down.
But that still wasn’t enough to please that asshole. ”
“You’re making her sound weak.”
“Nova is weak. I heard her stepfamily was puritan and expected her to be submissive. Our sisters were taught to be loud and aggressive. Nova’s just reacting to her upbringing like most people.”
Unhappy about him talking negatively about Nova, I muttered, “Sure.”
“Totally.”
“I still think I should take things slowly,” I spat out when Rowdy looked too smug.
“I think you should marry her by Christmas.”
Chuckling, I shook my head. “You’re so fucking stupid sometimes.”
“Look, man,” Rowdy said and stepped closer. “I saw Clint move Ivy into his place. I watched Exile move into Lula’s house. Those men didn’t hesitate, and they’re happy. Meanwhile, I played things cool with that hot, crazy lady, and she ran away. Don’t be like me. Be like Clint and Exile.”
“But I’m me, and I think Nova needs more time.”
“Fine, whatever, I just hope you plan on making me one of your groomsmen when you get hitched.”
“Done,” I said and frowned at where Tricky entered with two of the Baton Rouge boys, Bob and Vinny.
They stopped talking when they saw us. Rowdy smiled in a friendly way, even while flipping them off. I only nodded at Tricky and ignored the other two men. I didn’t plan to make friends with men who viewed me as their enemy.
Returning inside, I decided to locate Clint and ride with him to keep my mind busy until I could see Nova again.