Chapter 6
CHAPTER
SIX
CARBON
When Felt Tip asked me if I could look over the lease agreement he got with the new owner of his building, I jumped on it.
I knew I could use it as an excuse to see Harry again, and it worked out perfectly.
Not only that, but she had some time, and I got her to do a tattoo for me.
I sit on my bike in the parking lot staring at my arm.
She could have put fucking hearts and flowers all over my skin and I would have loved it, but this…
this is perfect. Weirdly perfect. I had been meaning to get a bat tattoo.
I read a few books on bats after having seen a sign about the bat boxes used to foster and support the bat population at a nearby county park.
I tend to go in swings of obsession—shocking, I know.
I don’t know how she seems to just get me.
I feel like we are so fucking in sync when we really shouldn’t be, Mint and Hanger aside, we barely know each other, but everything feels so fucking right with her.
I am playing with fire right now and I need to get my shit together.
Mint is going to fucking kill me if he realizes I am feeling this about his sister.
I don’t date because I tend to be a bit too intense for people.
I am an all or nothing sort, women find me suffocating, and the worst is those are women I’m not really even into.
The ones I really am into… Brie for two seconds, who still likely doesn’t even know I exist, and it is better that way, but now Harry…
fuck. Mint is right, I need to back off because I am absolutely going to scare her off and then I will have fucked up a brother’s family.
How do you come back from that? You don’t.
I sigh, my eyes moving over the bat again. “This will have to be enough.”
I repeat that in my mind over and over as I head into the office to drop off some documents to the paralegal.
Dad spots me walking through the door he waves me into his office.
Dropping down into the chair across from him, his eyes focus on my arm, I am holding it slightly away from my body to keep it from rubbing even with the second skin on it. He chuckles. “New tattoo I see.”
I shift my arm to let him have a look.
“A bat. That the latest thing?” he questions.
Shrugging, I let my eyes move around his office. Dad has always preferred to have a space for work so that when he leaves it, he is also leaving work behind. He is a big fan of work is for work and home is for home. He’s a good man, mostly, but a great spouse to my mom and a great dad to me.
“Mom seems to think you are dancing around someone.” Our eyes meet and I see a flash of concern on his face.
“Nah, you don’t need to worry.” I remind myself that Mom seeing shit doesn’t mean I am shit at hiding it, just that Mom clearly is worried, so she told Dad. I know they would never out me to others.
“You’ll say something if that changes?” he asks, then shakes his head, clarifying, “You will tell me if that changes. Correct?”
“I will,” I confirm.
“Damnit Frankie, this is serious,” he scolds and that is when I know he knows exactly who this is about.
My eyes narrow.
“Don’t give me that shit. She came by the clubhouse with Hanger. I know exactly what turns your head.” He rubs his face. “Mint will fucking kill you.”
“Mint won’t do shit. Nothing is happening,” I grit out.
“Look, son, you know your secret is safe with me. I won’t even let Mom know who. She just thinks there is someone. She doesn’t assume club related. I just… I am worried about you.” He picks up his pen, anxiously tapping it on the desk.
“Dad, I will not cross lines. I won’t do anything to chase her off. She is family. I just…” I don’t know how to finish this.
“She is exactly what you have been looking for without knowing you were looking. I get it. Fuck do I get it. I can see it. One damn conversation with the girl and I can see it. She fits you, but that doesn’t mean she can handle—” he gusts out a breath, “—your intensity. Though, to be fair, I think if anyone could, that girl is it, but this is not me giving you fucking permission. Don’t shit where you eat. ”
I just stare at him, considering his words.
“Be sure first. Promise me that?”
“Nothing is happening. She is family,” I confirm what I am willing to confirm based on what I am willing to admit to myself. I know myself well enough to know I cannot straddle the line—even if Dad might think she could handle me. The risk is too high.
Dad’s head rocks. “Shit, I hate this. If she wasn’t council and former council’s family… I would?—”
“Dad. Please. Nothing is happening. Nothing will happen. She is family.” I dip my head because I hate that I have a track record that caused this conversation to happen.
“I love you kid,” his voice is firm, but he looks sad when I look back up at him.
“I love you too.” I offer him a tight smile.
When I get home, Virus pulls up behind me. I watch as he takes his helmet off after having parked his bike in my garage next to my bike. “Yes, Virus, you can come hang out.”
He blasts a happy smile at me. “Got anything to eat?”
I huff out a breath and motion for him to follow me into the house.
This asshole just shows up, whenever he wants, inviting himself in and along, and with anyone else it would drive me crazy, with him…
I roll my eyes internally at myself. I really like this guy, and I’m not sure why.
We don’t really make sense together, but apparently Gracie and Meads think we do.
His presence never bugs me, but I try to not let him know that.
He pulls open my fridge. “Oooh, this looks good. Did your mom make it?”
I don’t even have to look, I know he is talking about the meatloaf. “Yeah. It’s good as a sandwich.”
“Cool, want one?” he asks as he starts pulling things out to turn the meatloaf leftovers into a sandwich.
“Sure.”
“After I eat some, I am going to look over your security system.” He cracks open the jar of mayo after popping some meatloaf in the microwave.
“Knock yourself out.” I drop down onto the stool at my counter.
“New ink, show me.” He smirks. I hold my arm out, he leans over the counter to look, head bobbing. “A bat. I like it. Your neighbor still bitching about the bat boxes you installed in the back?”
“Nah, I told him inhabited ones are protected by state and local laws. He wasn’t happy, but I also reminded him that they consume insects and help with pollination.” My eyes follow his movements as he slaps some lettuce on the sandwiches. “He called me a hippie fuck.”
Virus busts out a laugh. “Maybe I should put an offer on his house.”
“I think it has to be up for sale to do that.” I accept the sandwich he pushes across the counter toward me.
“Semantics.” He grabs two beers from my fridge, coming around he drops into the seat next to me. “I like this neighborhood, shit barely ever comes on the market here. Who did the tattoo?”
“I met with FT for the lease and Harry was just working walk-ins, so… I walked in.” I give him a shrug like it is no big deal.
“I like her. She is the fun side of bitchy. Kind of like you.” He laughs at his own joke.
“Yeah, she is fine,” I confirm.
“Nice of you to throw some business her way. Wally said she is booked out starting next week, this week she is just I guess getting a feel for shit and that sort of thing. I might go in for some work tomorrow if she isn’t busy.
I like yours.” He takes a big bite of his sandwich.
“Damn, Mama Carbon makes a mean meatloaf.”
My eyes roll at the title he has dubbed my mom. It tickles her pink, she is completely sold on Virus. I get it, he is a cool guy. I enjoy his company. “Think she wants kids?”
I jerk my head to the side. “Who?”
“Harry.” He gives a thoughtful look. “I know Gracie and Meads are both a hard no.”
“I have no fucking clue,” I grumble. Does she want kids? I sure as fuck don’t. “Does she strike you as someone who does?”
“Nah, I don’t think any of us are having them. Mouse would be the most likely, but even him… can’t really see it.” He snarfs down another bite. With his mouth full, he speaks around his bite, “This is so fucking good.”
“You are going to get crumbs everywhere.” I shake my head as I try to not show the smile I can’t help but want to exhibit. He is just so damned adorable in that floppy puppy way.
“Reminders of my amazing presence.” He chuckles. “You could collect them up, put them in a baggy and be reminded of how much you love me.”
Holding my middle finger up shaking my head some more. I hear my front door open, did I forget to lock that? Jolt’s voice calls out. “Knock, Knock.”
Virus lifts his brow at me. “You really should lock your door.”
Jolt steps into view.
“He has a fucking key,” I grumble.
“What? Why don’t I have a fucking key?” Virus complains.
“I’ll make you a copy,” Jolt shoots over to Virus with a laugh.
“Yes, come right in. There is meatloaf for sandwiches in the fridge. Apparently, my place is the fucking place to be.” I roll my eyes.
“Trish’s meatloaf?” Hemmy calls from my doorway. “Fuck yes.”
“Don’t tell Mama we are cheating on her food.” Kev elbows Mouse as they step in.
“What the fuck? I know I didn’t invite everyone over, why are you here?” I ask as Mint and Wally step in with big grins.
“We figure it is the last place everyone will look for us all,” Jolt fills in.
“Did you know they were coming?” I ask Virus.
“Of course I did, I just wanted to make sure I got to raid the fridge first. Also, there is a baseball game on later. Should we order pizza? Invite the girls?” He smirks then looks to see what Jolt is digging out of my fridge. “I pre-rinsed the lettuce for you.”
“Thanks man.” Jolt grabs the bag of lettuce I didn’t register earlier that Virus was prepping. “Realizing the signs were there?”
I grumble. Jolt laughs.
Hemmy starts throwing bread in my toaster oven. “Who wants toasted bread?”