Cowboy
I sat beside Scar at the bar. “Good morning… You look like shit, brother.”
“Look in the mirror, asshole.”
He looked like you’d expect with all that was on his plate, his sister and woman back, becoming president over the whole damned thing, but I knew I’d have to poke him to get him to talk. “Who pissed in your beer?”
“Where’s my sister?”
“Harlot’s taking her and Riot into town for a little girl time, a spa day.”
He about jumped. I knew he would. “Town. You think that’s wise?”
“Halley and Riot are around the same age, give or take a few years.” I was just messing with him.
“I’m not worried about her making friends.”
I understood his reaction. I almost didn’t let her go with Snakebite lurking, but she needed a break from the baby. Besides, I planned to stake my claim tonight. I wanted her to go get dolled up if she wanted to. “She can hold her own. Harlot, I mean.”
Scar stared me down. “On a Friday? Sure, Anarchy doesn’t just want to have you to herself tonight?”
I ignored his talk about Anarchy. I hadn’t seen her since she walked in on me working on the General’s old Harley.
“You still with that fruitcake?”
I threw my screwdriver at her head and missed on purpose. It stuck in the wall beside her.
“Fuck, didn’t know crazy was catchin’”
“Parades tonight.” We’d be riding in the All Souls Procession in Tucson like the club did every year.
Scar wasn’t about to let the General’s death interrupt our traditions.
Besides, Wanda insisted we honor the General this way, by riding, instead of with a traditional funeral.
It was only fitting since the parade was a celebration and mourning of lost loved ones, one the General donated personally to and wouldn’t dare miss.
“You’re taking my little sister on a date?” He guessed it.
“Halley needs to get out, experience life.” I didn’t tell him I planned to keep her out all night, take her to some fancy hotel where she could scream as loud as she needed while I fucked her silly.
“It’d be safer if she stayed here, at least until we take care of the SOS.”
“Lock her away like they did, and you’ll lose her again, Scar.”
“I’ve asked you nicely to back off. That was a mistake, I see. I could order it.”
“The woman has a mind of her own.”
Scar laughed.
I ignored him. Fuck, I’d fight him if I had to, but I’d stay calm for now. “Jessy Bell’s going to watch the baby for us.”
“Us?”
“Yes, us.” I let my voice convey my meaning. I meant Halley to be mine.
Scar changed the subject. “Baby have a name, yet?”
“No. She hasn’t settled on one.”
“A boy, right?”
“Yes, he’s a boy.”
He seemed to be thinking.
Fuck him. I drank my coffee.
“Anarchy wasn’t too happy when I told her she was moving out of the third house, and Halley and the baby was moving in. If she’s anything like Freedom,” he warned.
“She is and she’s not. If you know what I mean. She’s mean, but she’s not vicious.”
“Jealousy can bring out the beast.”
“Nah, she’s not jealous. But she sold us out.” I shook my head, speaking of the General finding him and I before we arrived in Arizona in the first place.
But the not being jealous part—Scar gave me a look like I was crazy. “Either way, I’ve told Root and Chug to keep a close eye on Halley.”
No shit. “That’s why they’re snooping around us,” I said, like everything had been explained.
“Yeah, so I already knew you’re not backing off like I’ve asked you.”
“Halley doesn’t want me to back off. I thought you’d care more about her happiness. I just want to make her happy.” I wasn’t about to tell him I planned to fuck her, but I wanted him to get my drift.
I think he did. It was forever and another whiskey before he spoke again. “What makes you think I’d approve of this relationship? A little sudden, don’t you think?”
“Like you and Emery?”
Fuck. I was one of his oldest friends. Sure, I was older than Halley, a little too wiser in the ways of the world, but she could do worse around here. “Don’t you have enough on your plate to be worrying about her love life?”
Scar wasn’t taking any time away from his woman or affairs to care for Halley.
It’s like he didn’t want to admit she needed someone at all.
If he couldn’t face that she was a mess, there was no reason for me to back off.
She needed someone. And to me, she was a beautiful mess.
“You really want me to back off and leave her for someone else to snatch up? Halley’s not the kind of woman who’d be alone too long. ”
Scar’s face said he didn’t want to hear that about his sister. “Alright. You can take her out tonight.”
I patted his back. “I have your blessing then?”
“Fuck no, you don’t have my blessing. If you earn Halley’s love, I’ll think about it.”