Chapter 9 DOG
DOG
Tucking my shirt back into my pants, I know that I’m smiling like an idiot. If you’d told me all those years ago that I’d love my wife more today than I had when I was twenty-two, I’d have laughed. But here we were. Maggie kept me on my toes. She was always so prim and proper until we were alone.
I’m enjoying the view of her bent over as she slips back into her jeans.
Picking up her socks, she tucks them into her pocket and stands at the door.
She eyes me up and down as if to make sure I’m decent before she reaches for the lock on the door and flicks it open.
Winking at me, she opens it. “I’m going to clean up. See you later, lover. Have a good day.”
I’m still chuckling and shaking my head when I find Gunny and Thor waiting for me in the garage.
“Jesus, Dog, you and Maggie still fuck like you’re in your twenties,” Thor chuckles.
“And we’re still left waiting around for you,” Gunny smirks.
“Well, if you two would get your shit in order you could have the same,” I point out.
“Not met anyone that holds my attention,” Thor admits.
“I’m working on it,” Gunny says softly. There’s something about the way he says it that has us looking at him with concern.
Not liking the look he’s sporting, I ask, “What’s going on Gunny?”
“It’s complicated.”
“How complicated?” Thor demands. “Is she married?”
Gunny rears back in surprise. “Fuck no. I’d never mess around with a married woman.”
I didn’t think he would. “Well? Spit it out man.”
He looks around the garage as if to check for listening ears, but it’s only us here. The boys are in bed; the kids are at the gym, and Reaper is with Liam.
“She’s younger than me, okay. A lot younger.”
Thor and I exchange a look. Gunny hadn’t been serious about anyone since his wife had passed away. That he was serious about someone now had us worried. Especially if she was young enough for him to be concerned at the age gap.
Thor rests his helmet on his bike’s tank, crosses his arms and rests on his bike, his attention focused fully on Gunny. “How much younger and how did you meet her?”
Gunny sighs, rubbing a hand over his mouth.
“Eighteen years and I’ve known her all her life.
She’s Patrick's daughter. And as you know she’s Alec’s mother.
Fuck my jaw still hurts from when you hit me after finding out about her and Alec.
She’s had a tough life and I don’t want to pressure her.
Saying that, the last time I saw her was a few months ago before this all blew up. ”
He hesitates, then admits, “I slept with her.”
“Okay, so what’s the problem?” I want to know. “She’s not a child, Gunny. She’s thirty-eight, and from what you’ve said she’s lived a fucking awful life.”
“She has,” Gunny agrees. “That’s the problem. I’m not sure if all she feels is gratitude for what I’ve done for her and Alec, or if she has feelings for me.”
“For fucks sake, man.” I punch his shoulder, and he glares at me. “Grow some balls and ask the woman. You may be surprised. It’s not like you to be so wishy-washy.”
“What Dog said,” Thor agrees, fitting his helmet onto his head before continuing. “And, Gunny…”
Gunny and I both look at him.
“We’re on the downside of fifty. We don’t have many years left. If you’ve got a chance at happiness with a good woman… take it. Just saying.”
Thor ends as he starts up his bike, making a reply impossible—but knowing my brother, that was by design. Silvie had done a number on him, and he’d not trusted a woman since then. It would take a special one to thaw his heart. I hoped that happened sooner rather than later.
Starting my bike, I ride out after Thor, with Gunny next to me. Now, if only Shep would wake up, life would be almost perfect