Chapter 6
*~* Jamie *~*
So, day one of my forced exile from my working life. Day two actually, but Molly put her foot down and I suppose technically she’s correct. It’s not just my working life though, I have to admit. Apart from when I let Fury into my life the practice has been my everything for some time.
Fury! Damn that man. I truly thought we had the makings of something special, even though he’d said he wasn’t doing relationships.
He must have seen the potential we had and known that I wasn’t just some fuck-toy to be used and cast aside.
For the likes of Floss, for Christ’s sake.
If it had been someone worthwhile maybe I could get past it, but a club whore that’s been around the brotherhood more times than a shopping mall has opened its doors!
Coffee, I need caffeine and then a long, hot shower.
What the hell I’m going to do with myself for the rest of the day, God only knows.
That’s something else that’s come crashing home in the last few days.
I don’t have a personal life. No hobbies…
No family… No friends, hardly any friends I should say.
Okay, the MC are my friends, but they don’t count.
They’re not like social friends, although I do go to their club and attend some of their social gatherings.
It is where Fury and I got together from the get-go.
It’s where I met Molly, and she is a true friend.
Goddamnit. So, I do have friends, a social network.
I just don’t use it as such. Crap. I need to reevaluate my life and make something of it, other than work.
I am feeling so sorry for myself. What a pity-party!
This is all Fury’s fault, damn him and his dick.
If he’d only kept it in his pants I wouldn’t be in this mess.
That’s not true either. It wasn’t because of his dick that someone aimed their van at me and accelerated head-on into my truck.
Hmmm. How do I know they accelerated into me?
Because I remember hearing their engine roaring louder as they got closer.
The driver was wearing a balaclava, and I saw his long beard hanging out the bottom of it.
Grabbing my cell, I send a text to Molly asking her and Breaker to come round later for a meal. If I pick their brains on the accident before I tell them what I’ve just remembered, I might recall something else.
Finishing my coffee and feeling not too displeased with myself, I head for a shower. Letting it run to get steamy and hot in the cubicle, I brush my teeth and do a quick self-examination of my bruised body.
Heck, I look a mess. The bruising is like a rainbow covering my body.
Even areas that weren’t originally bruised are now covered.
It looks like the bruises have all banded together so there is no unbruised skin to be seen.
My body is still in better shape and far healthier looking than that bitch Floss, I’ll wager.
Look what you’re missing out on, Fury. You asshole.
Preening makes me wince, and I stand under the hot shower spray to let it run down me in rivers.
Just the act of soaping and washing myself has me in pain all over.
Standing under the spray once again, I let the warmth ease the aches and hopefully bring the bruising out faster.
Someone is going to pay for all my suffering, that’s for sure.
Back in the kitchen in my joggers and sweatshirt, I make some pancakes with bacon and maple syrup on top. I’ve just sat down to eat them when there is a knock at the front door.
Walking to the front door, I’m just about to throw it open when I stop myself. “Who is it?” I call out and I think that is probably the first time I have ever asked who is at my door.
“It’s me, Bandit. You okay, Jamie?”
Opening the door, I see a concerned Bandit looking past me and down the hall.
“Yeah, I’m good. Not sure what made me ask, but it just seemed the right thing to do.” I give him a smile and stand aside to let him walk inside.
“Under the circumstances, it is definitely the right thing to do. Good for you.” He squeezes his not inconsiderable frame past me and walks to the kitchen. He raises his eyebrows at me when he sees my breakfast, so I just nod and set to making more pancakes and bacon.
He has an enormous bouquet of flowers in his hand, but I say nothing until he suddenly remembers they are there.
“I picked these up for you. Thought they might cheer you up while you’re housebound.” He drops them on the table and begins to demolish my breakfast. Seeing my portion size plate before him looks pitiful, and the plate is empty in seconds.
“Thank you. Are they from you, or…”
“They are most definitely only from me. No ulterior motive, no hidden agenda. Just one-hundred percent concern for a good friend.”
“Is that what I am? A good friend?” I tilt my head to one side as I look at him.
“You saved my life, girl. It doesn’t get any better than that as far as I see it.”
“You never wanted it to be more?” God, what am I saying? I could be leading him right up the garden path here.
“You never once looked at me as anything more than a patient or a friend. I saw that right from the start. We weren’t meant to be romantically entangled, although I can’t say that it never entered my mind.
None of the brothers would have run you out of Dodge if you’d shown them the slightest encouragement, Jamie.
You are a stunning woman in both looks and personality.
” Seeing how genuine he is, I feel a barb hit under my skin.
“Well, one of you did. Publicly and humiliatingly.”
“Fury is a fuckin’ idiot. He’s had the law laid down to him by so many of us for his blatant disregard for your feelings.
Even Pres has had a turn ripping him a new one.
That was unusual for Pres to get involved.
You must know that you are held in high regard by all of us.
” Bandit looks around me at the pan with the bacon sizzling, and I get the message.
We sit and enjoy our breakfast in silence, then I get us a coffee.
I think Bandit’s right. We were never meant for romance.
Thinking about it though, we have become good friends.
We don’t live in each other's pockets, but when I’m at the clubhouse, I am always aware of his presence, and it makes me feel safe.
“So, what’s the plan for today? You’re going to be lost without your work.”
“I had the same thought as soon as I opened my eyes this morning. I don’t know what to do with myself. I drove the rental to a motel and back on my first night out of the hospital. It darn near killed me, so I won’t be venturing far.” As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I regret them.
“Fuck’s sake, Jamie! Are you for real? You’d have had my balls for a necklace if I’d done that.
If you need out anywhere or for any reason, you tell me.
There is always someone available to run you around.
Maybe that’s not such a brilliant plan either.
You’ve obviously had time to reflect on the accident, or you wouldn’t have asked who was at your door.
That may have been subconscious, I don’t know, but it is certainly the right thing to do for the foreseeable future.
” I see the same look of regret on his face that I had a moment ago. “I don’t mean to be scaremongering…”
“Bandit, you’re fine and probably correct. Keep this between us for the time being, but I don’t believe it was an accident either. I just don’t know anyone who would wish me harm.”
“It’s no secret at the clubhouse that we all think it was a deliberate attempt to cause you harm, or perhaps worse. We’re looking into every likely avenue for a reason or a suspect. If you remember or think of anything, you need to share it as soon as you can.”
“I have Breaker and Molly coming over later to talk things over. If there’s anything to pass on, Breaker will let you guys know.”
Bandit stands. “Okay. I need to make a move. Just wanted to let you know that I’m here for you if you need anything.”
“That’s something I’ve known since the first time we met. You’ve always made me feel safe, Bandit.”
“Oh, girl! That is not something a man wants to hear from a beautiful woman. That is harsh. A girlfriend, wife, or ol’ lady, yes.”
“You know what I meant. Now, begone before I think of something that needs doing around the place.” Laughing, he gives me a gentle hug that still has me wincing, and then, hands up in apology he leaves.
Cleaning the kitchen, I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed housework more.
It passes an hour, and then I’m feeling worn out.
The flowers I trimmed and arranged look divine in the vase on the table.
Thinking about what to feed Molly and Breaker later, I prepare a simple meatloaf and then place it in the fridge for later.
Crashing out in the chair by the living room window, I sit and watch the world go by and drift off to sleep.
Waking up from a nightmare about the accident, I try to remember any fresh details but, of course, it has to be one of those times where nothing remains clear. That sleep in the chair has left me surprisingly refreshed, and for the first time in a while, I have no headache.
Checking my cell for the time, I put the oven on and pop in the meatloaf. I’m going to do baked potatoes with it. Not my normal go-to for meatloaf, but I’m still hurting too much to do more.
A quick visit to the bathroom and a freshening up has me itching for Molly and Breaker to arrive. I wonder if talking with them will bring any memories to the forefront? I hope so.