Chapter Two
Deke “Speedy” Kimble grabbed his cash and headed out of his room to the main area of the clubhouse. Most of the married members were with their families. They’d all celebrated Thanksgiving together in the clubhouse yesterday. Today it was quieter, with only the unmarried guys hanging out.
“Hey, who all wants a beer?” Gunner called from the refrigerator.
“Me,” Speedy answered, along with Dex and Brody.
“We’ve all got early tattoo appointments. I’m sticking to lemonade,” Stone said.
Speedy had enjoyed getting to know Stone, along with his younger twin brothers, Finn and Ben.
“Me too. I drank way too much tequila last night,” Finn said. At least Speedy thought it was Finn. Finn was the more talkative one, but being identical made it hard to tell sometimes.
Speedy stopped by the food table and filled a plate. One thing Speedy enjoyed was that this chapter of Bluff Creek had so many cooks. He’d loved being in the Cider Creek Chapter, but now this one felt like home.
After losing his parents last month and dealing with all the estate items, Speedy was looking forward to a relaxing weekend. He had a couple of project cars he was working on for people. They weren’t due anytime soon, but it never hurt to get ahead.
Speedy settled into his seat and dug into the food. He hadn’t had a lot of appetite the first couple weeks after losing his parents, but he was getting better. Learning how to live with not being able to pick up the phone and chat with his dad was a process that seemed to happen in waves.
He finished his food, gave Dex his money, and received his chips in exchange.
“Texas Hold’em, boys. I need some gambling money for my Vegas trip, so y’all feel free to bet high and let me win,” Dex said, grinning.
Dex and Halligan had asked Speedy if he wanted to go too, but Speedy wasn’t sure he’d be good company. This first Christmas without his parents was going to be hard, and he wasn’t going to bring everyone down.
Baron, one of the Originals of the club, walked in. Speedy would have thought he’d be spending the afternoon and evening with his wife, Regina.
“Can this old man join you?” Baron asked.
“As long as your money is green, we don’t care your age,” Dex said, holding his hand out. Baron slapped some cash into it and took a seat.
“I figured you’d be with Regina,” Speedy said.
“Aww, we’ve had plenty of time this holiday with each other. And she has a book from an author she’s been wanting to read. She said she wanted quiet time,” Baron muttered with a grin.
“Texas Hold’em, Baron, and you’re little blind,” Dex said.
Dex dealt the cards and the betting started. Speedy chuckled at the trash talking. This place he’d moved to so he could take care of his parents had become what he considered home.
“Are we going to be losing you to Texas, or have you decided to stick around?” Baron asked.
Speedy paused to answer because the chattering had stopped at Baron’s question.
“I’m just asking because you moved here because of your parents. I’m hoping you’ll stay, but I can understand if you are set on moving back to Texas,” Baron said.
“Nope, he can’t move back. I’ve got a car I’ve been wanting for fifteen years and if I find it, there’s only one man I want working on it,” Stone said.
Speedy grinned at his friend. Stone didn’t say much, but when he did, people listened.
“I’ve thought about it a lot in the last two weeks. Bootstrap called and asked my intentions,” Speedy said.
“And…” Dex asked.
“This place feels like home. I loved Cider Creek, but you all have grown on me. So, if you all will have me, I’m staying,” Speedy said.
“Good. We’re happy to have you. Now, I need to win some cash.
Regina’s got her eye on another animal to add to the farm.
She hasn’t said what it is yet. I’m guessing because she thinks I’ll say no.
Like I’ve ever said no to that woman over the years.
She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.
Now, ante up, boys, and get ready to lose,” Baron said.
Some days, Speedy wished for a love like he saw with Baron and Regina.
Someone to share the ups and downs with.
He’d only found one woman he was attracted to here.
Her curves and thick thighs were what caught his attention first. Then her sweet smile and the way her eyes lit up when she was happy or someone complimented her.
He wasn’t sure if it was shyness or something else that had her walking around scared to talk to people. He wanted to know more about her and make her smile. He lived for those smiles, but she wasn’t for him.
He was ten years older than her and miles older in experience. His time in the Army and in Cider Creek had him seeing too much of the evil in the world.
She’d lived in a small town her whole life. She was sweet, innocent, and too good for someone like him. Someone would snap her up, and then the temptation would be gone.
He just hoped he could live with it when that happened. When he closed his eyes at night, she was the one who was in his dreams.
Sometimes dreams don’t come true. He couldn’t bear to be the man that wasn’t good enough for her. It was better for him to keep his distance. Yep, he’d keep things friendly because he wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings but not too friendly. She could never know how he felt about her.
Too young, too innocent, and too perfect. Nope. Not for him, and he’d keep reminding himself that until he believed it down to his core.