Chapter 8
EIGHT
TINY
I wake up Thursday morning feeling almost human again. The fever's gone. Four days since I met Lucy at the clinic, and I've been grinning like a damn fool every time her name pops up on my phone.
I spend most of the day catching up at the clubhouse, then head home. By the time I shower and flop onto the couch, I'm already checking my phone like an idiot.
My phone buzzes and a grin spreads across my face before I even pick it up.
Buttercup: I have to tell you something.
Buttercup: And I really don't want you to be upset.
Buttercup: But... I understand if you are.
The smile slips right off my face. Jesus. I sit up straighter.
Me: Buttercup.
Me: Slow down.
Me: What's going on?
Buttercup: Do you remember a few nights ago when you first texted me?
Buttercup: You asked if I was okay.
Buttercup: I told you we'd had a weird family dinner.
Buttercup: My family's... really traditional.
Buttercup: We go to church every Sunday. Dad works and Mom stays home.
Buttercup: That's what they expect my life to look like too.
Me: That's the life they'd pick for you.
Buttercup: Yes. Whether I want it or not.
Buttercup: There's a man from our church, Daniel.
Buttercup: He asked my dad if he could take me to dinner.
Buttercup: Dad said yes.
Me: Did anybody think to ask you?
Buttercup: Not really, no.
Buttercup: I told Dad I didn't want to go.
Buttercup: He said it wasn't really my decision.
I scrub a hand over my face. Jesus Christ.
Buttercup: I know we're just getting to know each other.
Buttercup: We aren't really anything yet.
Buttercup: I just didn't want you to think I was playing games with you.
Me: I'd never think that about you.
The knot in my stomach tightens. Some church boy gets to take my Buttercup out to dinner. I don't like that thought one damn bit. I wanted tonight to be mine.
So naturally I do what I always do when something bothers me. I start running my mouth.
Me: Well...
Me: Since you're apparently going on a date...
Me: Guess I should give you a few pointers.
Buttercup: Pointers?
Me: Rule number one.
Me: If he orders for you without asking what you want...
Me: Kick him in the shin.
Buttercup: Tiny.
Me: What? It's just rude.
Me: Fine. Step on his foot.
Buttercup: ??????
Me: Rule number two.
Me: If he spends the whole dinner talking about himself...
Me: Fake a stomachache.
Buttercup: That's terrible advice.
Buttercup: I've actually never been on a date before.
Me: Wait. Ever?
Buttercup: No. Dad never let me.
I lean back against the couch and let out a slow breath.
Me: Okay. New rule.
Me: If he tries to hold your hand...
Me: Politely say no.
Me: Then bite him if he doesn't listen.
Buttercup: ?????? Okay.
Buttercup: Thank you for taking this so well. I'm sorry.
Me: Buttercup, what are you apologizing for?
Buttercup: I don't want my first date to be with someone else.
I close my eyes. Hell.
Me: Then don't let him ruin your first.
Me: Dinner's just dinner.
Me: I'll take you on one that actually counts.
A full minute goes by. Then two.
Buttercup: I'd really like that.
I grin like a complete idiot. No church boy was ever going to take that away from me.
Friday
I pull into the compound a little after two, kill the engine, and sit there a minute. My body finally feels like mine again. I swing off the bike and head inside, but my steps drag knowing Lucy's date is tonight.
Church is the usual shit. I'm only half listening, thumb digging into an old gouge in the table while my mind stays stuck on her.
"Tiny."
I snap back. Pres is giving me that look.
"Yeah. I'm here."
The second we're done, I follow the guys over to Perdition. Tessa's behind the counter. Cole's already draped over it, flirting hard.
I drop onto my usual stool and check my phone again.
Cole notices. "Waiting on something?"
I shrug.
"You've checked that thing like ten times already," he says.
Steele snorts. "He's been doing it since church."
Jax and Knox wander over. "Something happen?" Jax asks.
"No."
"Bullshit," Knox says.
Scarlett and Rook come through the door. She spots me and lights up. "Hey. How's our favorite flu patient?"
"Alive."
She studies my face. "You don't look very happy about surviving."
I let out a long breath. "Lucy has a date tonight."
Scarlett's smile fades. "Oh."
Hadley frowns. "I thought she didn't want to go."
"She doesn't. Her dad told her she was."
The table goes quiet.
"I hate it," I mutter. "I hate thinking about her forcing a smile for some guy she doesn't even want to be around."
Steele sets his bottle down. "That's rough."
Jax leans in. "So where's he taking her?"
"Romano's."
Cole turns to Wyatt. Wyatt looks at Weston. Weston grins.
I point at them. "No. I don't want her embarrassed."
Cole tries to play innocent. "What?"
"I know that look. Don't."
Steele shrugs. "I could eat."
"I haven't had Italian in a while," Scarlett says.
Hadley smiles. "That actually sounds good."
Tessa unties her apron. "I'm starving."
I drag a hand down my face. "This is a terrible idea."
Weston laughs. "Probably. But we're going anyway."
Cole claps me on the shoulder. "You need your family."
I picture Lucy stuck in that car later and sigh. "Fine. But if this blows up…"
Fifteen minutes later we’re parking. Through the big front windows I spot her.
Daniel’s talking, hands moving everywhere.
She’s nodding with this stiff, polite smile that twists something in my gut.
Then she sees us. Her shoulders drop. The forced smile disappears.
The real one—the one that makes my chest feel too tight—takes its place. Daniel turns, looking pissed.
We push inside and grab a table close by. Lucy slips over quickly.
"You didn't have to do this," she says under her breath.
"I know. But we're here now."
She gives me a small nod and heads back. I watch them the rest of the meal. Daniel keeps leaning in. She keeps glancing our way.
When they finally stand and head outside, I'm right behind them.
The air feels cooler. Daniel opens the passenger door. "Ready to head back?"
Lucy hangs back. "I'm gonna ride with them tonight."
He freezes. "Your father wanted me to take you home. I told him I would. Her father and I already discussed what's best for her."
"I know. But I'm good."
He doesn't close the door. "It's late, Lucy. Don't make this weird. We had a nice dinner."
I step up beside her. "She answered you."
Daniel turns on me. "This isn't your business."
"She's uncomfortable. Back off."
He laughs, sharp and ugly. "You're that biker her dad warned me about. Perfect. She doesn't need your kind of trouble."
"She's not getting in your car," I say, voice low. "She's staying with us."
Daniel stares hard. "Who the hell do you think you are?"
"Someone who listens when she says no."
We stand there locked. Lucy shifts closer to me. Daniel's face twists. He slams the passenger door hard. "Her dad's gonna love hearing about this," he spits, then gets in and peels out.
The silence after feels loud. I turn to Lucy. She's got her arms wrapped around herself.
"How was the date?" I ask.
"Horrible," she says, voice flat. "He spent the whole time talking about himself and his plans for us. Kept saying stuff like a woman's place is in the home. Then he started grabbing my hand even after I pulled away."
"Jesus."
"I'll take you home."
She shakes her head fast. "I don't want to go home yet."
"Alright. We're heading back to Perdition. Come with us?"
I lead her over to my bike. She stops beside it, looking from the seat to me.
"First time?" I ask.
She nods. "Ever."
I grab the spare helmet. "C'mere."
She steps closer. I settle it over her head, careful with her hair, my fingers brushing the soft strands near her cheek as I fasten the strap. She goes completely still.
"There. Not too tight?"
She shakes her head. "No."
"When I lean, you lean with me."
"Okay."
"Wrap your arms around me. And hold on."
Her cheeks turn pink. She gives a tiny nod.
"If you get scared or you want me to pull over, tap my side twice."
"I will."
I hold her gaze another second. "I've got you, Buttercup."
Something in her expression softens. "I know."
I swing my leg over. She climbs on behind me. For a second she doesn't know what to do with her hands. Then they settle around my waist—tentative.
"A little tighter," I tell her.
"I don't want to squish you."
A laugh slips out. "Buttercup… You couldn't squish me if you tried."
She laughs softly, then her arms tighten. Warm. Right.
I start the bike. The engine rumbles. She jumps a little.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
We ease out behind the others. I keep the speed easy. Every corner she leans with me. Her grip shifts, and every time it does something settles in my chest.
She's here. Not because anyone made her. Because she wants to be.
By the time we roll into the compound, I almost wish the ride wasn't over. I park and kill the engine. She slides off, pulls off the helmet, and hands it to me. Her hair's wild. She tries to smooth it down, looking shy.
"It looks fine," I say.
She smiles, just a little. "I probably look ridiculous."
"You don't." Not even close.
I rest my hand against the small of her back as we head toward Perdition. She hesitates just inside the door, eyes wide at the noise and the crowd. I don't rush her. She leans into my touch, then nods. I keep my hand there, guiding her through, thumb brushing her sweater. She drifts closer.
When we reach the table I pull out her chair. "Here you go, Buttercup." Then drop into the seat beside her. Funny. I usually filled silence. Around her, I didn't feel like I had to.
Cole pushes away from the table. "What're we drinking?"
He takes everyone's orders, then looks at Lucy. "And what can I get you?"
She blinks, then looks at Scarlett. "I've… never had a drink before. My dad never would've allowed it."
The table quiets. Tessa reaches across. "There's nothing wrong with that, sweetheart."
I look at Cole. "Rum and Coke."
He nods. "Good choice."
Buttercup turns to me. "Is it good?"
"It's sweet. You'll like it." I shrug. "If you don't, we'll figure something else out. Worst case, I drink it."
She laughs. "I guess that's a pretty safe backup plan."
Cole points at me. "Beer for the giant. Rum and Coke for Buttercup." Then he heads to the bar.
Buttercup watches him go before leaning a little closer to me. "You really think I'll like it?"
"I do."
Her shoulders finally relax. She smiles at me, and my hand settles against the back of her chair, fingers brushing her shoulder. She scoots her chair a little closer. Nobody says a word about it. They don't have to.