Chapter 2
Chapter two
Trooper
While I finished off the last of Shea’s fries, I flipped through her portfolio of tattoo designs. She’d added a few more pages since the last time I looked.
“Are you hiding from someone?” Shea ventured, organizing her work table, sanitizing her tools. “Typically, you hang out here when you’re dodging some responsibility at the club. Or a pissed off ex-girlfriend.”
I shrugged. “Are you gonna rat me out?”
She shook her head.
“You brought me food. That earns my undying loyalty, even if you did end up eating most of my fries.”
I chuckled, studying Shea’s profile. She had a gorgeous neck tattoo that she designed herself—twining ivy that sprawled across her collar bones and up her throat, disappearing behind her ears. In her black tank top, I had a clear view of the dragonflies inked down the length of her spine.
She was like a living, breathing mural of color and lines, shapes and forms. Every single tattoo that graced her skin had been completed by her own hand—from initial concept sketch to finished masterpiece.
“I’m not hiding from anyone,” I replied. “It’s been a while since I pestered you, so I thought I’d remedy that.”
“Well, you certainly accomplished what you set out to do,” Shea said.
“Raine is right. You are getting bitchier than usual.”
Shea flipped me off, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth, indicating she knew it was just teasing.
Aside from the squad of ex-soldiers who moved to Colorado with me, Shea was the first friend I made in Juniper Creek. She was a guarded, private person, who didn’t reveal much about herself, unless it was forcibly pried out of her.
But every once in a while, Shea would be comfortable enough to let something slip. Trusting me enough to really, truly see her—vulnerable, exposed, and raw. It didn’t happen often, but I lived for those moments.
Of course, I didn’t tell her that. Because it would be cheesy. Then she would kick me in the nuts for being a dumbass, and lock down tighter than Fort Knox.
So, I kept my mouth shut.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket. I pulled it out, glancing at the screen to see a text from my brother, Sean. Better known as “Tarzan” in the Reckless Order.
Favorite uncle is needed at clubhouse ASAP.
“I’ve been summoned for uncle duty,” I announced, pocketing my phone again. “Try not to miss me too much while I’m gone.”
“Here. Take these.” Shea slid her rolling chair to a set of shelves on the other side of the room.
She retrieved a purple file folder stuffed with loose leaf paper, handing it to me.
“Sometimes, clients can’t get a babysitter, so they bring their kids to the shop.
I printed out a few of my tattoo designs for coloring pages to keep them entertained. ”
“You’re a genius,” I replied. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Say hi to the little man for me.”
Waving to Raine on my way out the door, I headed to my bike.
Two years ago, Tarzan and his wife welcomed their first child into their lives, a bouncing baby boy named Kenny.
He was the spitting image of Tarzan, with the same golden locks and blue eyes.
I never passed up an opportunity to spoil the hell out of that kid.
When I arrived at the clubhouse, I tucked Shea’s folder of coloring pages under my arm and hurried inside.
The tables had been pushed aside to clear a large area while Kenny toddled around the room, trying to catch the paper airplanes that Wingman and Hades sent gliding through the air.
They both had kids of their own and knew how to easily keep Kenny entertained.
Tarzan sat at the bar, nursing a coffee as he watched his little boy playing.
“You look like you could fall asleep standing up, big brother,” I said, taking the vacant stool next to him.
Tarzan closed his eyes with a grunt.
“Kenny said he doesn’t believe in naps today.”
I smothered a laugh behind my hand.
“He doesn’t…believe in them? Like Santa Claus? Or the Easter Bunny?”
“Nope.” Tarzan sighed. “He claims they’re not real. And he got into the cocoa puffs for a snack when I wasn’t looking. So, he’s buzzed on a sugar high.”
I ducked my head, biting the inside of my cheek to hide my amusement at Tarzan’s suffering. For the most part, my big brother adored being a dad. He’s always so fucking proud to talk about Kenny, to show off pictures to anyone who would listen.
He deserved this happiness though. He’d waited a long time to marry a good woman, and his wife was the sweetest angel on earth.
“Is Keely here?” I asked, glancing around the room.
Tarzan shook his head. “No, I told her to stay home and get some peace and quiet. She’s been more tired than usual lately, so I took Teddy out of the house.”
“When was the last time you two went on a date?” I set Shea’s folder on the bar and grabbed a bowl of peanuts nearby, popping a few in my mouth. “I know parenthood keeps you busy, but that’s why you have me, the World’s Greatest Uncle. I’d be happy to look after the kid.”
Tarzan hummed in thought. His gaze followed Teddy around the room as Teddy grasped at the paper airplanes soaring overhead. I caught one and sent it sailing back to him. He squealed with laughter.
“I think Keely is pregnant again,” Tarzan said.
I choked on a handful of peanuts.
“She hasn’t said anything,” he added. “It’s just a…gut feeling.”
“Well,” I said, pushing the bowl of peanuts aside. “It’s not exactly surprising. You and Keely haven’t been able to keep your hands off each other since the moment you met.”
“Teddy,” Tarzan said, exasperated, using his nickname for me. “What the hell am I supposed to do with a second kid? I don’t even have a handle on the first one yet.”
“You’ll figure it out, big brother,” I replied. “You always do.”
He sighed, casting a look of gratitude in my direction. More than once, Tarzan had called in the middle of the night to pour out his pent-up worries about being a father. Our parents weren’t exactly role models we wanted to emulate, especially after their disastrous divorce when we were young.
“As I recall,” I said. “You and Keely mentioned having a big family to fill that big-ass house you bought.”
Tarzan huffed and rubbed his forehead.
“I don’t know what the hell we were thinking when we said that.”
“Baby-making sex does tend to shut off the common sense switch,” I agreed.
He shoved me in the shoulder and I nearly fell off the stool.
“Joke all you want,” Tarzan said. “Your time will come one day. And then I'll laugh at you while you’re drowning in diapers.”
I shook my head.
“Yeah, right. I’ve never even been close to popping the question, let alone tying the knot. Judging by my track record, I’ll be a bachelor for the rest of my days.”
Tarzan didn’t say anything, but his gaze lingered on me for a split second too long. I tried not to squirm under his scrutiny. If anyone could see through the pretense of my bravado and bullshit, it was him.
To be honest, I was jealous of the love that Tarzan and Keely had for each other. I knew what a bad marriage looked like thanks to my parents, and I had no desire to put anyone else through that. It was comforting to keep my relationships short and sweet, before they could turn sour.
But deep down, buried under layers of self protection, there was an ache of yearning.
I didn’t want to follow in my parents’ footsteps.
I wanted to do better than them. I wanted the opposite of what they had—laughter, joy, a tranquil home, and the thrill of waking up beside the love of my life every single day.
The problem was I didn’t believe something like that was meant for me.
Tarzan had a wife and family because he was a strong, steady guy. It made sense that someone like him would be married, raising a herd of kids. He was made for it.
But I was nothing like him. I already had one foot out the door as soon as I said hello on the first date.
Happily ever after didn’t happen for someone like me because I didn’t stick around long enough to see it through.
I'd managed to reach my early thirties without having a relationship that lasted longer than a few weeks.
“Kenny,” Tarzan called. “Come here and give your Uncle Teddy a hug.”
Kenny hurried over and flung his little arms around my leg. A soft smile touched my lips as I combed my fingers through his wispy golden hair.
I never really thought about wanting kids of my own before.
But babysitting Kenny changed my mind in an instant.
He experienced the world with so much joy and curiosity.
And when he fell asleep against my chest for the first time, I was honored that such a fragile, vulnerable being would trust me enough to do that.
The chances of being a dad myself one day seemed pretty damn slim though.
When Kenny finally began to wind down, I helped him get settled at one of the tables with a box of crayons that Hades kept around for young visitors. I scribbled a smiley face on Kenny’s page in purple. He made a noise of protest and pushed my crayon away with his little hand.
“Your dad makes the same sound when I piss him off, too,” I said.
“I heard that,” Tarzan grumbled from the bar.
“Good. I wasn’t trying to hide it.”
“I can tell,” he replied drily.
Just as I took a breath to continue pestering him, my phone rang.
“Saved by the bell,” I said. “For now.”
Tarzan held up his coffee mug in a toast.
“A brief reprieve from your bullshit. I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.”
I laughed and waved him off as I pulled my phone out. Shea was calling. That was odd. I'd visited Hotline less than an hour ago. What would she be calling me for?
“Did you miss me already?” I asked.
“Hey, baby,” she crooned in an overly saccharin voice that I’d never heard Shea use in her life. “Oh, really? You’re almost here? Well, then I’ll make sure to leave the door unlocked for you. And don’t forget to give me a kiss when you show up. I miss my man and I’m lonely.”
My instincts went on red alert.
What the fuck was going on? Shea didn’t talk like this to me. Ever.
Something wasn’t right.
“Shea,” I said, keeping my tone even to reassure her. “Are you in trouble right now?”
She hummed. A male voice emanated in the background, too indistinct to make out his words.
“Yeah,” Shea said at last. “You know, I was thinking we should schedule a date night. Just you and me, a bottle of wine, and a cheesy chick flick.”
Now I was certain that she needed help. She never voluntarily watched chick flicks if she had a choice. She was an avid fan of creature features and sci-fi adventures.
And the mention of setting up a date night with me of all people was the final nail in the coffin.
“Stay on the phone,” I said. “Keep talking. I’m coming to you.”
Without hanging up, I tucked my phone into the inner pocket of my cut.
“Hades, I think Shea has an unwelcome visitor who won’t leave her alone. I could use some backup.”
Hades pushed away from the bar next to Tarzan in an instant.
“I’m right behind you, brother.”
“Ride safe,” Tarzan called after me with a nod.
I saluted as I shouldered the door open and stepped out into the sunlight.
Racing well past the speed limit, Hades and I made it to Hotline in record time. Through the large front windows, I saw Shea and Raine clustered near the front desk. On the other side of the shop was a skinny guy, toying with a set of tattoo equipment.
The body language of the whole scene looked tense and uneasy. Had he threatened them? I’d seen Shea deck a big, burly dude twice her size before. And I knew she kept a shotgun somewhere in the shop for self-defense.
Shea would never call me if she thought she could handle it herself.
I plowed to a stop at the curb and left my bike running, striding into the shop. I didn’t ask questions. I didn’t wait for an explanation.
Heading straight for Shea, I scooped an arm around her waist and crushed her against me. Then I sealed my mouth to hers in a soul-searing kiss that left her dazed and breathless. Shea’s phone slipped from her fingers and clattered to the floor.
“Hey, honey, I’m home,” I said.