The whiskey is doing its job, loosening my tongue and opening the doors to the usually hidden alcoves inside of me. “Nah, he’s always been better with people than me.”
“Not necessarily. If he is, it’s because of that girl sitting on his lap. You choose to shut others out.”
He’s not wrong. I’m an antisocial mess mixed with bitterness. That fact is becoming more fuzzy the longer I sit on this stool. “I’m not really sure when that started. Being around people has never been my favorite. Biker rallies were one thing, but social situations in general make me itchy. My asshole of a father certainly doesn’t help. Why do you think I’m such a loner, Rhodes?”
“Great question, but you’re asking the wrong guy.”
I spread my arms out. My limbs feel heavier than normal. “I don’t see a better one.”
“Only because you’re not bothering to look.”
“This”—I motion between us—“isn’t really my thing. I don’t handle idle chit-chat well.”
“You don’t say?” He chuckles. “Just trying to point you in a more useful direction. If it’s dick jokes and crude stories you’re after, I’m your man.”
I return my gaze to Grady. If possible, his grin has stretched wider as he gropes Sutton and whispers in her ear. What would I say to him? I usually have nothing to say to him beyond talk at the shop. In reality, we’re all relative strangers. “He doesn’t serve booze.”
Erik shakes his head. “No, but he can build you a house.”
“Already got one of those.”
“What the fuck do you need advice for? Sounds like you’re all set.”
I swipe a hand over my mouth. “You got a girl?”
“Yeah, sure. Don’t we all?”
“A serious one, I mean.”
He gets a suspicious gleam in his eyes. “Seems that way. How about you?”
I let the barest hint of a grin touch my mouth. “You didn’t hear?”
“Rumors are shit.”
“That’s the truth.” I grunt and motion for more whiskey.
“If you’ve got something to tell me, I’m all ears.”
I have no doubt that Erik has met Keegan. He’s always been the one to have a triple scoop of info on everyone’s business. Like one of those old ladies swarming the market, but younger and with a shitload of tattoos. I’m sure word has spread about my possessive display with Keegan in and outside of Bronco. What else can I confess? Nothing good. “It was a wild night.”
His brows bounce. “I can only imagine. That happens quite often around these parts. Might as well cause a bit of trouble. Nothing else to do, right?”
“Damn small towns,” I grumble. That’s one reason why keeping to myself has always been appealing. Lonely at times, but safe in a fortress of my own making.
He crosses his inked arms. “As if you’d live anywhere else.”
“I’ll drink to that.” And I do.
“What’s next?” He knocks on the bar.
“Turning over a new leaf, or whatever the fuck this is.”
“For a woman?”
Lush curves and cutting remarks try to break through the blockage of alcohol. “Maybe she started it, but this is for me.”
“As it should be.”
“I’m learning that,” I mutter.
Erik juts his chin at me. “You got anywhere else to be?”
I let another grunt loose. “You’re looking at it.”
“Well, this calls for a toast.” He pours himself a drink.
“What are we celebrating?”
He hikes up his brow. “You.”
I roll my eyes. “That’s another new one.”
“Get used to it, yeah? A fresh awareness goes a long way.” Erik lifts his glass.
Eh, why the hell not? I raise mine with a salute, clinking against his. “Here, here.”
He slaps his hands together. “With that settled, tell me all about Keegan Daniels.”
Healing Hug #15: For long-awaited wishes being granted.
“Where are we going, Mama?”
Over the span of thirty minutes, I’ve lost track of how often that question has popped out of Millie’s mouth. A giggle trickles off my lips while I try to count, fruitless as it might be. My daughter is nothing if not persistent, especially when it comes to surprises. I wonder where she gets it. A thrill skates down my arms at what we have waiting for us in a few short miles. I grip the steering wheel tighter in an attempt to focus my tension elsewhere. Just a bit longer and the news can fly free.
“Please tell me.” Millie’s pout becomes more pronounced with each second I delay.
I shake my head, blonde hair fanning out against the seat. “It’s a secret, sweetie.”
“But we’ve been driving forever.” Her last word ends on a whine and I stifle another giggle. The young mind warps distance in such a dramatic way.
“We’ll be there soon, baby girl.” I change the radio to a station she likes, but the commercial that’s playing isn’t helpful to my cause.
Millie kicks her legs against the floor. “Mama, I have to pee.”
I quirk a brow at the rearview mirror. “Do you really?”
She huffs. “Yes.”
“How bad?”
An exaggerated potty dance begins. Her movements are limited by the padded booster straps, but she’s getting the point across. “Really bad. My bladder is full.”
I gnaw on the inside of my cheek. “Can you hold it for five more minutes?”
Millie’s ploy of sneaky intentions reveals itself with a satisfactory grin. “Uh-huh. That’s not very long.”
I stick my tongue out at her. “Little turkey.”
“You got played, Mama.” She dusts her small hands off.
I laugh at her antics. “Did Josey teach you to be sneaky?”
“Maybe.” Her smile gets bigger. “I mostly learned from you.”
“No way,” I sputter. “I’m always telling you to behave like a lady.”
Millie crosses her skinny arms. “Because I act out so often in front of others.”
My little diva princess is making another appearance. But she’s right. I never have anything to worry about when it comes to her behavior. “Okay, fine. You bottle up all that sass for me.”
“And spilling secrets,” she adds.
I scrunch my forehead, unsure where she’s going with this. “We don’t spread people’s private stuff, Mills.”
“Mama, you’re the worst
