They had just left the football game, the fresh scent of his soap from the quick shower he’d taken tickling her nose as she waited for him in his letter jacket in the parking lot. His old school had a different style than the ones in New Bend and she liked it better. He’d snuck up on her and spun her in his arms. High from the conference win that night and before he drove her home they would go to their favorite place and make out. They had yet to have sex even though both wanted to they were waiting until the time was right. Why did they have to rush? Their whole life was ahead of them.
“Topaz? You okay?” Onyx placed his hand on her shoulder, his large frame loomed over her, casting a shadow. One from her past she’d wished had run away like Peter Pan’s.
“Yeah, sorry.” She turned away from him, quickly stepping out of the bathroom with him a pace behind her.
“Where did you go?”
“Nowhere. I just remembered something I have to do.” She raced out of the room and back to hers.
Why did she have to remember Byron when she was with Onyx? The similarities between the two of them was haunting. Would Byron have resembled him if he had been given the chance to grow?
Regina was putting her kids to bed when Topaz went into the room. “I guess we’ll share this bed.”
“That’s okay, I don’t mind. I’m exhausted.” Regina sat down on the edge of her children’s bed.
“I need a shower.” Topaz picked up her backpack and went to the bathroom.
She didn’t know if she could wash away all the memories of Byron and what she almost did with Onyx. It was hard to resist trying to kiss him, only he hadn’t really made the move, had he? Maybe he was more like Byron than she wanted to give him credit for.
5
Pulling into town, Onyx was thankful the trip had been uneventful after they left Canada. Regina and her kids had been transferred to another caregiver in the morning. Tired and in need of some real food, he rolled into town and watch the vehicles separate from his crew.
Wanting to relax and get something in his stomach, he decided a trip to the Roadside was in order. He intended to order the biggest steak they had available and eat the whole thing. Maybe get a whole bottle of Jack and head home to drink away the gentle touch of Topaz.
Parking his bike in front of the building, he noticed the parking lot was full tonight.
Red walked up with his arm around Roadkill’s shoulder walking in the same direction. “Hey, heard I need to check your head?” Red called as the men clasped hands and pulled in for a little chest bump.
“Empty as usual,” Onyx joked. “Beyond that, not sure what you need to check.”
“How about those non-dissolving stitches?” Red said not even asking before pulling back the bandage.
“Topaz used black, pretty sure that they’ll blend in.”
“Asshole,” Red replied then taped the bandage back down. “Give it another day, then let it air out.”
“Our girl do okay?” Onyx asked.
Roadkill shook her head.
“She did,” Red switched into doc mode. “You black out at all?”
“No.”
“Still, come by the clinic, we’re picking up a to-go and heading back to Harlow,” Red said tapping Roadkill on the shoulder.
Unspoken commands had her slipping from him into the bar.
“You get sucker punched?” Red asked him.
“Not really, and my leg popped a bit, but it’s not hurting as much.” Onyx glanced up the street. “I’m not a liability in a fight.”
“Never thought you were,” he replied.
“Crazy, I thought Hack over planned with the whole harbor thing.”
“Yeah, he’s got some good ideas. Especially, around that kinda thing.” Red reached his hand out to be taken by Roadkill as she came out with a plastic bag holding two takeout boxes. “Now, I’ve got the rest of the stubborn heads to listen.”
“You will.”
They parted and Onyx walked inside, finding about every member of the MC was inside. Shark, back from his gun run, sat by himself. “Hey, do you mind some company?”
“Sure have a seat.” Shark motioned to the chair across the table from him.
Flopping in the chair, he let out a long breath. “I’m starving.”
Michele the waitress walked over to him. “What can I get you Onyx?”
“Why don’t you bring me a beer to start with?” He smiled.
“Sure, I can do that.” Michele walked away.
He watched her walk away and wondered if she was ever going to find a man. As far as he knew, she was single and looking. Then again, most eligible men came in and watched the dancers not the waitress and who wanted that competition? “Do you ever wonder if these women are ever going to get serious for a man?” Onyx asked.
“No, I don’t wonder something like that, usually.” Shark chuckled.
“I sure do. Like Michele she’s single and I know she is looking for a man to call her own.”
“How do you know that?” Shark took a bite of a hamburger he was working on, talking with a half full mouth. “What are you, some matchmaker? Or, you been living with that fool too long.”
Hollywood snuck up by the stage with a twenty folded long ways. Free was near the top of the pole, her back to the audience as she slid down in a twirl. Her eyes closed, but she seemed aware of how far she was from the stage. Hollywood traced the bill from her juncture, over her belly and between her breasts. Those at the right angle could see her start to smile because she knew who was teasing her. It was simple because, while men were tossing bills on the stage, anyone allowed this close had to not only be a Steel, but her man. When he tucked into the strap of her bra, he leaned in cradling the back of her head as he kissed her deeply. Her thighs wrapped tight
