“I’m fine.” I take a deep breath. “I’m, uh, spending part of Christmas Day with my new guy.” Okay, I couldn’t quite say his name, but one step at a time.
“Oh.” Mom stands there for a couple of seconds, and it’s as clear as anything that she’s struggling with that bombshell. We always spend Christmas here together. Well, hell, who else would we spend it with? But it isn’t as though I’m not going to be here at all. Just for half the day. “Why don’t you invite him here? It’d be nice to meet him.”
Yeah, right. I don’t think so.
“It’s a bit soon for that, Mom.” I smile to take away the sting, but really, who takes their guy back to meet their mom that quickly? And I need to get to the point. “He belongs to an MC.”
She stares at me as though I’ve just done something unspeakable.I know I have.But you can’tchoosewho you fall for, can you?
“I thought you said he owns the bar you’re working at.”
“He does. But he belongs to a club, as well.”
“I don’t know how you could do that, Amy. After everything we’ve been through with the Wolves.”
A hard knot forms in my chest. “I know. But I couldn’t help it.” I practically cringe. How lame is that?
“All those lovely guys you’ve dated in the past, before you started all this writing. You could be married to Lucas by now, have your own house, everything.”
“For God’s sake, I finished with Lucas threeyearsago.”
“He would’ve done anything for you. You would’ve always been the number one thing in his life. Not like when you’re with a member of a club. You’re never their first priority. Youknowthat.”
Of course I do. She’s said it often enough over the years. And yet I remember when I was a kid, she and Dad were so happy together. He might’ve been a hard-ass, but he put Mom before his club. I just know he did.
“I didn’t love Lucas. He didn’t…” I hesitate for a second, because how the hell do you tell your own mother an ex-boyfriend didn’t appear to have a clue what the clitoris was for, never mind where it was located? “Light my fire.”
Her lips thin. “There’s more to life than having a guy who’s great in bed, Amy. There’s something called respect. Trust.”
I’m reeling over the “great in bed” comment. Jesus, I don’t want to talk about sex with my mom.
“Gage does respect me. I do trust him.” And if I told her about last night, Mom would understand that because she knows the code even better than I do. But of course I can’t mention the name Rex Abbott to her. Not now. I guess this wasn’t such a great idea to confront her when she’s in a rush.
“They don’t trust anyone outside of their club. They’re bad news.” She leans in close. “Remember what happened to your dad, just because he had more loyalty to theWolvesthan he did to me or you girls.”
With that, she storms out.
I unclench my fist and stare at the crescents my fingernails had gouged into my palm.
Huh, that went well.
…
Gage
It takes a lot longer than I thought it would to find what I’m searching for. I’ve lost count how many jewelry shops and outlets I’ve been to, and although I don’t usually notice the suspicious looks flung my way, they’re starting to piss me off. Who knew buying a chick a present was such hard work?
I’m in the mall, checking my cell for local stores, when a hand slides down the front of my cut.
“Move it.” I don’t even bother looking up from my cell.
The owner of the hand gives a breathy sigh and obeys. “You want some company, Gage?”
I shove my cell into my pocket and give Ruby a disinterested glance. “Nah, I’m good.”
“What’re you doing here anyway? Christmas shopping?” She blinks a few times, like she thinks that’s sexy or something, and I’m about to deny it when I change my mind.
“That’s right. Getting something for my girl.”
