I’m not sure I’d call Jackpot a pipsqueak, but it still delights me to hear Cruise do it. I’m still smiling as I step away, but Cruise holds me back for a second. “Abbie, I’ve seen bikes take a lot of punishment, but what happened to yours was something else. Keep your eyes on your side mirrors, okay?”
“I will. Thanks, Cruise.”
I think about heading back to the kitchen to catch up with Glory, but that tight, cold feeling is back in my chest, and I find myself craving fresh air. Not just an escape from Jackpot’s rank scent, but away from everything that is dragging old ghosts back to the surface.
I start to walk blindly towards the back of the compound, seeking distance more than an exit. I can hear my pulse thudding in my ears, sweat popping along my spine. It’s a hot day, but my discomfort is deeper than that.What am I really doing back here?
I catch sight of greenery in the distance where there used to be old jerrycans, broken furniture, and whatever debris was tossed out from the last bar fight.Old clubhouse, I remind myself, pausing to take in the thick green hedge. It runs along three sides of a garden, lush and green as if the sun isn’t trying to scorch everything in its path. Within its walls are rows of vegetables, all neatly labeled and protected by shade cloth, and raised beds of flowers, bursting with color. I stare at it, entranced by the wave of scents that waft over me.
“Hey, Abbie,” Lyla says shyly, strolling towards me in overalls and a straw hat, a gardening fork in her hand. “Are you looking for Ark or Patch?”
It takes me a moment to spot them, deep in conversation near the hedge closest to the medical center. “No, just looking around. This garden is amazing. We never had anything close to this at the old clubhouse.”
Lyla’s face lights up as she looks around. “It’s the best therapy.” Her gaze darts back to me, her cheeks going pink, “I’m guessing you know more about that than me, though.”
“I’m still learning new things about therapy every day, but gardening is a bit of a mystery to me,” I admit. “It looks like a lot of work, though.”
She nods. “It is, but everything has a time and place.” She reaches out to touch the petals of a nearby rose. “You treat them well, and they give back ten times over.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it. There aren’t a lot of flowerbeds in third floor apartments.” I think of my mom, scratching out a tiny garden in the old clubhouse. She had a couple of rose bushes, a few potted plants, and a bunch of herbs, because there was never money for more when it could be spent on bikes and booze. “Or maybe I’m just not that sort of omega.”
Lyla tilts her head, curious. “What sort is that?”
“The nurturing sort, I guess.”
“Well, that can’t be true.” She drops to her knees in front of a bush with delicate purple flowers and starts to turn the soil with her fork. “Patch has told me what you do for omegas in your clinic. You’re a real hero.”
Our conversation has caught Patch and Ark’s attention, and I feel a little awkward as they walk over to join us. “Oh. Thanks, but I’m just doing my job.”
She smiles, then turns her attention to Patch, who bends to drop a kiss on her upturned lips. “Are you hydrating, love?”
She laughs, a soft, tinkling sound of pure joy. “Same answer as when you asked a half hour ago.”
“Good.” He strokes her cheek then casts me a careful look. “How are you doing, Abbie?”
“I’m okay. Just admiring Lyla’s green thumb.”
“She’s done an amazing job.” His wariness melts away and he beams at his mate. “This garden has almost doubled since she started caring for it.”
“We’re lucky to have you, Lyla,” Ark adds, and her eyes shine at the praise.
When Patch taps her shoulder, she rises gracefully to her feet and clutches his arm. “Come on, it’s checkup time.”
She nods and smiles at me as she brushes off her hands. “Come back again, Abbie. I’d love to talk some more.”
I watch them walk off towards the clinic, but when I turn back, Ark is staring at me with his intense, dark eyes. “You should do that too.”
I offer a scoffing laugh. “You mean get myself an alpha bite?”
“No, a checkup. Most new members take a physical. It helps Patch to plan for any emergencies. Plus, it means I can put you on our insurance.”
My heart stutters, the thought of Patch testing me, assessing my symptoms… “I’m a medical professional, Ark. I can do my own checkups.”
There’s enough heat in my voice to make him back off, but he just shrugs. “I’m not questioning your skills, but it can’t hurt to get a second opinion.”
“I’m fine.”
I’ve turned away when he catches my wrist. “I know you blame Patch for what happened the night you left, but you should know it wasn’t his fault. He didn’t want to sedate you. I made him.”
