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Lucy sighs, but she doesn’t argue as I try to stuff my large frame into the booth. We always grab a table when we eat here, but I’m not going to argue that point right now.
“Why do they call you Snake?” Harley asks as he reaches for his glass of orange soda, his eyes wide with curiosity. I freaking love kids because I’ll answer every single question he has with as many details as I can manage because I want Lucy to hear all of it. I could see in her eyes the moment we met that she had preconceived notions about bikers. Many people in town do. I want to prove her wrong about me and Cerberus as a whole.
“Well,” I begin, “I was given that name in the Marine Corps. My last name is Cobreski, and the guys in my platoon weren’t very original.”
“That makes sense. I hate snakes, but I like you. How many motorcycles do you have?”
“Two, and one is a Harley.”
“Really?”
The awe in his voice makes me smile. His joy makes his mother smile.
“Really.”
“Will you let me ride on one?”
I look to her, knowing it would be a shitty thing to promise this kid something his mother would never allow to happen. Her head shakes only the slightest amount.
“That’s not very safe, and I don’t have a helmet small enough for you, little man. I’m sorry.”
“Okay,” he says with a tiny shrug.
Lucy clears her throat as if his quick agreement hurts her in some way. Most parents would feel relief at the lack of argument. I file it away, knowing there’s more to this woman than what’s on the surface. Although I normally wouldn’t look twice at a woman that showed minimal interest in me, I find that I want to get to know more about her.
“So, you’re in a motorcycle gang?”
I smile down at him.
“It’s a club, not a gang.” We often have to make the distinction, not that people really care what the differences are. “We do a lot of charity work and volunteering in the community. We help raise a lot of money. What school do you go to? We helped get some new playground equipment for Dolchester last summer.”
“That’s where I go! I love the new slide!”
The waitress swings by, dropping off a ton of food, and asking for my order. I look up at Lucy, once again making sure it’s okay if I eat with them. She seems to have thawed a little because she doesn’t scowl at me. I take it as a win and tell the waitress I want a burger and fries.
The conversation continues, Harley asking a million more questions around bites of grilled cheese and French fries. Lucy doesn’t talk much other than reminders to Harley not to talk with his mouth full.
“I thought I heard you laugh from the kitchen!”
I stand when Edith approaches, my plate in her hand. She drops it on the table, her arms out a second before I wrap her in a hug. The elderly woman pats my back like she didn’t just see me last week.
“How have you been, sweetheart?”
“Better now that I’m seeing you,” she says as she steps out of my arms, her wrinkled hand cupping my bearded chin. “Where are your friends?”
I point across the restaurant to Skid and Ace, who each hold up a hand in a wave.
“Oh hi, dear. Are you two doing okay?” Edith asks, noticing Lucy and Harley.
“We’re doing well,” Lucy replies, a sweet smile on her face.
“I’ve got to get back to the kitchen before Luther burns it down. Tell that boss of yours and Emmalyn thank you for the Thanksgiving order.” I take my seat as Edith scurries away, stopping by Ace and Skid’s table for hugs before she heads into the kitchen to keep an eye on her husband.
“You know Edith and Luther?” Lucy asks, her first question of the afternoon.
“We’ve been coming here for years. Edith and Luther know everyone. Sweet people.”
“They are,” she confirms.
“They gave me a free slice of pie once when Momma didn’t have enough money,” Harley says.
“Harley,” Lucy snaps, embarrassment pinking her cheeks.
“Really?” I say, looking over at the kid. “She didn’t make you wash dishes? I left my wallet at home once too, and I had to scrub pots and pans all afternoon.”
His eyes widen. “I didn’t have to wash pots and pans. She must like me more!”
Lucy’s eyes find mine, but they dart away quickly. I don’t know if I helped the situation or hurt it more. I know she doesn’t have a lot of money. Her car is proof of that, but she’s gorgeous. She has a pretty awesome kid, and she’s got an attitude that just draws me in for some reason.
The two guys that were harassing her give the waitress a hard time before getting up to leave, and I know Skid and Ace have eyes on them as they leave the diner. Hopefully, they’re just a couple of assholes passing through.
