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“All the brothers here are amazingly nice. And you’re right about the in-kind trading. They give us a place to stay, and we give them entertainment, such as it is. My name is Alyssa, by the way.”
“I’m Tiffany.”
“I know who you are,” Alyssa said, surprising her. “Those of us who stay sober enough to walk a straight line know you bagged one of the hottest brothers in the club. Do you mind if I ask how you did that?”
Tiffany thought carefully about her response. “I think men like women they see as substantial and able to contribute on an equal footing. Even though there was some chemistry, I think being a nurse gave him more respect for me for having the initiative to do something with my life.”
Alyssa waved a hand through the air. “Oh, I don’t have any real skills. I’m not all that intelligent, creative, or funny or anything like that. Honestly, I’ve always thought that my looks were about all I have going for me. I’m coming up on thirty now and was hoping to find a husband before having kids was out of the question.”
Tiffany’s eyebrows popped up. “Wow, you’re pretty up-front and open about your issues. Most people aren’t like that.”
Shrugging, the pretty blonde replied, “It’s not because of bravery or anything like that. I guess when you hit rock bottom, it’s easier to just tell it like it is because you don’t really have anything to lose.”
Tiffany smiled. “To be honest, I’m loving all the honesty. It’s a refreshing change in a world that’s becoming more jaded every day.”
As usual, Lily was sitting quietly, just listening.
Tiffany tried to draw her into the conversation. “What do you think men want in a woman, Lily?”
The woman froze in mid-bite, put down her spoon and replied quietly, “I feel a little like Alyssa. I was pretty and good at taking care of a family, so I got picked back in the day. We kind of fell hard and fast for each other.”
“I’d love to hear about how the two of you met,” Tiffany told her, genuinely interested in hearing her story.
Lily’s eyes looked haunted for a brief moment before they slid away, and she continued the subject at hand, rather than talking about how she met her husband. “I’ve noticed that these days, men seem to expect more. I don’t see that as a bad thing necessarily, ‘cause they seem willing to give a little more as well.” Glancing up at Alyssa, she asked timidly, “Have you ever thought of anything in particular that you’d like to do with yourself?”
Pursing her lips, Alyssa gave it some thought. “I used to work in a doctor’s office answering phones, but that was years ago. I liked working, but computers have changed a lot, and I don’t suppose anyone would want someone who’s been out of the workforce for so long.”
“I’m looking for a job in the medical field. Maybe we can look around together,” Tiffany suggested, not really expecting much to come from the offer. As the conversation continued between them, Tiffany found herself completely absorbed and marveling at how much she missed something as simple as having friends.
~ Ryder ~
Across town, Ace was waiting to see the club’s favorite private physician. Old Doc Reynolds has been patching up their battle wounds since the old days. When he wasn’t available, his snot-nosed son saw to their needs.
Leaning over the exam table, Ryder barked gruffly, “Don’t be such a freaking baby.”
Groaning, Ace slammed his head back against the headrest. “I cannot believe you shot me again, you piece of shit.”
Ryder’s expression morphed into a smirk. “But this time it was unintentional. That should count for something, right?”
“I’m not finished. You shot me then closed the hole with a fucking pool stick. What kind of person does that?”
“A person trying to help?”
“A dumbass, that’s who.”
Ryder’s lip curled, and he growled, “I saved your life.”
“Yeah, after you accidentally shot me.”
“So?”
“Accidentally shooting someone and then saving their life does not make you a hero,” Ace grumbled. “It falls into the category of righting your own mistake, dumbass.”
Grinning, Ryder poked at the wound. “You got me there. Thanks for not telling Tiff I screwed up.”
“You’re fucking welcome, dimwit. Do me a freaking favor from now on. Let me unjam any weapons.”
“Roger that, Ace.”
