AllFreeNovel
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Inside it’s a biker bar, like a real life biker bar with men wearingkuttesof all varieties. Some are beat up and worn, some brand new. Some of the guys are lifers, and some are just weekend warriors, but they’re all just shooting the shit, drinking ice-cold beers and hanging with their own kind.
Hell, if I’d known about this place, I might be someone’s old lady by now.
“Come on, there’s an empty booth over there.” Preacher whispers in my ear. Despite the loud conversations and louder music, I can hear him just fine.
His hand rests on my hip, guiding me to the vacant booth. My body trembles, but I shove it down for now and focus on the double shot and the tall mug of beer a cowgirl waitress sets in front of me.
“Thanks,” I tell her and attempt a smile.
“Sure thing, honey.” She sets a glass of something icy in front of Preacher and saunters off.
After I throw back the shot quickly, the icy fire burns my insides, and I settle in with the beer. “Thank you for coming to get me, Preach. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. Want to talk about it?”
I let out a bitter sound somewhere between a laugh and a snort. “Not really. Then again, I never want to talk about it. But I will. Just for you.” I smile, and the one he shoots in reply turns my nipples into diamond cutters.
“Whenever you’re ready.” He smiles and sips his drink slowly, waiting patiently for me to speak.
I take a sip of beer and then a chug. And then another chug. Is there anything less sexy than a woman drinking and complaining about her problems? No, there isn’t.
Then again, I’m not all that sure Preacher thinks I’m sexy to start with, so I let out a long sigh and drink half the glass of liquid courage.
“It’s my mom. She’s been on my case a lot lately about drinking and partying, drugs and not working, and I’m just sick of it.” It sounds so fucking petty and childish when I say it out loud.
But Preacher doesn’t judge. “Are you being self-destructive, or are you just being in your twenties, sowing your oats?”
I smile at the question. “I guess you do understand.” But then I shrug. “Honestly, I’m not sure what the answer is. I like to party, and I kind of missed out on it with college because I had to help my mom, which she seems to forget. But I guess there’s a level of self-destruction involved too.”
This is the most real conversation I’ve ever had with anyone other than Ro.
“Why?”
“Daddy issues,” I snort, only half-joking. I wave for the waitress to bring another round. “Sort of, anyway. He died from a drug overdose when I was really young, and I barely remember him. Mom doesn’t talk about him at all unless she’s comparing me to him. When he died it, was like she didn’t want to mention him. Ever.”
He nods. “Wow. I’m sorry.”
“Well, Ro’s the only one who actually gives a fuck about me. We’ve been tight since kindergarten. Ride or die.”
“All you need is one person who cares, Gia.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Says the guy who has an entire group of men who are like brothers.”
He nods. “Now, sure, but it wasn’t always like this.”
“Here you go, sugar.” The waitress sets down another shot and beer for me and a glass of pinkish liquid for Preacher.
“And a cranberry and tonic for the big guy.” She winks at us both and saunters off.
“You’re not drinking?” On top of off-loading my problems on this hottie, I’m also getting drunk and doing it alone. Yep, racking up the sexy points.
“Nope. Someone has to drive and keep his head on straight. Tonight, that’s me.”
“I guess I owe you one.”
“You don’t. Kindness doesn’t need to be repaid, only passed on.”
I throw back my shot and groan. “Are you for real, Preacher? Like are you really a biker with a heart of gold, or is this some kind of trap?”
