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Mandy stirred after a while, and Mamba realized he must’ve drifted off. First sound sleep he’d had since their days in Searchlight.
She ran a hand over his shoulder and down his arm, lacing their fingers together like the night he was sick in her bed.
“I’ve missed you so much.” The slight waver in her voice made him cup her cheek.
“I know.” It was all Mamba could mutter because he couldn’t explain the emptiness he’d felt when she left.
“It was such a confusing time for me with everything that’d gone on, and I knew I had to do some things on my own.”
“I get it, but we could’ve worked through it together.”
“I know you think that, but at the time, I needed space.” Mandy levered herself up on her elbows. “I’m living with Mitzi, and although she can be a little crazy, I like being on my own, making decisions, and simply living my life without worrying over how it affects everyone else. I work at a different salon now, and I’m saving to open up my own shop one day.”
“That’s amazing, babe.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “I know you can do it too.”
“You’ve been on your own, but this is a first for me, and I like it.”
He mashed his lips together, realizing he had never thought about it from her perspective. “You’re right. I’ve been on my own for so long that when I met you, I already knew what I wanted. Although I managed to fuck that up too.”
“We were fine when we were in Searchlight; then, everything had gotten so confusing and out of hand. Ajax, the fight, the fire, all piled on until I didn’t know which way to turn, but I knew I had to figure it out for myself.”
Mamba waited, digesting her words, and he heard and understood her for the first time.
“What made you change your mind”—he waved his hand over them—“about us?”
“Not one thing, other than I couldn’t function without thinking about you. When I worked, when I ate, I wondered what you were doing and how you were.” A small smile curved her lips. “Even thought about showing up at Valley View for one of your fights, but . . .”
“Just like that first night down in Laughlin. That was some wild shit.” He cocked his head. “How did you work all this out?”
“It was crazy. I ran into Python at Chick-fil-A.”
“I believe it. The man loves his fried chicken.”
“Of course, I asked about you, and he said you were doing shitty—his words—and that I was the best thing that had ever happened to you, and for the sake and sanity of the club, he wished I’d come back.”
Mamba barked out a laugh. “I can just hear that crazy fucker saying that shit.”
“He said a few other things like how good I was for you and how he thought we were good together, and it made me think, especially since I was having those same thoughts.”
“So, you basically did this for Python and the Serpents?” He pulled a goofy face.
“Yes, you big jerk. It had nothing to do with you.” Mandy punched him on the arm, then sobered. “I seriously missed you. When you walked out of the trailer at the carnival my chest actually ached.”
Mamba drew in a deep breath. “You said a lot of things that night at your house about the violence in your life and how you felt the same about my life.”
“I did, and I meant it, but I see the difference now. Being on my own helped me see the difference.”
“I’ve made some changes myself to keep the chaos at bay. The funny thing about chaos is that it’s addicting, just like drugs or booze. Like you need the rush, but I’m constantly working at it.”
“I believe you.” Her face grew serious. “I also want to tell you that the foundation the Serpents set up for Achilles has made my mother’s life easier.” She squeezed his hand. “I know you carry that burden, but you should know that it’s calmed our worries.”
He cuddled her to him. “I think we finally have a real shot at something good, just for us.”
“Umm, there is one other thing.” She pulled back to look at him. “You do realize we just had sex without a condom?”
“That’s okay, babe, I haven’t been with anyone since you.”
“Neither have I, but considering I wasn’t seeing anyone, I went off the pill.”
