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“Flame, what’s got that goofy smile on your face and your eyes all dreamy? I know it’s got to be me, right? I have that effect on you always.”
Bullet pulls me even closer as I giggle out loud, which has him joining in with me. I love my man and even though I’m young, Granny always told me I was an old soul. Being in my man’s arms is just where I want to be for the rest of my life. Forever.
“Bullet, honey, hush your mouth now. I was peeking at Tink and her man. They look so happy and content, it made my heart happy. Don’t repeat this, but Tink is cute as a button and Noodles is the tomcat’s kitten, he’s so good on the eyes.”
I’m pulled up short and turned to face Bullet. He has a look on his face I don’t think, well yeah, I’ve seen it before, just not often. I give him my innocent little grin, which has his face turning a slight red. Oh, I reckon I’ve gotten under his skin. Again.
“Flame, I’ve told you don’t want to hear about other men. No, before you give me all your cute Southern explanations, woman, I’m in love with you, so yeah, that means I get jealous. Crazy as fuck jealous. I don’t care if you think Noodles is the cat’s meow, those thoughts of yours are only mine. For fuck’s sake, we just met him, ya ain’t got a clue about his true intentions with Tink. For Christ’s sake, he might just be filling time since he’s new up there in Montana. Who knows, and personally, I don’t give a flying shit.”
I’m watching Bullet’s face, listening to his words, so I don’t have the advantage to see both Noodles and Shadow stomp toward us. When I do, it’s the look on both of their faces that makes me realize we are about to have a come-to-Jesus meeting. Better try to do damage control.
“Hold your horses, I reckon y’all came our way to butter Bullet’s butt for running his mouth off. Please know it don’t amount to a hill of beans, because he was just mad at me and let his mouth go before he used his brains. That’s all. We all know, Noodles, that you put your ring on Tink. Both of ya have been grinnin’ like a couple of possums eatin’ a sweet ’tater. The two of us are so happy for y’all. Right, Bullet?”
Now usually my Southern drawl and way of talking gets to most folks. I figured since God don’t like ugly, I’d lay it on thick and just confuse everyone so there’s no hard feelings. And seeing Bullet fighting his grin, guess I managed all right.
“Yeah, Noodles, what Flame said. My woman was telling me how hot she thought you were… shit. What the hell was that for, Flame? Shit, that hurt. I told you no pinching.”
Well, yeah, it was supposed to, I think to myself. Guess he was feelin’ fat and sassy, throwing my words out there again for all to hear. Geez Louise, looking at both Tink and Noodles I feel my cheeks getting hot. Dang, Bullet. Tink gets a bit closer to me and leans in.
“Clementine, want you to know I totally agree with you. Noodles is the absolute cat’s meow and the shit too. Thanks for saying it. Makes me feel good that it’s not only me seeing it. Us girls got to stick together, you know.”
I reach over and pull her in for a tight hug. I hear her groan or moan but don’t care. I was about to come apart and she managed to calm the situation down. I let her go and she steps back with a huge smile on her face. Looking behind her, geez Louise, Noodles is grinning and of course Shadow is scowling. Well, until Panther comes up beside her, planting a kiss on her cheek. The flush on her face is instant but so is the sparkle in her eyes. Well, I’ll be, seems like our angry girl found her own kitty, nope, tomcat to play with. And with that thought, I start giggling again just as Bullet grabs my hand, pulling me away from the foursome.
“Flame, damn, babe, thanks for covering my ass. Sometimes I let my mouth run before thinking about the words coming out of it. I wasn’t worried about Noodles as much as I was with Tink and Shadow. Those men are crazy to hook up with either of those women. Now don’t get upset, let me explain. Tink has the weight of the world on her shoulders, while we all know that Shadow is beyond crazy. Don’t shake your head, you know it as much as I do. Fuck, how could she not be with what she does. I mean, look at our Chains and Tank’s Wrench and Enforcer. Crazy fucks the whole bunch of them. Can you imagine being Panther? That shit on Shadow’s face never comes off. Wake up in the middle of the night and she’s pissed at you, just staring at you with those creepy blue eyes and that tatted face. I’d shit my pants then have a heart attack. And I like Shadow, though she freaks me the hell out. I always feel something dark when I’m around her.”
Listening to Bullet, I wonder why I’ve never had any bad feelings from Shadow. Probably because I have the sight, just like my granny and momma, so I know that deep down in her soul she’s a good person. I see that, not what everyone else sees. That’s why I’m happy as a pig rolling in the mud seeing Shadow and Panther together. Like Momma always says, “Everyone needs that special someone in their lives.”
As everyone starts moving again, I lean into Bullet as we follow our group. I’m tickled pink with all my purchases and can’t wait to get home and start reading my books, though I feel like I’ve been running all over hell’s half acre. I’m so caught up in my own thoughts when Bullet pulls me to a stop, I look up at him to see him staring ahead of us. That’s when I hear the loud voices.
“Bullet, why is Hannah pitching a hissy fit with a tail on it? Her face gets any redder she’s gonna have a stroke.”
He grins down at me as we walk a little closer. Joy’s and Iron’s eyes are bulging out while Tink and Tank are trying to calm Hannah down and not cause a scene. Shadow looks ready to kill the three young women in front of her, books in their hands. I can’t see the books from where I’m standing but Joy leans over to me.
“Hey, Clementine, those book covers have a picture that so resembles Shadow it’s scary. Guess they thought she was a model of sorts and asked her to sign their books. You obviously can tell how that went over?”
Really? A book? Who would even know Shadow, let alone write a book about her? Just as I’m about to reply, one of the girls walks to us, reaching in her bag.
“Oh my God, you two are part of the Grimm Wolves MC, right? You have to be Iron, and since she looks like how I pictured Clementine, or you’re Flame, you have to be Bullet. Will you both sign our books and, Spitfire, will you also sign? Oh wait, you too, Joy.”
My mouth drops open as I hear Bullet growl, reaching over and grabbing the books. I look at them too and, holy smokes, what the heck? Joy is scrolling through the one titledKeeping Secretsand each page has her face getting pink while her eyes are huge. Iron’s looking over her shoulder.
“How the fuck does anyone know this shit? Who the hell is the D.M. Earl? Where’s her table at?”
Iron barking at the young women has them jumping back. Seeing the situation is going to blow, I step forward.
“As y’all can see, the brothers are fit to be tied. And, yeah, Shadow is madder than a wet panther, no pun intended. Can y’all direct us to this author…D.M. Earl, please? We’d greatly appreciate your help.”
One of the girls hesitantly tells us to go over two rows and toward the back. Before she finishes, four people are just about running: Shadow, Tink, Bullet, and Iron. Tank is bringing up the rear like a bear. I start to go look through the bookBottom of the Chainsand I start to get mad. How does someone know this? Some of this is private between Bullet and me. I’ve never told anyone and I’m sure my man wasn’t blowing up the phone telling folks stuff. Now I’m madder than a box of frogs and follow the bunch to see who this author is and how they know all of this stuff.
By the time Joy and I, along with the rest of our group, find our folks—holy hell is breaking loose. There is no one at the table but some business cards and magnets. Shadow is just about to flip the table over, so Panther literally runs, grabbing her, pulling her off her feet and away. We are attracting a crowd and quite a few are holding the books in question. Dang, no one better approach our group at the moment. Reckon no one better ask for an autograph, not a good time. What in tarnation? Everything was moving along so good. Dagnabitt, so much for a good afternoon. I wish all these folks would just git. In a matter of minutes they took the sun out of our day.
TWENTY-NINE
‘HANNAH’
SQUIRT/ITTY BITTY
I’m so confused as I watch Pops trying to speak to Sapphire Knight. Since she’s the one in charge of the signing and even though she’s being beyond nice, she refuses to give any information about this secretive D.M. Earl. She actually told Pops to go search her website or social media pages. Thought he was going to stroke out, for Christ’s sake. Thinking of Pops on Facebook has me laughing inside.
