AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Pushing off his body, I step back and take in the sight of Hobo in all his muscled, tatted glory. He feels untamed and free in a way I’ll never be. Trapping him in my tiny house for even a few minutes would be cruel.
Hobo’s expression hardens when he thinks I’m judging or rejecting him. I look at my red roses and picture him buying them at the store.What a civilized move from the wild man!
I rest them on the porch steps and plant my butt on the grass. “It’s a pretty evening.”
Watching me warily, Hobo scans the area around us. I feel him considering whether to walk away. Rather than get my feelings hurt, I remind myself how he’s the neglected son of crazy people. He must have been on guard at all times to survive such a childhood. Of course, he doesn’t trust easily.
Watching Hobo, I feel a smile on my face. My heart feels so light right now. I haven’t been happy for so long that I’d forgotten how amazing it felt.
Now, thanks to this wary beast of a man, I’ve unloaded a burden off my shoulders. I’m no longer considering the future. I have no backup plans. Tomorrow doesn’t matter.
I can only see this moment with a man who already owns me, heart and soul.
TOMMY
Bunking at Eagle’snew place gives me a taste of civilized living. The Pigsty is a den of debauchery and a real boys’ club. Our lady member is rougher than some of the actual men. Despite how pretty the former lodge looks, I never felt particularly domesticated. Instead, I got restless as if the walls were inching closer with every passing day.
At Eagle’s house, I enjoy the soft touch Irina brings to everything. The relaxed décor and many windows reassure me.
Yet, once Clementine starts crying, I get to thinking maybe I wouldn’t do so well trapped in a cage with a kid.
The baby mostly sleeps. When she’s quiet, I find myself real curious about her. I realize I never much considered what it would be like to be a father.
A year ago, Eagle was just a man. He didn’t seem like the commitment type. Now he’s made a smaller, prettier version of himself.
I even hold the baby at one point. Clementine’s too tiny to feel comfortable in my arms. I do like when her blue eyes find me and don’t look away. I never had much interest in my club brothers’ kids. Sure, I’m known to spy on Nomad playing outside with his new ones with Landry. They’re fun as entertainment, like a show with miniature adults.
As the storm owns the Valley, I settle into Eagle’s house with more ease. I can’t deny Irina’s cooking tastes better than whatever I normally put together at my campsites. We watch “M*A*S*H” episodes. Irina’s never seen the show, so she laughs easily at jokes from before she was born.
After the rain moves on, Eagle opens up a few windows. I suspect he’s noticed I’m getting restless. The familiar musky scent of the damp woods filters into the house, making the room bigger again.
Eagle used to be in his head so much he barely noticed other people’s needs. After his mom died, he got downright ghostlike.Just existing rather than living.
I grin at how these days he takes charge of people’s happiness. I catch him noticing when Irina needs a refill or is chilly. Eagle swoops in to pick up the baby, even before she’s fully awake. A woman and kid shouldn’t suit Eagle, yet I can’t deny he’s found a comfortable rhythm.
As the night wears on, I find myself alone in the large family room. The earthy scent soothes my need to flee this fancy house.
