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Sage and Juniper wait expectantly for a reason why.
“I kinda let my insurance coverage slip a few months ago, and I can’t afford to pay out of pocket.” My cheeks heat at my confession. The last thing I want is for anyone to feel sorry for me.
Luckily, Sage senses my mood and doesn’t offer pity or money. But I need to prepare for what she is about to deliver.
“No problem. Come on.” Without another word, Sage walks out of the bathroom. “You’re driving, Juniper,” Sage calls out as she takes her sleeping baby out of the sling and places her gently in the car seat.
With a sigh, I grab my purse and follow them out of the store. They wait for me to flip theopensign toclosedand lock the door. I’m in the back seat of Juniper’s car when she makes a familiar turn at the edge of town, and we make our way down a road I’ve only traveled once before.
“What are you doing?”
“We’re taking you to get you stitched up,” Sage tells me while typing on her phone.
“But this is the way to the clubhouse.”
“I know.” Sage is still typing away on her cell.
I start to shake my head. “No way. Take me back.”
Sage finally looks up from her phone and focusses her attention to me. “Nobody is going to hurt you, Sukie,” she assures me.
“I know that. I’m not scared of the club.”
Then it dawns on Sage why I don’t want to go, and she grins.
“Stop smiling like that.” I cross my arms over my chest. “I told you I was fine. You can take me back to the store.”
Sage shrugs. “No can do. I already told Salem we are on our way, and he’s having Juneau look you over.”
I remember Juneau. He’s the guy who took care of Harlem after he was stabbed. Sage told me once that Juneau is an ex-army medic. When I brought Harlem to the clubhouse after he was stabbed, I watched Juneau save his life. The clubhouse even has its own infirmary. I remember thinking Harlem was crazy for not wanting to go to the hospital. I thought for sure he was going to die. Then I witnessed Juneau in action. It was a terrifying yet remarkable experience.
When we arrive at the clubhouse, I spot a familiar bike parked out front, and my nerves really start to kick in.
Carrying the infant car seat, Sage walks a couple of paces in front of me and Juniper. Sensing my nerves, Juniper bumps me with her shoulder.
“Play it cool. You look like you’re about to hurl.”
“That’s because I am,” I whisper-hiss.
The second we step through the door, Salem is waiting. He kisses Sage before turning his attention to me. “Hey, Sukie.”
“Hi.” I give him a little wave.
“Sage tells me you cut your foot up pretty good. She thinks you might need stitches.”
I swallow and nod. “Yeah, but like I told Sage, it’s fine.” I wave my hand.
Salem cocks his head to the side and looks down at my foot. “Doesn’t look like it’s fine.”
“That’s what I said,” Sage tells him.
“Look, guys. Seriously, I’m fine. It doesn’t even hurt all that much. I…”
My words are cut off when Harlem enters the room and bites out, “What’s goin’ on, Prez? I just got a text from Juneau. He told me he’s returning to the clubhouse because Sage was on her way with…” Harlem stops speaking when he steps up behind Salem.
His eyes land on me, then slide down and up in a full head-to-toe assessment of me. I can’t help but fidget under his scrutiny. Nobody speaks or even moves. The only thing I can hear is the pounding of my own heart. The air becomes thick, and the temperature around us turns too warm. It feels as if time slows to a crawl. Harlem looks at me as if he’s cataloging every inch of my body to memory.
“The fuck?” he growls when his gaze zeros in on my foot, which is still covered in a blood-soaked bandage.
