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Having seen magic, I know how it can wrap around people and offer them a new beginning. Of course, magic alone won’t do the heavy lifting. To be together, Austen and I will need to make sacrifices.
Despite my reputation for being chill, I don’t particularly embrace change. That’s why I don’t like my new bike or these new jeans. I’m not a fan of riding these roads and my appetite wasn’t sated by the eggs Benedict. I want more than what’s offered here. Yet, I’ll adjust to claim my own magic.
Goose doesn’t seem to be as willing to endure this fancy lifestyle. She starts giving ultimatums as soon as we climb off our bikes near the line of garages at the house’s rear.
“I’ll give you two nights to charm this chick into coming with us,” Goose says and pokes me in the chest. “If you haven’t closed the deal by then, you’ll need to do the long-distance-romance crap. Get me?”
“I get you fine. What about Coco?”
“Stop hammering me on that shit.”
“No, no, no,” I say and wrap an arm around her, even though I know she’ll elbow my gut. “I’m your wingman, remember? It’s my job to get you laid.”
“I don’t need help.”
“That’s not what your snatch is saying,” I taunt and then bolt out of her punching range.
I’m playing “dodge the angry redhead” game when Zoot, Noble, and a pretty lady—presumably, Aunt Fred—exit the estate’s side door. The two men just stare in that frowny way Ruin gets when someone’s on his nerves.
In contrast, Aunt Fred offers a warm smile. “Did my boys explain the situation to you?”
“Your boys?” Goose grumbles, choosing to mess with everyone today. “You look great for a woman who pounded out all those giant fucks.”
Aunt Fred glances at the men and laughs. “You didn’t oversell. She really is adorable.”
“Hey,” Goose whines, shocked by how no one seems to take her seriously around here. “Watch yourself unless you want my adorable foot shoved up your ass.”
Zoot narrows his dark eyes as if he thinks Goose might be a threat. That instantly calms her down. Why shouldn’t she demand the same respect offered her in McMurdo Valley?
Aunt Fred steps closer and stares into Goose’s cranky gaze. “Thank you for killing those men yesterday. That was very brave.”
Noble chuckles at Aunt Fred’s tone while Goose looks ready to punch someone. I step between the women.
“I helped, too,” I mumble as if she’s hurt my feelings.
“Yes, but apparently, you get a redheaded prize for your efforts.”
“He hasn’t nailed that down yet,” Goose says and pushes me out of the way so she can see Aunt Fred again. “Are you done here? Is that why you walked outside?”
Aunt Fred flashes a big smile. “I stand corrected,” she says over her shoulder to the men. “Maybe we should recruit a few women members. This one is fun.”
Goose rolls her eyes and stalks toward the back door. A staff member opens before she has a chance to start banging for entry.
Studying Aunt Fred and the bikers, I can imagine how Ruin would handle these people. Not the club president part of him, but the McMurdo Valley mayor side.
“Thank you for coming out today,” I say and smile in that fake-ass way Ruin does when playing politician. “We appreciate your help. Yesterday, your people provided solid assistance. If I don’t see you again, it was a pleasure.”
Aunt Fred shakes my hand as if we’ve finished a business deal. She turns to the men and says, “They’re calloused.” When her gaze returns to me, she explains, “Pretty men often have soft hands.”
“I haven’t gotten in for a manicured in a while, but maybe I’ll treat myself once I’m back home.”
“That’ll be soon, right?” Zoot says, proving he can, in fact, speak.
“Goose gave me a few days to nail things down with Austen. Wish me luck,” I say and walk to the back door.
I leave the three local power players to do whatever they do when they’re not taunting out-of-towners. Back home, Ruin got good at playing the well-mannered, rich man. However, I always preferred his berserker side. Few things are as impressive as watching my club president losing his shit on someone.
Inside the house, I follow a staff member who brings me to a sunroom where three lovely redheads sit together. I let my gaze wash over them before focusing only on Austen.
