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Tabitha exhaled and put a smile on her face when they arrived. He could see it was forced. She would have to get over it. Her safety was of the utmost importance.
“Arch!” James immediately greeted him. “It’s been a long time.” The years had aged him, both of them.
“Tab.” James quickly turned and pulled her in for a hug. “We’re gonna get him.”
“Yeah.” Tabitha smiled and led the way inside.
It looked exactly the same. Same cement floors painted black and in need of wax. Same walls covered in posters and pictures of years past. Same worn in tables and chairs scattered about. The bar looked like it’d had a fresh coat of paint recently and there were lights on the underside of it now, led slowly fading to various colors.
His old man was behind the bar pouring whiskey into a glass, same as always. His eyes barely flickered up to greet them. “Son.”
“Dad.”
“Y’all are going to have to share a room.” His father spoke before sipping from his glass. “I’m sure you know which one it is.”
“Yeah.” He knew it was a poke at him, the room that was supposed to be his after he patched in.
Archie turned and grabbed Tabitha’s suitcase before nodding for her to follow. She re-shouldered her carry on and walked behind him as he led the way down the hall and up the stairs. He assumed the room was the same simple queen size bed with a dresser and desk. It wasn’t like he’d been there to decorate it or add a tv.
It looked like someone had recently cleaned, most likely a prospect. There was an older tv on top of the dresser across from the bed. An extra quilt was folded at the end of the bed.
“I guess we’re sharing a bed.” Tabitha carefully put her bag on the desk.
He lifted the suitcases onto the bed. “Might as well unpack.” He knew they’d be here for more than a couple of days.
They were silent for the next ten minutes as the pair of them unpacked their belongings into the dresser, closet, and attached bathroom. It was making him anxious that she wouldn’t say anything. Surely she understood this was the best option when it came to her safety.
“Tabitha,” he started, as he turned to face her.
She bumped against him at his abrupt about face. Her hands on his chest shook slightly. He moved his hands on top of hers, keeping her close.
“I get it. I’m annoyed, but it’s not like there are many options. I understand the choice.” Her eyes focused on his.
He moved one hand under her chin, lifted it and waited for her eyes to land on his before he spoke.
“Your parents don’t know where we are and the club is under order not to tell them anything at the moment. Nobody but the ones here knows where you are.” He swallowed as gaze flickered to her lips.
The urge to kiss them was strong.
“What’s it like?” She licked her lips.
“Huh?”
“Being here, but not being part of it. Although, it sort of feels like you’re part of it now.” She shook her head.
Oh, the club. “I’m surprised none of them have asked me.” He glanced at the closed bedroom door.
“I mean, I heard you were pretty firm with your decline.” Her hands slowly dropped from his chest, but she remained close to him.
He stepped around her and moved closer to the bed before sitting on the edge of it. He hung his head as he thought back to that day. It hadn’t been an easy decision and sometimes he wondered if he made the right choice.
“I’m not the same person I was before the military.” He’d seen things.
“Neither are most of the men downstairs.” Tabitha dropped down to her knees in front of him. Her hands rested on his legs. “Did you forget most of them would actually understand what you’ve gone through?”
Of course, he didn’t forget about them. He knew they would be the easiest ones to sit with when his mind was clouded with nightmares and he didn’t want to talk about it. That wasn’t what he wanted to do. He wanted to move past it.
Forget it.
