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It did. It told me I was being a fucking halfwit bastard moron.
“Noted. I’ll fix this.” Somehow…
* * *
Blossom
I was terrified. It had been building for the last couple of days, and this incident with Sparkles just hammered home how desperate my situation really was. I knew my dad would be coming home soon and would be looking for me. If he found me here, if Walker didn’t want me -- and it looked increasingly like he didn’t -- and Sting kicked me out, my dad would kill me. Literally. I had to find some answers. Fast.
I’d thought about what Sting had said before. That there were men willing to take me on. To keep me safe. I couldn’t really say Walker wasn’t keeping me safe or looking after me properly. I mean, how much looking after could a grown woman need? He’d been patient and caring those first several days while I’d healed. He was always there when I needed him. He was no longer the surly, grumpy man he’d always been, at least not with me. OK, so mostly not with me. But the longer things went on, the more closed off he became. He spent less and less time with me, like he was only fulfilling an obligation. For someone who’d demanded to take over my care after the attack, it was more than obvious he was rethinking that decision.
Though I still had bruises in the last stages of healing, the only thing that still hurt was my feet. Stitches had said it would take time, and I could feel improvements every day as long as I stayed off them. My ribs hurt occasionally, but even that was much better. Everyone at the clubhouse treated me like one of the family, but there was still an awkwardness. Like no one really knew what to do with me. Because of that, Sparkles, the puppy who’d been with me that night, had become my best friend. And Walker had just tried to sell her!
I ducked my head, trying to get through the common room as fast as I could. Most of the club girls were nice, though Star and her cronies gave me shit every chance they got. Mostly I ignored them. It was also why I stayed in my room most of the time. The only reason I’d left today was because Walker had taken Sparkles. Snuck in when I was taking a nap and had taken her! I wasn’t sure what I could do, but I had to do something. Leaving the group when they’d been so kind to me seemed wrong. Besides, I no longer had a vehicle. No money. No way to support myself. I was basically freeloading off the club, and that couldn’t continue.
What I needed to do was get off this damned scooter. Then maybe I could cook. Lord knew the meals could use some help. They mostly grilled burgers or hot dogs or ordered out. If I could do nothing else, I could cook. Not fancy food, but good homemade country food. I just needed some ingredients. And a way to purchase them.
Plan firmly in my mind, I rolled through the kitchen and started taking inventory. Which was pretty much soda, beer, hamburger, beer, a few frozen pizzas, more beer, hot dogs, bread, beer, more beer. Oh. And some beer.
Lovely. I grinned. Not unexpected. The guys were pretty predictable, and I didn’t think the women -- other than the club girls -- had been there long enough to feel like they could protest.
I made a quick list to take to one of the officers, making sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables as healthy snacks as well as to go with meals. Rose especially needed other options besides pizza and beer handy.
As I rounded the corner heading back to the area where Sting and Wylde had their offices, I saw Walker heading my way with purpose in his gaze. I gave a little squeak and wheeled my scooter around and headed back down the hall.
“Whoa there, Scooter!”
Crap. Maybe if I just ignored him, he’d go away.
“Blossom, stop!”
I sighed. “What is it, Walker? I’m not handing the puppy over. She doesn’t want to go with that man. I mean really doesn’t want to go.”
“Fully aware of that, Scooter. I refunded his money and, surprisingly, he wasn’t pissed. Kind of got a kick out of it. But it was wrong of me to try to take her away from you. I’m sorry.”
That shocked me. I wheeled the scooter around and stared at him. “Are you serious right now?”
He actually looked contrite. “Yeah. Look. We’ve not really had time to talk. At first you were too hurt, then… Well, I just didn’t want to get too close. I’m not the most sociable person.”
“Really? Hadn’t noticed.” I glared at him. “Look. There’s no need. You don’t like me. I’ve decided I don’t really like you, either. I think maybe it’s better for both of us if I find another alternative.”
