The clubhouse wasn’t full only a few bodies left hanging around. Members from the club because of this run. I didn’t like it at all, but I had to deal with it. His line of work wasn’t my favourite, but this is what they do.
Live for the thrill. Ride or die for the club.
“Luke you can go”. I smiled. I had spotted the blond sitting waiting at the end of the bar for him as soon as I came in. She kept to her word and believe it or not no other guy touched her.
“Can’t until I get prez’ word. Plus, I gotta wait until church is finished”.
“Has it even started?”. I questioned knowing it wouldn’t have without Blaze and Jared.
Shaking his head, he placed a beer in front of me. “I do what I need to do and if that means I stay here until tomorrow then so be it”.
Man, he really wanted patched in.
“What about?” Nodding my head towards her I felt bad that I hadn’t learned the girls name yet.
“Kasey?” He smirked wiping down the bar tops. “She’s cool she understands”.
“Well hopefully they don’t take all night then”. Taking my beer, I left him to it and made my way to the bedroom.
…………….
With a towel still wrapped around my head I slipped into some fresh pjs before exiting the bathroom. He was flat out on the bed his baseball cap covering his eyes.
I knew it wouldn’t be long until he had to head out. I didn’t want him to go but I would never tell him that. I always get that dreaded feeling in my stomach every time he goes.
“You’re frowning”.
“And you’re not sleeping”. I replied plugging in my hair dryer. “How many hours are you going to be on the road?”. I didn’t want him riding so long without sleep.
“I’ve got enough time I’ll get some sleep stop worrying”. Patting the space next to him I raised my eyebrow.
“Wet hair”. I grinned as he threw his hat at me. “You won’t get this back”. Placing it on the bed post I grabbed my brush. “Just rest your eyes and shut up”. Turning on the hairdryer I missed his smart-ass reply.
Once my hair was dry, I tied it up into a messy bun. Catching sight of him through the floor length mirror I smiled. I really was lucky to have him, and I was glad that I was home and with the people I loved.
Family.
Slipping my feet into my slippers I grabbed my robe putting it on. Noticing his cut hanging on the back of the door I knew I would find his smokes. I hadn’t started smoking full time again, but I did like to have one now and then. Taking one out I slipped them back inside his pocket but that wasn’t the only thing in there.
A photo
“That was the night those ass cheeks of yours were hanging out”.
Grinning I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip before turning to face him. It was a photo of me on Blazes back smiling from ear to ear with my hands in the air.
“That was a fun night”. I winked still staring at the both of us. We both looked young and carefree with not a damn to be given. Just looking at it I knew it had been in his pocket for a while.
“Yeah, it was”. He smirked sitting up his back against the headboard. “Still got they shorts?”.
“Maybe”. I teased putting it back where it belonged. We sure had some good times back then, but we also had a lot of shit times too. “Don’t you have church?”.
“Yeah”. Rubbing a hand down his face he swung his legs out of bed. “Fucking church”. He grumbled picking up his hat.
“You mind if I let Luke go home?”.
“He’s gotta stay darling. We all had to go through the shit gigs until we get patched in”.
“Pretty sure I can run the bar”. Rolling my eyes, I followed him out into the bar area. It sure had got rowdy.
“Not about that darling it’s just how we do things around here”.
“Oh Ava”. Cage sang as he bounced his way over to us.
“Crap”. I muttered as he slung his arm around my shoulders.
“Was looking for you earlier”. He smirked “Found Blaze though”.
Stopping I removed his arm from my shoulder. “You’re on this ice buddy”.
“What? Why?” He frowned.
“You know why”.
“Yeah, I do”. He grinned as Blaze slapped him around the head.
“Get your ass to the table and that goes for everyone”. He yelled.
As bodies started to clear out, I wrapped my arms around his waist from behind. It wasn’t usually Blaze that gave orders. Maybe this was the start of him taking over the club.
“I’m going to bed if I fall asleep before you go wake me okay”.
“Yeah babe”. Spinning me around he picked me up my legs wrapping around his waist. “Put me down”. I laughed placing my lips against his.
“Damnit Ava you’ll have me walking in there with a hard on any more of it”. Placing me back on my feet his hands slipped down onto my ass. “Go before I take you to bed myself”.
…………
I could feel him kissing my forehead. I wasn’t awake but I wasn’t fully sleeping either.
“You didn’t wake me”. I whispered my eyes peeling open. “What’s time, is it?”.
“Late baby”. Climbing in beside me he pulled me closer to him. “Go back to sleep I’ll be here for at least another few hours”.
“Don’t want you to go”. Yawning I rubbed at my eyes. “I hate when you have to leave”. Snuggling closer to him I rested my head against his chest while throwing my leg over his stomach.
“Babe we’ve talked about this”. He sighed his fingers playing with my hair.
“Still doesn’t mean I like it”. Moving over I rolled onto my side. I didn’t feel so tired anymore.
“You really going to be pissed with me before I go?”. I could feel his breath against my neck. “Come on baby you know I don’t have a choice”.
“No” I sighed rolling back over so I could face him. With my head back against his chest I fell back asleep listening to his heartbeat.
The next time I woke I was still wrapped up in his arms. Catching sight of the alarm clock 3am was flashing back at me. Slipping out of bed I had managed to make it to the bedroom door before he caught me.
“Where you going?”. He muttered burying his head deeper into the pillow.
“To get some water. You want anything?”.
Already I could hear the light snores coming from him. He was dead beat and that only worried me more about him going on the road so early.
Closing the door quietly behind me I made sure to be as quiet as I could. I didn’t know if anyone else had stayed the night. Slipping behind the bar I filled a glass with some water.
“Can’t sleep?”.
Jumping slightly, I placed a hand over my heart. “Don’t do that”. Sipping some water, the room was suddenly filled with light.
“Didn’t mean to scare you”. Circling the bar, he poured himself a whiskey. “Blaze still sleeping?”.
“Yeah”.
“Listen Ava about earlier”. Scratching the back of his head I think for the first time in my life I was seeing Jared get embarrassed.
“It’s okay”. I laughed feeling my own cheeks get hot. “It happens it’s not a big deal”.
Watching him I knew deep down he still wasn’t doing good. He was always good at putting on a front and not giving anything away.
“How you doing?” I asked as I watched him pour another drink.
“Hoping the road will clear my head and give me time to work this shit out. Still haven’t seen her”. Knocking back the liquid in his glass he pushed it aside.
“Do you want to see her?”. I knew when I was going through a rough patch with Blaze I would put on a front and convince myself I hated him when in all honesty he was the only one I wanted to see.
“Not sure yet darling. I’ll end up saying the wrong fucking thing. She makes me so angry Ava I’m scared I do something I’ll regret”.
For the first time in a long time, he was being open and honest with me, and I was grateful. I would hate to think he didn’t trust me enough to ask for my advice. After all we’ve been through so much together too.
“Then don’t”. Putting my glass away I stood beside him at the bar. “Go on the road, clear you head and have a real good think about what you want to do. Think further down the line and ask yourself if you can live without her”.
“Fuck you’re good at this shit”. As he grabbed a hold of the bottle, I placed my hand on top of his glass. He was on the road soon the last thing he needed was more drink.
“You’re leaving soon and this”. Grabbing the bottle from him I placed it under the bar “Is the last thing you need. Go get the head down and at least try to sleep”.
“Shit sweetheart you really are good at this”. Placing his arm around my shoulder he pulled me too him kissing the top of my head. “Thanks Ava I needed to hear that”.
“Always here Jared no matter what”.
Turning off the lights I made my way back to bed. Blaze was awake when I entered, sitting up smoking a cigarette. Climbing back in beside him I lay my head against his shoulder.
“Gotta get ready sweetheart”. Stubbing out the cigarette he pushed back the covers. “You get back to sleep”.
“Yes boss”. I smiled sinking lower into the bed.