Page 24 of Single Mom for the Bikers

“You too.”

When I get Mia belted in and start the car, I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. I don’t like this. It’s not that I think Sledge and the others are out to hurt us, but when I check the mirror and see Mia playing with Mr. Bear in the backseat, I know there’s only one choice I can make right now and it’s to stay out of trouble.

If this is going to be the Pit Vipers all over again… no, I can’t do that again.

15

SHELBY

“Wow, check those guys out.”Chelsea, the lead working this assignment with me, points out the window of the mansion we’re cleaning today. She lets out a low, appreciative whistle. “I wonder what they’re doing on this side of town. Blackworth is outside their usual stomping grounds.”

She's a sweetie, about fifteen years older than me and as far as I can tell, happily married to a guy who loves her to death, with twin teen girls. But that doesn’t make her blind. She has hot-guy radar and none of us mind so long as she uses her powers for good and points them out. I follow her finger to where she's pointing, and groan. I have a feeling I know what brought them here.

I forgot I told Sledge I was usually done early today.

The sun is out and blazing. This has to be the hottest April in a long time. Havoc's cut is sleeveless over a black T-shirt, baring his powerful, tattooed arms crossed over his broad chest. He’s leaning on his bike and he's got shades on, but I know he's looking our way, even if he might not see us through the windows.

Next to him, Phoenix is still straddling his bike, dressed in leather, but with his jacket open, showing off his chest. A dusting of hair gathers on his pecs and draws a thin trail down past his belly button and into his pants, showing the way to what I nearly got a handful of through his pocket.

Sledge has his bike up on the kickstand, and he’s on the ground leaning against the trunk of a massive maple tree. He looks relaxed, but I bet he could be on his feet in a second, like a lion waiting to pounce.

“They stomp wherever they want. Trust me.” I wipe my hands off on my apron and get back to work. If they want to talk to me, they're going to have to wait until I'm done.

Have I been a wimp for not calling or texting to tell Sledge I don’t think pursuing whatever this is is a good idea? Yes. Absolutely. I knew I’d have to say something to them eventually, but I was worried he, or any of them really, would look at me and I’d just cave.

“You know them? Really?” She's still looking out the window. “Could you ask if I could get a picture? The girls would freak out. Wanna introduce me?”

I laugh at the idea of scrolling through my friend’s feed later and seeing Chelsea with the three of them. I might be worried about inviting them into my life, but in spite of Matt’s warnings, I don’t believe for a second that they would do anything to me or Chelsea. “Sure.”

It takes another half hour to finish the job. Chelsea and I lock the front door behind us, then cart our supplies down the brick path that leads to the wrought iron gate in the wall surrounding the property. My fingers are sore, and my whole body aches. AllI want to do is pick up Mia and collapse on the couch. Maybe I'll splurge and I’ll pick up pizza on the way home.

Phoenix is the first to spot me. He nudges Havoc who kicks Sledge in the leg.

“What are you guys doing here?”

“Waiting for you, beautiful,” Havoc says with a grin.

“Shelby!” Chelsea whispers under her breath. “You’ve been holding out on me, girl.”

“Sledge said today would be a good time to find you.” Phoenix comes closer. His bare chest is stupidly distracting. Especially when I'm trying to keep things firmly in the friend zone. Not friends in the firm zone.

Sledge nods. “Did I get that wrong?”

“No, I just…” I glance at Chelsea who is still waiting for her introduction. “Guys, this is Chelsea. We work together.” She nods eagerly, looking at them like they're strippers who showed up for her bachelorette party. I fight the urge to growl at her for being so obvious when I know she’s only having fun. “This is Havoc. The big one’s Sledge, and the guy with the abs is Phoenix.”

“Nice to meet you all,” she says happily.

Havoc raises his eyebrow at me.

I shrug. “She wants a picture with you guys. Is that okay?” This whole thing has been worth it to see the shocked looks on their faces. I doubt they are used to getting requests. I cover my mouth so they don’t see me grinning.

Phoenix recovers first. “Abs guy, huh?” I haven’t quite figured him out. Sometimes he seems like the most serious of the three of them, but he hides it well. “Come on, Chelsea, let’s make this good.” He takes her hand, his dark eyes locked on mine, and pulls her to them in front of their bikes. He throws an arm over her shoulder.

I frown, not thrilled at seeing him cuddle up to my married co-worker.

Chelsea thrusts her phone out at me. “Take a bunch!”

Havoc and Sledge stand on either side, their arms crossed in front of their chests. They don’t say a word, but if there’s an expression that means “You owe us”, they are both wearing it. Chelsea smiles, thrusts out a hip and tilts her head. She raises one hand in a peace sign and strikes a few silly poses that the guys stoically go along with.

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