Page 28 of Walker

“That you experienced that.”

“I think my ex-wife would say I got what I deserved.”

I chuckled. “No doubt about that. I’m sure past you deserved every bit of hurt that came your way. You were already in pain when you sabotaged things though, so it sucks that you created more for yourself.”

“Yeah, well. Live and learn, I guess.”

“Exactly. Don’t ever forget those lessons, because I’m not one to wait around and let karma handle shit for me.” I winked at him, and he grinned back.

“Thanks for the warning, as unnecessary as it is.”

Our drinks were delivered pretty fast and then the lights dimmed even more, and a spotlight lit up the stage. “I heard they’re pretty good. Trinity said they’re right up my alley musically.”

“They are fantastic, especially if you’re a fan of blues, rock, and country fusions.”

“That is my sweet spot for music,” I admitted giddily. “I can’t wait!”

As the band started, Walker reached over and took my hand in his. My dopey smile probably gave away just how much I enjoyed that little gesture. It had been so long since a man paid healthy attention to me, that I honestly didn’t know how to behave. I leaned in and put my head on his shoulder. Whatever subtle cologne he wore was enough to tantalize my senses and make me want to burrow in closer.

It didn’t help that I’d felt an immediate connection with the man when we first met and that hadn’t waned one bit since then. The danger in feeling so connected to someone new was that it felt perfectly acceptable to lean in closer, wrap my arms around him, and get cozy next to his warm body. The reality was, we didn’t know one another like that yet, so I lifted my head back off his shoulder, offered a tiny smile, and picked up my drink to take a sip.

“I liked having you there,” he murmured close to my ear just as the band started up with a twangy guitar riff and fast-paced drum beat that immediately made my heart thump to the rhythm.

We snuggled up for a bit, listening to the music and enjoying one another’s company until a shadow fell across the table as a curvy body blocked our view of the stage. I glanced up to see a woman staring down at Walker. She seemed angry and immediately my hackles went up.

“I thought you didn’t date anymore?” I wondered, briefly, if she was his ex-wife, but immediately dismissed the idea because he told me how happy she was with her new man and new life. No woman who was happy with a new man worried about whether the other was dating or not.

“I don’t see how my life, or who I date, is any of your business.”

“It’s my business when you have me banned from the clubhouse because you ‘don’t date’ anymore.” She emphasized the same two words with the use of air quotes.

“That is not why you were banned from the clubhouse, and you know it.”

“What I know is that I waited around for you for fifteen years. When Poppy was finally out of the way, you went through your depression stage, especially after you lost your patch, but now… It was supposed to be my turn.”

Walker’s harsh exhalation of breath was followed by the meanest sounding laugh I had ever heard. “It was supposed to beyourturn?” He questioned as he threw the woman’s words back at her. “Do I look like a fucking ride you can buy a ticket for?”

She took a step back and seemed shocked by his response as she glanced around to see if anyone else heard, since his voice was raised.

“I saw you way back when I first came to Sierra High. Saw you and immediately knew you were not the one. Then I saw Poppy and chose her because you still were not the one. When I stepped out on my wife, it still wasn’t with you. When I had dalliances after my divorce, they were also not with you. I don’t know why in the hell you thought for even a minute that waiting around for me was a good idea. I sure the fuck do not know what possessed you to come over to my table and interrupt a perfectly good night with my woman to spew your bullshit.”

“It’s not bullshit. We were meant to be together.”

“You’re fucking delusional. We were never together. You kissed all over me once when I was drunk and passed out in your car as I tried to get my sorry ass home to my wife. You wanted her to think we were together, even though you knew I’d never fucking touched you.”

The woman glanced nervously between Walker and me. I shrugged my shoulders. She was ruining my date, so there wouldn’t be any help from me. It sounded like she was one more Lithium prescription away from being locked up on a mental ward for good.

“Tanya, I’m telling you now, go back to whatever fucking hole you crawled out of because if you ever approach me again, I will take measures to make sure it will never happen again.” He glanced around, as if looking for someone and then his eyes caught on two women who seemed pretty invested in what was going on in our little corner. “Tell Missy and Devon that they are no longer welcome back to the club either.”

He sent a text from his phone as he said that.

“What? Why?”

“Word was put out that you were banished, that means anyone affiliated with the club that is caught anywhere near you is treated to the same punishment.”

“You can’t do that; they’ll never forgive me.”

“Already done and not my problem. Now, get the fuck out of here before you make this situation worse.”

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