Page 52 of Wait For Me

“Really subtle, Ma.”

“Boy, subtle doesn’t work on you. Too damn thick-headed, like your father.”

“My father, huh?” I gave her a dubious look that she ignored.

“I have to push you toward Star, otherwise you’ll bring home a disaster like that Missy Prissy you had.” She rolled her eyes and huffed.

“Tell me how you really feel.”

“I just did. Didn’t like that girl, never claimed to, told you all about it.”

I leaned in and kissed the side of my mom’s head. “I know you did. Thank you for always being honest with me.”

She shrugged my affection off. “Someone has to keep you moving in the right direction. I love the Savage Vipers, but they don’t exactly skim the goods from the top of the barrel, now do they?”

“Mom!”

“It’s true. I love those boys with all my heart, but Lord, some of them really need to find Jesus. At least a dictionary.”

“Fuck’s sake!” I laughed at her. “Better not let Tripp hear you talk like that.”

“He knows it’s true. We already talked about it.”

“Of course, you did.”

“Why are you still here, Son? Get gone and set up a date with your girl before someone else snaps her up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I glanced at the door and then back toward my mom. “You going to be all right?”

“Jessica is coming over at four to Netflix and chill with me.”

“W-w-what?” I sputtered the word out, much to my mother’s satisfaction. She only winked and waved me on my way. I was pretty sure that Jessica was only my mom’s best friend, but the possibility that they might be more didn’t bother me either. I just wanted her to be happy.

I decided to take my mother’s advice.

BAGGER: Feel like grabbing dinner with me tonight?

It took a few minutes for her to return my text.

STAR: Sure, sorry I haven’t been in touch. I was trying to work through the shit with my brother and had my lawyer going over things too. I’ll bring paperwork so we can go over everything.

BAGGER: I didn’t mean for business.

STAR: Kill two birds with one stone then. Actually, that sounds creepy.

BAGGER: You’re crazy. Can I pick you up at seven?

STAR: I’m going to be running all over the place today. How about you tell me where, and I’ll meet you this time.

I wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing, but knowing Star, she wasn’t just making excuses. I sent her a message with the restaurant information and headed out to the clubhouse to see if they needed me for anything until dinner.

~*~

I didn’t go inside the restaurant after arriving and instead looked around for Star’s car. Her Beast. I couldn’t believe she still had that thing, and it was in pristine condition too. It took another five minutes before I heard the familiar rumble of the engine.

“You didn’t have to wait outside for me,” she mentioned after walking over to where I waited for her. My gorgeous girl had her dark hair straight down her back in a silky waterfall. She wore dark washed jeans and a crimson, V-neck t-shirt, and leather boots with just the slightest bit of a heel on them.

“Wasn’t about to let you walk in there alone, Twinkles. You wouldn’t let me come pick you up, the least I can do is wait to walk you inside.”

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