Page 68 of Quiet Chaos

She jacks her head to the side. “How can you tell?”

“The way he looks at you.”

“The same way Cade looks at you? Like you’re his heaven?”

I let out a weak laugh. “Well, I don’t know about that…I mean, about Cade.” I rub her arm. “But Handlebars cares for you. How long have you two been together?”

“It’s going on two years.”

“Well, I read somewhere that some men get too comfortable. Maybe he needs a kick.”

“You know, Sky, you’re too cute. Everyone can understand why Cade found you appealing.”

I look down from embarrassment. Stiletto tugs on my arm for us to leave. Outside the door, she says hello to Cade before heading to the tables.

He’s standing against the wall, arms folded, legs crossed at the ankles, asking, “Are you okay? You were in there for a while.”

I run my hands up his chest. “I’m fine. We were talking.”

“I hope she wasn’t being a bitch to you or—”

I shake my head for emphasis. “No, nothing like that. She’s sweet.”

“You think everyone’s sweet.”

My fingers go under his shirt as I tickle him. “Not as sweet as you.”

Cade stops my hands and hugs me to his side as we walk back to the table. He kisses my temple before sitting down.

The men talk about their jobs. Reed and Boulder work together in construction. Daredevil is a mechanical engineer. Even though I’m unsure what he does, it sounds important. Crow and Handlebars are mechanics. From what I’ve learned, they all pay member fees to the club and pitch in, which is how they can afford the building and parties. Cade makes the most, and it’s his club, so he gives more than the others.

I also find out that the ladies work, too. Patsy is a nurse’s aide at the hospital, Lashes and Stiletto work at a beauty salon, andHowler works a small farm stand in the mornings. Bumblebee is a cashier at one of the grocery stores. At one point, I thought about returning to work, but then Cade and I became a couple and things rolled on from there.

When we’re done, Cade gives Willy and Jada a hefty tip, since we took up most of the seats. They say their goodbyes and we head to the downtown area. The men linger outside while some of us go into shops.

Patsy comes over to show me a cute figurine of a woman and a man. “This looks like you and Cade. Have you decided on a date?”

The other women crowd around us. “No. He just proposed, so I don’t want to pressure him.”

Howler waves her hand in dismissal. “Pressure? That man has no problem making you his wife. He gave you a ring, a cut, and there ain’t nothing else he wouldn’t do for you.”

I offer a shy smile with a half-shoulder shrug. “I guess.”

We join the men and migrate toward the walking trail.

Howler yells out to Cade. “You figure on a date yet, Cade?”

His hands are in his pockets as he says, “Not yet.”

“Well, the poor girl wants you to make an honest woman of her. You should do it soon.”

I stop walking, my mouth, and eyes wide open. “Howler. I didn’t say that.”

“Oh, hush your pretty little face. We’ve got a wedding to plan, so we need a date to get started.”

The rest of them huddle around us. Cade stands in front of me and raises an eyebrow. “What do you think, Princess?”

I glance at everyone. “It’s up to you, Cade. You’ve done so much for me.”

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