Page 53 of Eagle

I put my phone away and took one last look in the mirror, a genuine smile brightening my features. Things still weren’t perfect but they were getting closer than I’ve ever felt.

Chapter 24

Eagle

After visiting Dad, I headed to the grocery store. As much fun as it was last night, one condom wasn’t going to cut it again. After grabbing a couple of boxes, I went to get her some diet sodas. She always had one in her hand, and there weren’t many in the fridge at Jeannie’s. Before going to checkout, I stopped by the produce section where all the flower arrangements were. There were some with all red roses, mixed roses, and different bundles of mixed flowers.

My eyes landed on the brightly colored flowers. They had to be fake. They looked like a rainbow, but they were pretty and colorful, just like her. She loved frilly shit and had a different color of lipstick for every day of the week. I grabbed the bundle and looked at the cellophane wrapping. Carnations. But they were cut and sitting in water. Maybe just the colors were fake. Either way, they were pretty. I hoped she liked them. I felt a presence behind me and looked back. A little woman with short grey hair and a fair share of wrinkles seemed to be waiting tolook at flowers.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” I said with a smile as I moved to the left so she could see the arrangements. She seemed hesitant to come closer so I turned and asked, “Do you think these are nice flowers?”

She cocked her head a little but answered, “I do love carnations but some women find them to be cheap. Is she high maintenance?”

Nothing like an old Southern woman to give it to you straight. “No ma’am. She’s pretty low maintenance but she’s worth all the money in the world. Should I go with roses?”

“Son, if those were the ones that caught your eye when you thought of her, trust your gut.”

“I like your thinkin’, ma’am. I’ll stick with these. You have a fine day,” I said with a wink. The apples of her cheeks pinked as she moved closer to the flowers.

Since I told Lacy to be dressed and ready after work, I grabbed a vase so she could keep them in water in the truck. There weren’t any registers with people working, so I went to the self-checkout and rang up my stuff, adding a bottle of water in for her flowers.

Checking the time, I needed to move my ass. Traffic would start getting bad the closer I got to the club and it was only a little while before she got off. It was hot outside but the humidity was lower than normal, so I rode with the windows down. I hadn’t driven the cage so much in one week in as long as I can remember. It was worth it to have her with me, but I could use a ride on the Harley soon. I’d love to have her with me on it. She’d been on my bike before, but that was only when we first rescued them from Tony.

I never invited a woman to ride. They took that as proof youwere together. And before her, I never wanted to be with anyone besides a few fun fucks. And most of the time, I didn’t have to drive anywhere for that.

But as much as I tried to ignore it, the time she rode with me, I loved it. She’s so petite I barely noticed the weight on the bike, but she was holding on tight the long ride back down to Georgia. Every time we stopped at a red light, her sweet scent would swirl around me and she tucked herself as close as she could.

Time and time again, I told myself it was nothing and decided it best to not have her ride. I had been lying to myself. Deep down, I knew something was different about her…with her. But I didn’t want to accept it or admit it. Now I was head over heels and I didn’t give a fuck who knew, including myself. I was beginning to see why Falcon carted Daisy around everywhere with him.I wonder if we can make up some new job at the tattoo shop?

Shaking off the thought, I focused on the ride to Destiny’s Desires. She’d be getting off soon and I didn’t want to make her wait. The parking lot wasn’t empty, but it was lighter than yesterday. Hopefully everyone was busy, because Mama Hen’s SUV was parked and I knew Butch would be around.

I shot off a text to let her know I was there, then sent another to Jackal. He would keep an eye out on the Trans Am the next couple of nights so I could handle business with Lacy. Once I got her the car, I’d feel better about her getting home, even though I wanted that home to be where I was. For now, knowing she wouldn’t have to ride with a stranger if I couldn’t be around would have to be enough. After texting Falcon and Hawk that I’d be with Lacy, I put the phone away and watched the door.

Several minutes later, my beautiful blonde bombshell came strutting outside. Annoyance filled me when I noticed the DJwith her again, but I guess he was just being a decent guy and walking her out. After all, he played for the home team, so it wasn’t like he was trying to fuck her. Still, any man near her made my skin crawl.

I opened the door and got out to greet her. “Hey, doll. You look good enough to eat.”

Rayne said, “Well hello to you, too.” After rolling his eyes he looked at her and blew a kiss. “Good night, hon. See you this weekend.”

“Thanks, man,” I called out, trying to hide my sneer. At least she was getting walked outside. If Butch wasn’t a punk, I could walk her out. But I didn’t want to further piss off Hawk, so some other man was doing my job.

I grabbed her hand and guided her to the passenger side, trying to hustle so Butch didn’t catch me in the parking lot. But after I opened the door, I spun her around and pressed her against the cab. She grinned and reached for me, tugging me by my cut. I pressed my lips to hers, cupping her face as I brushed my tongue against hers.

“I missed you,” I said as I peppered kisses across her face and down her neck.

She giggled and scrunched her shoulders. “I missed you. Let’s get out of here.”

Pulling back, I leaned into the truck, holding her in place. “Here,” I said as I handed her the carnations.

Her blue eyes sparkled up at me as she took the bouquet of bright flowers. “Eddie,” she gasped.

Brushing her cheek as I watched her face light up, I asked, “Do you like them?”

She nodded and grinned. “I love them.”

God, I could almost hear her say she loved me, and I realized how badly I wanted to. Hopefully in time, she would. I nearly told her then and there. But I needed it to be right. Perfect for her. I couldn’t blurt it out in the strip club’s parking lot. Especially when she probably wouldn’t believe me.

But I knew. I loved her. I had since I first had her on my bike, I just tried to fight it. But no more. Instead of saying the words I wanted, I kissed her once more, then helped her inside the truck.

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