Page 78 of Steel

He proved all my theories about bikers true, and then some. Which, I suppose, is the motivation I needed.

With Jameson avoiding the house these past few days, I’ve been focusing on my online classes. I’m almost done with my general studies, and so long as I get through this semester, I can start the physical therapy program in the fall.

Austin will be in kindergarten by then, so as long as I can time my classes for when he’s at school, I can make it work. I’ll need to set up a babysitter for late nights at the bar, which will be difficult but possible.

I’ve been apartment hunting with that in mind, trying to find something in a good school district that is a quickdrive to Dirty Drakes. Someplace safe and secure. These are all logistics I didn’t have to think about when I first started school, but now they’re all that matters.

I’m going to be there for my brother.

It might take me longer to graduate, and I might have to work this terrible job longer than I wanted. But so long as I figure out how to balance the two, I’ll build a better life for us. I’ll show Austin an example of someone who works hard—someone he can look up to. I’ll show him what Mom never represented to either of us—commitment.

The first step is putting down a deposit on an apartment I found. I need to tour it first, but that requires asking Jameson for a favor, which is the last thing I want to do after catching him at the bar with one of the patch bunnies.

I get it.

My father was a biker, so I know how things work between the men and women at the clubhouse. But seeing Jameson with her after he was with me made me feel like a jealous girlfriend.

I can’t trust myself to face him until I get that in check. Not that I’ll have much choice soon. Pearl had an appointment today, so Jameson offered to watch my brother. Once I’m done at work, I’ll be forced to see him.

Marley giggles at the other end of the bar, and I look up to see her typing something into her phone.

It’s a slow night, so I’ve been reorganizing the cocktail napkins and straws while she scrolls social media.

“Who’s got you smiling so big?” I walk over as she tucks her phone in her back pocket.

“Remember that football player I was telling you about?”

“The quarterback?”

“That fucks with the stamina of a running back? Yeah.” Marley bites her lip, barely holding back her grin. “He’s taking me out tomorrow.”

“A real date.” I nudge her arm. “Look at you having an actual relationship.”

“If that man keeps fucking me like he did last night, he can make an honest woman out of me.”

I quirk an eyebrow. “That good?”

“That good.” Marley smiles. “And don’t try to pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. I’ve seen you walking around here the past few days. I’m not the only one with a guy on my mind.”

“I do not.”

“Oh yeah?” She glances over at Sonny and Reyes sitting at a table in the corner. “Then what’s with the bodyguards?”

“They’re just looking out for me.”

“At who’s request?” Marley grins, tapping her finger on her lower lip. “Could it be the knight in shining armor who came to your rescue a couple of weeks ago?”

I narrow my eyes.

“Thought so.”

“He’s no knight.” I shake my head. “And his shining armor is actually a leather cut and a million red flags reminding me to stay away from him. Trust me. There’snothing going on there. He’s helping me out of a bad situation.”

“But how helpful is he, Tempe? Because you’re awfully relaxed lately.”

My cheeks heat with the reminder of Jameson’s hands on my body. Hating what he did immediately after doesn’t mean I can forget how it felt to be with him.

“Exactly.” Marely starts walking away when a group of customers sits at her end of the bar. “Lie to yourself all you want, but you know I’m right.”

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