Page 25 of Crusher

“Your face is flushed and Crusher ran out ofhere as if his pants were on fire.” Sami gave me that knowing look.When that happened in our youth, I learned how to deflect.

“Where is Spider bug? How come she didn’tcome with you today?” I sat on the couch, my legs stretched out.Ally had come with Sami every time they came to visit.

“She wanted to stay with at the house. Morespecifically the garage. The construction crew is putting up theextension and Flirt, Jag, Coast, and Devil are overseeing thatwhile working on the bike they have started. I didn’t want to leaveher there with all that going but the guys said it was alright andthat every girl needed to know how to work on a bike. My daughteris turning into a miniature biker bitch.” I laughed.

“Oh, it can’t be that bad.” I laughed hard atthe look on Sami’s face.

“Please, I forgot to tell you. It was whenyou were at Haven and Stroker and the other dads came back fromtheir last trip. They brought her home a pair a leather pants, aleather vest, and black boots. Girl, I didn’t even know they madethat stuff that small. And for men, they got the size just right.”Tears were running down my cheeks just imagining Ally dressed inthe biker clothing.

“Sami, you have lost the princess title.”Sami rolled her eyes, she had always hated when the men at Havencalled her that.

“That girl has them all wrapped around herfinger. Carly, we both know women are accepted in the clubs butthey have no say in how it is run, nor are they in the leadership.I don’t want her to get hurt.”

“Speed won’t let that happen. And neitherwill Crusher, Sami.”

“Listen to you. Where’s the girl who wantedno part of club life?” Sami cocked her eyebrow in question.

“She got a refresher course on what family isabout.” I looked down at the pinkish scar on my leg.

“Carly, he’s good for you. Not that you askedme, but I thought I would tell you anyway.” Sami smiled.

I loved Sami like a sister, we’ve sharedhappy times and sad. “But am I good for him? That’s the question.”Sami shook her head at me.

“You’ve told me over the last two weekseverything you wouldn’t share before. Carly, you rose above thatshit, don’t allow that to stop you from continuing to rise. Crusheris going to be the president of Black Hawk, his old lady is goingto have to be strong and willful in her own right. Crusher seesthat in you, I see it in you, it’s time for you to see inyourself.” Tears filled my eyes and Sami came over and huggedme.

“He hasn’t said anything about making me hisold lady. This could be just a fling for him.” Sami stood andliterally doubled over laughing and I frowned at her.

“Oh God, that felt good to laugh like that,”Sami said after she got herself under control. “What do you thinkhe’s been doing? Huh, Carly?” She spread her arms out, “Here withyou. The hospital. Everything from the time you left to Haven tillnow. What has he been doing?”

“He’s been taking care of me, that’sall.”

“Oh my God, you really don’t know. Did youexpect him to give you an ultimatum like Speed gave me? He hasmaneuvered you. He might ask you to be his old lady but, Carly, youhave been that since he stayed with you at the hospital. He let youhave your say, then if he thought it wouldn’t harm you, he gave youyour way, if he didn’t like what you wanted to do, he worked ittill it was something he could accept.

“You accepted Speed as your brother with noquestion. Accept what is between you and Crusher. Don’t analyze it.Just go with it.”

Sami was right, it was time to carve out myown piece of happiness. “Speaking of Speed, why didn’t he come inwith you? Or did he have club business he needed to handle?”

“He visits Cutter’s grave when he needs totalk things out. He told me he’s done it since he got back. Ithelps him. He loved Cutter. I’ve noticed since I’ve been around thesix of them more that underneath the tough, badassbiker/ex-military men they are, there are six men who love as hardas they live. And if you are the woman they have chosen, therewon’t be day that goes by that they won’t show you that you meaneverything to them. Once you are taken into their fold, they willprotect you with everything they have. They are who writers makestories about. Carly, we used to read those romance books with mymom, remember?” At my nod she continued, “Now we get live itinstead of read about it.”

“How’d you get so smart, Sami?” I smiled andso did she. “Will you help me pack of few things to take toCrusher’s house?”

“Yes. I’m so happy for you, Carly.” We bothstood and headed toward the stairs. “And before we head there, willyou take me to Cutter’s grave? I think I’d like to meet mydad.”

“Carly, are you supposed to be doing so muchwith your leg?” Sami pulled Crusher’s truck off to the side behindSpeed’s bike.

“I’m not putting any stress on it. I’ll befine.” Sami stayed in the truck and I got out and walked toward thelone figure that was knelt down on his heels in front of the blackgranite headstone. Speed must have heard my approach ‘cause hestood but didn’t turn around. As I walked up next to him I read thewhat was written on the headstone.

“Cutter”

Harvey Paul Weston

Born – May 15, 1960

Died – Feb. 29, 2016

“Cutter would have loved you, Carly.”

“Will you tell me about him, Speed.” Istepped closer and put my arm around his waist and he put hisaround my shoulder.

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