Page 36 of Skid
The waitress delivered our breakfast, and Eddie pushed his plate to the side before he spoke. “You’ve been there every night for years, and the only time I can get you to take time off is when you’re sick. I promise, I’ll be okay for a few weeks.”
Seeing the indecision in her eyes, I offered, “Why don’t we visit my family, and I’ll introduce you to my club. Sadie’s been dying to meet you, and it’s the perfect excuse to take a road trip. Whenever you’re ready to come home, or when Eddie needs you, I’ll bring you back.”
“Are you sure? That’s a lot to ask from you,” she muttered.
Leaning in, I whispered, “You didn’t ask, I offered. Besides, I’ve been dying to show my woman off to my brothers.”
She blushed and looked deeply into my eyes, hopefully seeing the sincerity in my gaze. Taking Grace to Portstill, to my home, was the first step in making her my old lady. I just needed to convince her.
Eddie was digging into his breakfast, watching our interaction with a smile on his face. Grace turned to him and replied, “I guess I can take some time off, but just until the new security system is installed.”
“That’s my girl,” he said and winked at her.
We ate breakfast, and when Grace finished, she pushed away from the table. “I’ll be right back.”
She stood and walked to the bathroom in the back corner, and as soon as she was out of earshot, he looked at me and spoke quickly. “If you can convince her to stay, do it. She’s in love with you even if she can’t admit it to herself. I’ve known that girl since she was a teenager and I’ve never seen her as happy as she is with you. She was barely living and part of that was my fault. I wanted her to be safe and comfortable, and somewhere along the way, I forgot to tell her to live.”
“How will you handle her not being here? I know how close you are.”
He shrugged before casting his eyes toward the bathroom and explaining. “I always knew I was only meant to be a safe place for Grace to land. You were meant to be her safe place forever. Or am I misreading the situation?”
“I love her, and I promise you, I’ll devote the rest of my life to taking care of her and destroying the nightmares that plague her. She’s mine, and I will kill any motherfucker who thinks he can touch her,” I told him, leaving no room for error.
“Then give her the happy life she deserves, but don’t ever push her past where she’s comfortable. If you break her and I have to pick up her pieces, I swear I’ll kill you, and no one will be able to find your body. Do we understand each other?” he asked, and I leaned back, crossing my arms over my chest.
I didn’t like to be threatened, but because it was over Grace and it was Eddie, I would look past it. “If I break her, I’ll willing let you.” Grace exited the bathroom and caught my eye, and I whispered, “I promise she’ll be treasured.”
“Good,” he remarked as Grace walked back to the table and sat down next to me.
“What did I miss?” she asked, and I kissed her on top of the head.
“I was just telling Eddie that I want to get on the road soon so we can be home by tonight. He said he’d watch your place until we got back.”
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Her worried eyes met Eddie’s, and he took her hands across the table.
“I’ll be fine. The drunks may have to wait a few minutes longer for their drinks, but they’ll live.”
She chuckled as the waitress placed the bill on the table. Eddie snatched it from the edge and glanced at it before tossing a few twenties on the table. He stood, and we joined him, walking out of the diner and standing under the awning as a light rain fell from the sky. Turning to Grace, he said, “Promise to let me know when you get there.”
“I promise,” she answered, and he pulled her into a hug.
I could see him whispering to her, and she nodded before he released her. Smiling down, the older man kissed her forehead before reaching his hand out and shaking mine. Grace tucked herself under my arm as we watched him turn and get into his truck. With a wave out the window, he pulled the truck away, and I could feel Grace’s sadness.
“Are you okay?” I asked after we got into the car.
“Yeah. I’m just going to miss Eddie,” she admitted as I turned her car toward her house and began the drive back.
“How long have you known him?” I asked, wanting to gain her trust by asking small details, hoping to ferret out more information.
I knew some of her past, but when she disappeared, her background went dark, and there are years unaccounted for. I worried the real demons chasing her that Eddie hinted to were from the last ten years, and they posed no real threat to her. If it was from the years before she ran away from the Ringmans, I knew, whoever it was, would die at the end of my blade.
“I met him almost ten years ago. I’d . . . a mutual friend introduced us, and we became a family almost overnight,” she replied, and I could hear the smile in her voice.
“He’s a great guy. I’m glad you have someone like him in your life.”
“Eddie’s one of a kind, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she explained and turned her gaze out the window as the rain let up, allowing the sun to filter through the clouds.
We pulled into her driveway, and I pulled next to my bike before turning off the engine. Turning in my seat, I brushed a piece of hair off Grace’s shoulder and rubbed her neck with my thumb as I observed her. She was tense but seemed happy, so I asked, “Would you like to go to Portstill with me and meet my family? I feel like we pushed you into this, and I’m never going to make you do something you don’t want to.”
