Page 38 of Skid
Turning the bike off as the door closed behind us, I stepped off the bike and removed my helmet, placing it over the handlebars. Grace took hers off and looked around, unsure.
“You live here?” she asked as I helped her from the bike and walked to the door leading into the house.
I could see she was stiff, and I kicked myself for not making her ride in the sidecar. She was a ride or die throughout the day, but after last night, she must be in pain.
“It’s been home for about ten years now,” I explained as I disarmed the security system and unlocked the door.
Ushering her inside with my hand on her lower back, I watched as she took in my home, what I hoped would be her home too, and prayed she liked it. Turning back to me, she smiled. Her beautiful eyes showed her exhaustion, and I led her by the hand to my bedroom.
“Let’s get you into bed, and I’ll give you the tour in the morning,” I urged, suddenly realizing Grace wasn’t the type of person who complained.
It was something I noticed all those weeks openly watching her at the bar. Even if it was something she didn’t really want to do, like serve drinks on the floor, she would still do it with a smile and never complain. I wanted to ask her so many questions but interrogating her was not something I planned to do. Now or in the future.
She yawned and I needed to get her into bed so she could rest. If I knew my sister, she would be here in the morning with a welcome basket of goodies for Grace.
“Let me get you a T-shirt to sleep in. The bathroom’s through that door.” I motioned to the left and handed her the shirt.
“Thank you,” she replied through another yawn, and I watched as she walked into the bathroom and closed the door.
My phone chimed, and I glanced to see a message from Devlin.
Devlin:I’m glad that you’re home. We really need to talk.
Me:Not tonight. I’ll call you tomorrow once Grace is settled.
Devlin:Glad she agreed to come with you.
Me:Same.
Devlin:Now make her yours so you stop being an asshole to everyone.
Me:Fuck you.
I chuckled to myself as Grace walked back into the bedroom. Her face was washed, and my oversized T-shirt fell to her knees. She walked to me and wrapped her arms around my waist with her face pressed against my chest. I pulled her closer to me and kissed her on top of the head.
She propped her chin on my chest and asked, “Thank you.”
I smiled at her and inquired, “For what, baby?”
Kissing my heart, she met my gaze and replied, “For being you.”
I prayed she never found out how I ended up in Eddie’s bar last month. She may never forgive me if she knew the truth.
