Page 12 of Skid
“I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to go for a ride,” I explained. Grace lifted her coffee, taking a deep swallow and placing the mug back on the table.
“Since it seems you’re going to be around for a while . . .” He paused for my reaction, and when I looked at Grace and nodded, he continued. “Why don’t you join us for dinner at my house? On Sundays, I put on a full spread, and we eat until we can’t move, then usually pass out on the couch watching some silly romance Grace insists we watch.”
I could see her eyes grow wide as she waited for my answer. Turning to face her, I asked, “Is it okay if I join you, Grace?”
She tucked a lock of brown hair behind her ear, seeming unsure as she replied, “I think that would be nice.”
“Then it’s settled. You can drive Grace to her car while I pick up the provisions for dinner. You’re welcome to hang out, or you can come back at five. Your choice,” he offered as the waitress set our food in front of us and turned silently to check on another customer.
I smiled at him and shifted my foot under the table to touch Grace’s. It was a small gesture, but I wanted, no, I needed to touch her after what I witnessed this morning. She was hurting, and I didn’t know what the cause was, which made my mind race. I didn’t want to be right, but the one word I heard her mutter during her distressful sleep made my stomach churn.
Daddy.
We made small talk while we ate, with Eddie asking most of the questions. I explained about the Death Hounds without going into any club business. He inquired about my family, and I told him how we all were immersed in the club life. Grace smiled when I told them about Jacob and his desire to patch in, and my sister’s insistence that he have an education also.
“Your sister sounds like she only wants what’s best for him,” Grace remarked, and I agreed with her.
“Sadie was a mother to both of us, but Jacob more so. She worries about us all and only wants him to have a way to make a living outside the club.”
“Have you ever been arrested, Dalton? Or do you prefer Skid?” Eddie asked, and I leaned back, wrapping my arm around the back of Grace’s chair as she looked at me.
“No, I’ve never been arrested, and either is fine, but I prefer Skid.”
“I prefer Dalton,” Grace replied, and I winked at her.
The waitress brought the check, and I glanced at it before tossing two twenties to cover the food and tip. We finished our coffee, and I followed Eddie and Grace into the parking lot. She handed him a list, and he promised to be back to the house within an hour, so I helped Grace get settled on the back of my bike and pulled away from the diner into traffic.
We were stopped at a light, and I yelled over my shoulder, “Can I take the long way back to Eddie’s?”
“Please,” she yelled back and gripped her arms tighter across my stomach as we pulled away from the light.
I got the bike up to speed and turned onto a backroad, feeling her settle against my back. Grace was the first woman I ever had on the back of my bike, and I suddenly understood what Gunner meant when he said carrying Sadie was like carrying precious cargo. I loved the feel of the wind pushing against me as I rocketed down the road but with Grace behind me, I was extra cautious.
The rays of sunlight filtered across the road through the tall trees as we wove through the country, over small bridges, and past farmhouses. There was barely anyone on the road so early on a Sunday morning, and when I glanced into the rearview side mirror, I could see the huge smile on Grace’s face as she hugged herself closer to me.
Approaching a four-way stop sign, I brought my hand down over Grace’s and gave her a slight squeeze. She gripped my hands into my abs, and I felt her touch deep into my soul. Willing my cock to behave, we drove down the road, each mile bringing us closer to Eddie’s Backwater Bar. I pulled the bike into the dirt parking lot and killed the motor before kicking the stand down.
Grace pulled her helmet off, and I helped her from the bike. She was still smiling, and when I stepped off the bike, she tugged me to her and kissed me on the cheek. I brought my hand up to the spot where her soft lips touched, and she blushed as she smiled up at me.
“Not that I’m complaining, but what was that for?” I asked as we began walking across the parking lot to Eddie’s house.
“I wanted to say thank you for the ride,” she reasoned and shrugged her shoulders.
I opened the gate for her and followed her through before closing it behind us. Slowly, I took her hand into mine, and she stopped walking to look at the connection. I didn’t grip her tight, allowing her to remove her hand if she wanted. When she linked her fingers with mine, my chest inflated, and I stood taller. Somehow, I was going to claim this woman and I pray she didn’t fight the inevitable.
We sat on the back porch to Eddie’s house, watching the water of the river flow past. She kept her eyes on the water, and I worried she was inside her head instead of with me. I stroked the back of her hand and said, “Penny for your thoughts.”
She looked at me, and I saw a haunted look in her eyes before she wiped it away with a fake smile. “I was just thinking about my friend Kelly.”
“Does she live around here?”
“Arizona with her husband and daughter. It’s been years since I’ve seen her.”
“You should take a trip to visit,” I urged, and she shook her head.
“Eddie needs me here, and that’s a long way for a visit,” she explained, and the sound of the back screen door closing had her looking over her shoulder.
“Eddie doesn’t need you here, and anytime you want to take some time off, all you have to do is say so.” He grunted and plopped into a chair on the edge of the porch.
