Page 38 of Candy

“I’m not in the club, man. I got out. I have nothing to do with them now other than waving if I see one of them on the street.” I paused, figuring being honest with him was the best thing to do. “It’s why I am here. I’m trying to change my life, do something good.”

He stepped forward. “Does changing your life mean you are getting into my family’s private affairs?”

I frowned. What was he talking about? Then I realized. “Are you talking about Candy?”

“Yes, I’m talking about Candy. Just because you want to do business with her does not give you a private invitation into her bed.”

He glared at me, and before I could even come up with a reply for that, Candy shoved her brother to the side. “You have no right to speak to him that way, Evan. What Mike and I do has no bearing on you or anyone else.”

“Wait,” he barked and looked between us. “Don’t tell me you are sleeping with him?”

Candy stepped forward, shaking her hair away from her face as she got into his. “And what if I am?”

His eyes narrowed into slits, and I had this sudden instinct to tuck her into my side and protect her. However, I stayed still and reminded myself that she was not mine to protect.

He grabbed her arm. “Excuse us,” he hissed toward me, and as they walked away, I heard him say, “Do I need to remind you of something?”

I clenched and unclenched my hands at my sides, forcing myself to stay where I was and not go after them. I could just imagine what Evan was telling her. I was a nothing. I was the scum of the earth for being in an outlaw motorcycle gang. I glanced at the stairs. I could leave. I could walk out of here and away from this bullshit.

“Don’t.” A softly spoken word drifted to me from the other side of the patio. “Come sit down. Let’s talk.”

I glanced back to the house, where I could see Evan and Candy having a heated argument on the other side of the glass. Lots of fingers were being pointed toward me. I hung my head for a second and sighed.

“Mike, come over here and sit with me.”

I wanted this dream too much to walk away. Without her help, I would never be able to do it. I glanced at the grill, noticing how much it was smoking, and opened it, flipping the chicken over, and turning the heat down considerably before I went to join Laney. I couldn’t let good food go to waste.

“I’m sorry. I probably never should have come here. I can go.”

“You will do nothing of the sort.” She glanced at the house and sighed. “I have learned that there are times to step in and times to step away. This is one of those times you want the siblings to deal with things independently.”

I smiled kindly at her and took a seat. “Yeah, I guess you are right.”

“Don’t worry about them. Whatever you have going on with Candy, I don’t see it as a problem unless you two let it get in your way as business partners.”

“I don’t think we would do that. Candy seems to understand what this means to me.”

She cocked her head to the side. “And what does she mean to you?”

“Um.” I shifted in my seat. “I mean, I like her.”

“And?”

“And I don’t think I want to discuss our sex life with you. No offense, but you are married to her brother.”

She gave a wide, knowing smile. “I am already aware of it. The Winstons are very passionate people, and Candy especially. When she loves, she loves with her whole heart.”

“This isn’t about love.”

“Oh, I know. It’s about hot sex, but it can become something else before you know it. I believe that is what Evan is worried about. There are skeletons in the family closet, and they worry the doors will open.”

“I’m not interested in digging into whatever they have tucked away. I just want to focus on the tavern.”

“Candy said you have worked there since you were sixteen.”

“I have. I have worked in every position in that place, from busboy to server, cook, and dishwasher. Now I tend the bar and manage the place for Howard.”

“So you are well versed in what needs to be done?”

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