Page 8 of Bear

Pedro’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I reached over and ruffled his hair until he squawked in protest.

“Stop looking for lipstick on my collar, you little creep,” I replied lightly. “Keep your nose out of my business.”

Pedro huffed as he attempted to finger comb his unruly curls into obedience.

“You don’t have any business for me to snoop on.”

Up ahead, Rooster’s Garage came into view and I pulled into the parking lot. Two cars were in the garage while three more were lined up, waiting for service. Rooster came out to greet us, his tall, wiry body towering a full head above the rest of his men. He’d joined the Alpha Riders a few years ago after moving to Merry Field and setting up his auto shop. I’d never met a man who was more laidback and easy-going than him.

“Good mornin’, gentlemen,” he said in his thick, syrupy Southern drawl. He popped the handle on the passenger door and Pedro hopped out. “I was beginning to think you’d be late, Pedro. Again.”

“Hey, don’t blame me,” Pedro said, walking backward with a grin. “It’s Bear’s fault. He’s the one who had a lady friend over yesterday and kept everyone up half the night. Besides, I have one minute left before I have to clock in. I’m not late yet.”

Rooster tugged on the rag draped over his shoulder and playfully snapped it in Pedro’s direction.

“Better haul your ass into the garage then, son. Move it.”

Pedro laughed and jogged inside. Then Rooster turned his blue-eyed gaze on me, sliding his hands into the pockets of his coveralls with a lazy little smile.

“Don’t start,” I said.

“A lady friend, huh?”

“She’s my neighbor. That’s all. Single mom. Just moved in. Trying to make her feel welcome.”

Rooster rocked back on his heels, his grin growing wider.

“Oh, I bet you’re making her feel very welcome, brother.”

“I could really hurt you,brother,” I replied, laughter in my voice.

“Nah, you won’t do that. You save it all up for the cage or when things get a little tense during club business. Besides,” Rooster added, rubbing his chin. “You’d never even consider messing up this handsome Baton Rouge boy’s face.”

“A face only your mama could love.”

Rooster chuckled. “Ouch. Low blow.” He propped his forearms on Pedro’s open window and leaned in. “Hey, are you going to the Merry Field Potbelly Ride and Picnic next weekend?”

“Already signed up. The boys are coming, too, with a few of their friends. Can’t miss a chance to feed them for free.”

“You should invite your lady friend along,” Rooster said with a wink.

I stifled a groan and rolled my eyes.

“You’re never gonna let that go, are you?”

Rooster spread his hands. “Come on. This is the perfect opportunity, Bear. She gets to see you out there, a proactive and upstanding member of your community, raising funds to feed hungry kids. If that doesn’t get her hook, line, and sinker, nothing will.”

I chewed the inside of my cheek and shook my head.

“I don’t know.”

Rooster remained relentless as ever.

“What’s the hang up?”

I scratched my thumbnail over the steering wheel.Me,I thought. I was the problem. Shelby had clearly been through enough hell already. I didn’t know details but the stress she was under was pretty obvious. The last thing she needed was a man like me in her life. I had two teenage boys and a club full of thick-headed brothers who got themselves into trouble around every turn. Like Pedro had pointed out, I was the bruiser. And deep down in my heart, I was scared shitless. It would hurt like a son-of-a-bitch if I took the chance to ask Shelby out and she turned me down.

“Just give it some thought,” Rooster said. “No need to make a decision yet. But if you put it off too long, I bet Pedro would be happy to ask your lady friend to the picnic if I waved a fat wad of green at him.”

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