Wild Ride (Wind Dragons MC #4.5)(7)
“Is this a celebration or Zip wanting to get drunk so he can forget f*cking up his life for not wearing a condom?” I say quietly, so only Ranger can hear.
“Definitely the latter,” he replies, scrubbing his hand down his jaw. “I think we’re gonna need more booze.”
“I’ll send one of the prospects,” I say, pulling out my phone. We have only two prospects at the moment, and Kirk has gone to visit his family, so that leaves Smith. I send him a quick text and then slide my phone away. “We never really got to talk about what that fight was last week.”
Ranger looks me in the eye, then down at his drink. “He was being a f*ckhead. I lost my temper—end of story.”
If that’s true, then so be it. But I can’t help feeling like there’s more to the story.
I lift up my beer to him, and he clanks his with mine. Zip walks over to me, and I slap him on the back.
“How are you feeling about impending fatherhood?”
He grins, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Carla’s a good woman. I’m excited. Not getting any younger, you know? There’s actually something I want to talk to you about, Prez.”
I nod. “Of course, but not tonight. Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow we talk, cool?”
Zip nods, and we clink our drinks together. I’m definitely going to have to keep my eyes and ears open, because something around here just doesn’t feel right. But for now—I’m going to enjoy this ice-cold drink and try to have a good time.
CHAPTER FOUR
Tia
I SIT up in bed and groan as I wake from yet another dream about Talon. How many times have I replayed that night in my head? One too many. So we kissed, big deal, right? Nothing came of it, and nothing will. I hadn’t even told Bailey, or anyone else for that matter, what happened that night. It was a secret between me and Talon, one that made me want to jump him whenever I saw him. However, I kissed him that night, and now it’s up to him to make the next move, which I don’t think he’s going to do. I think the best thing for me is to just let it go. Unfortunately I can’t control my thoughts or my dreams, but at least only I am witness to them.
I make Rhett breakfast as he gets dressed for school. Bailey is picking him up this morning, which gives me an extra thirty minutes to get ready myself, so I make him pancakes with bacon on the side.
“Thanks, Mom,” he says, sitting down at the table with a wide smile while I serve the food.
I kiss the top of his head. “You’re more than welcome.”
“Can Cara come over to play after school? Maybe we can bring Clover too,” he asks as he bites into a strip of bacon.
“I’ll ask their moms,” I tell him, cleaning up the kitchen. I finish just as Bailey arrives to pick up Rhett. I walk him to the car, open the door for him, and kiss him on the cheek, then say good morning to Bailey and Cara. I tell her that I’ll get the kids after school and ask her if Cara can come over for a little while.
“Sure,” Bailey says, smiling. “Cara will love that. I’ll come and pick her up around seven, if that works for you?”
“Sounds perfect,” I say, waving ’bye to them all and then heading inside to finish getting ready. I take a quick shower, then tie my hair up in a bun and add some light makeup while I’m still in my towel. After I’m dressed, I get in my car and drive to work.
I still haven’t brought my car in for service, because I don’t really have the money to pay for it right now. If worse comes to worst, I’ll pay for it with my credit card, but I prefer not to be in any kind of debt. My credit card has a low limit and I only use it for emergencies. And there’s no way I feel comfortable asking the Wind Dragons to take care of it for me. I don’t like to rely on anyone, and I don’t like to ask for favors. Oliver, Rhett’s father, used to hold things over my head. He made me feel like I wasn’t his equal because he was the one who earned the money while I was a stay-at-home mother. He taught me the hard way that relying on anyone will only backfire; the best way to be is independent, counting only on yourself to get by, because then you’ll never be disappointed. Talon was kind enough to try to help me out, and to give me his number in case I get stuck, but I probably wouldn’t call him either. I’ll just save everything I can this month, and then bring it in for service when I have enough money.
I walk into work with a smile on my face, not that I like the place but because I’m grateful to have a job, especially after I slept with the dentist who owns the practice. Bailey calls him “dentist guy” and no, it wasn’t the smartest move I’ve ever made, but it was a one-time thing that we now pretend never happened.
I used to be a lot wilder than I am now, mainly because I was struggling with a few issues, such as how to balance being a single woman and a mother. For the first several years of Rhett’s life, I didn’t date. I just worked and raised my son. I had no real interest in men, still hurting after everything that Oliver put me through. When Rhett turned five, I had my first date since having him. I realized that I was actually a pretty decent-looking woman, and men were interested in me. I had no idea that I’d have so many options, that so many men would find me appealing.
It was quite a confidence boost.
Since then, I haven’t really dated anyone seriously, but I’ve gone on dates. I’ve had a little fun, or as much as a single mother can have, as I don’t tend to go out that much. What I haven’t done is let any man in. After my ex, I think I’m a little damaged. I can be quite emotionless at times, not letting another man get close enough to hurt me. It’s just easier that way—plus no one has really caught my eye.