Page 61 of Outlaw Xmas
“Yeah. I gave them a real sweet deal. So, you like being married?”
“Whoa, where the fuck did that come from?”
Throttle took a drink, then put the can on the desk. “I was just wondering. Do you ever miss being single?”
“No, but when your wife’s pissed at you and won’t fuckin’ let you explain anything, it sucks.”
“You still in the deep freeze? Cara didn’t believe you about the club whore?”
“She hasn’t even let me tell her about it. She believes Doris over me—her husband. Fuck, the woman is stubborn and really pisses me off sometimes.”
“I guess my timing’s off in asking how you like married life, then.” Throttle swiveled around in the chair and took out another beer from the mini fridge behind him. “Want one?”
Hawk shook his head. “Why’re you asking about marriage? You planning to hitch up with Kimber? Fuck, she’s gonna give you a real run.”
Throttle laughed. “I know, right? And… yeah, I’m thinking of asking her.”
“Rags told me you bought a ring for her.”
“Rags has a fuckin’ big mouth. I didn’t think you knew since you never said anything.”
“I figured you’d tell me when you wanted to. It’s a big step to ask a woman to spend the rest of your lives together.”
“She’s my old lady, so we should take it a step further. Anyway, I’d like a kid or two.”
“Having kids rocks, brother. There’s nothing like it. Is Kimber down for the whole package?”
“I don’t see why she wouldn’t be. I’m a great fuckin’ catch.” Throttle crushed the can and tossed it into the trash.
Hawk guffawed. “It’s the other way around, dude. She’s the catch.”
Nodding, Throttle reclined in the chair. “Did you ever think we’d be this fuckin’ conventional?”
“Never, but it’s cool when you’re with the right one.”
For the next two hours, they talked about Harleys, business, women, and reminisced about the years they’d shared in the Insurgents before Cara and Kimber came into their lives. A rap on the door broke the flow of their conversation, and Throttle leaned over and opened it. A huge smile spread over his face, making Hawk snigger.
“I was waiting for you, babe,” he said to Kimber.
She went over, dipped her head, and kissed him. “What a nice surprise.” Clutching her waist, he pulled her onto his lap while she chortled.
“Everything go okay in Silverton?” Hawk asked.
“Yeah. Gary threw in some extras, said he was feeling generous. He’s really just an old softie, and he likes and admires you a lot,” Kimber answered.
“Gary’s all right. You guys going out to lunch?” Hawk changed the subject. He didn’t feel comfortable when people paid him a compliment. Maybe it was because his father never uttered a kind word to him, or the fact that his mother abandoned him. That’s just the way it was.
“Did you come here to take me out to lunch?” she asked, stroking Throttle’s cheek with the back of her hand.
“Yeah.”
“You can be such a sweetie.”
A deep ache throbbed in Hawk as he watched them. He missed Cara and the kids like hell. He stood abruptly. “I got some stuff to do. I won’t be back, so I need you to close, Kimber.”
She climbed off Throttle’s lap. “Sure thing. Do you need me to stay here? I mean, Throttle and I can order out.”
“Nah, go get some lunch. Patrick, Dwayne, and Bill are here. Anyway, it’s slow. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He and Throttle fist bumped, and then he left the shop.
