Page 57 of Christmas Wish
“I don’t get why she took Colt away like that and never let me know where he was. She acted like I purposely stepped on that goddamn landmine.” Heat flushed his face as he clenched his fist.
“Let it go. Don’t let this trigger an episode. Just breathe in and out—deeply. I’ll keep count.”
Ryder followed Hawk’s advice, and by the time he was done, his anger and anxiety had dissipated.
“You’re a good friend,” Ryder said in a low voice.
“We watch out for each other.”
“Yeah.” But Ryder knew it was so much more than that. Their war experiences tied them together, but the brotherhood—the love and loyalty one brother felt for the other—was what bound them together for life.
“You want me to come by and pick up Timmy?”
“Nah. Savannah’s gonna bring him. She wants to do some more shopping in town. Damn, that woman can drop some serious cash.”
Hawk chuckled. “Sounds like Cara. We better not let those two go shopping together.”
“That’s for damn sure. Let me know about tomorrow night. See you, bro.”
Ryder jammed the cell phone in his pocket, then he swiveled around in the chair and picked up one of the buildings in the train set to paint it. Woodworking was a detailed craft and required a lot of focus, and that’s exactly what he needed at that moment to keep his thoughts off of Colt, along with that horrible day he’d lost his best friend, and how he’d have to turn down Savannah’s advances later that night. Leaning over, he turned on the CD player and lost himself in the music of Suicidal Tendencies—one of his favorite bands. When he heard knocking on the door, he ignored it and hiked up the volume then went back to painting the wooden town he’d created.
* * *
The smell ofwhiskey, tobacco, pot, and pussy washed over Ryder as he entered the Insurgents’ clubhouse. A small silver tree with blinking lights was out of place amid the framed posters of half-naked women on motorcycles. He glanced around and saw several of the members in various stages of fucking. Some of the club girls—Lola, Wendy, and Charlotte—were sucking some of the members’ cocks, while Tania and Kristy sucked dick while being fucked at the same time. Yep … a pretty normal Thursday night at the clubhouse.
Ryder hoisted himself on a barstool and told the prospect he wanted a double Jack. One of the prospects’ jobs was to tend bar, and it was required that they knew what the members drank and had the drink ready and on the bar before a brother asked for it. Since Ryder was an inactive member and didn’t go to the clubhouse much, he didn’t expect Skinless, Hog, or Dagger to remember what he drank.
“Good to see you, bro,” Axe said, clapping Ryder on the back. “It’s been too long.”
“It has. How’s your boy doing?”
Axe chuckled. “Jagger’s good. He just turned five months last week.”
“What the hell are you doing here?” Animal asked as he settled on the stool next to Ryder.
“Stopped by for a drink and some company.”
“What about your blonde roommate?” Animal picked up his beer bottle.
“Yeah … that’s right. I heard you had aroommate.” Axe nudged Ryder’s arm.
Ryder narrowed his eyes. “She does her own thing.”
“I thought you had something going with her. You two acted like it the other night in Main Square,” Animal said.
“Just leave it the fuck alone, okay?” Ryder swiveled around and stared at Lola bouncing up and down on Helm’s cock, her big tits swaying and her blonde hair flying.Why am I hiding out here like a goddamn pussy? I’m a fucking biker—an Insurgent. Fuck!
“I gotta go. I promised Baylee I’d stay with Jagger while she went out to dinner with a couple of her friends,” Axe said as he put his empty glass down on the bar. “See you on Saturday.” He bumped fists with Ryder then ambled away.
“Hey, baby.” Brandi’s sweet-smelling orange scent wafted around him. She leaned into him, her large breasts pressing against his chest, and planted a big kiss on his lips. “I’m so happy to see you.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as Ryder gently pushed her away. Her eyes widened and confusion marred her face.
“I just came by for a drink,” he said.
Brandi’s face fell. “Oh, I was hoping we could have some fun.”
“Not tonight.” He picked up the other drink the prospect put on the bar for him. “Did you help with putting up the tree?” Stupid question, but he wanted to break the awkwardness between them. She bobbed her head. “It’s nice.”
