Freedom Ride, page 7
“Stop,” Meg scolded. “If you lock that door during the day, you know that will be when all the guys come over.”
I dropped the new bag into the can and washed my hands.
“Are you still planning on going to visit Lennox next week?” she asked.
I dried my hands and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. “Uh, well, that had been the plan, but she’s actually driving up today.” And I was fucking pumped for her to get here. I had been shocked as hell that she was going to come here. I thought for sure once she woke up today that she was either going to forget she even mentioned she would come here or find a way out of it.
Meg squeaked, and her jaw dropped. “You’re kidding me. That’s great, Jonas. It was feeling like it would be forever until we got to meet her.”
I tipped my head to the side. “You mean it was feeling like forever until I got to meet her, right?” Meg had only known about her for a couple of days. I have been waiting three years to meet her. And I wasn’t going to have Lennox show up at the clubhouse with everyone here. Hell no.
This was a big freaking deal, and I wasn’t going to have anyone mess it up.
I love Meg and the club, but I knew they were a lot to handle when I first met them. I was going to need to ease Lennox into meeting everyone, but that wasn’t going to happen until I met her.
“Well, I’m sure it feels like forever for you since you didn’t tell me about her for three years, but you get my point. What do you want me to make for dinner?” Meg asked.
“Uh, nothing? I was kind of thinking I could just order pizza or something for dinner.” I cringed, waiting for Meg to tell me there was no way in hell that would happen. “Or something else.”
“There is a new place over on Mickelson that has good pizza. You two should order from there?”
“Uh, what?” I laughed. “You’re not going to fight to be here to make dinner?” What was going on, and who had kidnapped Meg?
Meg laughed and grabbed the bag of garbage. “No, Jonas. Lo and I planned on going home today, and I was just about to tell you that when you tried shoving me out the door. I’m getting old and need my own bed. I won’t even tell you how old Lo sounds when he rolled out of bed this morning.”
“Oh, uh, okay.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “I do appreciate everything you’ve done for me, Meg. And if you want to stay, that’s fine. You’re going to meet her eventually, so maybe it would be cool to do it right away.” What on earth was I saying? I didn’t want anyone to be here, but I was pretty much begging Meg and King to stay. “But you can leave.”
Meg blinked rapidly and shook her head. “I think you just gave me whiplash, Jonas. Get out, but you can stay, but leave.” She walked up to me and reached up to cradle my face in her hands. “Are you okay, honey? I’m normally the one who is all over the place.” Her eyes connected with mine, and it felt like I was five years old again. Her touch was tender and soothing, and I felt a calm wash over me. Meg knew every battle I had faced, and she had always been there for me.
Her love and strength were always unwavering.
“Good things never seem to happen for me, Meg, and when they do, they seem to disappear in an instant,” I confessed.
“Like Layla and your parents,” she whispered. “Oh, Jonas, I know it seems like everything good goes away, but that’s not true. You have so many good things in your life, but it’s hard to see them sometimes.”
“I know I have you, King, and the club, but...” I closed my eyes and leaned into her touch. “It just feels like there is a storm at bay, and when things start going good, it moves in to wipe out everything around me.”
“Losing your parents is something that will never sit comfortably for you, Jonas. You lost them when you were so young and barely had any time with them. And then Layla,” she sighed.
“Layla,” I whispered. “I can’t even tell you if what we had was forever, but it just hurts. I couldn’t even know because she was taken from me so quickly.” I had tried to work through losing Layla, but her loss still hit me out of nowhere. If Aaron Gibbs hadn’t been such an asshole and not driven into that parking garage six years ago, where would I be? Would Layla and I even be in each other's lives now?
“I know, honey. You lost something that could have been amazing, but you never got to find out.” A tear streaked down her cheek. “But I want you to know that where you are now and the things that have happened to you are part of your story, Jonas. Your mom and dad would be so proud of the man you are today.”
“I don’t know if they would be proud of everything.” I wasn’t proud of killing Aaron Gibbs, but it happened.
Meg rolled her eyes. “Well, shit, Jonas. I’m sure we all have things our parents wouldn’t be proud of us doing, but that doesn’t mean they stop loving us because of one thing.”
“I killed a man, Meg.”
“Yup, you sure did, but it wasn’t like you walked into some innocent man’s house while he was sleeping and killed him. Aaron Gibbs was a bad man who was willing to do anything possible to save himself. He killed Layla, and I still stand behind the fact that he was going to die whether or not you hit him. He had a ton of internal injuries that would have killed him.”
“Pretty sure the prosecution argued that not to be true.”
“Pfft, don’t get me started on this again, Jonas. I know the type of man you are, and that is good. You would die for the ones you love and will do anything to protect them. Whenever you struggle with the choices you have made, just come to me, and I’ll tell you what a badass you are.”
“Meg,” I laughed.
“Mama Meg,” she whispered. “I miss being called Mama Meg.” She patted my shoulders and sighed. “I know you think I saved you all those years ago, Jonas, but the truth is we saved each other. You gave me so much, Jonas. I could never list all of the things you’ve done for me, but if you want me to, I can try.” She held up one finger. “When you were in the second grade and–.”
“No,” I chuckled. “I think I’m okay with just knowing we both needed each other all those years ago.”
“You’re sure?” she smirked. “It’s not like you have any plans tonight.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief, and she pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I love you, Jonas, and you deserve all the happiness in the world.” She stepped back and threw her hand in the air. “And now I need to get the hell out of here so you can find that happiness with Lennox.”
“She’s not going to be here until around dinner, Meg.” It was barely ten, and I had some cleaning I needed to do.
She wiped her eyes and smiled.
“And she is bringing her dogs with her,” I added.
Meg’s eyes bugged out, and her jaw dropped. “How long have you known me, Jonas? You never should have told me that if you want me to leave. Now I’m more excited to meet her dogs.”
“Doc and Marty, and I’m sure they would love it if you came over for breakfast tomorrow?” I loved Meg and King and didn’t want them to think I was pushing them away. They had been a huge part of my life, and that wasn’t going to change.
“Why don’t we just play that by ear?” She winked and grabbed the bag of garbage. “You might not be up to company so early, but I would be more than willing to dog sit.”
“Who might not be up to company, and what dogs?” King stood by the pool table in just his pants and scratched the top of his head. “Is there coffee?”
“You look rough, old man,” Meg called. She walked up to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “How about we help Jonas clean up and then head back to the house?”
“Really?” King asked.
Meg nodded.
His shoulders slumped, and he wrapped his arm around Meg’s waist. “Thank fuck. I don’t think my back can handle one more night in that bed.”
“Yeah, we’re not as young as we used to be.” She patted his chest and smiled. “Now, get some coffee, and then meet me in the bathroom.”
King raised his eyebrow. “Babe, the kid is right there.”
She shook her head and pulled out of King’s arms. “What? You think Jonas is too young to hear about cleaning toilets?” She flounced out the back door with the trash bag dragging behind her.
King grunted and moved into the kitchen area. “I’m not cleaning your toilets,” he grunted. “We need to get some prospects in here to do that shit.” He grabbed a cup and filled it to the brim. “And what dogs?” he asked again.
“I’m a little behind on recruiting,” I laughed. “I’ll get right on that after I get caught up with all the changes around town.” Yesterday I had taken a slow ride through town, taking in everything that was still there, closed up shops, and new ones. A lot happened in six years.
“You do that,” King grunted. He took a sip of his coffee and sighed. “You gonna be good with us leaving? If not, I’ll just bring my fucking mattress from home here, and we’ll be good.”
I chuckled and nodded. “I am good. Lennox is coming to visit later today, and she’s bringing her dogs with her.”
“Ahh, that’s why we need to clean the toilets. Gotta impress the girlfriend.” King leaned against the counter. “And I totally believe that Meg volunteered to dog sit. I swear she would replace me with a pack of huskies if it was an option.”
I shrugged. “Meg’s worried about the toilets, not replacing you with a few dogs. I don’t think Lennox would be down with Meg keeping Doc and Marty. I’m just glad to have the clubhouse to myself tonight, even if Doc and Marty will be hanging around.”
“Well,” King drawled. “Just don’t tell the guys you want to be alone, and you’ll be fine. The second they hear you want them to stay away, they will be knocking on the door.” He sipped his coffee. “The ol’ ladies will be even worse. They’ll be knocking on the door demanding all the details or hiding in the bushes for a glimpse of Lennox. And if Reva catches wind of new dogs, she’ll be over her in a heartbeat.”
“Just one night,” I laughed. “That’s all I need before everyone barges in.” And I knew Reva was just as crazy about dogs as Meg was. I would have to try to keep Doc and Marty in the backyard so she didn’t see them from across the street at Hair of the Dog.
“That’s probably all you’re likely to get. As soon as Meg tells everyone, that’s the end, kid.”
I ran my fingers through my hair, and I couldn’t fight back my smile. “One night and the craziness that is the Devil’s Knights can descend upon us.” It wasn’t going to take long for Lennox and me to find our groove. Hell, we had been in that groove for three years. Seeing each other was just a technicality at this point.
“Yoo-hoo,” Cyn called as she opened the front door.
“Big summer blowout,” Meg called back as she walked through the sliding door.
“There you are!” Cyn reached into her bag and pulled out a black T-shirt. “I made you something,” she beamed. She held out the shirt, and Meg squealed happily.
“Sass and ass for days,” she read out loud. “It’s freaking perfect.”
“No,” King drawled. “You did not make her a T-shirt.”
Cyn beamed proudly. “I sure as hell did, and everyone is going to have kickass shirts because I got me one of those heat-pressed cutting machines and a whole shit ton of vinyl.” Cyn tossed the shirt at Meg. “Pole Stars needed some new shirts, and I figured why not make them myself.”
“Oh,” Meg called. “You can make some for the garage, the strip club, and me.” She looked at the shirt in her hands and laughed. “Lots for me.”
King just shook his head.
“Some things don’t really change, do they?” I laughed.
Even after six years, Meg and the girls were still up to their antics.
“Oh, I’m going to need some space to set up shop. Right now, I have everything on our dining room table, and Rigid isn’t exactly cool with it.” Cyn rolled her eyes. “Grumpy old man.”
Cyn and Meg moved to the pool table, where they laid the shirt out and rambled on about all of the shirts they were going to make.
“You know they are going to set up shop in here, right?” King asked.
I nodded but shrugged. “As long as that doesn’t happen tonight, it’ll be good.” I couldn’t even count how many times the girls had started new hobbies. When I was a freshman in high school, Meg had been on a crocheting kick, and my freaking bookbag was crocheted. Yeah, I was super cool that first year of high school, thanks to Meg.
King clapped me on the shoulder and laughed. “Yeah, one night is about all I will be able to hold them off. I’m surprised Rigid didn’t haul that heat press over here right away.”
As long as he waited until tomorrow, I would be fine.
That was all I was going to need.
I knew Lennox was a little worried about our meeting, but I wasn’t.
For three years, we had gotten to know each other.
She was what I wanted, and nothing was going to keep me away from her.
It was time for some good in my life, and I was going to hold on tight to it. Even with a possible T-shirt shop setting up in the common room.
It was all good.
Chapter Sixteen
Lennox
“Maybe we should go around the block.”
Marty whined and happily stomped his feet on the seat. Doc was in the backseat with his nose pressed against the window and his tail wagging over my shoulder.
Life with golden retrievers was never boring.
“Just one more trip around the block,” I muttered.
This would make lap number four around the clubhouse. I had easily found it, but I was too chicken to actually pull into the driveway.
After I texted Jonas this morning, I had been like a slug getting ready. It was so strange to be excited to go somewhere but also dread it at the same time.
I wanted more than anything to meet Jonas face to face, but I was terrified it was going to be a disaster.
It had taken us close to four hours to get to Rockton since I stopped twice for Doc and Marty to potty and get a drink. I told myself I was just being a good dog mom, but in reality, they would have easily made it to the clubhouse without stopping.
I made the turn onto the street the clubhouse was on and knew I wasn’t going to be able to pull into the parking lot yet.
“Maybe we should go get a present for Jonas,” I pondered. “It’s rude to show up without a present.”
Marty pawed at the window and growled. Even he was telling me to park the damn car.
I held my breath as the clubhouse came into view, and I closed one eye. I squinted through my other eye, and my breath caught when at the edge of the driveway, a man stood.
“Jonas,” I whispered.
Holy hell.
How did he even know I was here?
I didn’t have much choice but to stop. I pulled up next to him but didn’t roll down my window. I stared straight ahead and bite my bottom lip.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him step closer to the car and rest his arm on the roof. He bent until his face was in front of my window and knocked.
Doc whined pitifully in the back while Marty jumped into my lap and licked the window.
“You lost, Lennox?” Jonas called. “You’ve driven past the clubhouse four times already.”
I shook my head but kept my eyes forward. Well, as forward as they could be with Marty in my lap. I was looking at soft golden retriever hair. I didn’t even know if Jonas could see me with Marty on top of me.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” I called.
“Park?” he chuckled. “You can just pull right in. No need to back up or anything.”
I closed my eyes and tried to breathe.
“Promise you don’t need to parallel park either.”
“I know you’re joking,” I called, “but it’s not making this any less terrifying.”
“At least let the boys out, babe. They’re going crazy.”
Doc was in the backseat freaking out that he could see Jonas but wasn’t getting petted by him, and Marty was tap dancing on my bladder.
They needed to get out. I was being ridiculous sitting in my car at the end of the driveway. I rolled down my window an inch, and Marty tried to squeeze his very large body out the window. “If I give you their leashes, can you get them?” I couldn’t see Jonas, but he must have still been by my window because Doc was now trying to climb over my seat.
I managed to lean to the right and grab the leashes I had dropped on the floor at our last stop. I shoved them through the window, and Jonas grabbed them.
“I’ll get them through the back, babe. I think Marty has trampled you enough,” he chuckled.
Oh, man. His voice was even better in person than it was over the phone. It was rich, velvety, and slightly gravelly.
The back door opened, and Marty used my stomach as a jump pad and catapulted himself over my shoulder to Jonas.
“Easy, easy,” he laughed. “I’m excited to meet you guys, too.”
I kept my eyes forward and listened to Jonas clip the leashes on, and then the boys scrambled out of the car.
“Just park in front, babe. I’ll take the boys around back to go to the bathroom,” Jonas called.
“Uh, yeah,” I called.
I watched Jonas walk an excited Doc and Marty down the driveway and to the back of the large building.
A mix of emotions swirled inside of me.
That was Jonas walking Doc and Marty. Their tails wagged in unison, and they pranced as if they were showing off for Jonas. They weren’t pulling or trying to get away from Jonas. They were happy to be next to him, and with their leashes lax and dragging on the ground.
“You guys never walk that good for me,” I grumbled.
And then there was Jonas. He was taller than I had imagined, and his stride was strong and purposeful. He glanced back at me, and I ducked down in my seat.
Holy crap-ola.
“Get out of the car, Lennox,” he called.
I peeked over the door and caught one last glimpse of him before he disappeared behind the building.
