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“I thought her fourth month of pregnancy was bad.” He looked down at his lap. “We’ll make her kiss you better later, buddy. Don’t worry.”

“I think you need to get out more,” I laughed.

Jaron chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Sammy asked, joining us with Cheesy at his side.

All humor left me as I stared at the guy who was apparently friends with my girl. Leaving the booth, I went up to him.

His eyes widened. He lifted his hands, trying to ward me off. “Cyrus.”

I only smirked and smacked his hand away. “You going to slap me around, Cheesy?”

He swallowed hard. “Listen, whatever you’re thinking—”

Closing the distance between us, I hooked an arm around his shoulders and led him away from the crowd.

I was vaguely aware of my name being called but I didn’t give a shit. I needed to let Cheesy know just who exactly Ainsley was to me and to find out how far their friendship went.

“Cyrus, I swear nothing happened.”

“We’re going to take a drive.” He was a good kid and did well for the club. He would eventually patch in and become a full-fledged member but for now, he was going to help me.

“Where are you taking me?” he asked, his voice shaking.

I stopped us just outside my SUV and cupped his shoulders. “You think I’m going to hurt you.”

“I...” He thought a moment. “Yes.”

“I won’t but I need to ask, are you just friends with Ainsley or are you interested in her?” My possessive side was coming out and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. This thing with Ainsley was new but something in her, called out to something in me. I needed to make sure that no one stood in the way of me getting closer to her.

“We’re friends and no, I’m not interested in her,” Cheesy said, his dark eyes moving back and forth over my face. “Is she yours?”

“She’s a woman, Cheesy. A human being. Not an object. She doesn’t belong to anyone. Not even me.” But as I said the words, I did, in fact, consider her mine. Not as an object. But as a partner. I wanted her to be my submissive and my Old Lady. I wanted her in every single way I could have her.

“I know that.” Cheesy shoved out of my grip but it was only because I let him. “We are friends. I help her with her classes and she’s also helping me with ASL. Jaron wanted me to volunteer there to make a better name for us in the public eye.”

I nodded. “So he’s making you help with the non-physical labor, while the rest of us do the hard work?”

He rolled his eyes. “He’s not making me do anything. I actually like it. But yes, I don’t know my way around a screwdriver. I wasn’t raised to know that shit.”

“I can teach you.” The words left my lips before I could stop myself. I liked him. He was raised well and had a good head on his shoulders. His father was a cop and I heard that he never judged his son for wanting to be a biker.

“Really? I’ve always wanted to learn but my dad’s too busy. He’s tried but he doesn’t have any patience at all.” Cheesy laughed to himself. “I remember one time he was trying to teach me how to change out a lightbulb and I electrocuted myself. I’m kind of accident prone.”

“Well, I’ll help you.” I opened the passenger door. “Get in. You’re going to help me first.”

“Where are we going?” Cheesy stood back, looking between me and the door.

I rolled my eyes. “If I wanted to hurt you, I would have done that already. Now get in.”

“You guys leaving?”

We turned as Sammy came toward us.

“Yeah, heading to The Ring and Cheesy is going to help me.” I gave his back a couple taps. “Aren’t you, buddy?”

“I don’t know what The Ring is but okay.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “Unless this is a catch.”