Page 23 of Grace's Redemption

I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist.

He placed his hand on mine.

“I love you, Gracie.”

“I know.” I blinked the tears away. “I love you, Mattie, but …”

“Not like you love him.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Gracie.” He grabbed my hands and turned around. “I’m just … I miss him and things are about to get really complicated and I hate him for leaving me to deal with it on my own.“

“What’s going on?” I looked into his eyes. “I can help. Talk to me.”

“Club business Gracie.” He grinned and pinched my chin.

“The Guardians, they confide in their woman, ride with them.” I said.

“We aren’t the fucking Legion of Guardians.” Mattie chuckled as he put his helmet back on and climbed back on his bike. “We keep our ladies safe, not allow them to ride into harm’s way. What kind of man does that?”

“Maybe the kind of man who wants more than just an old lady, but a ride or die in his life, too.”

“Yeah, well, life isn’t a rap video Gracie.”

“What a very white privileged thing to say, Mathieson Scott,” I said in my best snobby privileged accent.

“Can’t help I was born white,”

“Here I thought the Dragons were so progressive, so multicultural.” I had my hands on my hips.

“We are, anyone can join, except women.” Mattie jump started his bike and revved the engine.

I held my stomach and waved the fumes away with the other.

“Now come give me a kiss little lady.” He waved me over.

I walked up to him and kissed his cheek.

“Bye.” He said.

“Bye.

I watched him ride away.

I knew Mattie didn’t really feel that way.

The Lady Guardians, each and every one of them had an air about them I could never pull off. I knew Papa let me hang around the clubhouse because he felt guilty and so he could keep an eye on me, but I’d never be a member. And, I had no hope of being anyone’s old lady. The guys were scared shitless to even talk to me.

Pussies.

Maybe I didn't need the SouthEast Dragons

Maybe I could join the Lady Guardians or create a chapter of my own.

Soon or later, I’d find someone who wanted me.