Page 17

Chapter seventeen

Mia

W hen I get home, I unload everything on my kitchen table. The fifteen-minute drive did me good, and I’m a touch less irritated than when I left the school.

Charlie said she was going to be at the bar around six, so I have about an hour to kill before I need to leave.

Deciding to check on my grandmother and say hello, I trek across the expansive lawn separating our two houses. Maybe this will be the year I buy a little golf cart to go between our houses. It’s not that it’s a ridiculously long walk, but it would be fun to cross the couple of acres in a golf cart. Now that I think about it, my grandmother would probably have a ball riding around in it.

I enter through the kitchen door and walk through the house, finding my grandmother in the living room with a book in her hand.

“What is it this time?” I look at the cover of the novel she’s lowered to her lap as I come to sit next to her. “ The Rake and His Lady. Is this another novel about Scottish history?” I ask with a smirk.

“No, dear. This one is about British aristocracy. Very educational.” It never ceases to amaze me how my grandma can say half the things that come out of her mouth with a straight face—and this is no exception. “Are you hungry? I can heat something up for you.”

I give her a small smile. “No, thanks. I just wanted to say hi before I left for the night.”

“Spending the night with your beau?” she asks while arching an eyebrow.

“Maybe,” I say through a yawn.

“Looks like that plate of food worked a little too well. You seem to be quite tired today, my dear.”

“Grandma!”

“What? I’m just saying it looks like you may have lost a few hours of sleep last night. I’m not judging you.”

“I’m not discussing my sleeping habits with you.”

“Trust me, I don’t need to know the details. As long as you're happy, that’s all I care about.”

“I’m very happy.” Blissfully, actually. What’s also surprising to me is this very unaccustomed feeling of security and comfort I’ve found with Knox. In past relationships, I never felt like I fit or like my partner was making an effort to integrate our lives, even after months of dating. But Knox is the complete opposite. It’s the small things, like making sure my bath products are in his house or a creamer that he thought I would like is in his fridge. Those little things mean the world to me.

“I had no doubt you would be, dear.”

A light laugh tumbles out of me. “You just know everything, don’t you,” I say in a teasing tone.

“Most things, yes. But I wouldn’t be so bold as to say everything. ” My grandmother chuckles and shoots me a wink.

“I love you,” I say on a laugh and stand from her couch. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

“If Knox spends the night, bring him for coffee.”

“Okay, Grandma.”

I bend and give her a kiss on the cheek before leaving.

Lucy is pouring drinks for a few regulars as I step inside Thorn and Thistle. I recognize one of them as the man who tried to buy me a drink last time I was here, otherwise known as the night I drank way too much vodka and made a complete ass out of myself in front of Knox. All’s well that ends well, I guess.

Lucy smiles when she sees me sit and comes bounding over. “A little birdy told me you spent the night at a certain someone's house last night. What’s that make it? Three nights this week?”

“Technically. But I’m counting it as two, considering I wasn’t exactly in a coherent state the first time.”

Her smile is so wide she looks like a damn shark showing off all their teeth. “What do you want to drink tonight?”

“Whiskey seven.”

She makes the drink and walks back over, leaning her elbows on the bar top. “So, you and Knox have finally figured your shit out.”

“I guess, though I don’t know how much shit there really was.”

“Trust me, my amazing friend who never thought she was enough for the lumberjack biker who thought you were too good for him, there was shit.”

“I love the way you simplify our history,” I say, shaking my head with a laugh.

“I just call it like I see it, sister.”

“How on earth did you find out I spent the night at his house last night? Did you talk to my grandma or something?” Come to think of it, the last thing I need is those two getting together. I can only imagine the shenanigans that would ensue.

Lucy blows out a breath and her excitement seems to dim a bit. “Cece was going through something last night. Didn’t sleep again, and we woke up this morning to two dozen loaves of bread in our kitchen. Jude dropped some off to Linc and Charlie, then the guys took a few over to Knox’s. Apparently, Knox hadn’t cleaned up the breakfast dishes yet, and Jude asked him about who was over. Then he promptly texted to give me the tea.”

I bark out a laugh. “Jesus, I never pegged him for a gossip.”

“I’ve learned a lot about these guys that I never would have imagined.”

That’s certainly becoming more clear to me after the conversations I’ve had with Knox. I never would have thought the man was so sweet. Sure, I always thought he was gorgeous, even when I was way too young to do anything about it, but I never realized he was thoughtful and kind, at least not to the extent I’ve seen in the last couple of days. He’s an open book once you get through his tough layers. Or once he deems you worthy. There’s a sense of happiness and satisfaction that fills me knowing that now includes me.

“How was work today?” Lucy asks, leaning against the bar.

It wasn’t that long ago Lucy and Charlie listened to my rant about the weird interaction with Leonard as I was getting into my car a few weeks ago. “My asshole VP is back at it again. This time it’s not about my lack of focus because I have a life outside of work that’s the issue. It’s whom I spend my time with when I’m not at work.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” Lucy asks, scrunching her brows together.

The door to the bar opens, and Charlie rushes in. “Okay, the guys are right behind me, but I just wanted to squeal for a minute about how excited I am about you and Knox,” she says as she comes to sit next to me. “I figured I’d do it before they walk in so I don’t make a big deal of it in front of them and it becomes a whole thing.” And squeal she does.

One of the things I love about Charlie is her unabashed excitement for other people’s happiness. She had a shitty few years before leaving her hometown, but she never lost the kindness in her heart.

Linc opens the door, and Jude and Knox walk in after him.

“Why did you jump off the bike and run in here like your hair was on fire, Charlie Bear?”

“I had to pee,” she answers with a completely straight face.

Linc cocks a brow but doesn't call her out. I’m pretty sure he knows she’s full of shit, especially considering she’s terrible at lying.

Knox walks over to me and plants a kiss on my lips. “Missed you,” he whispers against my mouth before pulling away.

When I pull myself out of my momentary stupor that usually happens when Knox is around, or when he says sweet things that I’m still not used to, Charlie’s eyes dart between us with her mouth hanging open. A peanut hits her on the side of her cheek, and she whirls around toward Lucy.

“What the hell was that for?” she asks, swiping the salt from her skin.

“I was gonna see if I could make it in. I think I need to work on my aim.”

“You’re an asshole,” Charlie says.

Lucy shrugs before turning and grabbing three beers for the guys. Knox takes a seat next to me with Jude on his other side and Linc sits next to his girlfriend, throwing an arm on the back of her stool.

“Mia was just telling me another story about her asshole vice principal,” she says, and Knox turns his head toward me.

“What’s going on with him now?” he asks.

Knox has heard all kinds of stories about the man since he was usually here when I’d come in after work complaining about what a dick the guy is. He never really said anything, but that was a different time, and things have changed.

I take a sip of my cocktail and lean back in my chair. “He was saying I need to be careful about who I spend my time with, and it shouldn’t include criminals in a motorcycle gang. I asked him what the club had been convicted of. Then made sure he understood how deep my roots are in this town after he threatened to give a bad review to the school district because my contract is up for renewal.”

Knox’s jaw is tense, and his eyes dart to Linc, then back to me. “I’ll take care of it.”

In all the times he’s overheard me bitching about work stuff, he’s never had this kind of reaction.

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “He can’t actually do anything. I mean, he could, but I think my reputation speaks for itself. Plus, if he tries, I’m sure there are several tenured teachers who would have a fit.” They love me at that school, not only because of how I stay on top of making sure they have the materials they need to teach but also because of my interactions and the help I provide their students.

“I don’t like it, Mia. He has no right to talk to you like that,” Knox says.

“I completely agree. I think I made my point clear, but if anything else comes out of his stupid mouth, I’ll file a complaint or something.” The problem with this guy, though, is he skirts the boundaries. Not to mention, there may be people in the district who agree with him. It’s a can of worms I’d rather not open.

Knox doesn’t say anything else, but he still looks far from happy.

“Can we drop it now? The guy’s an asshole, so there’s nothing new there, and what I definitely don’t want to do on my time off is talk about him or worry about his bullshit,” I say, leaning in to press my lips against Knox’s. “I appreciate you wanting to protect me, but I’ve dealt with guys like this before. It’ll blow over.”

“But before, I wasn’t there to put punks like that in their place,” he says.

“Which is why I’m so good at it now. I’ve always done it myself.” I smile, and this time he returns it. “My grandmother wants you to come over in the morning for coffee.”

“Yeah? Is that an invitation to spend the night?” he asks, the corner of his lips tipping up in a smirk.

“Absolutely.”

This has been one of the best, most exhausting weeks of my life. My body isn’t used to going without sleep as much as it has, but I’ll never be upset over why I’m losing sleep. I’ve decided I’d rather adjust to getting a little less sleep and a lot more orgasms than the other way around. Knox and I have spent every night together, either at his place or mine.

He kept true to his word and bought me my preferred bodywash, shampoo and conditioner for his place. He’s even gone out of his way and got everything I use to get ready, including a hairdryer, a flat iron, and a curling iron. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when he walked up to check out with all of that. He tried to get me all the makeup I wear, not that it’s a lot, but I told him that was too much. I can throw my makeup bag in my overnight bag. He’s doing more than trying to make space for me; he’s filling that space with things to make my life easier when I stay the night at his place.

I had a feeling being in a relationship with a man like him was going to be different, I just didn’t realize how much I wanted different. To have someone care so much about saving me an hour in the morning or go out of their way to make life easier for me without needing a pat on the back is the complete opposite of anything I’m used to. But to Knox, it’s not going out of his way. It’s simply something he does.

When Tanya shows up at the high school gymnasium to help put things together for the spring festival happening tomorrow, she walks in with several bags hanging from her arms and two cups with labels from Cool Beans.

“One of these is for you, honey,” she says, handing me the coffees so she can set the bags down. “Knox said you like caramel lattes.”

“Thank you so much,” I say, taking a drink from the cup with my name on it. “That’s exactly what I needed.”

Tanya puts the bags on a table and begins unloading several things that we’re going to use for carnival game prizes for the kids. “Don’t mention it. I needed a little pick-me-up, and I figured you probably would, too.”

“You’re amazing for volunteering to help with all this, especially on a Friday night.”

“I’ve always loved helping out with this one. Trick and Arthur are around here somewhere setting up booths and whatever else. Which basically means they’re directing everyone else how to do it.”

We both laugh, knowing exactly what their “help” entails.

A small, familiar shiver runs up my spine as I’m sorting carnival prizes into piles. I look up to see Knox walking across the gym, his focus locked on me.

“Hey, sweetheart,” he says when he wraps his arm around my waist and leans down for a kiss.

“Hey, yourself.” I have to remind myself that not only am I at work, but I’m in front of his mother. That doesn’t stop the blush from creeping up my neck with Knox so close. It also doesn't stop my mouth from watering while I take in the way his jeans fit over his strong thighs or the way the blue flannel he’s wearing under his cut makes his eyes more piercing than normal.

“Hi, son,” Tanya says, and Knox releases me and gives his mom a hug. “Where’s your brother?”

“I’m right here,” Linc says, walking up behind her with Ozzy and Barrett.

“Perfect. Have you seen Gramps and Trick? They’re supposed to be coordinating the booth setup.”

“We’re going to go find them now. I wanted to say hi first,” Knox says.

“I’m sure you did,” Tanya says with a knowing grin.

Knox turns to me and winks. “Haven’t seen my girl since this morning. Can you blame me?” he asks without taking his gaze from mine.

He really needs to stop being so damn perfect.

“No, son, I can’t. But the booths and carnival games aren’t going to set themselves up. Ozzy, make sure your dad doesn’t try to do too much. He’ll act like he’s fine, but I’d rather him not work so damn hard that he can’t hold a coffee cup tomorrow.”

“I thought his new medication was helping the arthritis,” Ozzy says with a furrow in his brow.

“It is, which makes him think he can do more than he’s supposed to.”

Ozzy nods and clasps Linc on the back. “Let's go.”

The three bikers begin to walk across the gym, and it doesn’t escape my attention the thirsty looks they get from some of the women they pass.

“Can I take you out for dinner after we’re done here?” Knox asks.

“Of course.” My lips tilt in a small smile.

“Okay, text me when you’re done.” Knox leans down and kisses me before kissing his mom on the cheek and heading in the direction that Ozzy, Linc and Barrett went.

“That boy is smitten with you, girl,” Tanya says, smiling in my direction.

“The feeling’s mutual,” I say, returning her grin.

“You know, when I called him to talk to him about helping Trick and Arthur and asked if he knew what you liked from Cool Beans, I didn’t expect him to know. And I certainly didn’t expect him to send me the money to buy both of us coffee.” Tanya stops sorting and turns to me. “I don’t think that boy has ever remembered a coffee order, and he certainly never thought to send me money to buy a girl coffee. Hell, he never even brought a girl home in high school.”

That reminds me of the conversation we had about Knox and the girls he was with in high school. How he was their dirty little secret.

“Yeah, he mentioned he didn’t date a lot in high school.”

“Dated, no. He hasn’t done any of that. I also know that he wouldn’t have made it a point to come in here so he could see you just because he wanted to kiss you if he wasn’t serious about where this is going between you two.”

I don’t necessarily need the validation from Tanya because Knox has done a spectacular job at making sure I know how he feels every day, but it sure as hell doesn’t hurt.

“It’s so different from what I’m used to. I’ve never been with someone who knows exactly what I need or want without me having to tell them a hundred times. I mean, the first time I spent the night at his house, he bought me the creamer I like. He had no idea when I was going to be there, but he made sure to have it for me.” My face scrunches up, and I shoot her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have said anything about spending the night at your son’s house.”

Tanya throws her head back in laughter for a moment before collecting herself. “Honey, I am well aware of what my boys get up to. I’m also well aware of how they usually act around the women they get up to those things with. He’s different with you, just like I knew the moment Charlie came around—she was it for Linc. My boys don’t open their hearts easily. They’re guarded. Maybe that was my fault for having a broken picker when it came to their fathers.” She shrugs and looks off into the distance for several beats before her focus is directed back to me. “They went through a lot, and they don’t give their hearts away easily—or ever. But I see the same thing with Knox as I saw with Linc. When they go in, they go all in. And I want you to know how happy I am. Not that you need my approval, but you have it.”

“That honestly means more to me than you think. I didn’t grow up with parents who cared enough about me to ever have this kind of conversation with the person I was dating. Knox is lucky to have you.”

Tanya smiles and tilts her head as she studies me. “I’m well versed in having parents that aren't particularly interested in actually being parents, shall we say.” Tanya reaches over and touches my arm. “And you have me now, too. Family means something different in the club. We protect our own, and you’re one of ours now, honey. Remember that.”

I clear my throat, holding back the tears. It’s not that I didn’t think the club or Tanya didn’t care about me. But hearing her say that, say that I was part of a bigger family now, it fills a part of me that I’d long ago accepted I didn’t have. I thought I didn’t need it. Obviously, my reaction is proving that wrong.

“What are you doing just standing around?” I hear a familiar voice call.

I turn and see my grandmother, along with Maizie and Colby, walking up to us.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as I give my grandmother a hug.

“You didn’t think I was going to let you have all the fun, did you? We’re here to help,” she says, smiling broadly.

“Hi, Elaine,” Tanya says, also giving my grandmother a hug. “I thought maybe you were going to sit this one out.”

My grandmother waves her hand. “Nonsense. I’ve been a part of this festival since you’ve been in diapers. This old lady is far from throwing in the towel.”

“If this is what old looks like, I can only be so lucky,” Tanya says.

“You and me both,” Maizie agrees as I lean in to hug my friend.

We watch my grandmother set her large designer bag under the table so it’s out of the way, and she starts going over what we’ve been doing, adding to the pile with everything she brought.

“How did this happen?” I quietly ask Maizie as Tanya explains the plan for the prizes.

Maizie shrugs. “She called and asked if I could give her a ride over here because she didn’t want to pester you. When we picked her up, she had us take her to the party store in Ayre. She practically bought out the whole place. Even had Colby helping her. She said he would know what the kids want. I honestly didn’t think she still had my phone number.”

I knew they talked when Maizie’s grandmother passed since our grandparents were friends, and Maizie needed help with arranging the funeral, but I had no idea my grandmother still had her number, either.

“Okay, you two. These bags aren’t going to fill themselves. Colby, come sit by me and show me how you think we should put all this together.”

Maizie’s son bounds over to my grandma and studies what’s on the table.

My friend smiles at the scene in front of her and clears her throat much in the same way I had to earlier.

I link my arm through hers and squeeze. “You miss your grandma, huh?”

“So much,” she says in a rough whisper. “Family is so important, and you don’t realize how much until you don’t have it anymore.” She smiles at me, then moves to stand next to my grandma and her son.

“Get on over here, girl,” my grandmother tells me.

“Yes, ma’am.”