feels like forever before I finally manage to speak. “Excuse me?”
His brows furrow as he studies me. I think I see a hint of concern, but he quickly conceals it. Or maybe I just dreamed it. “This is club property.”
“I have squatters rights.”
“That’s not even a thing,” he huffs. “Even if it was, you’re still stealing electricity.” He holds up the end of the extension cord between two fingers. I groan.
“Do you have any idea how long it took me to bury that thing?”
“Then you admit it. You’re stealing.”
My eyes roll and a dizzy spell hits me. Thankfully, I’m still holding onto the frame. “You wouldn’t believe the shit I clean in that clubhouse. We’ll call me running a tiny, energy efficient heater severance pay.”
He doesn’t argue. Just stares at me like I have a hoof growing out of my forehead. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Really? This shit again? I don’t know, Bouncer. I’m fucked up in the head, okay? I have issues. And a small drinking problem.” He lifts a brow. “Or a big drinking problem. But I drink to forget, and it works for me and I’m sorry I was ugly to you the other day, but please, can we do this some other time?”
Another thirty million years of silence passes before he speaks. “Why do you look like that?”
The urge to cry is strong. I pinch my eyes shut and shake my head. I mean, could he be a bigger asshole? Because I don’t think it’s possible. “Shitty genes? Terrible diet? It could be a number of things.” I wish I wasn’t so tired. Maybe then I’d have a better comeback. Some snarky remark that belittles him like he’s belittling me. But at this point, I just don’t have the energy.
He gives suspicious look. “Why are you so pale? And shaky?”
“I’m sick. Possibly contagious. It’s probably best if you leave right now and not tell anyone where I am. Because then they might try to come out here. And then they’ll get sick. And I don’t wish this feeling on anyone. Not even you.”
“A hangover is hardly contagious, Apple.”
“I’m not hungover.”
“A thief, a drunk and a liar. Your parents must be real proud.”
“Damnit Bouncer, please! I can’t—” My voice breaks. I bite back a sob and look away when tears cloud my vision.
He stands and closes the few feet of distance between us. He grasps my chin and forces me to look at him. When I do, there’s worry in his eyes. He slides his hand to my head and then drags his knuckles over my cheek. “You’re burning up.”
“I beg to differ.” As if my body needs to prove the point, a violent shiver rocks me and I bite my lip to keep my teeth from chattering.
Bouncer stiffens and a look of determination settles on his face. “You’re coming back to the clubhouse with me.”
Before I can protest, he grabs my backpack from the floor and starts shoveling shit from my milkcrate-dresser inside.
“I don’t want to go to the clubhouse.”
“Don’t care what you want. You’re going.”
“You can’t make me.” I tried to be firm. I failed.
“Yes. I can make you. If you’re smart, you won’t test me on that.”
I heave a sigh. Cough. Nearly fall to my knees at the pain radiating in my chest. When I catch my breath and look at him, his expression screams I told you so.
“I don’t want them to know I’m here. If they knew, they’d try to move me in the clubhouse, or set me up to live with one of the strippers or Ol’ Lady’s or put me up in an apartment. I can’t have that. I don’t expect you to understand, but I need to be here. On my own. It’s…important to me.”
He nods. “Okay.”
It can’t be that simple….
“You come back with me and I won’t tell them. But only if you stay until I decide you’re well enough to leave.”
Confident that I won’t get a better offer from him, and beyond ready to be warm and able to sleep, I agree. “Deal.”
“Good girl. You walking, or am I carrying you?”
“You’re not carrying me.”
“Fine. Move.”
I turn to the door and fumble with the straps. When he steps up next to me and gently swats my hand away to do it himself, I let him.
Just like I let him hold my hand.
And steer me through the woods.
And carry my backpack.
And trust him with my secrets.
Ten
BOUNCER
I’m a fucking storm of emotions.
For two hours I sat in that tent and waited