Dark Guardian (Black Hoods MC #3) - Avelyn Paige Page 0,4
both. Who fucking knows? “You got your phones. Call me if you need me, for anything, okay?”
They both nod in unison.
“I mean it. I can be here in less than five minutes. Just say the word.”
Natalie’s hand lands on my arm, her touch as light as a butterfly. “We’re gonna be okay.”
Kevin chuckles. “It’s school, man, not prison. Go do your thing. We’ll see you after.”
“You want me to walk you in?”
Finally, Natalie giggles and shoves at my arm playfully, attempting to move me toward my truck. “Go! We’re fine.”
I allow her to move me away and laugh with her, the lump in my throat loosening just a little. “All right, all right, I’m going. Have a great first day, guys.”
As I pull away from the school, I catch a group of women standing near the entrance with their kids in tow, every single one of them smiling when I creep by.
Smirking, I wave. “Morning, ladies.” Several of them drag their kids into the building, while the rest stare back with hungry looks on their faces. Gotta love moms. Maybe this school thing won’t be so bad.
Grace
The coldest pair of green eyes stare at me from across the table.
“You’re late,” Greg growls, puffing out his chest as he looks down at his watch. His beard is more unruly than usual, sticking out in every direction. He’s also in dire need of a haircut.
“For goodness’ sake, I’m three minutes late.” I settle into the chair across from him and set my purse down beside me in the booth. “It’s not like I missed the whole darn thing.”
“Still late. I don’t have all day to wait on you.”
He’s lying, of course. Greg has all the time in the world. Even if he doesn’t want to admit it, he likes our standing Friday night card games at the soup kitchen. Greg had stumbled into my life after he’d helped scare off two teenagers trying to steal my purse when I was walking to my car. And here I am, three years later, still trying to repay him for his bravery, of which is against his will.
“I’m sorry, but I brought you something that might cheer you up.”
His brow arches in interest. Slipping my hand into my bag, I pull out a wrapped Whataburger. His entire attitude changes when I set it on the table and slide it over. Snatching it up, he devours the burger in four bites.
“Better?” I laugh when he runs his weathered thumb across his lips before sucking it into his mouth.
“Would’ve been better if you’d gotten me two of them.”
I slip the second burger from my purse and hand it to him, watching his perpetual frown slip into the tiniest smile. Stuffing it into his worn Army jacket pocket, he pats it in satisfaction.
“I’ll forgive you this time, but don’t be late again.”
I roll my eyes. He’ll never admit it, but he enjoys our Friday nights together, even if I am late more often than not. I just wish I could visit with him more, but my caseload prevents it.
“How have things been this week?” I ask, trying to make small talk while he’s still in a good mood.
“Weather’s been shit. Too hot.” It has been hot, topping in the upper nineties for the past three weeks. I can barely stand it, so I have no doubt it’s been awful in his tent a few blocks away. The place he wouldn’t have to live in if he’d just take me up on my offer.
“There’s air conditioning at the VA.”
“I ain’t goin’ to no VA. Those bastards sent me to Nam, and they’ll try to send me back.”
“The war has been over since 1973,” I chuckle. “I’m pretty sure at 72, you don’t meet the age requirement for active duty.”
“Doesn’t mean they won’t try.”
It’s the same argument we have every week. I offer to get him off the streets, and he fires back nonsense at me. It’s the definition of insanity, but it won’t stop me from trying. After finally getting him to open up to me last year, I was able to verify his veteran status, and even had a caseworker set up for him. But he won’t go. It’s frustrating, to say the least.
“They aren’t going to send you back, Greg. They just want to help you get medical care and give you a safe place to live.”
“I said no, didn’t I? N-O. Even spelled it for ya.”
“You did, but you earned this with your service.”
He crosses his