things in storage collecting dust. If you aren’t too proud, I can give you guys some barstools for the breakfast bar, a table set for the dining room, area rugs, side tables…"
She glances over at Scratch who's too busy stuffing his face to care. "Yo, Soldier Boy, round up two prospects to come get some stuff from my storage container tomorrow."
Scratch gives a thumbs up without even bothering to look up from the food.
Cookie shakes her head with a snort and gives me a look. "Good luck tryna feed that one. I saw him eat an entire bucket of fried chicken by himself once."
I follow her through the dining area and out the French doors that lead to a backyard with a large patio and garden. A full wrought-iron patio set’s been left behind as well. There’s a covered hot tub, a small drained pool, a built-in barbecue and grilling station.
"You're moving in?" she asks me.
"Oh, no. No. I'm just helping out."
With a scoff, she turns to face me. "Why'd you fake it for so long with Grunt when the brother you really wanted was Scratch?"
I've heard about Cookie. That she's not only blunt, inquisitive, and all up in everyone’s business, but also seems to “know” or “see” things that others don’t.
We've never had an actual conversation before. Although it feels somewhat good to finally be acknowledged by her, I’m also wary.
"You've never spoken to me before," I blurt.
"Because I didn’t trust you," she says easily. "You showed up out of nowhere claiming you wanted to be a Club Cat, but I could smell the virgin innocence on you. You followed Grunt around like a lost puppy but looked at Scratch like you wanted to rip his clothes off. Get it now?"
Well, when she puts it that way... I snicker. "Yeah." I comb my fingers through my hair. "He was a sleep-around. I couldn’t…"
"And still you waited for him," she points out.
Jeez, am I that transparent or is it just her? She's like a witch.
She asks, "You thought he would come back as a one-burner man?"
Actually, I didn't expect him to come back at all, so the joke's on her. "I know who he is and what to expect," I tell her. "I'm not in love with him or anything. It's not that serious."
"Good," she says, touching my shoulder. "Love that boy as much as my nephew, but I wouldn't wish him on anyone's daughter. Don’t fall in love."
With that, she walks back into the house.
I don't follow her inside. I lower down into one of the patio chairs and let her words sink.
See? I told you so, Brain chides, cocky as ever.
Cookie’s words are the reiteration that I needed to keep Heart in check. No one knows the bikers and their history like Cookie—the men talk about her like she's been around for centuries—and if she doesn't believe Scratch has changed, then I won't either.
Minutes later, Scratch comes in search of me. "Peach, you didn't want any of the food, did you?"
I stare at him, incredulous. "Now you ask me?"
His mouth opens and closes, eyes slightly widened with guilt. "You wanted?"
"No. I'm not hungry."
"Oh, thank God." He lets out a relieved sigh and throws himself down in the empty chair beside me. "’Cause I ate it all."
I laugh and shake my head. "You're ridiculous."
"And you're the sexiest woman I've ever seen."
To hide my blush, I roll my eyes. "You're right, this is a really nice place. You should buy it."
"Eh, let's try it out for a while first. Not exactly a fan of close neighbors."
Scratch doesn't have a normal job per se, but I know he's not hurting for money. I don't imagine that much of what the Heathens do for cash is legal, but I don't judge, and I know better than to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong. Scratch will have to figure out for himself if that's how he wants to spend the rest of his life.
He reaches over to squeeze my thigh. "Why're you always thinking so much?"
"Because it's necessary?"
"You're scared of me." He withdraws his hand from me and sighs. "You think I'm gonna mess you up."
"I'm not—"
"Don't lie to me, Ley." He makes a frustrated noise in his throat as he shakes his head. "But why are you scared of me and not her? I’ve never hurt you and don’t plan to. You’re broken and I ain’t the one who broke you. But you run from me and protect her?"
He's always bringing