kitchen, Steele and LuLu had arrived. Steele took off to get some work done.
“Ooh, look at this one. If I was a hundred pounds thinner, I might be able to fit it over my calves,” LuLu murmured.
They were sitting on the sofa in front of a roaring fire flipping through bridal magazines. Sage’s mind was on Alex. He promised they would talk later, but she didn’t have later. She didn’t even have now. Yet, here she was looking at bridal magazines and pretending everything was right as rain. She needed to get her head checked. No, what she needed was to get to a bank so she could withdraw the money from her checking account—that’s if there was any money. Knowing Carlos, he’d drained the account and used the money to buy caseloads of his precious hair tonic. She’d walked in on him one night while he was slathering it all over his bald spot. He’d gotten so mad, he chucked a hairbrush at her, after which he’d lectured her about invading his privacy. Asshole.
“Oooh, what do you think of this one?” LuLu asked.
Shaking off the bad memories, she focused on the magazine photo. “Oh, that’s gorgeous.”
LuLu sighed. “Arlan wants to get married before the baby comes. By the time I pull it all together, I’m going to be as big as a freaking house.”
She would give anything to be in LuLu’s shoes—to be pregnant and marrying the man of her dreams. “When I married Gibbs, he was so drunk he could barely say his vows. I’d spent days worrying about the damn dress, and he didn’t even noticed it, or me, for that matter. You’ve got a great man, a man who loves you beyond words. I don’t think he cares how big or small you are, just as long as you’re his.”
LuLu gave her a watery smile. “You’re right. I need to quit whining and give the man what he wants. Speaking of bossy men, what’s this I hear about you and Ax?”
Way to turn the tables. Sage wasn’t about to tell LuLu what she really felt about Alex, that he was sexy, insatiable, had a giant cock that he knew how to use, and that she was in love with him. Instead, she said, “Umm, I guess we’re kind of hanging out.” LuLu looked as if she wanted to say something. “What?” Sage asked.
“I know we don’t know each other very well, but us girls need to stick together, so I’m going to come right out and say it. Ax is seeing someone.”
“Was,” Sage corrected. “They ended it last night.”
“Oh, thank God!” LuLu exclaimed. “I was worried and didn’t know if I should tell you or not.”
“I’m glad you did, and you’re right; us girls do need to stick together.” Nervously picking at her fingernail, Sage said, “Can I ask a favor?”
“Sure, what do you need?”
“Can you, by chance, give me a ride to the bank? I really need to get my finances situated. I was thinking that afterward, we could stop by Hidalgo’s, and you could actually try on wedding dresses instead of looking at them, if you’d like.” Please say yes.
LuLu’s face lit up. “That’s a brilliant idea! There’s a bakery next door that sells the best prune muffins.” Prune muffins? Blech! Sage shuddered at the thought. “I know they sound gross, but you have to try one. They’re absolutely delicious. Arlan even loves them.” She leaned over and whispered, “Don’t you dare tell, but he thinks they’re blueberry.”
Sage couldn’t help but laugh. Poor Steele.
_______________
Sledge was at the garage when Ax arrived. Ax pulled on his coveralls before heading to his work station. Sledge gave him a nod as he passed by.
Years ago, back when Ax was still working for Dooley Shane, Grizz decided he wanted to open a garage. Grizz knew his way around motorcycles, but he didn’t know dick about running a garage. Ax thought it was a stupid idea. Between Dooley’s outfit and McLellan’s place, Austin was oversaturated. Unless Grizz decided to specialize, they wouldn’t have a chance in hell of making it. Ax tried to tell him as much, but Grizz wouldn’t listen. He wanted the garage and he wanted Ax to join the club and help run it. Ax convinced Sledge to join him. It ended up being a good move, because less than a year later, Dooley was dead, and McLellan had closed up shop. Raiders grew into a successful business. It may not be the biggest outfit in