Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
With my back pressed against the wall, he pulled back, releasing me from our embrace, and said, “I’m taking you out on a date.”
“What?”
“A date. Something I should’ve done a lifetime ago,” he repeated, taking a step back. “Call your mom and see if they can keep an eye on Ava.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven.”
With that, he flashed me a quick smile and left, leaving me wondering what he had planned with this date of ours. Because I had plans of my own.
Torch
“Woah.” Q took a step back and grinned. “Where you runnin’ off to?”
“Nowhere.”
“Come on, now.” Savage gave me the once over, checking out my freshly ironed shirt and new jeans before saying, “We both know that’s not true.”
“I’m going to pick up Beck.”
“No shit?” A smirk crossed his face as he teased, “You two going on a hot date?”
“You could say that.”
“Seriously.” His smirk widened as he called out to Wrath. “You hear that? Our boy’s got himself a hot date.”
“With Beck?”
“The one and only.”
“Well, it’s about damn time.” Q crossed his arms. “You two have been a long time coming.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Rooster chuckled as he said, “He’s finally gonna take a walk down her winter wonderland.”
“Oh, God.”
It was clear Rooster was just getting warmed up when he goaded, “Yep, he’s gonna tangle her tinsel.”
They all roared in laughter. I, on the other hand, just stood there, glaring at them. Rooster gave me a nudge as he teased, “You gonna eat her milk and cookies.”
“That’s enough,” I warned.
“Hold on.” Rooster could barely contain himself as he said, “I got one more.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Yeah. you best leave it.” Wrath’s smile faded as he asked, “Big know about you two?”
“Not unless Beck told him. I planned to talk to him, but I haven’t gotten around to it.”
“He’s out in the garage.”
I gave him a nod, then left the bar and made my way out to the garage. When I walked in, I found Big wiping down his bike. He had his usual focused expression as he worked with the chrome until it gleamed. The man was a tank, both in size and presence, and even though I’d known him my entire life, I was feeling a little uneasy as I made my way over to him. But my respect for him outweighed any apprehension I was feeling.
This had to be done, and it had to be done right.
“Big.”
“Torch.” He didn’t look up. He just kept wiping down the handlebars. “What’s up?”
“You got a minute?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“I need to talk to you about something.”
That got his attention.
He stood up, and his eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to face me. “This about club business?”
“No, sir.”
His expression didn’t change, but his brow lifted just enough to let me know I had about five seconds to spit it out. “I want to take Beck out on a date.”
“You asking or telling?”
“Both.”
For a moment, he didn’t say anything. He just stared at me, and his expression was completely unreadable. “So, you put her swing together, helped her out with Ava when she got sick, then took care of Beck when she was sick, and while you were at it, you went and put up her Christmas tree. And now, you want to take her on a date?”
“Yes, sir. I do.”
Finally, his lips twitched into what could only be described as a knowing smirk. “Well, I’d say it’s about damn time.”
“You think so, huh?”
“I do.” His smirk grew into a full-blown grin. “I watched you dance around her for most of her junior and senior year of high school. I expected you to come to me back then.”
“I would have, but the whole age thing....”
“I get it. I would’ve done the same.”
“I wish you’d told me about everything. If I’d known...”
“I know, son, but it wasn’t my story to tell.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “So… you’re good with me starting something up with her?”
“As long as you do right by her.” His eyes narrowed. “You screw up, and you’ll answer to me. And trust me, brother, you don’t want that.”
“Understood.”
Big gave me a hard clap on the shoulder, the kind that almost knocked me off balance. “Good. Now go take her out and make it worth her time. She deserves it.”
“Yes, sir.”
We spoke for a moment longer, and then I headed out to my truck. I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself as I thought about my conversation with Big. He might’ve been a brick wall of intimidation, but underneath it all, he was just a father who wanted the best for his daughter. And I planned to be just that.
Feeling a bit anxious, I gave myself a quick once over before getting in the truck. I had on my cut with a button-up and jeans and a pair of newer boots that weren’t scuffed all to hell. I didn’t usually go to the trouble of dressing up for women, but Beck wasn’t a hang around or some chick I’d met at a bar. She meant something to me, and I wanted our first date to be something she’d remember.