Things are far from back to normal.

Xavier and I had a long talk. I’d apologized for taking Eloise to the range, I hadn’t meant to step over any lines and realized I’d probably taken away that experience they really should have had together.

It was hard to admit that in these few short weeks I’ve become closer to Eloise than I had ever been to my own sisters. 

Once any rage over Eloise using a gun at all had died down that’s when the questions started. How did I learn to shoot? Why do I own so many?

That story isn’t all that interesting. My father and grandfather were both military men and avid hunters, I was such a daddy’s girl it made since to teach me since I was always in tow. The skills I learned those many quite, cold morning helped me later in life to kick-ass when the guys wanted to go play paintball.

The questions I didn’t expect were about whether or not I’d broken any sobriety promises at the compound when I’d taken tequila shots to get answers out of their flirty bartender. While, objectively, I had been sober. It was not that I’m against drinking, I just don’t like how I feel when I’m drunk and much prefer to be in control of myself.

It’s also cheaper not to drink, and I have plenty of ways I can self destruct without the need to use alcohol.

This last week has gone by torturously slow while waiting for word that their infamous club president is back in town. Eloise has been busy with school, and Xavier is gone most of the day doing whatever the hell he does. That’s left Tyler and I to get to know each other and he has been an unexpected help in the salon.

He’s a quick learned and I’ve taken advantage of his eagerness to lend a hand. Bathing dogs, running errands, picking up lunch. Never a complaint to be heard. I have, of course, paid him for all his hard work.

I’ve learned he grew up in the system, bounding from one foster home to the next until he aged out. The Hounds of Hell MC took him in after that. He’s a good kid, and so smart.

“What’s the plan for tomorrow?” Tyler asks, flipping through my appointment book.

“I’m not sure. Eloise can’t miss classes but Xavier said Colt should be back in town today.”

“How’s that going to work?”

“I don’t know, he and I could go tonight and the both of you could come when she’s out of school tomorrow… but I don’t think he’ll be keen on the idea of leaving you with Eloise.”

“Why wouldn’t he like that?”

I lean closer, looking at him with my eyebrows raised. He can’t have seriously missed all the hints she’s been dropping or the maybe he hasn’t met her six and a half foot tall overprotective brother.

“Really, Tyler? You think he’s going to love the idea of leaving the two of you here aloooone?” 

He hums, “fair point.”

“I’ve not even told him that I talked you into taking her to prom next weekend, and she’ll be crushed if he kills you before then.”

“What other options do we have? When’s he coming back, anyway?” Tyler asks.

“Could you take me to talk to whoever the president is?”

“Nah, I’m a nobody. Gauge might not be high in hierarchy but Ripper being the Enforcer makes him a member by birth rite.” Tyler tries to explain but in sounds like a bunch of nonsense macho chest thumping to me.

“I could just show up like last time, demand to talk to him.”

“Colt would lose his shit, even if Ripper vouches for you, he isn’t going to let a woman… no offense… call any of the shots. We should probably just wait to see what Xavier thinks.” Tyler apologizes, saying it’s just how things go around here.

Upstairs we find Eloise on the couch staring at the mountain of school books she’s using to complete her paper. Xavier and Diablo are out for a run.

“How’s it going? Anything I can do?”

"Not yet, I’ve got two more pages but can you proofread after?” She replies.

“Of course, mind if I turn on some music? I don’t know how you function with it so quiet.”

“Go right ahead, I’ve just been trying to get this done so I can turn it in early.”

“Ugh, I’m glad I took the GED.” Tyler groans as he peeks over her shoulder.

With the music playing through the Bluetooth speakers I busy myself sweeping the never ending piles of Diablo’s black fur from under the furniture and away from the floor boards. I get lost in the music until two hands land on my hips.

“You move your hips any harder and I’m going to feel real jealous of that broom soon.” Xavier says behind me.

“Was I dancing?”

“You’re always dancing.” He remarks as he releases me from his hold.

He’s not wrong, I always have music on. Even when grooming dogs I’ll dance around the table or at the tub and sing to them as I cut their fur. Speaking of fur.

“Diablo, I’ve swept enough to make another dog here.” He sniffs at the pile almost disapprovingly.

“I’ll bathe him.” Tyler offers.

“That’d be great, Tyler. Thanks. He’ll jump right into the tub but be sure to dry him all the way.”

Tyler puts Diablo on his leash to lead him downstairs, they tolerate each other but I think Diablo is growing on him. He’d told me how he’d always wanted a dog growing up but none of the foster families would allow it, it’s one of the many reasons I put him to work downstairs with me this week.

“What’s with the face?” I ask Xavier, who doesn’t seem to believe Tyler it. “He’s helped me out a lot and if Diablo eats him I won’t have to buy dog food for awhile.”

Eloise’s head snaps up from her work making us laugh. We get a glare before she gets back to work on her paper. We’ve become quite the (dysfunctional) family.

“How was your run?”

“Good, I talked to Ripper before we came up. Colt got back about an hour ago.”

“Okay, what’s the plan? Should we go tonight or when she’s out of school tomorrow?” 

“I’m gonna head there tonight. Tyler should get back too before he thinks a prospect has abandoned the club.” Xavier doesn’t want me to go with him?

“I’ll wait for Eloise to get out of school tomorrow then. Are you staying for dinner?” Please stay.

“I don’t think so. As soon as he’s done washing Diablo we should go.”

With a nod, and not another word, I walk into my bedroom. This time I make sure to lock. Nothing a hot shower can’t fix, right?

“Did you fall off your bike and hit your head?” Eloise snaps.

“No.”

“Just stupid then?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I stutter, uncertain how I’d fucked up this time. “Just get back to your homework.”

“I can’t cause you're such a dumbass. Do you not realize the way what you just did looks?”

“What did I do?” I throw my hands up in frustration.

Eloise points her pencil at me accusingly, “You just told Skyla that you wanted to go back to the club without her.”

“That’s not what I said, You’ll both be there tomorrow.”

“That doesn’t matter, you’re not arriving together which means you’ll have a night at the club alone but I’d bet she isn’t thinking about you being alone tonight.”

That doesn’t even make any sense, and I can’t help but to shake my head as I brush her off. I’ve got shit to do before the club meeting on Saturday afternoon and I can’t get it done if I’ve got Skyla being ogled by every horny pair of eyes at the club. I’ll make it up to her later.

Skyla’s still locked in her bedroom when Tyler brings Diablo upstairs to the apartment, Eloise waves us off still very annoyed at me for not waiting until tomorrow to go back.

Eloise and I spent the rest of the night finishing and polishing her essay, cereal for dinner and then we turned in early.

I had been willing to fight for him but I will not fight over him. If someone else has his attention they can have him.

On our way to the compound I remind her to let me be the one to break the news to Xavier about Tyler taking her to prom, she promises to try her best not to let that one slip. He’s only just turned nineteen and never had a prom, they’ll have a good time together.

I’d let Eloise talk me into wearing a short black sundress and matching leather boots, the way she put it was I should make Xavier regret not walking me in himself. 

The parking lot is full of motorcycles and cars, everywhere you look are men clad in leather with the Hounds of Hell insignia. The way every pair of eyes follows us I’m rethinking this outfit.

“Find Tyler, your brother or dad” I quietly tell Eloise as we get inside, “don’t make me feed Diablo some asshole because they try to mess with you.”

“I’ll be good, I swear. Now you have to promise not to hold anyone at gunpoint. You need to make a good impression with Colt.”

“Only if they really deserve it.” I tease back, drawing an x over my heart.

“Well, my day just got a hell of a lot better. Welcome back, beautiful.” Goose announces as I approach.

“Hello to you too, anything with tequila please.” I smile, taking a seat on a barstool.

Goose and another man behind the bar are busy making drinks and opening bottles. It’s barely 4:30pm and it looks like this party has been going since noon.

“Here,” he says setting an oasis in front of me. “Where’s your bodyguard?”

Taking a sip of the concoction I nod my head towards Diablo at my feet.

Goose leans forward, pretending to look. “You fit Gauge under my bar? Woman, you are amazing.”

I choke on a laugh, blush creep up my neck. “My dog, Diablo, under the bar. I don’t have a clue where Xavier is.”

“Well before he finds you here, I’d love to invite you into my room tonight.” Goose leans in close, those grey-blue eyes nothing but trouble.

“I’m sure you would.” I play along.

Goose is definitely a flirt, but his laidback nature makes him so endearing. With my drink now empty and a refill declined, I spot Eloise and Tyler in a corner on the far side of the room and send her a quick text first.

Skyla: Find a better place to make out before I have to write your prom date’s obit

Ellie: OMG stop!

My next text is to a Xavier, a quick ‘I’m here, are you around?’ message.

“Hey, Goose? I’ve changed my mind, I’ll take that refill after all.” The panty-melting smirk this man flashes me has me wondering who else has an invite to his room tonight.

“Already on it,” he winks “but uh, trouble’s headed your way.” I turn in the direction he nods to see the woman that was chasing Xavier last week snaking her way through the crowd towards us. She’s a beautiful blonde, tattoos down one arm.

“I wondered if you’d be back.” She remarks, taking a seat.

“I’m back.”

“I’m Sam, well Samantha, and-“

“Sam, get to the point.” Goose warns.

“Right,” she smiles and turns to face me. “I’m sorry about the way I acted last week, I didn’t know you were the littlest Mathis’s sitter or whatever and you should know there’s no bad blood between us.”

“Her sitter?” I repeat.

“Yeah, so whatever Gauge and I have it’s not like threatened by you at all cause his sister is staying with you, right?”

“You and… Gauge?” My stomach twists.

Goose leans back, arms crossed as he watches this train wreck play out. She laughs like it’s common knowledge that she and Xavier are together. 

“Anyway, her drinks are on me. Good to see you again.” She chirps before disappearing.

Goose's is expression almost apologetic. “Well that was…”

When he doesn’t finish his thought I ask, “Goose got your tongue?”

“Andrew.” He answers.

“What?” I lean back.

His deep laughter turns into a devilish grin as he leans closer than ever to whisper in my ear, the warmth of his breath tickles my skin. “You should know my name is Andrew… since it’ll be me making you scream tonight.”

I try to play it cool as his lips brush against the shell of my ear, and I turn my head in to his and whisper his name back. He hums, warning if I keep that up he’ll be hard for the rest of the day.

I sit back, breaking the trance he’d had me in and smile. Admittedly it takes a deep breath or two. “You started it.”

“Started what?” Xavier asks, my eyes are wide with surprise in finding him standing so close. “I can’t seem to find El, but I hope Goose has been taking care of you.”

“Yes, he has.” I smile back at Goose who gives me a subtle wink.

Xavier glares at Goose but doesn’t ask any other questions, with beer in his hand he ushers me away from the bar into a quiet booth. He sits across from me as Diablo jumps up on the bench seat to lay in my lap.

“So.” Xavier starts.

“So… Eloise is with Tyler. I haven’t seen Ripper, and your friend paid me a visit.” I interrupt.

“My who?”

“Sam.” He has the decency to flinch as he realizes. “If you were coming back to her you could have at least had the decency not to play house with me all week.”

“There’s nothing, she doesn’t mean anything. It was just sex.”

“Does she know that? If you’ve got nothing else to say Goose can entertain me some more.” I shrug, this visit is just as awful as the last. There is a flash of jealousy in his eyes as he gives Goose another glare.

Behind the bar Goose is blissfully unaware of the daggers he’s receiving.

“I’ve been trying to get Colt and the vice president to meet with you tonight instead. It’s almost unheard of for women to be in the meeting and even less approved of when you don’t belong to any of the table members.” Xavier states so matter of factly as if all of this makes any sense to me.

“What if she belongs to me?” Goose asks, setting a fresh beer in front of Xavier and offering me a cold water.

“Not fucking happening, Goose.” Xavier snarls as he snatches up the beer.

“Look, you’re only welcome because of your daddy, so out of the rest of us Ripper and I are the only ones who know what we’re bring in. So would you rather I bring her in,” Goose turns to look at me, “or the old man?”

“Can you not talk like I’m not sitting here? Why do I need to belong to anyone?” I spout out, not waiting for them to answer. “And how would you get me a chance to talk with this… Colt?”

Goose speaks up, “Like he said, no women in church. Rare exceptions are made for top seats and members of influence. Gauge here… is neither.”

“Fuck off.” Xavier mutters.

“And you qualify how?”

“I’m the answer to all your prayers, beautiful. Being the treasurer I hold the third seat at the table. Not much influence higher other than our grouchy old VP and Colt himself.”

“So it’s you or Ripper?” I ask, looking between him and Xavier.

Xavier rubs his hand down his face, it’s clear he is uneasy with the idea but his lack of protest means Goose is right.

“Why can’t I just have a conversation with the man? He’s here, right?” Goose raises a brow at Xavier, the sigh he makes it clear he can’t help me.

“As much as I hate it, Goose is right. Ripper is convinced this has to be brought to the table so until 2 o’clock tomorrow you’ll need to at least appear to belong to a table member.”

Goose playfully bows, “I humbly accept that responsibility for the next twenty hours and forty-five minutes.”

Xavier swallows hard, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Skyla.” He nods his head towards Goose asking if he can have a word. 

It’s not five minutes before Goose is sliding in across from me, smile plastered on his face. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say you already belonged to someone.”

“You'd be wrong.”

“Well you belong to me now, any way we can ditch the dog?”

“Why?”

“Cause this might be my only chance to call you mine and I want to take my woman out on a date.” He smirks, and I can’t help but smile back.