Page 123 of Bronco

Okaaay then.

I’ve been serving Brew drinks for years, and I’ve barely talked to the man. Well, he’s not the most verbose dude on the planet, clearly, but he does have something about him that I can’t explain. It’s like you feel 100% safe in his vicinity, while not wanting to get on his bad side at the same time.

He’s acting a little on edge, and I don’t know if that’s something to be concerned about. Then again, this is Brew we’re talking about. He’s always on edge.

“So, are you back in town for a little while?” I don’t know why I feel the need to make small talk, but it just blurts out of my mouth. He and his brother are nicknamed the Nomad Brothers for a reason.

“Depends.”

“On what?”

He stares out of the front window, his jaw tight. “Shit.”

“That’s descriptive.”

“You ask a lot of questions, like your niece.”

“Just making conversation,” I sing. “I realize talking is optional, but silence is just weird.”

“I find it therapeutic.”

I roll my lips. So he’d prefer silence. Okey-dokey then.

I keep driving, my thoughts running haywire about Bronco and where he is. He texted me early this morning to say they were fueling up at around ten, and they would only be a couple of hours away. The guys had gone a few nights with lack of sleep, so he didn’t want to wake them early. Erica had crashed hard, but now she’s riding back with Bronco.

“Sorry about the babysitting job,” I offer a few minutes later. The silence is deafening and just feels weird.

“It’s my job. I do what Cash says.”

“Still, I’m sure you have better things to do.”

I see him tilt his head in my periphery but I keep my eyes on the road. “Protectin’ club property is important.”

Oh, I’m Broncos unofficial ol’ lady now, so I guess everyone knows. I don’t make an argument about people being property, I know that it’s just their way of making sure everyone is protected. “From what, though? The threat is over, right? Aren’t all the Cut City Boys all dealt with now? And those Disciple people?”

“You know a lot about shit you shouldn’t.”

“I have ears, Brew, and I’m not stupid.”

He turns to look out the window once more, muttering, “I don’t make the rules. I just follow what Prez says. Conversation over.”

Glad we had this talk.

When I finally pull up into the driveway, I’m ready to clean my house and change the sheets. I also need to do some laundry since we’ve been holed up at the clubhouse for the last three days.

To my surprise, Brew helps me lug two bags of our stuff into the house. I didn’t expect him to be chivalrous, but it was a nice surprise. Titan follows us dutifully.

“If you like, I can leave the game on from last night?” I suggest when we’re inside.

He gives me a chin lift, looking around the small space. “Got any coffee?”

“Uh, sure.”

He takes a seat on my couch and I switch the kettle on, heading to the laundry room to start the first load. Titan sniffs around before folding his body in the middle of the hallway between the living room and the laundry, sighing as if that trip to school wore him out.

My house isn’t that bad, but I definitely want new sheets on the spare bed, and I need to go to the grocery store later.

I can hear Brew switching channels on the TV and roll my eyes. Of course he’s been here five seconds and he’s the king of the remote control. Typical.

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