Page 35 of Deuce

She raised her brows, a smile curving her luscious lips.“Look at you being all mature and careful.”

The server maneuvered her way between the dancers and placed two bottles of beer on the table.“You want glasses for those?”

I looked at Sophia, who shook her head.

“Bottles are fine,” I said.“Run us a tab, would you, Sherry?”

“No problem, Deuce.Enjoy.”She was halfway back to the bar by the time she answered.I twisted the caps off the beer and handed one to Sophia.

“She seems nice.”Sophia took a long pull on her beer.

“You’re not jealous, are you?”

Sophia snorted.“Not a chance.”

That kind of stung.“Not even a little?

She shook her head.“Nope.”

“How come?”

She grinned.“She has a ring on her finger and someone else’s name tattooed on her arm.”

“Oh.”I knew Sherry and the mechanic next door were an item, but I didn’t realize it was that serious.

“So what was that quip about at the door?”She tilted her head.

I frowned, not sure what she meant.

“What Beast said.No accounting for taste.”

“Oh that.I’m a CPA, and the guys like to kid me about it.”

She looked surprised.“As in Certified Public Accountant?”

I nodded and took a swig of my beer.

She frowned.“How do you go from CPA to bad boy biker?”

“In my case, by way of the Navy SEALs.I got bored pushing papers in a cubicle and joined up.Thought I’d get to see the world and be a hero.I did a few tours with Ace, Rattler, and some of the other guys.Found out being a hero isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.It’s ninety percent boredom with about ten percent terrifying action.Living like that for years does something to you.When I mustered out, I found I couldn’t go back to the office routine.Maybe PTSD, or maybe just life.”I shrugged.“Didn’t go the therapy route, but something in me changed.I can’t do the suit and tie, sit behind a desk, and punch numbers thing anymore.Just can’t.I’m good with looking after Riptide’s investments and things.They don’t expect to see me in a tie, and they’re fine with me sitting outside with my laptop and a beer while I work on it.Officially, I’m the club treasurer.I keep my designation up to date, but that’s it.Can’t see me ever going back to four walls and a clock.”

I watched her face, wondering how she would take that.Most people thought I was crazy.CPAs made a shitload of money.

Sophia nodded slowly.“My dad’s kind of the same way.He’s got a bachelor’s degree in business administration, but I don’t remember him ever using it.He’s always just been Dad.He raised me himself as best he could.Set up the homestead and kind of withdrew from the world.”She narrowed her eyes, as if searching for words.“He has trust issues, hence the prepper lifestyle.He doesn’t want to have to rely on anyone, ever.”

“Except you.”

She nodded.“Except me.The fact he approves of you is huge.I can’t believe he agreed to stay at your clubhouse.”

“I’m not so sure he approves of me, but him and Jake seem to be getting along pretty good.They seem to be good for each other.Mom likes him too, which is telling.She has a second sense about people.”

“I haven’t met either of them, have I?”

I shook my head.“No.They live at the clubhouse and don’t go out much.”

Sophia grinned.“Do I get to see this clubhouse sometime, or is it off-limits to females?”

“Not necessarily off-limits, but some of the parties get rowdy.The young guys don’t have a lot of inhibitions.Not sure you’d be comfortable with it.”

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