Page 32 of Unveiled Wounds

She flopped back down on the mattress as she came down from the orgasm, officially breaking our connection, the lack of friction stinging in the open air of the bedroom.

“Marry me, Mer.” I didn’t expect her to say yes, but I wasn’t giving up hope that one day she’d take pity on me.

“Not after you’ve just rearranged my insides.”

“That’s fair. Go back to sleep.” She didn’t need my permission, but I enjoyed watching her eyelids succumb. It was still early, the sun barely rising, and Meredith wasn’t a morning person. I’d hear from her in a few hours.

I headed to the ensuite, took a quick shower, and made sure Meredith was alright before heading downstairs. Coffee was calling my name.

No one was in the kitchen when I started the pot, standing in front of the window as I waited. It was the first time in a long time that I wasn’t secretly worried about something. I’d slept well, gotten exercise, and now I was ready to tackle the day.

“You’re smiling.” Pretty opened the back door that led from the kitchen to the side yard. All brothers had been told not to leave the clubhouse without a riding buddy, and here he was, walking in by himself.

“Where’s your buddy?” If he had taken an unnecessary risk, I wouldn’t have to beat some sense into him; Wreck and Sabre would get to him first.

“Don’t need a buddy when I didn’t leave the grounds.” He yawned, and I noticed he wore the same clothes as yesterday and his jeans had dried stains on them.

I chuckled as I poured two cups, walked over to the kitchen table, and handed him one. Taking a seat across from Pretty, I asked, “What’s going on with you and Wreck?”

Pretty chugged the coffee as if it was a beer. “Some things are just different behind closed doors.”

I wanted to ask more questions, but Scrub walked into the kitchen. He went straight to the coffeepot, pouring himself a cup.

“What did I miss?” He sat next to me, raising the cup to his lips.

“Nothing, just another night in the clubhouse.” Pretty instantly transformed in front of my eyes. He was smiling as if he didn’t have a care in the world and sat back in his seat. Crossing his arm over his chest, he still held his cup in his hand.

“The ER was steady, but nothing exciting to report.” Scrub raised his mug in Pretty’s direction. They’d grown up together and were close.

“Why the fuck are the three of you so chatty so early?” How walked into the kitchen only wearing jeans. “You.” He pointedat me. “If you’re going to knock the headboard, can you at least wait until a reasonable hour?”

I watched him over my shoulder, waiting for the perfect opportunity. “Better me than Zook.”

He stopped right in front of the pot with his hand out. “Aww fuck, brother. Why do you have to do me like that?” Grabbing a cup, he slugged me in the arm as he sat in the chair across from me.

Over the next half hour, brothers floated into the kitchen to grab coffee or light breakfasts. Some of them sat with us, shooting the shit, and some floated out into the main room. I was soaking it in, in case this was one of the last peaceful mornings I had with my brothers.

The conversation had lulled when Pretty started in about my leaving. “Seriously, dude? You’re going to pack your shit and leave? That’s fucking dumb. What the fuck would you do? You can’t put motorcycle club vice president on a resumé.” He didn’t know when to stop.

“No, but I have enough to get started, and once we land somewhere, I’m sure there will be plenty of construction jobs.” I had made no definitive plans, but I’d thought about the what ifs. I didn’t want to leave, but if it came down to it, I would.

“You’re going to let him leave?” Pretty turned on his brother, pointing his finger in Sabre’s direction at the head of the table.

“I’ve never gone back on my word, but I offered to bury him in the backyard.”

Laughter floated around the table.

“Girlie pop’s not that bad once you get to know her,” Dead remarked drily.

I didn’t show any outward emotion at what he had said, but it made me feel good. Dead wasn’t a brother I was close to, but for him to step up like that meant something to me. My marriage wasn’t perfect, but we were on the mend. It just made me wantto go back upstairs and thank Mer for all the hard work she’d done putting her life together. I hadn’t mentioned it, but I had noticed.

“How can you get to know someone by watching TV with them?” Scrub asked.

“TV and chill. You should try it on Stands,” Pretty answered definitively, as if he had experience in the matter.

“What the fuck do you know about that?” Wreck chimed in, crossing his arms over his chest.

“It’s not that hard to date when you have the face of an angel and the mouth of a vacuum. I get more ass than a toilet seat.” Pretty smiled, and then his eyes widened comically. “Oh fuck, Dead might be trying to steal your wife, Grizz.”

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