Page 24 of Gator

Oh, there’s plenty of money, don’t get me wrong. We aren’t saints, after all. We’re bikers.

“Seriously, Ms. B, that was awesome.”

Bailey smiles. “Thanks, Shane. Really appreciate you guys all coming out. Hopefully this proves my entire point.”

“Wait, there was a point to this? I thought you just wanted to get all muddy and shit.” The girl with the resting bitch face pops her hip out and puts her hand on it. Pretty sure she needs to see a doctor, because I don’t think you’re supposed to do that with your face all the time unless you’re in intense pain.

“Yes, Erica, there was a point to all of this. And while I don’t mind getting a mud facial, this is definitely out of my comfort zone. Whichisthe point. I do something that I’m not good at and don’t like and don’t have instant success on but work hard at. Which should then prove to you that if you work hard at something that you’re not instantly good at, you can see results. Like those tests that you guys have actually been studying for and have improved on since the first day of class.”

The kids all nod, and I take the moment to drink my beer and stop myself from expressing how in awe I am of her. Don’t know any other teacher who would do this to be on the same level as these kids. She really is something else.

“All right, we gotta get going. You all might have gotten your drink on, but I doubt if you’re gonna share a few with us,” the Shane kid says with a smirk on his face that has everyone chuckling, as we all know he ain’t talking about wanting an apple juice.

As the kids give Bailey one last hug, I see one of them—I think his name is Hunter—linger a little longer than the rest.

“Thanks again, Ms. B, for doing this for us. I know the guys tease about it, but it’s actually pretty cool that a teacher would take the time to teach us like this. Hell, I don’t even think most parents would try to do something like this to prove a point.”

The way the kid says it makes my hackles rise, and I see Bailey also react out of the corner of my eye. Something about the way the kid said that just doesn’t seem fitting. Could be the bright red hair against his way-too-pale skim, or maybe it’s the way he hunches over. Even though it’s clear he’s probably taller than everyone, his small frame can’t hold him up. He ain’t skin and bones, but he could definitely use a steak dinner or two every day for about a month. Kid needs more protein in his diet if he wants to bulk up to his full weight. I don’t miss that Jordan and Meekail also notice the boy’s size, and I’m sure, as gym owners, they’ve already thought about ten different workouts to help him.

“Of course, Hunter. Anytime. And even when I’m not your teacher, you can always come hang out with me and talk if you need to about anything.” She lets the rest of the unspoken words linger between them, and there’s a moment where I think they’re both saying more with just their eyes.

I know Bailey didn’t grow up in the best circumstances. The way she talks and how her friends surround her and try to help her with things proves she had some crappy situations. Ain’t hard to figure out that people probably bullied her when she was a kid, and I admire the crap out of her that she’s a teacher and trying to make sure that nobody else goes through what she did.

I make a mental note to check into Hunter’s past. Bailey might be restricted by the laws of the land being a teacher, but the Hounds aren’t. We might not think we’re above the law, but we sure have no problems going around or even right through it when we need to.

“I still don’t understand why people pay to get mud on them,” Fairy says with a squint and a head tilt. From the look on Meekail’s face and his eye roll, this isn’t the first time she’s asked it. Of course, he looks away so Mad Max doesn’t see him do it.

Fairy’s man has no problem using his fists to clarify that no disrespect comes to his old lady. He never says much, just grunts. A language his Fairy seems to understand. Besides, she talks enough for the both of them, even if it’s odd.

“’Cause it ain’t fun if it’s free. Paying three times the cost of the shirt and two drink vouchers wouldn’t be worth it either. It’s the combination of getting ‘free stuff,’ even if you basically paid for it, while competing in something that shouldn’t cost any money, especially since there’s no winner other than you and your friends getting the memory of you doing it,” Bass says between taking large swigs of his beer.

I’m not the only one to look at him with a raised eyebrow. The guy has a reputation for being a big mouth and making jokes when they’re not needed. Sure, he can get with the program when necessary and usually has a helluva good head on his shoulders when he’s on a mission and making plans that could cause the death of a brother. But it’s rare that he says shit that actually makes sense.

“That and the medal. I know I would have passed on all of this if there wasn’t some kind of shiny thing at the end,” Bailey says with an honest smile, and it makes me smile too.

“So, if it was free, and there was no medal at the end, but you still got the shirt and free beer, you wouldn’t do it?” Fairy asks, her expression full of confusion. Times like this, it’s easy to forget that she’s a certified genius. But I guess that’s what we love about her. She might not get the commonsense part of life, but we don’t get all the stuff she knows either. It’s an even balance.

We all nod, and she takes a second before she looks at Mad Max with complete innocence on her face. “Do you want a medal and me to pay you when we have sex?”

Half of us spit out a bit of our drink while the rest choke on it. Fairy is almost as bad as Kitten; you just never know what’s going to come out of her mouth.

Before anyone can laugh outright, Mad Max gives us all a death glare that has us pulling our shit together as he pushes a strand of hair behind his girl’s ear.

“Don’t need a medal or money. Nothing can get better than what you give me. Best I ever had, each time you give it.” His words are deep, but not in anger. He’s always had a deep voice from what I know of him. I didn’t meet him till after he got out of prison, but the boys told me he’s always been more growl than anything else.

Fairy launches herself onto her man, or basically just leans forward and takes his lips. They haven’t really moved from the spot they took with her sitting on him since we arrived. We all look away as they take the time to get lost in each other’s arms.

My eyes travel to Bailey. I would give anything to get lost inher.Especially as she continues to look at the happy couple with longing. She wants that just as much as I do, if I’m reading her right. Not sure if it’s the intense look I’m giving off or if she was going to look at me anyway, but I don’t flinch when her eyes meet mine. Something passes between us, and I hope to God it’s acceptance. That she’s finally accepting that this is going to happen, and she just needs to give it a chance. I’m not sure what her hang-up with me is, or why she won’t take the chance, but I don’t give a shit.

Probably why I haven’t asked her out yet. I might be a Hound, but that doesn’t mean I don’t listen when a girl says no. And she’s always had “no” written all over her face, even if I never asked her the question.

But that was before. Now… I ain’t seeing the obvious answer. I see hesitation. Possibility. Intrigue. Things I can work with.

“Hey, Jordan. Thanks again for volunteering.”

The group turns as a newcomer comes up. He seems average to me, in both height and size. His hair’s styled, and he’s clean as a whistle, even if he has exercise clothes on. Guy probably organized this but didn’t run it himself. Hypocritical, if you ask me.

I glance at Bass and see he’s giving the guy the same once-over. Don’t think either of us missed that he might have shaken Jordan’s hand, but his eyes have been on Bailey the whole time as he stepped between them.

---