Page 32 of Gypsy's Lady
Even farther away from thephone,Willa shouted back at Mason, “Jeebus, old man. You could give a body warning, you know.”
“We’ll see you at seven,” Gypsy said into the phone and laughed as Mason disconnected without another word, no doubt shouting at his wife again. He looked at the time and did a mental calculation.“I’ve got just enough time to finish with these parts before we gotta go get cleaned up. You game to hang out here for another thirty minutes?”
She nodded slowly, then collapsed back into the chair as if her legs had given out unexpectedly. Feet lifting to rest on the edge of the seat, she curled her arms around her legs, setting her chin on top of her knees. “I’m not afraid.”
“It’s okay tobe afraid.” He stayed where he was, only moving to place the phone on top of the workbench.
Softly, her voice trembling as much as her chin was, she told him, “But I don’t want to be afraid all the time.”
“Are you now? Right here with me?” She shook her head. “Are you afraid at our apartment?” The flinch at the word “our” wasn’tsurprisingbut still stung. She shook her head again. “Were youafraidwithRuby the other night?”
“Nuh-no, but she’s funny.” Gypsy grinned,andKelsey reiterated, “She is.”
“I know, but you weren’t with me, and you still weren’t afraid. Darlin’, we knew it would take time, and it is, but look at where you are.” He cast his arms wide, indicating the whole shop, most of the bays had a bike and at least one man working on it, and therewereanother dozen standingaround talking or admiring the rolling iron parked along the edges of the open room. “You’re not in myoffice,or our place, and there are strangers everywhere. Are you afraid here?”
“No.” The word was firm this time, seeming to surprise her. Kelsey took a moment to look around the shop,andwhen her gaze came back to him, she had an answer. “Th-they are Rebels.” She tightened her arms aroundher legs, fingers clutching at the seams of her jeans. “Nary figures Rebels are like Hawks. I trust Hawks. I trust you.” She shrugged. “You trust Rebels.”
“So because you trust Nary, you felt safe around the Hawks.” Kelsey made afacebut nodded. “And because you trust me, you believe in my trust in my brothers.”
“I-I reckon.”
“And because you trust me, you took a chance on Ruby?” He didn’tgive her an opportunity to respond, wanting to hammer this home, because Kelsey had to begin believing in herself.She has to. “I think that’s a lie, little one. I call bullshit.” Her mouth flew open,buthe shook his head and kept talking. “I think you trusted Ruby because you talked to her in my office and you realized she was a good woman, through and through. I think you trusted Ruby becauseyour head told you to. And you trust Ruby’s opinion of the other old ladies, so you went to dinnerandtold me yourself you had a good time. You trust people you believe in, honey. That’s what I think.”
Without another word, he kicked gently at the bucket he’d been using as a seat and bent his knees, sinking his ass to the flat surface. Hands back in the tub, he blindly sought out the parts,gently agitating them through the fluid again. One at a time, he found, finished cleaning, and brought out the pieces of metal, laying them on a towel he’d placed nearby for this purpose.
Like I have to do with Kelsey, he thought as he found another small partbyfeel. He had to find the hidden truths and clear away all the shitandcrap Baxter laid on her, showing her those things she thoughtgone forever were just buried for now.I can do this. Do it for Kelsey.
“Ready to go, darlin’?” He’d finished cleaning the bay, putting a coveronhis bike. It would be safe here, undisturbed until he had a chance to come back and finish the job. Working a rag over his hands, he stripped away all the loose grime and grease. There was the tiniest tug at the side of his shirtandhe looked downto see Kelsey’s hand there, gripping the fabric tightly. “My hands aren’t clean, honey.” He showed her, surprised when she released his shirt and clasped his hand instead.
“I don’t care.” She arched her neck and stared into his face. “I’d never care.”
Atthat moment, she looked so much as she had the first time he’d laid eyes on her, and he knew her words were meant for more than this moment.Gypsy had killed a man in front of her, stepping over the still-falling body to get to her. More than anyone else, Kelsey knew his hands weren’t clean.Andstill,she trusts me.
“There’s a core of strength in you that is strong as solid steel.” He used their joined hands to pull her closer, Kelsey’s shouldertuckingunder his arm as she leaned into him. “I’m in awe of you.” He angled one armout as he levered her around and in front of him, wrapping himself around her until her cheek landed between his pecs. “Gimme a hug, and then we’ll go.” Her hand slipped from his,andher arms wrapped around his waist.
“Let me know when you’re ready.” Her voice was muffledbutthe humor was clear,andhe laughed softly, pressing his lips to the top of her head. “I’ll just be right here untilthen.” She gave him a squeeze.
“Are you teasing me?” Angling his head to the side, he rested his cheek on her hair.
“Is-is that okay?” The hesitation was back, and so was the stutter as she seemed to deflate a tiny bit in his arms.
He closed his eyes, smiling as he shook his head. “It’s more than all right, Kels. It’s fuckin’ awesome. You keep it up, yeah?”
“Okay.” He felt her sigh more thanheard it, her shoulders lifting and falling with a deep breath. “I’ll do that.”
***
“Why don’t we head into the office?” Mason pushed back from the table and stood, stretching his arms overhead.
Gypsy watched Kelsey sneak an anxious glance at the man as he spoke, and then she turned to watch as Willa looked at her husband, a wide, goofy grin on her face. Kelsey’s expression softened, then sheangled her eyes to Gypsy, seeming surprised to find his attention on her. She offered him a smile so small it could hardly be called that, and when he mouthed the questiontoher, “You okay?” she just shrugged in response.
Jase, Brute, and Slate all stood, each giving their own version of the too-full stretch. These men seemed comfortable in Mason’shouse,and proved to be frequent guests athis table, because without a word, they gathered empty plates and silverware to haul to the kitchen, making a stack to the side of the sink. Gypsy followedsuitand then trailed behind the men as they returned to the table to retrieve beers and give their respective women a kiss.Fuck, I wish. He walked up behind Kelsey and placed a hand on her shoulder, gave her a squeeze before bending downto whisper in her ear, “I’m just in the other room, yeah? You’ll be okay, darlin’. Promise.”
She turned her head,andthe unexpected nearness of her mouth drew him closer. It was only when she whispered a response that he stopped himself from kissing her like he wanted. “I-I’ll be okay.” Holding himself still, because if he moved it would be to close the short distance between them, he watchedas she blinked, her gaze fixed on his mouth. “You do what you need to, Gypsy.” She moved,andheat covered his hand, the caress of her touch trailed across the backs of his fingers. “Iamokay.”
“Okay.” He pulled back, straightened, and looked up to find the eyes of everyone fixed on them. When he glared to find him and Kelsey being the recipients of the stares, all the women glanced away, andSlate laughed.
As the men settled into the office, Gypsy flipped a chair around and straddled it, arms folded across the back. He didn’t have to wait long because Mason cut straight to the chase.
