About halfway through the installation process, Harper tiptoed down the stairs, looking nervous as hell. I nudged Judge with my elbow and jerked my chin in her direction.
Without lifting his head, Judge said, “I’ve known since I installed your alarm system. Now, quit freaking out and come give me a hug.”
Harper grinned and rushed over to hug Judge. “You’re not mad?”
“Why the fuck would I be mad? I don’t care who you choose to spend your life with. If you’re happy, I’m happy. If he hurts you, I’ll kill him, but I have a feeling you already knew that.”
She giggled. “Yeah, I did.”
By the time Judge was finished with the installation, we were all hungry. We opted to pick up something to eat on the way to the club. The club wasn’t as packed as I assumed it would be for a Saturday night. When I spotted Ranger at one of the tables, I asked, “Where is everyone?”
He chuckled. “Shaker and a few boys went to Cedar Valley to chase some pussy. Dash and Duke are out at the pool with their girls. Phoenix is on a run. As for the rest of them, I ain’t their keeper.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the man. I wasn’t sure how old Ranger was, but he had been around as long as I could remember. He was the youngest of the original members and followed the mother chapter to Croftridge with Phoenix. His wisdom and experience were priceless to the club.
“Judge! Didn’t see you there with Carbon’s big ass in the way. What brings you to Croftridge, boy?”
Judge smiled fondly at Ranger. “Good to see you, old man! I came down to install some cameras at Carbon’s place. Thought I’d stick around for dinner before I head back.”
Ranger gestured to the table in front of him. “Have a seat. What’re we having for dinner?”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Harper
Leaving Croftridge Sunday night was harder than any of the other times one of us had to return home. This time, I was leaving knowing that I wouldn’t see him in a few days. I hated that we couldn’t be together during the week, but we both had lives established in different places. We couldn’t be together without one of us having to give up something we loved. When things were casual between us, it worked well only seeing each other on the weekends. I wasn’t sure that would be the case now that our relationship was different.
The night before, during dinner, Ranger asked why we were increasing security at both of our private homes. After we told him about the break-ins, he made a suggestion that I hated, but had to admit was a good idea. He suggested that Chase and I stay away from each other for a few weeks to see what happened. Depending on what, if anything, happened to one or both of us, we would know if the break-ins were random, intentional, or somehow related.
After a tearful goodbye and an even more tearful drive to Sugar Falls, I was pleasantly surprised to see a familiar motorcycle parked in my driveway. Judge opened the front door of my house and helped me carry my things inside. “What are you doing here?”
“Nice to see you, too, Sister Cousin.”
“Oh shut it. I wasn’t expecting you to be here is all.”
“I finished with the cameras a few hours ago, but I did something else for you and I wanted to be here when you saw it,” he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
Nervously, I asked, “What is it?”
“I’ll show you.” I followed Judge to the front porch. He flipped a switch that turned on my very bright floodlights. My driveway was on the side of my house, so I hadn’t seen the front yard when I pulled in. My entire front yard was now covered in beautiful, lush sod.
Turning back to Judge, I asked, “Why did you do that? Don’t get me wrong; it’s beautiful, and I appreciate it, but there has to be a reason you redid my entire front lawn.”
He shrugged. “I had to bury some cables for the cameras, and I didn’t want it to be obvious that something had been installed recently. If anybody was watching, it looked like you were having your yard resurfaced, not having a security system upgrade.”
“Clever. Well, thanks, Judge. It looks great. Do you want me to make you something to eat before you go?”
“No, thanks. I picked up something while I was out. Wish I could stay, but Copper has a few things he needs me to take care of, so I’ve got to get going.”
The following three weeks were nothing short of miserable for me. I felt like a part of me was missing as I went through the motions of what used to be an enjoyable life for me. Even when Chase and I were just Friday night fuck buddies, I wasn’t miserable and lonely during the week. If it weren’t for Titan, I believe I might have completely lost my mind.
During the week, my patients kept me reasonably occupied while I was at work. After work, Hilarie and I ate dinner together a few times a week like we usually did. I wasn’t great company to have, but she didn’t seem to notice. She prattled on and on about some guy she met at a club. Apparently, they were hot and heavy because she was nowhere to be found on the weekends. A large part of me wanted to throw her own words in her face about being one of those friends who disappeared the second they found a man, but confrontation was hard for me, especially with someone I was close to.
Without Chase or Hilarie, I was left to entertain myself on the weekends. The first one I spent at home by myself, barely getting out of bed and not bothering to shower. The second weekend I treated myself to a spa package and spent the following day shopping. At the beginning of the third week, I was desperate to see Chase. We talked on the phone and sent texts throughout the day, but I needed to see him, to feel him. Even though he assured me we wouldn’t have to be apart for much longer, I was already trying to put together a plan for us to see each other without anyone knowing.
After dinner with Hilarie on Wednesday of the third week of our forced separation, Chase called shortly after I arrived home. “Hey, baby. I’ve got some good news for you.”
“Oh, please tell me this ridiculous separation is over. I’m dying of loneliness here,” I whined.