“All ready,” Sofia said as she walked through the kitchen into the garage. “Are we taking your Harley?” She crossed her fingers hoping he’d say yes. She loved riding on the back of the motorcycle with the wind blowing through her hair. It’d been such a long time since Tigger had taken her for a ride.
“The SUV,” he grumbled, opening the door and sliding in.
Inhaling and exhaling deeply, Sofia opened the passenger door and slipped into the seat. Disappointment wove through her, even though she knew she was being silly. The fact that Tigger was taking her to Steeler’s that night was huge, so she really shouldn’t have expected him to take her on his Harley as well. That would’ve been too much kindness from him, and the one thing she could always count on with Tigger was his malice. The fact that he regularly took the club girls and several hoodrats he banged at club parties on the back of his bike hurt her, and the way he’d look at her when he’d tell her about the girls told Sofia he received an inordinate amount of pleasure from humiliating her.
Stop it! Who cares about all that now? I’m going to see Wheelie!An adrenaline rush coursed through her, and Sofia turned her face toward the window so Tigger couldn’t see the huge grin on her face.
It’d been over three months since she’d seen the biker, and each time she and Tigger would attend a family night at the club, sadness would fill the empty spots inside her when Wheelie wasn’t there. Sometimes she’d go to the bathroom and let the tears out, then apply copious amounts of eye drops into her reddened orbs before joining the others. The truth was that she and Wheelie were playing a dangerous game, and the end result could cost Sofia her life, and for Wheelie—the brotherhood. She couldn’t blame him for staying away from her. Nothing good could come out of them hooking up together, but Sofia wanted to throw caution to the wind and have just one night with the sexy, handsome biker she’d come to adore.
“You’re quiet. What are ya thinking about?”
Wheelie. Always Wheelie.“That I should plant some flowers in front of the house. Maybe some basil in the backyard.”
Tigger ran his fingers through her hair. “That sounds nice. We can go to the nursery on Saturday.”
Sofia turned to him and smiled. In that moment he was like the man she’d fallen in love with when she was in high school. She’d met him at a friend of a friend’s party the summer before her senior year. He’d been leaning against the railing on the patio, a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth, and his muscles bulging under tight, tanned skin. Sofia had thought he was the coolest guy at the party, and the bad boy vibe he was giving off made the blood rush to her head. Then he looked at her and her insides turned to mush. After that night, they’d been inseparable.
As they turned into Steeler’s, Sofia scanned the parking lot looking for Wheelie’s metallic red Harley. It wasn’t there.Maybe he changed his mind when he found out I was coming. I know he’s avoiding me.
Tigger came over and pulled her toward him, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. He usually did that when they’d go to bars or restaurants as if to show other men that she belonged to him. In the early years of their marriage, it’d made her feel loved and cherished when he’d do that, but now it felt controlling and smothering.
As soon as they entered the biker bar, she saw several of the old ladies sitting at a large round table while their men stood to the side, huddled in groups, talking. Tigger led her over to the table, leaned in close and whispered, “Be good tonight. No looking at any man but me. Got it?”
He pinched her arm hard as if to drive home his words.
Nodding, Sofia suppressed a yelp. He swatted her on the butt and strode away.
“Have a seat,” Cara said, pushing out a chair with her foot.
“I’m so glad you came,” Belle added, her blue eyes twinkling.
“Me too,” Sofia said as she sat down on the chair.
“What would you like to drink?” the brown-haired waitress asked while handing Sofia a menu.
“Do you have blueberry vodka?” she asked in a soft voice. From her peripheral vision Sofia saw Tigger watching her.
“No, but we have lime, lemon, and cranberry.”
“I’ll just have a glass of the house white wine. Thanks.”
“Sure thing.” The waitress walked to the bar.
“I’ve never tried blueberry vodka,” Cherri said. “I wouldn’t think it’s that popular.”
Sofia smiled. “I love it, but I haven’t had it in a while.”Not since Wheelie brought it over when Tigger was on a poker run. That was the night we kissed.She blinked rapidly.You can’t let Tigger see you cry. I’m acting like a lovesick fool.But she couldn’t help it. It was like all the excitement in her had seeped out when she didn’t see Wheelie’s bike in the parking lot.I’m being so silly.The knowledge of it didn’t erase the letdown she was feeling at that moment. For the last several years, her life had become moments of fear… and loneliness so that it killed her just a little bit more every day, taking what had been her inner light and replacing it with a darkness that overshadowed most moments. When Wheelie had kissed her, a pinpoint prick of light emanated from the darkness shrouding her heart, and that’s what Sofia clung to.
“Are you going to get anything to eat?” Belle asked.
Sofia scanned the menu. “I think I’ll just have a dinner salad.”
“I wish I had your discipline,” Addie said, closing her menu.
“It’s not really discipline. I’m just not very hungry.” Sofia’s nerves were all in knots as they usually were whenever she went out in public with Tigger. Any little perceived indiscretion—real or not—could set him off, and she’d have hell to pay. She glanced over her shoulder and met his penetrating stare. Smiling softly, her insides quivered until the corners of his mouth twitched upward, and he turned around to talk with some of the brothers.Tigger’s not mad. It’s all good.
“Will you all help out if I order nachos?” Addie asked as the waitress approached.
Several of the women nodded, and Sofia giggled. “I’ll help you out with those. I love nachos. All of a sudden, my appetite has come back.”