Page 55 of Iron Will
Bailey stands up. “Hi, Laney. I’m Bailey. And that little rascal sitting next to Paisley is Addi.”
“Hi,” Addi grins, looking up from the game.
“We brought some of Addi’s clothes that didn’t fit her anymore,” Bailey continues. “We thought Paisley could use them, and it turns out she’s the perfect size for them.”
“That’s very nice of you,” Laney smiles.
“Bailey is with one of the other Lords,” I tell Laney. “Gage. He’s outside manning the grill.”
“Gage and Dante are making hot dogs and hamburgers,” Addi tells us. “And steak for the grown-ups.”
Laney nods her head. “That sounds really good.” She turns to me. “Are we staying for dinner?”
“If you’re good with that.”
“I am.” Her eyes sparkle.
“Good deal. Come on over to the bar. I’ll grab us something to drink.”
Laney follows me, nodding back toward the other women. “I guess I’ll just take a Coke for now,” she says.
One of the prospects is behind the counter, and I order a Coke for Laney and a bottle of beer for me. As he’s leaning down to grab our drinks, Bear comes ambling over.
“Well, well, well,” he rumbles at Laney. “Thought I’d managed to leave that damn hospital behind.” He nods toward the prospect and asks for a shot of whiskey.
For a second I think Laney’s going to get offended or upset, but she just laughs. “Don’t worry, Bear, I’m off the clock. I’m not here to spy on you or make sure you’re taking your meds.”
“Thank Christ for that,” he mutters.
“Although, I’m not sure you’re supposed to be drinking while you’re still on your painkillers,” she teases.
“Thisisa painkiller,” he points out, lifting the shot glass. “Better’n those damn pills.”
Laney holds up her hands. “You’re an adult. You do what you need to do.”
“Damn straight.” Bear looks at me. “At least she knows what’s what.”
“That she does.”
Bear raises his shot glass at us and wanders off. Laney watches him go.
“This is… weird,” she murmurs.
“What is?”
“I guess I thought your clubhouse would be like this scary, dangerous place.” She shakes her head and laughs softly. “Except for the tattoos and the leather, it’s all pretty… normal.”
I chuckle. “Well, it’s not always this tame. But yeah, some of the brothers have families, of course, so their old ladies and kids come around, too. And Paisley… well, for obvious reasons, she’s kind of become our mascot for now. Yoda asked our prez, Axel, if he could bring her and Bethany here to make sure they’re okay. Just until we know what’s happening with Mickey.”
“Oh, gosh. Any news on that front?”
“I talked to my cop friend. He says Mickey’s gonna have a bail hearing tomorrow.”
Laney’s brow creases with worry. “Do you think he’ll get out?”
“Could be, but I doubt it.” I take a long pull of my beer, leaning against the bar. “Bethany told Yoda she ain’t gonna post bail for him. Not that she has the money, anyway. So, it depends on whether he can get some other sucker to spring him out.”
Laney blows out a breath. “I hope not.”