Page 19 of Stonewall

“But, Why?” she cried. “I’m a mess, insecure, defensive; as of today, I have no job, no home, and I look horrible,” she sighed, raking a hand down her face and wincing at the pain it caused.

I grabbed her hand. “Stop, Brooke. Some of your feelings are valid based on your past experiences. I get that. But I see a strong, vibrant woman who will pick herself back up and make a great life for herself and her son with this chance. And I want to be part of that. So, just give me a chance. Spend time with me, and get to know the club and me. That’s all I ask of you right now.”

She exhaled, her gaze resigned. “Okay, I will, but I beg you, don’t play me. I’m gonna be honest, I really like you too, and it would hurt me so much to find out you were just messing around, not to mention I’m letting you close to Gael.”

“I promise you, Brooke, you are not a game to me,” I assured her, leaning down to kiss her.

“Can I ask you something, and you’ll be honest?”

“Yeah, what do you wanna know?”

“Does Tildie’s boyfriend mess around on her?”

I laughed, “Fuck no, Reader has never touched any of the women here. Guy is as good as they come. He’s never been one to sleep around. If ever two people were made for each other, those two were. You’ll see once you meet, Reader. Tildie is in good hands. Plus, we’re all pretty protective of Tildie and would kick his ass if he hurt her. But that will never happen.”

Brooke gave a relieved sigh. “I’m so glad; she deserves happiness.”

“Yeah, she does, and so do you. Now eat your lunch.”

I sat in the chair beside the bed while she ate lunch. I think we made progress today, Brooke is letting me in, and now I just have to make sure I don’t screw it up somehow. No, I’m not playing her, and I don’t want any other woman. But I don’t have any experience dating or spending time with a woman, but I’ll figure it out as I go along.

I thought about what she said about being a mess, fuck, if she only knew what when inside my head and the demons lurking there caused by the things I witnessed during my childhood and how lucky I feel to finally have found a woman who even my demon recognized was mine.

Somehow I just knew Brooke could handle any side of me that I threw at her, light or dark. I felt it every time I looked at her. Brooke was strong, outspoken, and gorgeous, and I was so fucking attracted to her that I had no doubt she would also match me in bed. Yes, Brooke was meant to be mine.

I was supposed to walk through the door of that run-down bar; that was the only explanation.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

IT WAS SUNDAYmorning, and Doc said I could be movedto a regular room here at the clubhouse as long as I promised to rest for the rest of the week. I think I agreed, but with a doctor that looked like him with black hair, green eyes, a nice body, and a brooding personality, the man was sexy; I seemed to zone out when he was focused on me. He’s no Lenny, but I’m sure he has his pick of women.

“Are you ready?” Lenny asked, bringing my focus back to his handsome face. Yep, Doc was no Lenny, at least for me. I could get lost in this man. And I’m putting my trust in him, and I pray it’s not misplaced. He spent the last evening with me, bringing my dinner and his so he could eat with me, then we talked about random things learning each other’s likes and dislikes along the way. I found him easy to talk to and found myself telling him things I had never told another soul.

“Yeah, let’s do this,” I answered. Lenny was carrying me up to my new room. Which at least would have a TV; this room didn’t have one, and without a phone, time passed slowly.

Lenny slid his arms under my legs and shoulders and carefully lifted me into his arms. I argued that I could walk, but Doc and Lenny shut me down. Doc reminded me that I had bruised ribs and a concussion. Doc wanted me to go to the hospital for a cat scan, but I refused, causing him to lecture me about being stubborn, but I stood my ground. I would be fine, and if I thought something else was wrong, I would go, but this isn’t my first rodeo.

As Lenny carried me down the hall and into what could only be a bar, a nice one for a clubhouse, this was ten times better than the crap hole I worked outside of Philly. Several people were seated there, obviously Devil’s House members and women with property cuts. I looked away in embarrassment. “We do a bike run every Sunday after Church when the weather permits, don’t worry; they don’t judge,” Lenny told me, noticing how uncomfortable I had become.

I was still ashamed for people to see me like this; it made me look weak, and I let a man do this to me. Luckily we were out of the room as fast as we entered and headed up a flight of stairs and down a hallway with brown doors on each side, some with a name plague on them. Halfway down, Lenny stopped in front of a door. “This will be your room; mine is right across the hall,” Lenny said, nodding his head toward the door across from this one. I saw his road name, ‘Stonewall,’ and then ‘Secretary’ was underneath it, denoting his position in the club.

He maneuvered his hand to open the door and enter the room. It was much nicer than I was expecting. It had bright white walls with framed art of nature scenes, a window with blue curtains, a queen bed with a blue headboard, a nightstand, and a dresser to match. A small couch, TV, and attached bath. As he turned, I saw a small refrigerator in the corner.

How did this club afford to have a clubhouse like this? Fire Dragons sure as hell didn’t have anything remotely close to this one. Growing up, the clubhouse was a dreary, depressing place. If Gray were an object, it would be the Fire Dragons clubhouse.

Lenny carried me to the bed, where light blue sheets and comforter were already pulled back, and laid me down, moving the pillows to make me comfortable before pulling the covers over me. I have never in my life been cared for like I have since Lenny walked into my life.

I liked it so much it scared me.

“Are you comfortable?” Lenny asked.

I shuffled a little, getting into a comfortable position. “Yeah, this is good.”

“The remote is here on the nightstand,” he said, picking it up and laying it back down. “There are drinks in the refrigerator, but someone will be checking in every hour with you in case you need anything.” He walked to the little fridge, took water out, and put it beside the remote.

“I need a phone, Lenny.” I really needed to let Margie know me and Gael were okay.

“I’ll run out and get you one today. I grabbed your phone when we left, but I took the battery out. I was afraid Flex could track you on it.”