“Uh, you can handle the school thing, but I’m not going anywhere, doll.”
I closed my eyes. “What do you mean, you are not going anywhere?” I asked.
“You’re connected to the club, and until we figure out who blew up the gym, I’m here.”
My eyes snapped open. “No.”
“No?” Cue Ball laughed.
“Yes, no. I don’t accept anything you just said. I am not connected to the club, and you do not need to stay in my house like a watchdog. I am fine. Please go.” I opened my eyes and shooed my hand at Cue Ball. “Bye.” I wasn’t going to be a burden to Cue Ball and the club.
He shook his head and smirked. “You’re cute when you’re trying to be bossy.”
“I’m not cute, but I am bossy. There is no trying to it. I don’t need you here.” I was fine on my own.
Cue Ball raised his hand. “The only way I am leaving is when we know who tried to kill you. So for that to happen, you need to tell me who it is that blew up the gym. Was it someone connected to you? Maybe your ex?”
I wrinkled my nose. “What? Why would I know that? And no. I haven’t seen or spoken to my ex for ten years. If he blew up the gym, he has been holding a grudge for a long time. It was obviously someone who has a problem with the club,” I pointed out.
“Then why did they do it to you?” he asked.
“I wasn’t even supposed to be there. It was Faye’s day to work. I was filling in for her because her car broke down.”
“Then it’s someone who has a problem with Faye.”
“Or the club,” I insisted. “Faye and I do not deal in shady things that would warrant someone wanting to blow us up.”
“And neither does the club.”
“Well, then, I guess you can go, and we’ll just chalk it up to a freak accident, yeah?”
Cue Ball shook his head. “Nope. I’m here until we figure out what is going on. Like it or hate it, that is what it is.”
“No,” I moaned.
“You hungry?” he asked.
“Are you just going to ignore me?”
He nodded. “If it has anything to do with me leaving, yes. Everything else, I’ll listen.”
I grabbed my pillow and covered my face. I let out a frustrated scream and flailed my legs.
“Better?” Cue Ball called.
I took the pillow off my face and threw it in his direction. It, of course, didn’t hit him because my body was still sore all over. “This isn’t fair. What is Rocky going to think? Some strange man is suddenly living with us?”
Cue Ball shrugged. “He seemed to take it a lot better than you are, and he’s going to think I’m keeping you safe because that is what I told him I was doing.”
“You told him you were staying?” I asked. Where in the heck did this man get his gall?
“Uh, yeah. He’s a smart kid, Olive. Not like I could spin some lie, and he would fall for it. I told him the same thing I just told you. He’s good with it.”
“Of course, he would be good with it. He thinks you are some amazing guy.” Cue Ball had this air about him that made you feel comfortable with him. Sure, he was sort of intimidating, but it was a comforting intimidation. Made zero sense, but that was what I felt when he was around.
He tipped his head to the side. “I’m trying not to be offended by that.”
“Ugh, you know what I mean. He’s a kid who only sees what is in front of him. He doesn’t see the big picture.” I saw it all, and I didn’t want any of it. I didn’t need Cue Ball watching my every move.
“You mean the big picture of me making sure you two are safe? No, I’m sure he gets that, Olive. The kid is pretty worried about the fact you were blown up not even a day ago.”
I flattened my lips. “That is not going to happen again.”
Cue Ball pushed off the door frame. “Yeah, you’re right. It’s not going to happen again because I’m going to make sure it doesn’t. Rocky is worried about you, and I’m going to help take that worry away from him.”
“You don’t even know us,” I pointed out. “No one in their right mind just uproots their whole life to help protect someone they just met.” This was crazy. Sure, I didn’t like that Rocky was worried about me, but I wasn’t sure Cue Ball moving in and being our guard dog was the right answer. What would happen after all of this was over, and then something else happens? Would Rocky think that someone would always swoop in and save the day?
“I wouldn’t say no one, doll. I know of nine other guys who would do the same exact thing I am doing.” He pointed at me. “Maybe call Faye and see if she is putting up as much of a fuss as you are.”
I rolled my eyes and sat up. “I can guarantee that Faye is not okay with one of you coming into her house.”
Cue Ball tipped his head to the side. “Call your girl, doll. You might be surprised.”
Faye was okay with one of the guys just taking over her life? I didn’t believe it. “I’m going to call her,” I warned.
Cue Ball winked at me. “Sounds good to me.” He headed down the hallway, whistling under his breath.
“I don’t want you here,” I called. “I have my life exactly how I want it.”
“You want lunch?” he called.
“I want you to leave.”
“I’m in the mood for a burger.”
I growled and folded my arms over my chest. “I’ll take mine with everything on it, but that doesn’t mean that I accept you being here.”
“Fries?”
I closed my eyes and laid back. “Onion rings. And also honey mustard.”
“You got it, doll.”
How had this happened?
Why was this happening?
I was obviously not the target of the gym blowing up, but I was somehow now swept up in it.
I didn’t want to be swept up in all of this.
It was more than enough for Cue Ball to come to the hospital last night, and then to even bring me home and take Rocky to school was great. But that was it.
That should be it!
But somehow, it was one o’clock in the afternoon, and I was still in bed while a hot biker was in my kitchen ordering me a burger and onion rings. With honey mustard.
I didn’t have a job, a car, or my phone, but I at least had lunch on the way.
And a hot biker in my kitchen.
Oh, lord.
*
Chapter Seven
Cue Ball
“You calling to tell me you are on the way to the clubhouse because you can’t handle her?”
I rolled my eyes and leaned against the porch railing. “Hardly, brother. I was just calling to see if you guys have any leads on what the hell happened at the gym.”
“Nah, man,” Yarder grunted. “Cops are being tightlipped about everything. You would think they would be a little bit nicer to us since we were the damn victims in all of this.”
“Treating you like a dirty biker?” I laughed.
“You fucking know it.” Yarder sighed. “Stretch says he’s got a connection at the police department.”
“Benny?” I laughed.