Chapter Three
Kayla
“My ass is like a rock. I think I need a good massage. Sadie, you feel like squeezing up on this,” Kate teases, as we all climb out of the SUV we have spent the past two days in. We all laugh, and Sadie rolls her eyes, used to Kate’s harassing.
“I’m good. We shared a bed last night, and I think you grabbed my boob three times in your sleep,” Sadie responds as I move to the back of the U-Haul to open it up and retrieve my things. We pulled up outside the tiny house I’m renting just a few blocks away from the university, and it’s just as small and quaint as the pictures made it seem.
All white with yellow shutters. There isn’t a ton of people surrounding me, just one neighbor a mile down the road, and then another about five hundred yards from me. The two-bedroom one-bathroom 1920s home is just right for little ole me.
“You liked it, Sister Christian. Don’t lie,” Kate retorts, as they both approach me.
“Shut it, weirdo.”
“Both of you hush and help me. I have a mini U-Haul to unpack and you are slowing us down.” They both jump to attention and we share smiles.
“Lead the way, sir.” Kate salutes. I go to say something back, planning to get in the last word, when the roar of a motorcycle stops me.
“Hey, do y’all need help?” a beautiful woman with curly hair asks from behind the biker’s shoulder. He has dark hair and a thick beard. It’s like looking at night and day, hard and soft. Instantly, you can tell they’re a couple when he places his hand possessively on her hip after she climbs off the bike. He doesn’t say anything, but his eyes stay glued to her, as if we are going to turn into kidnappers and take her away. It’s wildly scary, but recklessly hot. What I wouldn’t give for a man to protect me fiercely like him.
“Oh no, that’s okay! We don’t want to put anyone out,” I respond with a soft smile.
“Babe, you aren’t in Portland anymore,” she points to the plates on our vehicle. “We help our neighbors out around here. Right, handsome?” She looks over her shoulder at the stoic beast behind her, and with that, he stands. I think we all gulp when he towers over her, pulling her into his side as he does.
The man is big. A real biker. Leather cut and all. And suddenly, I’m the nervous one.
“Whatever my woman wants, she gets. So where does what go, ladies?” His demeanor throws me off a bit. He looks too big to be so nice and welcoming. There is a gentle giant vibe about him, and we all notice.
She starts, “Harmony MacCabe. And this big teddy—” and he growls, my stomach filling with butterflies. Holy moly, he is gorgeous. “—is my caveman husband, Harlen, and we are here to help you.”
“Wow, that really is sweet of you. My name’s Kayla, and this is my cousin, Kate, and her babysitter, Sadie,” I tease, and Kate nudges my side.
“Hey! I’m a hoot. You are going to miss me when we leave,” she says with a pout before crossing her arms.
“Wait, you’re the only one living here? As in, alone? No husband or roommates?” Harlen asks, his brows drawing in with his scowl.
“Um, no, I-I just…” I stutter suddenly, intimidated by his dominance.
“Oh hush. Not all of us women are damsels. We can live on our own, Harlen. Remember? I did.” Harmony rolls her eyes and leaves his side.
“I know that, baby. But still, she’s new in town, and she doesn’t have many neighbors.”
“I taught her how to royally screw up someone’s balls if they come at her, so no worries.” Kate shrugs next to me, and while all the girls chuckle, Harlen stays stone-faced.
“Ignore him. Brooding and all-alpha. That’s my big man.”
I do what Harmony says and make work of unpacking. Within two hours, everything is in the house and some of the boxes are open.
“Thank you, guys. You made this go by way faster,” I tell Harmony and Harlen.
“Oh, no problem. Welcome to town.” She eyes me over, Kate and Sadie lost in the mix of boxes down the hall in my room. “Hey, how about y’all come out with us tonight? We’re getting together at the local joint with some friends.”
“Really? I mean, you don’t have to invite me. I don’t want to impose.”
“You sure say that a lot. Listen, I like you. You’re quiet, and I wouldn’t invite you if I didn’t dig your vibe, lady.”
I smile shyly, tucking my hair awkwardly, because I’m not used to this much social interaction. I’ve kept so much to myself for the past two and half years that I’ve lost my natural flare for socializing.
“I like you too, both of you. Except, you kind of scare me.” Before I can stop it, those words fly out of my mouth, and I cover it as my eyes go to the man I was speaking about, Harlen. Everyone goes silent, and I’m sure my invite is about to be retracted.
When Harmony finally snorts, trying to hold in her laughter, Harlen cracks a crooked grin, and my shoulders relax a little.
“I’ll take it. It’s the beard and the muscles. Makes most people scared. Except this one. It turns her on. Can’t keep her off me.” His hand on her hip turns her into him, and he gives her butt a full-on squeeze, setting off those tiny shivers in my belly again. Wow. He uses his free hand as she starts to protest his comment, when he grips her jaw and slams his mouth to hers. I watch her sag in his arms and become putty in his hands.
“Ah, that effect. Ben still gets me like that too,” Sadie says, as she and Kate reenter the room. I look to her and shake my head with wide eyes.
“You are very lucky then. That isn’t something you see in men these days,” Kate tells her, while Sadie and I keep our eyes on the show.
Finally, Harmony breaks up their PG-13/borderline R-rated make-out scene. “So sorry. He’s a caveman.”
He wipes his lip with his thumb and smacks her on the ass, turning to step outside. Grumbling over his shoulder something along the lines of her loving it.
“Are all his friends like that?” I tease, but her body perks up, her eyes going wild with an idea. I gulp, because I feel like something crazy is about to happen, a twist in my gut telling me a hand of fate is about to knock me square on my ass.
“Yeah, they are. In fact, Jase, Harlen’s good friend since childhood, is gonna be there tonight. I think you two would hit it off!” She jumps on the balls of her feet and bites her bottom lip.
“Baby, don’t you go meddling again.” Harlen steps into the house with a box we must have missed.
“Hush, I’m not meddling. I’m simply directing traffic.”
My brows pull in, and I watch their exchange, still trying to figure out what is happening. Jase? Meddling? We would hit it off? Why is my stomach a mess of anxious butterflies, but my mind is screaming to run and hide and fake the flu to get out of tonight?
“He’s gonna be pissed, and then I’m gonna have to kick his ass if he gets snippy with you. You’re playing with fire, baby.”
“This sounds promising,” I mumble.
“We will be there!” Kate interjects, making the decision, and there is no way she will let me out of this now. Kate and Harmony could be soul sisters.
I grow more and more anxious. I haven’t been with a guy, not since my short high school fling with Joey. It was nothing, just two awkward teens making out in the back seat of a car. Hands always to ourselves. How would I even act or talk to a man if he’s anything like Harmony’s alpha giant?
“Perfect, what’s your number?” She pulls out her phone, and I rattle off my number nervously. Seconds later, I have a text with the place and time. “There. I’m so excited! Let’s head home, Harlen. I have to shower and get ready. We will see you ladies tonight!” Harmony comes in for a hug and I return it, still a mess over everything that’s transpired. Who am I right now? How did I not even argue with all of them? It’s like the universe is pulling and clawing at me to follow Harmony in the direction she’s pointing me.
“Yeah, we will see you there,” I say timidly, letting the war rage on in my mind.
Calm down, Kayla. It’s just a group activity, not your damn wedding day. I shake it off and finish with goodbyes. Now, to find the box where I packed my decent clothing. Can’t go in ripped sweat pants and my dad’s tee.
Mama and Papa. I remember them then, and I remember why I came here. New beginnings. New things. Tonight will be the start.