Chapter Twelve
Rachel
Rachel spent the evening learning more and more about Diesel. The more he talked, the more he changed her original perspective of him. She had always thought he was the club jokester. The resident pervert. But there was so much more to him than that. While he still liked to joke around, and he was definitely still a perv, he had so many other layers that most people never got to see. That thought caused a twinge in Rachel’s heart. Many people didn’t get to see the real Marcus Briggs, and that seemed like a great injustice.
Later that night, they said their good nights and headed to their own rooms. It had been a great day. Diesel seemed like someone she could trust. The more she learned, the more she knew that was true.
Rachel quickly changed clothes and climbed into bed. Her mind immediately drifted to the man down the hall. It seemed he was never far from her thoughts. Sometimes she felt like a young school girl again, crushing on the most popular guy in class. She felt the need to scribble his name on a notebook.
Climbing out of bed, Rachel dug in her bag for her sketch pad. She suddenly had a scene pop into her head that she just had to get on paper.
Sitting back on her bed, she crossed her legs and flipped to the first empty page. Her hand began to fly over the page. Line after line. Angle after angle. Hours seemed to pass before she finally set her pencil to the side and looked at the image she created. A smile spread across her face. She had drawn the scene of her and Diesel sitting at the lake as the sun set. Two silhouettes, sitting together with nothing but nature’s beauty for company.
Closing the pad, she set it on the nightstand and snuggled under the covers. Within minutes, Rachel drifted off to sleep still smiling. But that smile vanished as her peaceful sleep turned into one nightmare after another. Men hunting her, chasing her. Guns. Blood. Death. Everywhere. She tossed and turned all night, unable to find peace. It wasn’t until the first rays of the bright morning sun pierced her darkness that Rachel was finally able to pull herself from her own mind.
Feeling groggy and tired, she got out of bed and headed straight for the shower. Maybe that would take some of the aches and pains away. Or at least she hoped it would. The Henchmen would be there today and Rachel knew a lot more questions would be asked and answers would be expected.
Walking down the stairs freshly showered, Rachel could hear music coming from the back deck. Were the Henchmen already here, she wondered? She hadn’t expected them to arrive so early.
Stepping up to the door, Rachel glanced outside and couldn’t help but smile in awe. Stunned, she watched Diesel pick at an old guitar and belt out notes in a voice that would make any woman swoon. Rachel didn’t know he played guitar and definitely didn’t know that he could sing.
Pulling herself away from the view, she quickly made her way into the kitchen and fixed a steaming cup of coffee. She wanted to get outside. She wanted to sit and listen to the beauty of Diesel’s voice. After last night, it would be a perfect way to start the stressful day ahead.
Quietly, Rachel opened the door and made her way to the lounge chair next to his, but the moment she came into his view, the tone and melody stopped.
“Oh, good morning. Sorry if I woke you,” he said, looking slightly embarrassed.
“You didn’t,” Rachel assured. “I didn’t know you could sing and play the guitar.”
“I am a man of many talents,” Diesel said with a mischievous grin.
“I’m sure you are,” Rachel replied confidently, bringing the cup to her mouth to try to hide her own grin.
“You look exhausted. Didn’t sleep well?” Diesel asked.
“I am. And no, I had nightmares all night,” Rachel sighed. “It’s been a long time since that happened.”
“What are they about?” Concern laced his voice.
“Just the past,” Rachel replied vaguely. She didn’t want to get into the details of the worse days of her life. She was forced to relive them in her sleep, she didn’t want to do it again - if she didn’t have to.
“I’m a good listener. If you ever want to unburden that load,” Diesel offered.
“Thank you,” Rachel smiled. The gesture meant a lot to her. She knew if she wanted to spill her guts, without a doubt, Diesel would listen to every word.
“The club will be here around noon. Things are probably going to get crazy. I know you’ve been through a lot lately. So if it starts to be too much, don’t worry about needing to escape. Just come find me, I’ll make the excuse for you, if need be,” Diesel reassured.
“You’re so sweet,” Rachel smiled, reaching over to squeeze his hand. “That means a lot.”
Rachel stared, mesmerized, as Diesel laced his fingers between hers. The act seemed so simple yet intimate at the same time. Diesel was showing her layers she never thought existed. Complex was now on the list of words she would use to describe him.
Rachel was even more surprised when Diesel lifted her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss to her palm. When he let go of her hand, she felt the loss immediately.
The first tune played across the backyard followed closely by another. The tunes poured from the instrument, one after another. Soon, Diesel’s voice filled the air. His baritone was a soothing balm to Rachel’s soul. Reclining in the chair, she closed her eyes, no longer afraid of the darkness. Diesel’s voice was her anchor.
Rachel and Diesel spent the morning on the back deck. He played and sang just about every song she requested. Diesel’s knowledge of music was another added surprise.
“Is there anything you can’t play?” Rachel asked, astonished.
“Not really. I love music. It’s always been a big part of my life. And I listen to just about everything,” Diesel explained.
“Favorite band?” Rachel asked, perking up in her chair.
“What genre? Or of all time?” Diesel countered.
“All time,” Rachel answered.
“Santana,” Diesel said quickly.
“Really?” Again, another surprise. Today was just filled with them.
“Yep. The man could play a guitar like nobody’s business. He rocked that shit,” Diesel praised.
“True,” Rachel conceded. “Okay, country?”
“New or old?” Diesel asked.
“New.”
“I like Brantley Gilbert, Eric Church, and LoCash Cowboys. I think as of right now, those are my favorites. But it really depends. My taste in music changes with my moods. Sometimes, I just need a kickass bass beat that thumps deep in my soul. At other times, I am content with the soft melody of a classic blues song.”
Rachel listened intently while Diesel’s face lit up with excitement as he explained his choices in music. Everything from George Jones to Artifas. Barry White to Machine Gun Kelly. She could definitely understand. He talked about music the same way she talked about art.
“Anybody home?” a voice shouted from inside the house.
“Oh shit! I didn’t realize how late it was,” Diesel said, standing from his chair. “Come on, beautiful. Let’s go meet our guests.”
Diesel reached for her hand again and together they entered the house. She liked how he said ‘our guests’. Like this was her house, too.
Don’t read more into this than there is, she chastised herself mentally.
To Diesel, it was probably just an innocent comment. But to Rachel, who never really had a place to call hers - it meant more than it probably should have.
“Hey, man!” Diesel said, reaching out with his other hand to shake Sledge’s, then Reaper’s.
“Rachel!” a high pitched voice rang out.
She was then wrapped up in a back popping hug. Amber. Rachel hugged her friend back just as tightly. She had missed the girls. So much.
“Hey Am,” Rachel whispered, throat clogged with emotions.
Amber pulled away to look into Rachel’s face. A look of concern filled her eyes. Quickly, Rachel pulled her back into her embrace.
“I’ve missed your crazy butt,” Rachel told her.
“I missed you too, girl,” Amber replied. “And so have the kids.”
“Okay, enough. Amber, move your ass. My turn to get love,” Beth interjected.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Amber retorted, rolling her eyes.
Beth pulled Rachel towards her, enveloping her. Again, Rachel was overcome with emotions. These women had been her only friends for so long. Thinking about her plan to disappear after all of this was over, Rachel couldn’t imagine not having these women in her life. They may not have spent a lot of time together, but they were still her tribe. Her people. Her girls.
“Doing okay, kid?” Sledge’s voice pulled her out of Beth’s hug. Turning towards the President, Rachel could immediately feel the dominance pouring off of him. It was easy to see why Sledge was the President. He owned any room he walked into. His mere presence demanded respect. Sledge Parks was intimidating as heck!
“I’m alright,” Rachel squeaked.
“Good,” he said, with a smile. If Rachel wasn’t so overwhelmed by the man, it might have been reassuring.
“You bring the food?” Diesel asked, sending Rachel a wink. She knew he was trying to take the attention away from her and she was extremely grateful for it.
“Got it out in the truck,” Reaper said. “Want to help me carry it all in?”
“Sure,” Diesel said, leading the way out the front door.
“Let’s go outside. Sledge kept telling me about this amazing view from Diesel’s back deck. I want to see it,” Beth gushed.