“Can you believe the crowd tonight? Looks like a freaking biker convention,” Evelyn said, pouring a coke from the soda machine. She wasn’t wrong, this place was packed with bikers, and I was on edge. All it would take would be for one of these guys to know Drake, and I’d be done for. Every pass through the restaurant felt like I was playing Russian Roulette. I was shaking. My nerves were frayed, and I just wanted to leave.

“You okay?” Evelyn asked since I didn’t respond to her question a moment ago.

“Not really,” I lied feigning a headache. I was going to ham it up to Jack. I needed him to tell me to go home.

“Oh?” Evelyn looked taken aback, “You’ll have to tough it out. Trish is at a concert.”

I nodded. I knew this, but still, I had to try. I approached Jack on my next stop to the bar. “Jack, I’m not feeling well.”

He looked me up and down, cursing as he noticed the tremble in my hand. “I need you. You all but begged for a Saturday night. Is this going to be a thing?” I felt terrible that I was disappointing him, but I honestly didn't know if I could do this. “I’ll tell you what. Why don't you come back here behind the bar and I’ll work the floor?”

“Really?” It wouldn't stop someone from seeing me, but the crowd was so dense that I figured it would lessen the chances.

“Sure, thing.” Jack smiled, and his eyes crinkled the way they often did.

I moved behind the bar, and for the next thirty minutes, I was so busy, I didn't have a chance to think about my fears. I noticed a few of the Devil’s Crusaders, but there were a lot of new faces. Then, I spotted him. Mickey. He wore a long sleeve Harley shirt, his vest, black jeans, and motorcycle boots. He didn't seem like he was in a good mood. His body language was all wrong tonight. The casual Mickey that I’d met so many times didn't seem present. I watched as a gangly, tall skinny man, whose patch said prospect, handed Mickey a beer.

Mickey had an elbow propped on the high top table next to him. He hadn’t said hello to me. In fact, since I saw him a few days ago by the lake, I hadn’t seen or spoken to Mickey. I was both relieved and disappointed. I hadn’t much explored my feelings of disappointment.

I took my eyes from Mickey, and poured a round of shots, grabbed a handful of beers from the cooler, set it down in front of a customer and collected money. When I looked up again to see Mickey, he was swinging a beautiful brunette around in his arms and kissing her forehead. His entire demeanor changed, and I was instantly jealous. I couldn't understand why. He wasn't anything to me. I was married for Christ's sake. I had no right to feel this way, but I did.

He put her down and slung an arm around her waist. Several men came over to her and hugged her. She was obviously well known. She was young and gorgeous. If I was honest, I was a little disappointed in Mickey that he would go for someone so young.

“Hey, need a beer,” a guy yelled breaking me from my one-sided stare down. Mickey hadn’t even glanced my way tonight. I shouldn’t be worried about that, but I was. I poured four more draft beers for various customers. Each beer I poured, I slammed down with a little force.

I had no right to feel anything for that man. So, what? He gave me a few rides and was incredibly caring and kind. Who cares? I splashed a little bit of a draft beer as I set it down. The customer harrumphed leaving a five on the bar top, then moved quickly away. I grabbed a Budweiser for the guy three stools down who had told me to keep ‘em coming, then turned back to the space the draft guy had been and gritted my teeth as Mickey and the beautiful woman stood there.

“Marie,” Mickey greeted.

The brunette spoke up, “Hi, can I have five shots? Wait, hold on...” She turned and hollered to a few guys behind her, “Jules, you want one?” Then she turned back to me, “Make that six shots of Jack, and two Buds.” She was excited and perky. What the fuck did Mickey see in this perky little young thing?

“Jack!” The woman hollered and grabbed Jack, kissing him on the lips.

He grinned, “Well with a greeting like that, this round's on me. Marie, I got this one.” I poured the shots and listened as Mickey made a toast that sounded straight-off-the-boat-Irish. It was melodic and sexy, and I couldn't help but squint my eyes at the brunette. She saw it, and her eyes danced like she knew something I didn't.

Mickey set his shot glass down in front of me, and as I went to grab it, his hand brushed mine. “How are ye?” The nerve he had touching my hand while his woman was just a foot away.

“Fine,” I bit out quickly then turned away from Mickey and got busy on the other side of the bar.

I worked my ass off and did the best I could to ignore Mickey and my feelings of why I was jealous and stayed busy. I didn't see any faces I recognized, and I was good with faces. I was relieved when the men started to head out, and the bar began to empty. Mickey sat with the woman, who had kept his attention all night. I noticed Daws and Jules with them, along with the woman I saw Jules with the first day I met Mickey. I also saw Aubrey from the shop. They looked like a close group. It was weird. I was a little envious of them. As long as I’d been part of a club, I’d never felt that kind of camaraderie.

Jack called last call while he sorted out tips and tallied sales totals. I heard Mickey’s woman grumble and Jules' woman laugh. Mickey stood, and I finally felt at ease. He was going to be leaving. I sighed, I’d made it through the night.

Mickey didn't walk out the door like I was expecting of him. No, he approached me, “How’s the car? It’s holding up?”

“It’s running great, thanks.” I didn't meet his eyes as I took apart the soda machine, soaking the nozzles.

“Even so, we’ll wait for ye to leave and follow ye.” Great, now I felt like his charity case. “No, that’s okay. It’s not necessary.”

“It’s late. We’re going to the same place. I insist.” I looked up meeting his eyes. I was so not amused.

“Don’t you think she’ll mind?” I asked with a little bite.

“No, love. Not at all.”

I glared, calling me love while his woman was right there. Mickey was a player, and he didn't even hide it. I shouldn't have been surprised, but I was. I ignored Mickey and watched as his woman went to the jukebox and began searching through the selection.

“How much longer ‘til yer done?” I shrugged. “Jack, how much longer ‘til Marie's off?”

“Just finishing up. It’ll be about another fifteen minutes, if you’ll close out your tab.” Mickey opened his wallet and threw a bunch of bills on the bar in front of Jack.

“Maura, we’re going in fifteen minutes. Yer on the back of my bike, we’ll get the Navigator tomorrow.” Something about that name Maura seemed familiar, like I’d heard it, but couldn't place it. I’d certainly never seen her before. Maura began dancing to Joan Jett’s, I Love Rock and Roll. Jules' woman got up and joined her. The women laughed and tried to get Aubrey to dance with them. She shook her head at them and instead decided to come and talk to me. “Hi, Marie. Busy night huh?”

“Yes, we were slammed.” Evelyn walked past me with a broom, and I turned my attention from Aubrey to Evelyn. “You need a hand back there?” I asked.

“No, I’m almost done. I swept a little while ago, so it’s not that bad.” Drats.

“You don’t want to dance?” I motioned Aubrey to her friends who were dancing like no one was watching.

“Nah, I’m not a huge dancer. Besides, I’m not drinking tonight. I’m working in the morning,” she explained.

The song changed, and Warrant’s Cherry Pie came on. Maura and her friend began headbanging and doubling over laughing.

“Well, I don’t blame you for not wanting to dance with those two,” I said, and it came off kind of snotty.

Aubrey put her hand on top of mine. I wanted to pull back from her touch, but there was just something so innocent about her. “They're just having fun. Maura hasn't been here in a while. We’re all excited to see her. I wanted to check with you to make sure you still have my card.”

Oh, yes. That. I nodded and said, “Thank you,” my tone softening. Before I knew it, I was letting my guard down and let out a huge yawn.

“It's late. I’m exhausted too. Hey, honey?” she called to Daws who was close by watching the show Maura was putting on and smiling big. “Babe? Ready to take off?”

The look on his face changed to a half lazy look like just her talking to him made him a little drunk, hell maybe it did. “Sure, honey.”

“Night, Marie,” he said as he grabbed her hand and moved to the dancing women to say their goodbyes. The song changed again. This time, it was a rap song and I had no idea who sang it. Maura’s friend just laughed as she did the running man. Maura attempted to do The Kid 'n Play by hopping over a foot then fell on her ass and laughed some more.

“Jesus, you’re lit!” Mickey shook his head. I hadn’t even realized he was by me again, watching the show just like I was. “Marie, I hate to do this to you, but I can't put her on my bike. She’s smashed. Can she ride with you?”

Well, this was awkward, but how could I say no? Mickey had done so much for me, and so what if I was a little jealous? I had no right to be, and I had no right to judge.

“Sure.” I gave one more glance at the two young women laughing their asses off on the floor and thought they couldn't be that bad. They at least knew how to have a good time, and could give a fuck who was watching.

I finished up, and a few minutes later Mickey was helping Maura into my little Camry. Once she was buckled and Mickey was getting his bike to follow us, I looked at Maura; she really was pretty. “So, you and Mickey. You've known him a long time?”

She smiled an all-knowing smile, which seemed weird. “I’ve known him for forever.”

“He’s a good guy.” I offered up, making conversation.

“Oh, he’s the best. He’s so attentive. He used to play dress up with me. And he bought me the cutest baby doll dresses, and you should’ve seen how handsome he was at the wedding.” I was going to be ill. Mickey had some sick thing for girls, and he was married to this one. My judge of character was way off.

“Are you okay, Marie? I mean, you totally have my blessing if you want to date him. Not that you need my blessing or anything, he always does whatever he wants to do anyway. I’m just going to crash when we get back, so you’re welcome to hang out if you want. Seriously, I don’t mind.”

This was so fucked up. His young wife, he liked to dress up—offering me her husband and giving me her blessing. I mean, what-the-actual-fuck? I couldn't believe I was envious of their closeness. We turned down the road to the cottages, and I couldn't have been happier to see the Welcome to Lake Green sign. I couldn't take it any longer, not another minute. I looked at her and felt sorry for her. No wonder she was three sheets to the wind.

As I neared her cottage, I began, “Honey, you’re a pretty woman, and you deserve so much more. Trust me, I know. I had a husband that would flaunt women around. But I can't be one of those. And the dressing you up. That’s disgusting. I don't know what you think is normal, but being with a man who’s old enough to be your daddy and letting him dress you up; that ain't right. Maybe you should talk to your friend, Audrey. I’m sure she can help you. This is just wrong, and I'm sorry. You might be okay with me being with your old man while you're sleeping off a buzz, but I am not okay with that. I got a daughter at home. I can't believe he’d think I’d be okay with this.”

She wasn't getting out of the car. We were parked, and she was sitting there staring wide-eyed at me with her jaw hanging open. I reached over her and opened the door beyond annoyed. “You can get out now.”

Then she began laughing at me, full-blown hysterical laughing. She’d start to talk, “Wait, you think...” followed by more laughing; there might’ve even been tears. “Oh, my God! This is priceless!”

I couldn't take it any longer. I got out of the car and yelled at Mickey who was dumbfounded looking at Maura. “Get her out of my car. I’m so done. Like, beyond done.”

“Seriously, Marie? I know she can be a wee bit of a handful, but she’s a good lass.”

“You’re sick.” I seethed. His face no longer appearing like the happy-go-lucky Mickey, I was used to. It became harder.

“Now, hold on just a minute. What the feck did ye mean by dat?” Mickey’s voice was thick with his Irish brogue. I pointed my finger at him and poked him in the chest. I wasn't even sure where this hostility came from, but I was pissed.

Maura could tell by our heated voices that things were escalating. She got out of the car and tried to get between us, putting her hands up. “Whoa, whoa. Slow your roll.”

I couldn't believe this woman. She was so brainwashed. And who says “slow your roll”? I glared at the two of them. “Dad, Marie here is somehow under the impression that I’m your woman, not your daughter.”

“His what?” I said astoundingly.

“My what?” Mickey said at the same time.

“I’ll let you two figure this one out,” Maura excused herself and moved into their cabin.

“She’s your daughter?”

“Aye,” he looked at me bewildered. “Ye thought she was my...”

I cut him off, “I thought she was your old lady.” I felt stupid and embarrassed. I turned away from him and moved to get back into the car. Mickey was suddenly behind me. Close. So close, I could feel his warm breath on my neck.

“I don’t have an old lady. Haven’t really ever had one. Never met someone I’d really want to explore dat with until recently, dat is.”

Tingles raced over my skin. I felt turned on by his nearness. I hadn’t been turned on in a long time. It was unsettling. I felt the need to run because if I didn't run, I might do something worse. Stay.