Mace
Sawyer and Jagger had just made it to the house. The three of them sat in the living room while Becca was still upstairs getting ready. They’d been living together officially for a couple of days and Sawyer wanted to go out and celebrate. Since they hadn’t been out with the gang since the other couple’s engagement party a few months back, Becca and Mace agreed.
They were meeting Liam and Ava at their bar shortly for drinks and dancing, but first they were waiting on Toby. They hadn’t talked since Mace had first arrived in Kerrville, and he received a text last night to expect a call. Sawyer received the same.
Toby James was a famous tattooist, cousin to the rock prodigy Ash Harris who was lead singer of the band, Love the Sinner. Most importantly, he was like family to them as he was once engaged to Sawyer’s sister and was there for Mace when he went through all that shit with taking care of and then losing his mom. Toby was also a survivor and Mace admired him for it even if the man himself didn’t see himself that way. The phone rang, and he jumped to answer it. He put it on speaker and placed it on the coffee table.
“Toby, long time no speak,” he greeted.
“Hey, man, Sawyer with you?” Toby asked.
“Sure am, big brother. How are you?” Sawyer replied.
“Hey, squirt, I’m hanging on. Jagger still treating you properly?”
“You can count on it.” Jagger assured, and Sawyer smiled at him before she put her two cents in. “He’s been great, Tob. We’ll see you at the wedding, I hope.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” He said, “How about you, Mace? Meet any ladies who can stand your ugly mug yet?”
“Ha, ha,” Mace mocked, “You know I’ve never had problems in that department, and I met the best one there is.”
“It’s true, Toby. You should see him. They’re living together now, and he’s all domesticated. It’s a good look for him.” Sawyer stuck out her tongue in Mace’s direction and smiled. “Becca’s a peach, you’ll like her.”
“Congrats.” Toby chuckled over the receiver. “Never thought I’d see the day, but you deserve the happiness.”
“Hey, thanks man,” Mace replied, and he motioned Becca over as she descended the stairs.
“Hi, Toby, I’m Becca, Mace’s girlfriend. I’ve heard so much about you, all good things of course.”
“I’m sure you did,” Toby said, and you could hear the smile in his voice. “Nice to meet you, Becca.”
“Likewise, Toby.”
“How are things with the shop? And, your love life? You deserve just as much happiness as the rest of us. Carley would have wanted it that way,” Sawyer whispered the last part and swallowed.
“Shop’s you know, same old, same old. Hired a new guy named Rebel, he’s good too and we’re as busy as ever. As for the other stuff, met someone, scared the shit outta me and I fucked it up. Trying to make it right though, so wish me luck. Have a feeling I’ll need it.” Toby sighed. “The gang gives you their love.”
“Well, then give them ours back,” Sawyer said, and she leaned closer to the upturned cell phone on the table. “Good luck, Toby, it’ll work out. What’s her name?”
“Harlow,” he said, then sighed. “You really think Carley would be okay with this?” Sawyer’s sister had died in a fire and Toby had dealt with survivor’s guilt because he survived, and she didn’t. She never questioned how much he loved her though, and she knew in her heart her sister loved him enough that she’d want him to move on and be happy with his life.
“I know it, Toby. Harlow must be something special to bring all this up, so do what you have to do to fix whatever you did and make it right. It’s an order.”
“We’ll see.” He sighed again. “I’ll keep you posted.”
“You do that, man,” Mace said, “and, next time don’t wait so long to call.”
“I’ll call you next week,” Sawyer blurted. “We love you, bro.”
“Yeah, love you too, baby girl. Listen I gotta go. Clients coming in and then I have to figure out a way to get Harlow to talk to me. Maybe Mel will help me out,” he muttered. “They’re friends.”
“Good luck, Tob,” Mace said.
“Bye, man,” Jagger said after him, Becca stayed quiet, and then Sawyer spoke her peace.
“We’ll talk soon, and you know how to reach me if you need anything. We’re out.”
***
Becca
“Well that was interesting.” Becca observed. “Sounds to me like he may finally be healing.”
“Yeah,” Sawyer agreed. “It’ll be interesting to see how it goes with this Harlow woman. She must be something special to have Toby tied in knots like this. Good for him.” She stood and clapped her hands. “Yet another thing to celebrate tonight. Let’s go get our drink on.”
And so, they did.
They drank, they danced, toasted their happiness, and celebrated new found love with great friends at Tipsy’s.
They were sitting at the table again when Mace pulled Becca’s chair closer to his and he held on to her belt loop. He leaned in close and whispered in her ear while everyone else talked around them, “Whatch’ya thinking about?”
Becca shivered with goose bumps as his breath caressed over her ear when he spoke. “I’m eyeing that mechanical bull over there. Care to make a new wager?”
“Hell yeah!” Mace exclaimed, and he perked right up, gaining the attention of everyone at the table. “What do you have in mind?”
“Same terms as last time, we both ride and whomever lasts the longest wins. Jagger’s our time keeper. You win, and I’ll let you have your pick of the toy box.”
“You win, and I’ll wash the dishes for a week,” he interrupted.
“Dishes for a week, and I get to have my way with you. I’m talking about being in charge in the bedroom. You do as I say, and I promise to make it worth your while,” she whispered back.
Mace smiled. “Either way, and I’m a winner in my book.”
“I feel the same way.” She chuckled, and then stood. “The bet’s on again, ladies, and I’m riding first.”
As everyone followed them to the bull, she watched Mace’s tight ass in front of her while he led the way, and she knew without a doubt all was right in her world.
The End