Chapter Twenty-Eight
Wheelie
Wheelie stood in the corner of the living room at Hawk and Cara’s house, sipping a glass of whiskey while he watched Sofia talk with Cherri. Tigger’s arm snaked around her waist and the glow from the colored lights around the Christmas tree brightened her pale skin. Dressed in a red dress that hugged her body just right, Wheelie thought she’d never looked prettier as she did at that moment. Every few minutes, she’d glance sideways at him, but she never made eye contact. She couldn’t.
“Dude, you’re fuckin’ obvious,” Throttle said as he passed by him.
Wheelie took another drink from his glass and kept staring at the woman who’d been the main feature in his thoughts for the past few weeks. A couple of times he saw Banger’s brows furrow when he looked his way, but Wheelie didn’t give a shit. He just couldn’t keep his eyes off Sofia, she looked like an angel.
“Do you want something to eat or are you gonna stand in the corner sulking like a goddamn teenager?” Throttle asked.
“I’ll get something. Did Kimber like the ring?”
A grin cracked over Throttle’s face. “She fuckin’ loved it.”
“When’s the wedding?”
“She wants to have a summer one so we decided on next June. Remember Brenda from Ruthie’s?”
“Brenda? Who’s she?”
“The waitress with the big tits.”
“The one Tigger’s always got a hard-on for?”
“Yeah. Anyway, Rags and me were in there a few times last week and each time we were there she came over to the table and asked about you. She’s got a thing for you, dude. You need to go over there and sit at her station.”
“She’s not my type.”
Throttle exhaled loudly. “You gotta move on. Sofia’s taken. You haven’t been with the club girls for the last few weeks. I know what you’re feeling, but she’s a brother’s old lady. You—”
“Fuck, man. Will you leave it alone? I know the damn score.” He pushed away from the wall and walked into the kitchen.
“Do you want a plate?” Kimber asked as she handed him one.
“Thanks. Nice ring.”
Kimber’s face shone. “I think so too. I love it.”
“You guys know how to make our hearts soar,” Addie said as she placed two deviled eggs on her plate.
“Do you want me to fix you a plate?” Cara asked, placing a pot of tomato sauce down on the counter.
“Thanks, but I’m good.” Wheelie placed some food on his dish, his eyes reverting back to Sofia. This time she was in front of him, and their gazes locked. Tigger was talking with Jax, and for the space of a held breath, it was only them, a heated longing in her green eyes.
“You need me to refresh your glass?” Hawk’s deep voice broke their connection.
Wheelie shook his head. “I’m good.” The ice clinked as he brought the amber-colored drink to his lips.
“I’ll take some more,” Tigger said, holding out his glass. He turned to Wheelie, his gaze unfocused. “I heard Brenda’s got the hots for you. What a lucky sonofabitch. She’s totally stacked.”
Wheelie glanced at Sofia’s taut face. Licks of anger rode up his spine and he clenched his fists. If the fucker doesn’t shut up, I’m gonna deck him.
“That’s not a very nice thing to say with your wife standing right next to you. Show her some respect,” Cara said, her hands on her hip.
Redness mottled Tigger’s face. “You show me respect. You don’t tell a brother shit.” Sofia stepped away, fear etched on her face.
“You’ve had too much to drink, so I’ll forget I heard what you said to my wife,” Hawk said. “This is a get-together for the brothers and their old ladies. I’m not gonna tolerate any disrespect in my house. What you said was shitty to Sofia. Cara called you on it before I had a chance to.”
Tigger stared intently at Hawk then at Cara. Sofia stood stiffly off to the side. From the way she watched the situation, Wheelie knew she didn’t want it to escalate because she’d feel the brunt of Tigger’s anger and frustration later on when they were alone.
“This is a damn party. Crank up the music,” Jax said, his hand clasping onto Tigger’s shoulder.
Tigger turned to Wheelie. “Where’s your old lady?”
That’s it. Before Wheelie could react, Banger said, “Some of the single brothers are here ’cause they’re friends with Hawk. I’d like some more of your spiked eggnog, little lady.” He handed his glass to Cara.
“I wanna show you some pictures of the new Harley I’m thinking of buying,” Jax said to Tigger.
The mention of a Harley lessened the strain between Tigger and Wheelie. He pulled his focus away from him and smiled at Jax. “When you buying it? I’m gearing up to get a new one.” He followed Jax to the study.
“Me too. Mine’s been acting up too much. Kimber suggested I look into getting a new one,” Axe said as he joined them.
After Tigger left, the tension lifted, and Wheelie went over to Cherri and Sofia.
“I just don’t want him to be pissed when he leaves tonight.” Sofia’s soft voice fell on his ears.
“Jax will get him talking about motorcycles, and you know how these guys love their Harleys,” Cherri replied.
Sofia chuckled. “Yeah. That should put him in a good mood. He’s been talking about getting another one for quite a while.”
“Harleys always put a biker in a good mood,” Wheelie said, injecting himself into their conversation. Sofia glanced at him and smiled, her eyes sparkling. “How’ve you been?” he asked softly.
“Good. What about you?” She brought her drink to her lips.
“Not bad. I’m thinking of starting a business.”
“That’s cool. What kind?”
The scent of violet swirled around him. “Car wash and detailing. Diesel and I are going into business. I’ll start it up and he’ll join me when he gets out of the pen. You remember him, right?”
“Yeah. He’s been doing time since Tigger and Skeet got out. Is he going to get paroled?”
“Nah. His sentence is finishing up. Should be out in about eight months or so. Remember the car wash on Alameda Street?”
“Of course. I took my car there a lot. It’s been closed for a while.”
“The landlord’s giving me a sweet deal on the lease. All the stuff is still in good working condition. Old man Jenkins just split and left everything behind.” He chuckled. “I guess he wanted to get away from his wife real bad.”
Sofia giggled. “I can’t say that I blame him. Rogina’s a real bitch. Each time I went into the car wash, she’d give me the evil eye and was so rude to me.”
“That’s because you’re pretty. She was jealous the old man would hit on you.”
A soft pinkish-red blush painted her cheeks. “Thanks. You always say real nice things to me.”
He brushed his fingers across her hand. “I mean everything I say.”
“Did Jenkins take off with another woman?” Cherri asked.
Wheelie had forgotten Cherri was there. “Uh… no one knows for sure, but the rumor is he did. Him leaving just made Rogina meaner. She didn’t want any of the car wash’s equipment which is good for me and Diesel. I’m gonna meet with the landlord after the first of the year.”
“I hope it all turns out,” Cherri said.
“I know you’ll do great.” Sofia squeezed two of his fingers then quickly moved her hand away.
Desire ribboned through him as his cock stirred. “I need to talk to you. Meet me in the laundry room. It’s just for a few minutes,” he said in a low voice. Her eyes flicked to the hallway. “Don’t worry. He’s still in the study with Jax and Axe. They’ll be there for another hour looking at Harleys. I’ll go first and wait for you.” When she nodded slightly, he smiled and walked away.
What the fuck are you doing? He leaned against the washing machine feeling like a damn teenager who was afraid of being caught by his dad. In his case, it was Banger. The president had just given him a talking to the day before, and here he was, desire and excitement weaving through him as he waited for Sofia. Fuck! This is so damn lame. But the truth was that he wanted to feel her soft lips against his one last time. As crazy as he was about her, she was a brother’s wife, and until she changed that, she was off-limits. The brotherhood had always come first in his life—in all his brothers’ lives. He couldn’t betray another member, and he didn’t want to throw away the brotherhood for an affair.
The door opened slowly and then Sofia came in, closing it behind her. She smiled and walked toward him.
“I can’t stay very long. I don’t want Tigger to come looking for me.” She brushed the stray hairs off her face. “I keep thinking about that night you came over when Tigger was out of town.”
He cocked his head. “Me too.” He reached out and stroked her cheek with his fingertips. “You look amazing tonight.”
She looked down at the ground, her face turning soft shades of pink. “Thanks.” She clasped and twisted her hands as if washing them under an invisible faucet.
“You don’t need to be nervous around me.” He stepped forward and placed his hands on hers, stopping their constant motion. Sofia glanced up at him. “I got something for you.” He reached inside his cut and pulled out a silver box.
Staring at it, she brought her fingers to her collarbone. “I didn’t get you a Christmas present.”
He put the box in the palm of her hand. “You don’t have to.”
As she opened the lid, her fingers shook and he wanted to pull her into his arms and press her close to him, making her feel safe and cherished, but he just stood there watching as she stared at the sterling silver necklace.
“It’s so beautiful,” she murmured as her finger brushed over the open ring pendant. Taking it out of the box, she held it up to the light. “‘You’ve got a friend in me,’” she read. She clasped it in her hand.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever received.” Wetness dampened her cheeks.
“If you ever need me, I’m here for you. Don’t ever hesitate to call me. You got that?” She bobbed her head. “Just remember that you’re a special woman, and no one can take that away from you.”
“Oh, Wheelie.” She wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him tightly, and he rubbed his hands up and down her back, inhaling her sweet scent and loving the way her body molded into his. She tipped her head back and he bent down and traced the soft fullness of her lips with the tip of his tongue, then his lips pressed against hers and gently covered her mouth. They stood kissing, holding each other as though it was the end of the world. After a few minutes, Sofia pulled away. He swept a callused thumb over her lips. They were warm and wet from the kiss.
“Where’s Sofia?” Tigger’s voice shattered their moment. Sofia jumped away from Wheelie as though he’d caught on fire.
“She’s in the bathroom,” Cherri said.
Sofia looked at the closed door then back at him. “I’ve gotta go. How does my lipstick look?”
Quirking his lips, he shook his head. “You need to reapply it.” He watched as she rummaged through her purse, took out a tube of shiny red, and ran the wand over her lips.
“I’ll have to hide the necklace,” she said, shoving it into her purse.
“I figured as much.”
She gave him back the silver box. “I love it. I really do.”
“I’m glad. When you decide what you want to do about Tigger, let me know.”
“What do you mean? It sounds like we won’t see each other again.”
“We’ll see each other at the club and at family functions.”
Sadness crept into her eyes and he hated that he was responsible for it.
“We won’t see each other alone?”
He shook his head. “You know we can’t. I’m an Insurgent. The club’s my life. It’s the blood in my veins. I can’t betray a brother. And if I see you alone again, I’m not gonna stop at a kiss. You’re too tempting. We’ll end up doing something we’ll both regret.” He scrubbed his face with his fist. “We can’t see each other as long as you’re still with him. And why the hell are you with him after everything he’s done to you?”
“He’s been real nice lately. Last week he made me ribs. He’s trying. And I understand about the brotherhood. I don’t want to be responsible for getting you in trouble with Banger or the others. I’d never forgive myself.” She brushed her hair back behind her shoulders. “I have to give my marriage a chance. Tigger’s really trying.”
“That’s good. You better go back to the party. Just remember I’m here if you ever need me to help you out.” She came over and kissed him on the cheek and then she was gone.
For a long while he listened to the gaiety of his brothers and their old ladies as a surge of anger, sadness, and emptiness raged inside him. Sofia had made her decision. Had he really expected her to denounce her husband and run gleefully into his arms? He shook his head. Life was a series of disappointments so one more wasn’t going to break him.
Exhaling a breath he wasn’t aware he’d been holding, he switched off the lights and went back to the party.