Rowan

Sunday morning, I woke up early... well, no, that wasn’t entirely accurate. I hadn’t really gone to sleep. After Sundance had checked every corner of my loft, making sure it was safe, he waited while Lord did his business, then I locked up and watched him and Wyatt drive away.

I’d taken my anti-anxiety pills and curled up on my mattress, but the sheets smelled like Scooby, so I ripped them off and remade the bed. Actually, everything in my room reminded me of him, especially the sex swing he’d installed in the corner which I had no earthly idea how I was going to get rid of now. My ceilings were high, and I was far too mortified to go through a marketplace listing for handymen to uninstall it, so it was going to stay there for a while.

But I mean, really, how would that conversation go with a future real estate agent when I went to sell? Maybe I’ll be able to convince them I was in a horrible accident and laid in traction for a few months, or perhaps was the former owner of the world’s largest cockatoo.

For the moment, I focused on the sheets, and once I’d done all I could to rid my bed of Scooby’s scent, I let Lord out of the crate, and he stretched out beside me in a perfect spoon, but I still didn’t sleep. In the end, I took a hot shower and headed downstairs to prep for the Sunday morning rush.

Dusty and Monty arrived within minutes of each other, and Dusty was none too pleased to see me.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I said as she donned an apron and washed her hands.

“Honey, you had the chance to finally have some time off—”

“We broke up.”

“What?” Dusty exclaimed. “Why did you break up?”

“Did he do something?” Monty asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I said.

“But you’re in love with him,” Dusty observed.

I frowned. “Well, I don’t know that I’d go that far...”

“Oh, honey, I know love when I see it, and the two of you are completely besotted with each other.”

“He dumped me, okay?” I snapped. “Can we drop it, please?”

“He what?” Monty growled.

I dropped my head back and groaned.

“I’m gonna fuckin’ kill him.”

I faced him. “No, you’re not. I’m good. It’s for the best.”

He grunted and turned back toward the stove.

“Monty, promise me you’re gonna leave this alone.”

He slammed the metal spatula against the grill but didn’t answer me. I sighed and focused back on Dusty who looked ready to burst with rage.

“No,” I said. “People break up all the time. It’s not the end of the world.”

She scowled, grabbing a bowl, and slamming it onto the counter. “No good, son of a bitch. If he were standing in front of me, I’d put his nuts in the blender.”

“Just his nuts?” I retorted, then added, “Don’t answer that.”

“He better never show his face here again, baby girl, or I swear to god, I will cut his dick off and shove it down his throat.”

“Okay, Dusty, take it down a notch,” I said. “He’s entitled to his feelings. If he doesn’t want to be with me, he doesn’t have to be.”

“He’s a goddamned fucking idiot,” Monty said.

“Amen to that,” Dusty responded.

“Yo!” a male voice called from the back door. “Anyone here? I was told to report at seven.”

Dusty walked that way, then I heard, “Oh, hell, no. You walk your ass out that door and tell Scooby we don’t need assholes like you anywhere near this diner.”

I rushed over to the commotion and saw one of the recruits I’d met last night with his hands raised in surrender. “Hey, Rowan. I’m Healy. I met you last night, remember? I’m here to help.”

I shook my head. “We don’t need it. You can go home. And please tell Scooby not to send any more people, okay?”

“The order didn’t come from Scooby,” Healy said. “It came from Rocky.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from screaming. “I don’t care if it came from the pope. Please leave and don’t come back.”

He frowned. “Ah, yeah, I can’t do that. Rocky’ll have my patch.”

“I’ll fuckin’ have your ass if you don’t do what the lady asks,” Monty threatened from behind me.

Healy glanced up at Monty and shook his head. “No offense, man, but Rocky’s a hell of a lot scarier than you.”

I groaned. “Healy, you really don’t know Monty well enough to make that statement, so if you could please go and let Rocky know I said I don’t need you, I’d appreciate it.”

He met my eyes. “I’ll do that, Rowan, but I’m pretty sure he’s not gonna like it.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Dusty hissed. “Get the fuck out of this diner, you little turd bucket!”

“Did you just call me a turd bucket, ma’am?”

“Did you just call me ma’am, turd bucket?” Dusty hissed, pulling back her arm like she was fixing to hit him.

“Okay, that’s enough,” I said. “This is private property, Healy, so if you don’t leave, I’ll be forced to call the police.”

“Jesus,” he hissed. “Fine. I’ll leave, but I’m warning you, Rocky’s probably gonna show up.”

“Tell him not to bother,” I said, turning on my heel and walking away.

* * *

Two hours later, Wyatt walked in, Violet and Sierra in tow.

“Rocky sent in the big guns, huh?” I asked, greeting them at the door.

Violet grinned. “We have no idea what you’re talking about. We’re here for the pie.”

“Right,” I deadpanned. “Booth or breakfast bar?”

“Breakfast bar,” they said in stereo.

“Sit anywhere you like.” They sat up at the bar and I handed them menus. “What can I get you to drink?”

“Coffee, please. Cream with Splenda,” Wyatt said.

“Same, but I’ll have sugar,” Violet said.

“I’ll have tea, please,” Sierra countered. “English Breakfast, if you have it.”

I slid the multi-pack of sugar and sweetener choices in front of them, then grabbed coffee, tea, and cream as they perused the menu.

“I do not want to get into the whole Healy thing,” I said. “So, if you’re really here to order pie and chat, I’m all for it, but otherwise, please don’t waste your time.”

“Healy thing?” Wyatt asked in mock innocence, not looking up from the menu.

Violet grinned, taking a sip of her coffee. “I’ll take a slice of the razzleberry, ala mode.”

“Warmed?”

“Does a bear shit in the woods?”

I grinned.

Wyatt closed the menu. “I’ll have the chocolate cream. Just by itself.”

“I’ll take a piece of carrot cake, please,” Sierra said. “No ice cream.”

“Coming right up.”

I stepped into the kitchen just as Dusty was stalking my way. “Don’t worry, honey, I’m gonna get rid of those biker whores. Just give me five minutes.”

“Don’t you dare,” I whispered.

She frowned. “And why not?”

“First of all, they’re not whores, they’re actually really sweet. And they’ve promised to be on their best behavior. They are just here for your desserts. Nothing more,” I promised.

She crossed her arms and scoffed. “They should be here for their just deserts.”

“So far, they have been nothing but kind,” I said. “If that changes, I’ll handle it.”

She raised her eyebrows. “How kind?”

I filled her in on the panic attack and how Wyatt handled it. I left out the reasons for the panic attack, letting her believe it was because of the breakup, which was a perfectly acceptable reason to melt down, after all.

“Oh, honey,” Dusty breathed out, pulling me in for a hug. “You must have been terrified.”

“I was,” I admitted. “That’s why I was so grateful Wyatt was there.”

Dusty cupped my face. “Okay. She has a reprieve on my rage, but I reserve the right to change my mind if she hurts my girl.”

“Thanks, Dusty. I appreciate that.”

“Okay, tell me what they’ve ordered, and I’ll grab it while you go visit for a bit.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yes. Go.”

I handed her my ticket, and headed back to the breakfast bar, grabbing the coffee pot on the way.

“Dusty’ll be right over with your order,” I said, refreshing the coffees.

“Thanks, honey,” Wyatt said, adding more cream to her cup. “Now, I know that we’re not talking about Healy.”

“Wyatt,” I warned.

“Hear me out.” She raised her hand. “Sundance just wants to make sure you’re covered in case Stanley sent anyone else after you before... well, you know. So, he’d like your permission, and he is asking for your permission, Rowan, to have a few of the boys check in on you.”

“Check in on me, how?”

“However you need them to,” she said. “If it’s busy and you need them to work, they’ll do that. If you need them to stay outside, they’ll do that too. You call the shots.”

“Except Gizz,” Violet said. “I’m not sure he’s really gonna follow anyone’s instructions in that regard.”

I sighed. She had a point. I glanced over to where he was currently seated, his eyes focused on the saloon door, obviously waiting for Dusty to walk through it.

“Can I think about it?” I asked.

“Of course,” Wyatt said. “But I’ll need an answer before I leave.”

“How are you?” Sierra asked, and I bit back tears.

“I’m doing great,” I lied.

Before she could respond, Dusty arrived with their desserts, so I used the excuse to help other customers in the diner. Luckily, we had another little rush, so by the time the ladies left, with a tentative agreement from me for one or two of the biker brothers to check in, I was able to avoid any further conversation.

They did insist on hugs all around, which was awkward, but I made it through, then escaped to my office for a few minutes of time with Lord which helped to calm my anxiety enough to close up for the night.

I noticed Gizzard was still hanging around when I took Lord out to pee at almost midnight and didn’t hear the roar of pipes until I’d flipped off all the lights in my loft.

* * *

Scooby

I had just grabbed a beer out of the fridge when Wyatt, Violet, and Sierra walked into the kitchen.

“Hi, Scooby,” Wyatt said.

“Wyatt,” I replied, then nodded at Violet. “Letti.”

“Hey,” she said.

“Sierra.”

“Asshole.”

“Seriously?” I ground out. “Why am I an asshole today?”

“Oh, it’s not just today,” she informed me.

“Oh, do tell.”

“You can suck it,” Sierra said. “You’re a cold-hearted dick, and I’m never speaking to you again.”

“Whoa,” I replied. “What the hell, Sierra?”

She flipped me off and turned and stomped out of the kitchen.

I turned to Wyatt and Violet. “What was that all about?”

“I’m going to find Sundance.” Wyatt shrugged out of her jacket. “Excuse me.”

She walked away so I was left with Violet.

“Care to explain?” I asked.

“We went to the diner.”

“Fuck me,” I breathed out.

“Yep.” She grabbed a beer and twisted off the top. “Although, I have a feeling you’ve kind of already done that all by yourself. Because, quite frankly, we’re all on team Rowan. And, for the record, I think you’re a class A idiot, but I’m not gonna get in the middle of you and Rowan.” She nodded toward the door. “You’re gonna need to fix that, though, because Raquel’s my sister and Sierra’s her bestie, so that means she’s my family and you can’t fuck that up.”

I dragged a hand down my beard and nodded.

“Did you hear me about being a class A idiot?”

“Yeah, Let, I fuckin’ heard you.”

“But, like I said, I’m not getting involved.”

“Drop it, Violet,” I warned.

“Certified class fucking A, as in asshole,” she bellowed as I walked out of the kitchen.

“Anyone see which way Sierra went?” I asked the room.

“Out back,” Rocky answered.

I made my way out to where the picnic tables were and found her standing by one of the drums currently being lit by Wrath. She was wearing his leather jacket which was about ten sizes too big for her.

“Sierra,” I called, and she scowled at me over her shoulder.

“I’m not talking to you.”

I made my way to her. “Sweetheart, this isn’t us. We don’t shut each other out.”

“Yeah? What about Rowan? Are you shutting her out?”

“You don’t understand.”

“No, you’re right. I don’t understand. She’s the best thing that has ever happened to you. She’s sweet, and kind, and pretty, and you’ve broken her.” She scowled at me. “Completely shattered her heart. You’re a beast.”

I frowned. “Did she tell you all that?”

“Of course not. But I can tell.” She pulled Wrath’s jacket tighter around her body. “You’ve left her to fend for herself alone in that diner. What if Stanley hired someone else to come after her?”

“You already know we’re lookin’ after her.”

“Yeah, but you’re not doing it. It should be you,” she snapped.

“There are reasons behind that.”

“Oh, I know.” She scoffed. “You’re a fucking coward. Goddammit, never trust a Scorpio.”

“Jesus, Sierra,” Wrath said.

She turned to him. “Not a word out of you, bub. You’re no better.”

“What’d I do?”

She shrugged out of his jacket. “Forget it. I’m done with both of you.”

Throwing the leather at Wrath, she stormed back inside, and I was left staring in confusion at Wrath.

He shook his head. “How’s your mom?” he asked.

“Like you don’t know.”

“Tryin’ here, brother.”

I sighed. “She’s better. I’m takin’ her home in a few days.”

Wrath gave me a chin lift. “Want me to fortify it?”

“Yeah, that’d actually be appreciated.”

“I’ll do that tomorrow.”

“Right. I’m gonna go grab another beer.”

He pulled on his jacket. “Think you’re gonna need something stronger.”

“You might be right.”

I made my way back inside and up to my room, and after checking on my mother who was sleeping soundly, I grabbed my stash and lit up. I hoped to god it’d quiet the voices in my head and maybe stop the pain in my heart as well.