Dex must’ve noticed my wistful expression.
He chuckled. “Don’t tell me you were planning to propose to Juliet tonight, princess.”
“Nope. Today’s all about her.” I flashed an evil grin. “I picked out a ring and put a deposit on it yesterday, though.”
“That’s what you did the day you got released from jail?” Even in his hushed voice, his amused disbelief was easy to detect.
“Damn right.” A slower smile tilted my lips up. “Don’t worry. We celebrated in other ways, too.”
He scowled. “Don’t make me toss you in that fountain, kid.”
“I’m hoping to have it paid off by the end of the summer.”
He nodded but sadness seemed to settle over him, replacing the teasing atmosphere. Desperate to return to our light banter, I asked, “Do I need to get your permission or something, first?”
One corner of his mouth lifted but the sorrow etched into his face didn’t disappear completely. “Nah. Already told you, I’m not her dad.” He glanced the way Juliet had gone. “Besides, she’s fully capable of making her own decisions.”
“Yes, she is.”
Juliet reappeared, hurrying to our table. “Did you see the couple outside getting engaged?” she gushed as she dropped into her chair. “They’re so sweet.” She clasped her hands under her chin, her lips tilting into a dreamy smile.
Dex caught my eye and smirked.
Damn, I really wish I had that ring now.
Chapter Sixty-Three
Roman
Beads of sweat crawled down my forehead but I kept working. It was early August and I almost had the ring paid off. Rock’s garage was slammed with people bringing their bikes in for last-minute upgrades before some big rally up north at the end of the month. I didn’t care about the details, I just wanted to keep those sweet dollar bills stacking up.
Rock worked me hard but treated me fairly. He paid damn well, too.
“Jesus,” Bricks groaned as he squatted on the cement floor next to me. “What’s this RUB got you doing to his weekend ride now?” He patted the pristine leather seat of the custom orange Street Glide.
“Cold air intake.”
He nodded. “Should bring an extra five per cent bump in power or so.”
“That’s what Rock said.” I tapped the gas tank. “Adding an External Breather System too.”
“As you should.” He patted my shoulder. “So wise now, little grasshopper.”
I smirked but kept working. “Thanks, old knowledgeable one.”
“Gettin’ to be a cocky lil’ shit now too, huh?” He let out a hearty belly laugh. “I like it.”
“You harassing my guy, Bricks?” Rock called out as he crossed the path that led from the side of his house to the garage we worked out of.
From what I’d seen, he ran his motorcycle club in a stricter, more hands-on way than Ulfric seemed to run his. The brothers who stopped by Rock’s house on a daily basis seemed more like family than just bikers he shared a patch with.
Not that it mattered. I still wasn’t ready to patch in myself.
“Now, how is he gonna learn if I don’t harass him on the regular, boss?” Bricks said.
Rock circled the bike, studying the work I’d performed. My body tensed, waiting for his verdict.
His heavy boots stopped beside me. “Looks good.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thanks.”
“Bye, Rock,” a high, feminine voice trilled. Heels clacked over the pavement. I glanced up and caught a skinny blonde wiggling her fingers at us. “Hey, Bricks.”
“Later, Jan,” Rock called without moving an inch.
“See you tonight?”
“Maybe, darlin’.”
A car door slammed and an engine rumbled to life.
“Such a heartbreaker, Prez,” Bricks said, slapping Rock’s shoulder.
“Don’t you have to be a pain in the ass somewhere else?” Rock growled.
“Yeah, I gotta run,” Bricks said. “See you at Crystal Ball later?”
“Yeah,” Rock answered in a weary tone. For a guy who managed a strip club, he never sounded too thrilled about it. “I’ll be in soon.”
I finished tightening the last bolt and stood. “Think your customer will be pleased?”
“Definitely,” he said, still staring at the bike. “You do good work, Vapor. Glad you were able to help me out this summer.”
Uh-oh, that sounded like I was about to get my pink slip.
Maybe my expression showed my fear of losing my job. Rock slapped my shoulder. “Relax. I still have plenty of work to keep you occupied.”
“Thanks.”
“In fact,” he reached into the inner pocket of his cut and pulled out a white envelope, “here’s what I owe you for this week.”
Unless he was paying me in singles and fives, it looked like a lot more money than I was actually owed. I didn’t want to pull it out and count it in front of him, though. Lord knew, the ruthless MC president might see that as an insult and slit my throat. I studied the bills quickly, estimating there was enough to pay off Juliet’s ring and add to our nomad travel fund.
“Figure most of that’ll end up right back here.” Rock’s eyes crinkled at the corners as his lips pulled into a smirk. He nodded toward my bike. “You’ve got a few mods left from what I can tell.”