Chapter 12
Emery
"What are you doing here? I told you that we had it handled," Tara says as soon as I walk in the front doors of the Sugar Glaze Bakery.
It's been four days since Nash was shot, and I left him at home making him promise that he would stay on the couch until I got back. But I had to get out of there.
Slowly I've been letting my guard down, and how could I not, when Nash is saying and doing everything right? He hasn't touched me again like he did that first night, but he still kisses me and holds my hand every chance he gets. It’s slowly driving me mad, and more and more I want to say hell with protecting my heart and go for it.
I shrug my shoulders at Tara. "I just wanted to come in and check on things."
She puts her hand on her hip, obviously seeing right through me. "No, you just wanted to get away from your hot husband."
I roll my eyes. "First of all, he’s not my husband."
She barks out a laugh. “Have you told him that? Because he sure follows you around with those big puppy dog eyes like he wants to be.”
I close my eyes and try to clear my head. “I just needed a break.”
That seems to alarm her. "Is everything okay? I thought Nash was all right."
I walk behind the counter. "Yes, everything is all right, and Nash is going to be okay. I just don't know. All these old feelings..."
Tara has always been one to say it exactly as it is. "They're not old feelings, Emery. You've felt them this whole time. It may have taken him a while to get his shit together, but I really think he's trying. He's been stalking your ass for the last year. You should at least give him a chance."
I shake my head. "It's not that. He's getting better. His arm is good. His vision and head is good. He's going to be leaving soon."
Tara doesn't even hesitate in her response. "Did he tell you that?"
I shake my head. "I mean, no, he didn't say that, but of course that's what's going to happen. As soon as he's healed, he's going to go back on his missions and probably get hurt again.” I throw my hands up in the air. “I can't do this."
Tara comes to me and grabs on to my hand and holds it tightly. "Tell him that. He needs to hear you say that."
I look her in the eye. "And what? He won't go and then resent me for it? No, thanks. I'll just keep my guard up and bide my time until he leaves again and then pick up the pieces of my broken heart... AGAIN."
Tara pulls me in and hugs me. "I think he's going to surprise you this time."
I don't even want to let myself hope. I pull back and look at the bakery. Everything is clean, and it doesn’t even look like they’ve missed me. Changing the subject, I ask her, "So what have I missed here? How are you and Mark doing?"
Mark is her boyfriend, and I hate to say it, but he’s not the best. I’m just trying to be supportive.
Tara rolls her eyes. "I broke up with Mark." When I start to tell her I'm sorry, she stops me and holds her hand up. "No, it's fine. It was for the best."
It’s my turn to pull her in for a hug. “Are you okay?”
She nods. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
In the next instant, there’s the sound of motorcycles, and they all seem to stop outside the bakery. “What in the world?”
Becca comes from the back of the bakery and is surprised when she sees me standing there. “Oh hey, Emery.” And then she looks at Tara. “Really, you couldn’t find some boring boy that likes to hang out at the bakery? Instead, you find some biker from a GANG that can’t seem to get enough of your strawberry pie.”
I look between Becca and Tara. “What is she talking about?”
Becca throws me an apron. “Oh, just wait and see. It’s good you’re here. We can use you for the next 20-30 minutes. They’ve been wiping us out.”
I barely get the apron tied before around fifteen bikers come in the front door. I know I’m staring, but this is definitely something different for Whiskey Run.
The first man walks straight toward Tara. “How’s it going, Mama?”
I look at Becca and mouth Mama? to her with my mouth hanging open.
Becca nods and then mouths back, Watch.
Tara hands a slice of strawberry pie to the man and then walks away. The dark-haired man watches her, obviously liking what he sees. “That’s okay, Mama. You’re going to give in eventually 'cause me and you are meant to be.”