Boomer Chapter 6

Nine days later, I was still unable to stop thinking about the night at The Hangout and how Bella had stormed out. I hadn't meant to imply what I did. Her anger was warranted when you took into consideration how it probably sounded to her.

The next day, when I heard Londyn talking about going to see her, I thought it was a good opportunity to begin my apology process by sending the chocolates to her. They were ones I kept stashed since I was a secret chocoholic, and I liked the good stuff. I asked Londyn to give them to her. I waited to find out what she thought of them. However, when Londyn got back, she'd told me Bella was even more pissed off than ever and had thrown them in the trash. Shit. If she was that mad, how the hell would I ever get her to talk to me long enough for me to apologize? Even if she did, would she believe me?

It was worrying over it and more, which had me a week later still trying to come up with a way to approach her and have a talk. The longer it went, the worse I knew it would be. I didn't know what to say, which wasn't like me. I never had problems talking to the ladies, or at least not the ones I was just trying to get into bed. That was the problem. I didn't just want sex and be done with her. I'd stopped lying to myself even if I hadn't told anyone else. I was just like my brothers. I wanted a special woman and a family. It wasn't brainwashing or any other stupid shit I told them.

Proof of it was the other night. The hang arounds had been at the clubhouse. They came to hook up with us single guys. A few who were new hadn't gotten the message and even made plays for my married brothers. They soon were shown the error of their ways when they were told if they did it again, they'd be gone and would never be allowed back. This was after a few of the old ladies got in their faces and threatened to rearrange them.

A couple of them had made their plays for me. You would've thought I'd be all in since sex was what I usually wanted, but they didn't even make my cock take notice. He lay in my pants like he was asleep. I'd even had an imaginary conversation with him. Hey, wake up. Pussy alert. He continued to play dead. I let them touch and hang on me, hoping it would do something, but it was no use. After a while, I gave up in disgust and went to bed, where thoughts of Bella had me instantly hard. I ended up jerking off to thoughts of her and what I wanted to do to her. This had become a nightly occurrence.

Boredom was what had me in the common room this afternoon. There were several people around, plus kids. The old ladies who were here were gathered in the corner with their heads together, whispering and looking excited. Lord knew what they were plotting. Whatever it was, I felt sorry for whoever got in their way. They could be scary, and people who thought we guys were the only ones they needed to worry about were wrong.

It didn't worry me when I wandered past them, and they stopped talking and stared at me. Honestly, I didn't give a damn about what they were saying. It wasn't any of my business. Finally, I settled at the bar next to Trident. He was drinking coffee and looking at his phone. Sara was over with the women.

"They run you off?" I asked as I gestured with my chin to the women.

He grinned. "Nah, but it's for sure no guys allowed time. They've been gossiping for days. We should probably prepare for the end of the earth or at least world conquest. All I know is whichever it is, as long as I'm on their side, I'm good."

I laughed. "Yeah, I can see that. Whoever the poor bitches or bastards they're plotting against are they better hide. Does it ever scare you to be with someone like Sara?"

He frowned. "What do you mean, someone like her?"

"I just mean she's a strong woman. Did you always know what kind of woman you wanted? Did you always want to settle down, or was it after you retired that you decided you wanted it?"

"When I was a young sailor, I was happy fucking and having a variety. I was in my early forties when I realized it had gotten old, but I didn't have success in finding someone, so I kept up the meaningless sex until, one day, I was done. When I came here, I didn't have a hope in hell of finding a woman, and then I met Sara. She was all I could think about, and she was the only one I was getting hard for. As for her strength, I think I always wanted someone with that quality. It was all the other qualities I had no idea I wanted or needed until her."

I didn't say anything. I just nodded.

"You having serious thoughts about Bella?" he asked out of nowhere.

I gave him a shocked look. "How do you know I'm thinking about her?"

"Son, I recognize the look of a man who has had a woman knock him on his ass, and he's fighting it. You need to stop that shit unless you want to lose your chance with her. A woman like her won't lack for suitors. I don't know how she hasn't already been snapped up, but then again, why weren't the other women around here taken before our brothers found them? Makes me wonder what the fuck is wrong with the men in Texas. Take my advice. Make up your mind, and if you want her, you go after her with everything you have. She'll likely give you a run for your money, but she'll be worth it, just like Sara was. You apologize to her yet for being an asshole that night at the bar?"

I groaned. I guess everyone knew about it. "I tried to soften her up, but it didn't work. I want to, but I don't know how."

"Well, having Londyn do it for you was your first mistake. Your second was waiting this long."

"Londyn told you what I did?"

"Nope. Her man told the rest of us. Don't make me lose money on you. I've got twenty bucks on you taking your head outta your ass and nailing Bella down sooner rather than later. I won't tell you exactly when since that would be cheating. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. Now, it looks like my woman is done gossiping. Time to take her home for some afternoon delight," he said with a wink as he stood up.

All I could do was shake my head. His words left me with a lot to think about as if I already didn't have enough. One thing was for sure—I had to figure out how to get Bella to forgive me and soon.

???

My plans to do something about it blew up the very next day. I went to work to find not one but two employees had decided to just quit without notice. Talk about being pissed the hell off. Whatever happened to giving at least a week's notice? With us being two people short and the fact business was booming, Phalanx, Bullet, and I were working constantly. Being in Texas, a shooting range was always busy, but people were going crazy over their fears the government was gonna take their guns away, and the increase in crime in general across the nation had them buying guns and honing their skills.

Today, being Sunday again, I had my first real break. As usual, I was in the clubhouse. I'd been relaxing and enjoying myself until I overheard a conversation between Londyn and Piper. They were in the kitchen and didn't know I was about to enter. I didn't announce myself because I heard them say Bella's name. Yeah, I was desperate enough to eavesdrop. Maybe I'd find a way to talk to her. Instead, my world took a hit.

"You talk to Bella this morning?" Piper asked.

"I did."

"Did she say how her date went last night? Or the one on Friday? I've been dying to ask."

What the hell? She'd been out two nights in a row with some guy. Who was he was my first thought, along with the sick feeling in my stomach. I leaned closer to the door so I wouldn't miss anything.

"Both of them went better than the ones last Friday and Saturday. She said they had fun, and she didn't want to go home and eat a pint of ice cream."

"So, is she still going on the other two dates next weekend?"

"She is."

"Did she say who she liked more, Ashes or Dragon? I can't wait to hear how it goes with Vicious and Daredevil."

Hearing the names of the remaining single guys in my club filled me with rage. What the fuck? Who did they think they were? On the heels of those questions was panic. Son of a bitch, I was losing my chance, just like Trident had warned me. She enjoyed her dates with those first two dickheads. What was to say she wouldn't enjoy it with the other two? What if not one but two of them ended up with her like Bullet and Phalanx were with Raine? I'd have to kill both of them.

I didn't interrupt and demand the women tell me what was up. No, I decided to go to the source, and all four were in the common room right then. I stormed out. In hindsight, it would've probably been better to talk to them individually and in private, but I was too pissed off. Searching the room, I found all four at the pool table, playing a game. Good. Less cleanup when I killed them. It would contain the blood in one spot. I marched over, grabbed Ashes' arm, and spun him around to face me. He gave me a startled look.

"What the hell, man?"

"I heard you and this fucker went on dates with Bella, and these two are going next weekend. What the fuck?"

Based on their surprised expressions, I realized they didn't know about the others' dates, but that didn't cool my ire. They exchanged glances and then got these calm looks on their faces. "What's it to you?" Ashes asked. Death warrant one signed. Check.

"I want to know what you think you're doing?"

"What do you think I'm doing? I'm trying to see if Bella could be the woman for me," he answered.

"And you assholes?" I asked the other three. I ignored the fact the common room had gotten deathly quiet.

"Who're you calling an asshole? I'm doing it for the same reason. If I had to bet, I'd say so are these other two," Daredevil piped up. Death warrant two.

"Yep, me too. Why do you care?" Dragon asked next. Death warrant three.

"Not that it's any of your business, but I'm looking for an old lady," Vicious said with a scowl right after him. Death warrant four.

"Like hell, it isn't. Since when do you all date the same woman? Hell, since when do you date?" I asked agitatedly.

"We haven't, but Bella is a quality woman. We're not sitting back and waiting anymore. The last few women have been snapped up because we were too slow," Daredevil added.

I heard a couple of growls. Glancing behind me, I saw Saint and Torpedo standing there glaring. Behind them were the other guys and even the ladies. Great, we were the whole club's entertainment.

"Hey, no offense, but your women are awesome. Can't blame a guy," Dragon said. He and Torpedo had finally buried the hatchet about Londyn.

"Just as long as you remember, they're ours," Torpedo warned them.

"We do. Back to Boomer. Why do you give a shit? You said you weren't interested in anything other than sex with Bella. You can't be surprised we asked her out. I told you you were leaving the door open to the rest of us. I admit, I didn't know these three were taking her out, but she's entitled to determine who she likes best. This is a way to make it fair to the four of us," Daredevil added.

"Six," I heard Londyn say.

This had all five of us turning to stare at her. She shrugged and didn't appear a bit embarrassed. "What? There were six of you who wanted to date her. Lucky for you guys, the first two struck out last week. Our girl is just evaluating her options," she said as she nodded to the other women. Every damn one of them nodded back. Jesus Christ, this was what they had been huddling around talking about. They were all in on it.

"You all knew?" Vicious asked.

"Yes, we did. We wanted to help out on Operation Bella's Beaus," Piper said with a smile.

"There's not any goddamn Operation Bella's Beaus," I snarled as my blood pressure skyrocketed more.

"Oh yes, there is," Londyn said.

"No, there's not. You two cancel your dates, and you two don't ask her for a second one."

I knew I was being overbearing, but I couldn't help it. The thought of them with her was making me insane.

"Screw you. I'm not canceling," Vicious said, crossing his arms as he glared at me.

I saw the other three were doing the same as they shook their heads no. I let out a roar as I went for Ashes since he was the closest. He ducked. The next thing I knew, I was wrapped up in steely arms and being dragged away from him as Torpedo stepped between us. I kept fighting.

"Let go. I'm tearing their heads off," I snarled.

"Clear the room!" I heard shouted out. It was Saint.

I didn't bother to look to see if the women and kids were leaving. I knew the command was for them and not the men. I did hear murmuring and movement. I kept trying to get loose but to no avail. I glanced over my shoulder to find Rampage holding me. I knew it had to be one of the ones almost as tall as me. Executioner was the only one the same height, and Saint and Rampage were an inch shorter, followed by a few more an inch or so shorter than them. What could I say? We were all tall dudes.

"I don't wanna hurt you, Rampage. Let go of me."

"I can't do that, brother. No killing brothers, and only prospects if they betray us or really fuck up. Going on a date doesn't qualify them to die."

"Going after another brother's man or woman does," I snapped.

"But you didn't claim her, so all's fair," came Daredevil's smartass remark.

"She's mine, goddamn it!"

"Boomer, you need to stop and listen. You told more than one person you didn't want her, then said it was only for sex. You were warned. Now, it's up to Bella to decide. You won't go after them for having the guts to do what you didn't. I'm warning you. If you don't want her with any of them and to be yours, then get off your dumb ass and make your play for her. Apologize for being a dick to her and see if she'll give you a chance. In the meantime, if they still want to go out with her and she says yes, then they'll go. Call this a lesson. Don't fuck around if you find a woman you want as yours. We love to lay claim but don't forget that the woman has the right to say no. And if she does, we have to respect it," Saint ordered.

He wasn't speaking as my brother. He was speaking as my VP. I wanted to argue, but I knew better. I scanned around me, and my eyes landed on Sin. When did he get here? He was frowning. When he saw me looking at him, he chimed in.

"Saint's right and I second it. No fighting. Bella chooses. If you want her, then tell her and woo her ass. Now, break this shit up. Boomer, I suggest you take a walk, cool off, and then think about what you're going to do next. The rest of you, no fighting goes for you as well."

When I didn't argue, Rampage eased his hold on me slowly. It took a lot not to go after them, but I didn't. I had more important things to do. I had to talk to Bella and get my ass in the running to be her old man. Yes, she had the ultimate say in who, but I'd be damned if I'd lose her without putting up the fight of my life. Without a word, I marched out to my bike. I needed to think, and riding would help me do it. I fired up my bike and took off.

???

I didn't make it to her place until mid-afternoon. It took me a while to get my anger under control. Once I did, I had to start on my plan to get her to forgive me and then go out on a date with me. From there, I'd woo and win her. I was determined she'd be mine in the end. The first step wasn't to send her a gift. Those would come later. The first was simple and what I should've done, to begin with. A face-to-face conversation where I told her I was sorry, and I'd been a jackass. I knew it would need to include me explaining why I did it, and this meant talking about feelings. It was this part that had me procrastinating in the first place.

How did you tell a woman how you feel if you didn't understand it? In addition, I'd never talked to a woman about feelings in my life. There wasn't a whole lot of talking when both parties wanted to fuck. Agreeing on where and when and the terms was about it. However, I knew without a doubt I wanted more than sex from Bella. The thought of her with anyone but me was driving knives into my heart.

My heart was pounding when I pulled up to her house. I couldn't tell if she was home. There was a small garage beside the house, and the door was closed. I couldn't see if her car was inside because it had no windows in it to peek through. Shutting off my bike, I didn't waste time getting to her front door. I pressed the doorbell and listened to it ring. I tried to see if I could hear footsteps inside, but I didn't. I waited about a minute before ringing it again, then followed it up with a loud knock. After a third attempt without success, I decided she was either in there and ignoring me in the hopes I'd leave, or she was really gone. Either way, I wasn't leaving until I talked to her.

To occupy myself, I wandered over to the stable. I could hear the horses inside, stomping their feet and whinnying. I opened the main door and walked in. I started with Geralt since he and I had bonded the most. He let me pet his shoulder and neck, and then I rubbed the top of his head. I wish I had something to give him as a treat. After him, I went around, doing the same to all of them. They seemed happy with the attention.

Once I gave all of them some lovin', I went back outside. After walking to the back of the house, I saw three holes dug in the backyard. Setting next to each one was a rose bush, but what got my attention the most was there were nine more bushes laid out without holes dug. Inspiration struck. Rather than send her a dozen roses, which would die after a week, why not dig the holes and plant her a dozen bushes, which would keep producing flowers for years? Glancing around, I spotted a shovel leaning against the house.

I made a quick trip to my bike to get my riding gloves, and I was back. They weren't ideal ones to wear, but they'd do in a pinch. The sun was beating down, and it was hot. I took off my cut and t-shirt and hung them on one of the patio chairs on the small back porch, and then I got to digging. I didn't know anything about planting roses or any flowers, but thankfully, there were instructions on the wrapper around the plastic containers. If there hadn't been, that was one of the beauties of the internet. You could look up just about anything.

By the time I had the remaining holes dug to the same depth and width as the first three holes, I had read the directions and removed the bushes from their pots. I hoped what I interpreted as "loosen the roots" was the same as what the growers meant. If not, I'd buy her more and plant those. They were in a line along the patio edge. I filled them in with soil, and seeing a couple of bags of mulch, I opened those and covered the soil around the bases. The final step was to water them thoroughly. On the backside of the house was an outdoor spigot and hose, so that would be easy to do.

I was almost done watering them when I heard the sound of a car coming. I stayed where I was to finish the job. I felt nervous. Would she even give me a chance to tell her I was sorry? To explain? God, I hoped so. I didn't have long to stress before she came hurrying around the house. I guess she was looking for me. Her shocked expression morphed into a pissed-off one.

Okay, it wasn't like I thought planting the roses would get me totally out of the doghouse, but I hoped it might soften her a bit. Although, maybe this was her softened. I stood there staring back at her. I watched as she ran her gaze up and down me. Even if she was angry, she didn't mask her appreciation of what she saw. I knew I was fit, and women seemed to love my muscles and ink. It was good to know she appreciated them, at least. She quickly schooled her expression and narrowed her gaze on me.

"Boomer, what the hell are you doing?"

"What am I doing back here? Or on your property in general? ‘Cause I think it's pretty obvious what I'm doing in your yard. I saw you were digging holes and had roses to plant, so I thought I'd do it while I waited for you to come home."

"I didn't need your help with those. I can do my own gardening. Why did you come here in the first place? Are you bored and looking for someone to insult?" she replied, snarky.

In any other instance, I'd enjoy her attitude. I liked a bit of fire in a woman, although the shyness I sensed in her the first couple of times we met had been nice, too. It seemed she was filled with contradictions. I knew I'd enjoy exploring every single one of them. She had a hand on her hip. She narrowed her eyes on me.

I walked over and began to roll up the hose on the holder attached to the house. I answered her, "I don't doubt you could do your digging, but I wanted to help. I think they'll look great along here when they bloom. Let me finish this, and then I'd like to explain why I'm here. Could I bother you for a glass of water? It's hotter out than I expected."

I wiped my hand down my sweating chest and stomach. Her eyes followed my hand, and I saw her lick her bottom lip. Only she didn't know I saw it because I had my head turned to the side and my sunglasses on. I caught it in my peripheral vision. I hid my grin. As I turned my head toward her, she jumped and then left to go around the house. I hoped she was headed into the house to get the water and not to run and lock herself inside. If it were the latter, I'd stay here until she came out.

By the time I had dealt with the hose, she came back around the house with a large glass of water in one hand and a towel in the other. She handed both to me. "Thanks," I told her.

I took a couple of big gulps of the water first, then I sat it down and ran the towel slowly down my chest and stomach. Bella was watching every move I made, and her cheeks turned pink. When I got done, I handed it to her. As she took it, I hit her with my request.

"Mind wiping my back? I need to put on my shirt, and I don't wanna get it all sweaty."

Her mouth dropped open as she gave me a shocked look. I raised my brow and didn't let go of my hold on the towel. "Ah, uhm, yeah, sure," she eventually got out. As she walked behind me, I let my grin out. Her touch was tentative.

"No need to be gentle. I won't break."

She rubbed harder. I only wished we were skin-to-skin. She was done too soon for my liking, but I'd take it. When she came back around, I stepped over to grab my shirt. I slid it on, then my cut. When I was done, I pointed to the patio chairs. "Can we sit and talk?"

She hesitated a few seconds, then nodded. I pulled out one of them and gestured for her to sit. She seemed surprised. I knew after the way I'd acted she probably thought I was an utter asshole. I'd show her I wasn't. My dad might've been a rude, crude, outlaw one-percenter biker, but my mom wasn't. She taught me manners. I probably had knots on my head to prove it. She sometimes smacked it into me.

Taking my seat, I jumped right in. "I came out to tell you I'm sorry for that night at The Hangout. I was way out of line and said things that I know you took the wrong way. I didn't choose my words well."

"I don't see how I could've misunderstood you. You were pretty clear. You thought I shouldn't be in a bar without a man, and since I was and because I was dressed in a dress, I was asking for whatever I got."

I groaned. "That's not what I meant, or not exactly. I didn't mean to say women shouldn't be in a bar without a man. I just meant you shouldn't be. As for your dress, it was a very nice dress. It just… could give some men ideas, and they might take things too far."

"So, since men can't control themselves, I should change what I do and wear to keep them under control."

"No, yes, shit, no, goddamn it, you're a gorgeous woman. Those two guys weren't the only ones who noticed you. I don't think all men aren't able to control their urges, but some aren't. It's reality. With you being there, looking the way you do, and in that dress, it might've ended with you being in a situation you didn't want to be in. What if it happened and none of us were there? Or the bouncer didn't see what was happening and one of those guys hurt you? Do you have any idea what would've happened?"

"I would've handled it. And if I couldn't, it would've been on no one's shoulders but mine."

"Like hell, it would! So, you wanted those men to be beaten half to death or killed if they laid a hand on you?"

"No! Why would you ask that?"

"Because that's what would've happened once I found out they did it."

"W-what? Boomer, there would be no need for you to do either of those things. And what was so wrong with my dress? It's not like I had my boobs or ass hanging out. There were a lot of women dressed way sluttier."

"I didn't say it was slutty. And you didn't need those hanging out. It showed every one of the curves of your smoking-hot body. It made those men imagine what your body looked like underneath it."

Her mouth fell open, and she sat there stunned. I continued. "And yes, I would've found them and, at a minimum, beat them so they'd never forget the lesson. If you were harmed, then all bets would've been off."

"I think you're taking it way too far just because I'm friends with Londyn. I know the club looks out for the wives and stuff, and of course, you helped when Sadie was taken. She was a kid, but you can't go to that extreme for anybody who's a friend."

"Yeah, we would, but that wasn't the only reason. I don't want anyone scaring, hurting, or touching you. And along those lines, I don't want you to go out with other men. I know about the dates you've had and the ones yet to come. You can't go on anymore."

"Why the hell not?"

"For one thing, I don't want to hurt a brother or prospect. For another, those dates should be mine."

"Oh my God, you've hit your head, haven't you?"

I snorted and shook my head no.

"The aliens have abducted the real Boomer and replaced him with a look-alike."

"No, not that either. This is all me."

"Well, you can forget it! I'm not having sex with you, and if you think taking me out on a date will get me to screw you, you're wrong. I've heard enough. You need to leave."

She came to her feet. Shit, this wasn't going the way I imagined or wanted at all. I kept saying the wrong things. How the hell did my brothers do this? What was the trick? Panicking, I jumped up and came around the table, grabbing her so she wouldn't run off.