CHAPTER FIFTEEN PINS & NEEDLES

Rebel—

“How’d it go?” I ask when Brayden walks into the waiting room of the local doc-in-the-box.

“Fine.”

I can tell he doesn’t want to talk where people are listening, so I don’t prod until we get to my truck. Climbing behind the wheel, I look over at him. “So? What did he say?”

“He gave me a prescription for a muscle relaxant. Told me to give it some time. Suggested I avoid sitting too much and to do some stretching exercises.”

“Want to give my girl a go?”

“Sure. Being jabbed with a hundred needles sounds like a great way to spend the day. As long as she can fit me in within the next hour. I have to head to the clubhouse soon.”

“It’s worth a try, Brayden. Maybe she can alleviate the pain today.”

“All right. Even if it’s only temporary, it’ll be worth it at this point. Let’s go turn me into a human pincushion.”

I giggle and put the truck in reverse. “Maybe we’ll get that prescription filled first. You’ll need those muscles relaxed for this.”

An hour later, I sit flipping through a magazine, waiting for Brayden to be done with his appointment. When he walks out, I toss the periodical on the table and walk to him. “How was it?”

“Worth every penny. That was life changing. The staff was amazing. It’s like a spa.”

“So, you liked it?”

“This is my new favorite place.”

“But how do you feel?”

“Amazing. She couldn’t promise how long it would last, but right now, I am pain free, darlin’.”

“Yay!”

“I’ve got to get to the clubhouse.” He checks the time. “I better get going.”

I drive him to the garage, and he gets on his bike. He snags my hand and pulls me in for a kiss, cupping my face with his other palm. I love when he does that. It gives me all the little shivers.

Pulling from the kiss, he catches my chin. “Thanks for making me face my fears and ask for help.”

“No problem.” Happiness floods me.

“Hey, make that call to your father. Today, okay? At least get one of his dogs over here.”

“I will. I promise.” I love that he’s worried about me.

“I’ll call you later.” He fires his bike up, and I watch him ride away. Every time I watch him go, I feel a little tug on my heart. Its already torture being apart, and I don’t know what I’m going to do when he has to leave for good. Just the thought, has my eyes stinging.

“Come on, girl.” Loading Daisy in the cab of the truck with me, I head over to see my mom.

The roads are all cleared, but it’s heartbreaking to see the damage. Trees stripped bare, roofs with blue tarps, heaps of debris and discarded household items piled at end of driveways for the city to pick up.

I make it to my parents’ house out on the lake and pull down the drive. Tucker, Sam, and Bella, their dogs, come running to greet me and Daisy.

Before I’m barely out of the truck, my mom comes out on the deck that overlooks the water.

“Hello, darling. I was just thinking of calling you.” She wraps me up in a big hug. “How are you, baby?”

“I’m fine. It’s good to see you didn’t have any damage here.”

“Yes, we got lucky.” She cocks her head. “Come on inside.”

I gesture to the lake. “How about we sit outside on the deck? It’s a beautiful day.”

“Okay. Sure. Have your garage doors been fixed yet?”

“That’s what I wanted to talk about.”

Her brows furrow. “What’s wrong?”

“Well, the guys from the club came over and got the doors reattached and working again, but the glass is broken and it’ll be a couple of weeks before I can get replacements. In the meantime, the guys patched it up with cardboard and duct tape, which I totally understand. It’s not like they can nail plywood to the aluminum frames. I get that.”

“But it’s not safe.”

“Exactly.”

“Does your father know?”

“I didn’t want to bother him. He’s got the clubhouse to deal with, and it’s not a big deal.”

“His daughter’s safety? Not a big deal? Don’t tell him that.” She lifts a hand to the house. “Come home until it’s fixed.”

I roll my eyes. “Mom, I don’t want to do that. I just came to see if maybe I could borrow one of your dogs until it’s fixed. Daisy’s not exactly a deterrent.”

Daisy licks my mom’s hand.

“She’s a cutie, isn’t she?” Mom looks at me. “Are you sure you don’t want to come home? I’d love to have you.”

“I’m sure. Besides, if I move home, Dad will look for excuses for me not to move out again.”

“I suppose you’re right. You’re daddy’s girl. Which one do you want? I think Tucker would protect you with his life. He was always protective of you when you were home.”

“Okay, then Tucker it is.” I whistle. “Tucker!” He trots over, and I scratch his ears. “You’re coming home with me tonight, big boy.”

“What do you want me to tell your father?”

I shrug. “Tell him I want Tucker to teach Daisy how to be a badass.”

Mom chuckles. “Sure. Lucky for you, he’s been coming in every night so exhausted, he barely makes it to the bed before he passes out. He probably won’t even notice we’re one dog short.”

“About that, I was going to mention, he’s been pushing all the guys really hard since the storm. They need a break, Mom. They haven’t had a single day of rest.”

She nods. “You’re right. I should say something to him. He’s driving them and himself too hard. Maybe I should invite all the boys out here for a cookout.”

“Mom, that’s really a nice thought, but the last thing they want to do on their one day off is be on their best behavior at their president’s house.”

She chuckles. “I suppose you’re right. Okay, I’ll just mention they need a day off.”

“I need to get back.” I stand, and Mom hugs me again. “Come inside first and have a piece of pie. I’ve got your favorite.”

“Coconut cream?”

“Of course.”

An hour later, I’m headed home with a big bag of Tucker’s dog food in the truck bed, and him in the back seat with his head hanging out the window, loving life. Daisy has her little head just under his, squeezing in with him, her little tail wagging.

I snap a picture of the dogs and text it to Brayden.

Brayden: Love it. I’ll try to come over tonight, babe

Me: Yay!

Brayden: Still pain free

Me: Double yay!