Page 57 of Rage
I join the lineup out the front. The sweet butts are moving along, hugging the club members and their ol’ ladies. I smirk when they reach Demon, because he takes a step back. I gather he doesn’t like people touching him. They just give him a small smile and take it in their stride.
Cash goes over to the shed and reverses the truck out, stopping in front of Reaper.
Once the women reach Reaper, he says, “I’d like to say a big thank you to Dolly and Trixie.” There are claps and cheers. “Thank you for helping out around the clubhouse, and we hope you have enjoyed your stay with us.”
“Thanks for not causing drama and for making our lives easier,” Viper adds with a grin.
The other sweet butts must have upset a lot of people. I’m glad I wasn’t around to meet them.
“Oh yeah, girls,” Axle says in a seductive voice, “thanks for helping out.” Then he starts dry humping Elena. “Cash will be all alone with his hand. At least Rage found someone.”
Everyone laughs. I cringe. Elena whacks Axle. Cash is in the truck just shaking his head.
Dolly gives Rage one final hug, pulling him in tightly and holding on to him longer, but I turn away and let them have their moment, saying their goodbyes.
Dolly and Trixie get in the truck, and as they drive away Cash beeps the horn twice and everyone waves.
The men all go inside. The women all group together first. There’s light chatter around us.
Elena and I walk in together. “It’s the end of an era. No more sweet butts,” Elena says.
“What about Cash?” I ask curiously.
Sophie walks in line with us. “Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome will have no problems getting women. I could set him up with people I know.”
I chuckle at her nickname for him. He is handsome, though. He has a rugged charm about him. Thick black hair, dark brown eyes. He reminds me of an old soul.
I follow Elena, Ava, and Ivy out the back and help clean up after lunch, putting the paper plates and trash in the bin.
Ava pauses and looks thoughtful. “I hope Cash finds someone.”
“Oh, me too,” says Elena. “He’s a great guy. He walked me down the aisle on my wedding day. It was really special.” She lets out a huge sigh. “She would have to be pretty spectacular to meet Cash’s standards.”
“Has he never had a partner?” I ask, intrigued.
“Nope,” Elena replies, popping out thep. “He slept with Dolly and Trixie, but it was never affectionate. Axle told me he wouldn’t even kiss them on the lips. From what I gathered, his ex did a real number on him and is still under his skin. I don’t think he’s ever been able to move on from her.”
I frown, my heart sinking a little. The poor guy.
After grabbing the sauces from the table, I follow Ava inside and put them away in the kitchen. Ivy and Elena bring in the leftover food.
“If Demon and I can find one another, I have no doubt Cash will find someone,” Ivy says with a reassuring smile.
Rageand I are lying down, watching TV. I think about how much I’ve grown, but what about Rage? He stopped fighting, but is he healing? Does he need a professional to talk to?
I sit up. “I have a thought... now, don’t get mad.”
His brows curve in. “Why would I get mad?”
“Have you thought about”—I bite my lip—“talking to a professional about your childhood?”
A small, thoughtful smile plays on his lips. “I don’t feel that I need it. I have you”—he leans over and presses a kiss to my cheek—“I don’t have the stress of having to win the fights anymore. Even just helping you and teaching you self-defense has done more for me than I expected. It brings me comfort that you can defend yourself, and I’m more at ease and calmer when you’re around.”
I smile. “I’m pleased to have helped you.”
His eyes pierce mine. “You really have brought me peace.”
A profound feeling of contentment envelops me. “Can you promise you’ll see someone if you’re struggling?”
