Page 18 of Raw Honey
Chapter 8
The first couple of days after Emma arrived were the worst days of my life, but now I’m just living through a series of bad days because of Emma. Each day, the hurt gets a little easier and each day I try to be a little nicer to Emma. And she has been coming around too. She always offers to help me—at first I didn't want her help, but now it's not so bad. She really is a nice girl, and it's not like she came back to destroy my life. She needed Ice, just like I needed him. Who could blame her?
This morning I woke unusually early after a solid sleep. It's really the first good night's sleep I've had since hurricane Emma arrived. I get myself dressed and go down to the common area. I'm sure I can occupy myself with something useful instead of lying here thinking. Nothing good ever comes of that; it's better to keep myself busy.
I walk into the kitchen and I am surprised to see Ice brewing coffee. "Ice, you're up early."
"Yeah, got shit to do today. Coffee's still hot. I'll be in my office if anyone is looking for me."
He leaves the kitchen and me in his wake.
And that is how things are between us. I guess it's a good thing. He's keeping his distance for me and I know that. But sometimes it makes things so hard. We used to be able to talk, but now I'm just one of the guys. I used to be special.
I get the feeling that the club has got something planned where Emma is concerned. Obviously, I'm not privy to what it is, but I pray that nobody gets hurt. However, I can't shake the feeling that my prayers will be unanswered.
I'm still working in the kitchen when I hear Ice talking rather loudly in the common area. Walking out, I hear him say, "Hey boys … well, it is official. I've finally found a woman who will put up with me and all of you sorry losers." He gestures toward Emma and continues, "My beautiful, sexy, and smart Emma. She has always had my heart and my protection. Now she has my patch."
I knew this was coming. I expected it. But why does it still hurt so much?I really don't want to hear anymore, so I quietly go back into the kitchen.
Several minutes later, Ice calls for a celebratory drink and of course, I come back out. It's 10:30 in the morning, but they all have their drink. When the drink is over, I start cleaning up their drink glasses. Ice walks over and I say, "Want me to take care of getting her vest and patch?"
"You'd do that?" he asks, surprised.
"Of course I will."
"You're a true champ, Honey. You really are," he says and then walks away.
Over the next week, Emma and I spend a lot of time together. I hate to admit it, but we are actually becoming friends. I like her. She's not a princess. She's got tenacity and spunk, and I love the fact that she doesn't take any of Ice's bullshit.
Ice and the boys have been busy, and now I know why. Emma told me everything about her friend Brianne and her ex-fiancé Mark. It's some pretty fucked up shit and I definitely would not want to be in her situation. But if anyone can get it all fixed for her, it would be Ice and the club.
Emma and I are talking over coffee in the kitchen when we hear a lot of commotion in the common area of the clubhouse: doors banging and lots of yelling. When we step into the doorway from the kitchen, we see that Ice, Rebel, and Ryder have returned, and not one of them is looking very happy. They walk in and head straight for Ice's office. He's barking orders as he comes through, and the last thing we hear is, "Church! Now!" Emma looks over at me. She can see the worry on my face; we both know that something bad has happened.
"What do you think is going on?" she asks.
I shake my head and say, "My guess is that their meeting with Skeeter didn't go very well. Ice does not hide his emotions very well when he is pissed off."
"What do you think happened?"
She's worried. Hell, we both are.Without answering her, I turn to go back to the kitchen and Emma follows. I stop by the sink and turn to face her, saying, "Hell if I know, Emma. These boys try to do good, but they always seem to get themselves caught up in some shit. It could be anything."
"Maybe we should go find out," Emma says.
"No!" I yell. "Women aren't allowed. We do not participate in their meetings and we definitely are not privy to what they do, even old ladies. The quicker you learn and accept that, the easier things will be for you."
Emma and I finish up in the kitchen and head out into the common area. I begin to work around the bar, getting it ready for tonight. Emma offers to help and I agree. She is really growing on me. Just as we finish, the guys emerge from their meeting and head directly to the bar. When I see them coming, I proceed to get their shot glasses out and start pouring beers. When they get to the bar, the first thing they do is down their drinks.
Ice leans over the bar, kisses Emma's cheek, and says in her ear loud enough for me to hear, "We need to talk."
"Ok," she replies sheepishly. She gives me a wary look and then follows Ice to his office.
Later that night, Emma clues me in to everything that has been going on. Apparently, her life is in danger and Ice is sending her away. It's probably the best thing for her. I know she's scared, but Ice is right. The further away from here she is, the less he has to worry about her. He won't be able to function like he's needed to if he is constantly worrying about her safety.
The next morning, Emma and Ice come downstairs and Ice is carrying her bag. She must be leaving today. I wonder,Is he going with her?But when I see Ice talking to Rebel, I realize that he is not. Rebel is taking her. She doesn't look happy, which I completely understand.
After Rebel and Emma leave, Ice goes into his office and stays in there for several hours. I almost go check on him several times, but each time, I think better of it. I know if he needs something he'd ask. I just feel so helpless; I wish that there were something I could do to help him.
I should have remembered the old saying “Be careful what you wish for.” Three days later, Hawk tells me that Ice wants to see me in his office. I've kept to myself, and I've even been nice to Emma, so I know for a fact that I haven't done anything wrong. But still, I'm curious. It's very rare that he asks to see me in this capacity.
