Tattered on My Sleeve

  “Trinity?” she calls.

  “You need something, Hope?”

  Curious about what she’s up to, I wait for Hope’s answer.

  “Don’t you ever eat breakfast?”

  “Sure, in the kitchen while I’m getting everyone else’s stuff together.”

  “Oh, no wonder you stay so skinny,” Hope answers with a grin.

  “Look who’s talking,” Trin jokes back.

  Hope’s gaze flicks over each one of us. “Well, I’m kind of on testosterone overload. Would you mind eating breakfast out here today?”

  “Sure, I’ll be right back.”

  Hope jumps up and follows Trinity into the kitchen. Girl is persistent, which is good because otherwise Trin will dawdle and find excuses not to return.

  I lift my chin at Rock. “What’s your woman up to?”

  One side of his mouth kicks up and he shrugs. “You heard her. We’re boring.”

  The girls are gone for a while, making it impossible to pay attention to the conversation at the table.

  Hope returns first, hands Rock his breakfast and kisses his cheek like it’s the most normal thing in the world. Trinity sets plates in front of Z and me, then hesitates. Hope’s not going to be deterred though, she taps the chair next to her.

  Murphy apparently still needs his ass kicked. “Hey,” he mumbles.

  Teller turns and scowls at him.

  “Birch is coming,” Hope explains to the little bitch.

  Still shocked at the way this morning’s turning out, I must be staring at Hope. She glances up and pink stains her cheeks. “How do you feel today?” she asks.

  “Hung over. Sore. But happy to be home.” Happy as fuck to have finally weaseled my way into Trinity’s room too. Even if she slapped a bunch of conditions on our arrangement.

  “I think everyone is relieved you’re home,” she says with a chuckle. Her attention turns to Trinity, who hasn’t moved. Hope picks up the milk and shoves it at her. “Sorry, didn’t mean to hog up the milk, Trin.”

  It’s enough to pull Trinity out of whatever’s bothering her. “Thanks, Hope,” she mutters.

  Thanks is inadequate. She’s done more for my girl in five minutes than I’ve been able to do in five weeks.

  “Sucks we’re gonna miss the run with Sway’s guys down to Virginia,” Z says. “Last big run before we’re all trapped in cages for winter.”

  Like I don’t feel bad enough about all the shit going on. “Fucking go,” I grumble at him.

  “No fucking way. We all go, or no one goes,” Murphy shoots back. As if loyalty is going to stop me from kicking his ass today.

  “We’ll do up a big one at the start of the next season for you,” Teller adds.

  They turn to discussing what upgrades they plan to work on over the winter. It just depresses me because I probably won’t be ready to ride at the beginning of the next season. And I sure as fuck ain’t in any condition to work out in the garage all winter long.

  “Don’t you ever get tired of all the boy talk?” Hope whispers, loud enough for all of us to hear.

  Nervous laughter tumbles out of Trinity. “Not really.”

  “What do you like to do, Trin?” Hope asks.

  She shrugs. “This place keeps me busy. I can’t wait for next spring. The guys are going to put in a garden so I can grow some veggies and stuff here.”

  Hell yeah. She got so excited about farmers markets and feeding me all that healthy crap during my training. Can’t wait to help her out with that, plus it will keep her busy. “We’ll get the prospects started on that early, so it’s ready for you,” I say.

  Trin’s mouth quirks, but she doesn’t respond.

  “So gardening? Are you the one who keeps the big Buddha guy looking spiffy?” Hope asks.

  Trinity finally smiles and seems less freaked-out. “Yeah, that’s me.”

  “Neat. I’ve never been able to keep any plants alive for more than a week.”

  “Sparky helps,” Trinity explains. Please. Sparky barely leaves the basement. He ain’t much help. Girl’s too modest.

  “Which one is he?” Hope asks.

  That’s Rock’s cue to interrupt because the answer is, The mastermind behind our weed-growing operation in the basement, that I’ve never told you about.

  “Babe, is that all you’re gonna eat?” he asks.

  She turns and glares at him, making me almost choke on my toast. “Yes, I’m getting fat enough, thanks to you.”

  Haven’t noticed any fat on her. If anything she looks better than she did when she first showed up, looking like a fucking skeleton. But I don’t think Rock will appreciate that observation.

  “You need more protein,” I say instead, pointing at her now-empty bowl.

  “Fuck, here we go. Mr. Clean Eating Fighter,” Teller interrupts with a roll of his eyes.

  I shrug. “Whatever, welterweight.”

  “Let’s go, mountain man. This welterweight will kick your ass,” Teller shouts, jumping up and flexing for everyone. Murphy throws him a kidney punch, while Z and I laugh our asses off.

  “Sit down before I punt you across the room with my good leg,” I warn him.

  The girls aren’t impressed with our antics.

  “What else do you do for fun around here?” Hope asks.

  “I read a lot,” Trinity answers.

  Huh. That’s news to me. We’ve been spending night and day together for weeks and I haven’t seen her with a book in her hands yet. Of course, I’ve been monopolizing all her time, making her take care of me. Between that and all the stuff she does for the house, no wonder she’s had no time to do anything for herself. Makes me feel like an asshole.

  “I don’t know what kind of music you like, but my friend, Sophie, has an extra ticket to see Afterlife on Friday. You think you’d like to go?” Hope asks, nudging Trin’s arm.

  “Hey,” Rock huffs in an offended tone.

  “Girls’ night,” Hope says without turning her head.

  After what Rock’s told me about Sophie getting drunk and trying to jump him, I can’t say Trinity hanging out with her thrills me.

  Trinity hasn’t answered yet.

  Hope, on the other hand—girl only has eyes for Rock. The idea of Trinity spending more time with her is very appealing. I like the idea of her having more girlfriends.

  “Come on. You’ll probably need a night off from playing nurse to Wrath, right?” she encourages, jerking her chin at me.

  My lips quirk up. Funny girl. I throw a look at Rock that I want him to read as Make this happen, motherfucker.

  Trinity looks to me. Silently asking for permission and my chest tightens. I nod and she turns back to Hope.

  “Yeah, I like them. Sounds like fun.”

  Hope acts like a five-year-old on her way to Build-A-Bear. “Cool! You’ll like Sophie and Lilly. Hell, they’ll probably like you more than me.”

  “Where’s the show, Hope? Not the dive we went to last time?” Z asks. Christ, I wish he’d let that shit with Lilly go.

  “No. Downtown at the arena,” Hope answers. He and Rock share a look. Hope’s nose wrinkles.

  That’s right Cinderella, you’re not taking my girl downtown alone and unprotected.

  It’s such a lovely fall day, after breakfast, I set up an over-sized lounge chair for Wrath outside. He grumbles the whole way through the kitchen and out the back door. He really hates me helping him down the back steps. But once I show him the spot I made, his grouchiness disappears.

  “How’d you know I was gettin’ tired of being inside?”

  Because he’s like a bear in a cage when he’s cooped up for too long. “Just took a guess.”

  He flops down and I grab his crutches while he stretches out. Before I open my mouth to protest, he pulls me down next to him and tucks me against his side.

  Except for the occasional noises from inside the house, the only sounds are some very vocal birds and the wind through the trees. It’s peaceful, and for the first time in
a long time, I’m content.

  “Looking forward to the concert?” he asks after a few quiet minutes.

  “A little. You sure you don’t mind?”

  He tilts his head down, so he can see me. “No. Why would I mind?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “It’ll be good for you to get to know Hope better.”

  That’s too funny to ignore. “Made your peace with the fact that she’s not going anywhere, did ya?”

  “Something like that.”

  He’s quiet afterward. Between the breeze, the birds, and the thump of Wrath’s heart under my ear, I drift off to sleep.

  Wrath is as demanding as a toddler, and I spend my week running him to the gym and doctor appointments. By the time Friday rolls around, I’m eager to get out of the house. Maybe that was his plan all along.

  Hope knocks on my door in the afternoon. She’s bouncing with excitement. I’m baffled by her eagerness to spend time with me. Did Rock ask her to be my friend? I hope not, because the more I get to know her, the more I like her.

  Holding up a traincase of makeup, she bustles into my room, making her the second person who’s ever been in my space. “So,” she says, “I own a ton of makeup. But every time I use it, I end up looking like a cracked-out clown.”

  From the bed, Wrath snorts. Hope’s cheeks flush pink when she notices him sprawled out. “For a big guy, you blend in awfully well. I thought you were in the garage with the guys.”

  “Nope, but continue. I want to hear more about this cracked-out clown thing,” he says while pointing at her face and twirling his finger in a circle.

  Her mouth twitches, but she ignores him and turns back to me. “Since you do eye makeup so well, I was hoping you’d help me out?”

  To say I’m surprised is putting it mildly. “Yeah, I can do that.”

  “Thank you.” She glances around the room and back at Wrath. “It’s still early, do you want me to come back later?”

  “Nah. We can get started now.”

  I throw a pointed look at Wrath, who doesn’t seem to take the hint. “What?”

  “Are you planning to stick around for a makeover?”

  He curls his lip. “Are you kicking me out?”

  Hope giggles and I shrug. “If you really want to stay for this, by all means.”

  “I’m thinking of wearing a dress? Unless you think it will be too cold?” Hope asks me, dismissing Wrath entirely.

  “We’re going to be inside.”

  “Good point, I’ll be right back.” She drops the traincase on my desk and darts out the door. Wrath shakes his head as he watches her leave.

  “You’re really going to kick me out?” he asks.

  “Yup. Change of scenery will do you good.”

  “Doctor told me to rest. You were there, you heard him.”

  “He also told you to move around, so you don’t end up with a pulmonary embolism.”

  He waves his hand and makes a dismissive snort-grunt sort of noise. “I’m perfectly healthy.”

  “Good, then take your perfectly healthy ass to the living room. Otherwise I’m going to practice my eyelining skills on you.”

  He sits up and gives me one of his devilish smiles. “I might like that, baby.”

  It’s such an unexpected thing for him to say, it takes a minute for it to sink in before laughing.

  “Give me a kiss, and I’ll go.”

  I glance at the slightly open door. Hope will be back any minute.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” he says all low and smoky. “Do it anyway.”

  When I hesitate, he moves to lie back down. “Okay, make sure whatever you pick matches my outfit.”

  In two steps, I make it to the side of the bed and grab a fistful of his shirt, pulling him to me. That’s the extent of my bravery. Wrath takes over from there, gripping my hips and pulling me into his lap. His hand works through my hair, holding me while his mouth seals over mine. My body has a mind of its own and doesn’t care that Hope might walk in at any moment. My arms wrap around him and I’m pretty sure I’m grinding my hips into him as well.

  He groans and pulls away. “That’ll give you something to think about tonight.”

  “What?” I ask, pulling back.

  Fixing his gaze on the door, he won’t meet my eyes.

  “You don’t trust me? You think I’m such a whore, I’ll pick up some random while I’m out with Hope?”

  “What? No. That’s not what I said.”

  “It’s what you meant.”

  “Are you a mind reader now?”

  I can’t think with my body plastered against his, so I drag myself out of his lap and take a few steps back.

  His hands are balled into fists, his head hanging down. “I don’t want to fight with you Trinity. I’m done.”

  “With me?”

  His head snaps up. “Never. You don’t get it so I’ll say it again. I’ll never be done with you. But I am done arguing with you over bullshit.”

  Now I feel stupid for overreacting. “Tell me what you meant then?”

  “I’m pissed I can’t go with you—not because I don’t trust you—because I worry about you. I’m a useless invalid right now.”

  Wow. That’s a lot for Wrath to admit. Like we’re really a couple and this might last. “You’re never useless.” I take a step closer and wrap my arms around him. Because he’s who he is, he takes the opportunity to nuzzle his face against my boobs. “You’re an ass,” I tease. When he looks up, I brush my knuckles over his cheek. “Don’t worry about me, okay? I can take care of myself. You taught me all those kick-ass self-defense moves, remember?”

  He smirks. “Yeah.”

  “Should I come back later?” Hope asks from the doorway.

  “No, I was just leaving.” Wrath pushes me back so he can stand, and I hand him his crutches. “Trin threatened to use her eyeliner on me, so I’m outta here.”

  Hope giggles and opens the door wide for him, standing back so he can pass by.

  When he’s gone, she breezes in and drops an armful of clothes on my bed. She shakes her head. “Boy do you have your hands full.”

  Knowing Wrath’s worried about me, my safety, tangles up every one of my emotions. “You have no idea.”

  “I can’t believe you’re letting them do this,” I bitch at Rock when I find him in the living room.

  Fucker has the nerve to laugh at me. “One doesn’t let Hope do anything, brother. And I don’t think you have much say over Trinny, either.”

  Like hell I don’t.

  “Fuck off,” I mumble. Pointing down at my cast, I feel the urge to remind him of our recent misadventure. “It’s kinda soon after this bullshit to be letting them run around unprotected.”

  “Z and I took care of those fucks.”

  True enough. Still bugs me.

  Music drifts out from Trin’s room. I’m happy she’s having fun with Hope, even if I’m annoyed I don’t get to watch them dress each other. “It’s like backstage at a fashion show down there. Why couldn’t they do that shit in your room?”

  Rock shrugs. “Who’s coming up tonight?” he asks to distract me.

  “Fuck if I know,” I grumble. I haven’t done a damn thing related to my job all week. Rock really should strip my patch.

  “You worried about something else?” he asks. When I shrug, he chuckles.

  I may have told a small white lie to avoid an argument with Trinity. I trust her, but this relationship stuff is new to her too. Even though I understand where it’s coming from, her refusal to acknowledge what we are to the people we’re closest to is fucking with me. Having it tied to something I can’t control—my broken leg—only makes it worse.

  “They’re not going out to pick up guys,” Rock says.

  “I know Hope isn’t. But those other two—”

  Rock jabs his elbow into my ribs and I shove him back. “I called Blue. He’ll make sure they’re protected at the show, and Birch will be on their tail. They’ll be
fine,” he assures me.

  That’s a bit of a relief. Blue’s a solid guy. The arena they’re going to is in our territory, so they should be fine.

  Trying to distract myself with the television is pointless. Rock disappears into the office and I consider asking him if he needs help.

  The sound of the girls giggling makes my mouth twitch up. “We’re almost ready to go,” Hope announces.

  Rock pokes his head out of the war room and I about piss my pants laughing at the look on his face when he takes in her outfit.

  Trinity’s arrival draws my attention away from them. Fuck me. Go ahead and call me a fuckin’ pansy, but I recognize the dress she’s wearing right away.

  “Jacket?” Rock asks Trinity.

  She holds up a black leather jacket. “Yes, Dad.”

  “Very funny,” he mutters as he snaps a picture of the girls. I assume he’s going to send it to Blue. Smart man.

  Hope grabs Trin’s hand, dragging her to the door before I have a chance to say anything to my girl. “Let’s go. I don’t like the bossy caveman faces I’m seeing.”

  “Hey, wait a sec,” Rock calls her to him.

  I can’t get to Trinity fast enough. Thankfully, she meets me half way. Uncertain honey eyes stare up at me.

  Leaning over I kiss her cheek. Her soft, sugary scent rushes straight to my head. “You look fuckin’ beautiful,” I whisper against her hair. Her breath catches. My hands tighten on her waist, holding her still. “I remember the last time you wore this dress.”

  “You do?” she whispers.

  “Yup. Remember every second I’ve spent with you. Good and bad.”

  “Wy-”

  “Go,” I cut her off. “Have fun. I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.” My hand slides over the curve of her ass. “When you step inside the bedroom later, I want you to take everything but the dress off.”

  I pull away and look in her eyes to make sure she sees I’m dead fucking serious. Her cheeks flush pink and pretty. “Okay,” she whispers.

  Fuck, yeah. “Get out of here, before I change my mind and fuck you right now,” I grumble at her.

  She chuckles and pushes me away. Grabbing Hope’s hand, she says, “Let’s run before they change their minds.”

  They head for the door, and I watch them go. Thinking about what I’m going to do to Trinity when she returns has my dick so hard it hurts.