Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Honey having kids, well, that is a whole different level of dedication for her. From the moment Honey found out she was pregnant, her kids came first. From taking on the role inside to remain safe in her pregnancy to then giving birth, she protects her family, and the time dedicated to them at all costs. When the shop is closed, Honey is off the clock. She doesn’t answer business calls. Her personal time is precious, and she guards that shit. It’s admirable in a world where too many are consumed with work and forget the balance of family life. Not having a family of my own outside of the Hellions, I applaud her dedication to being a mom.
I can also appreciate someone who keeps a schedule.
I live by mine and not much can get me to deviate from it.
Instead of crossing the street over to the clubhouse as I planned, I stroll towards the entrance to the hot rod shop. Inside, my instincts scream that I am changing from my planned schedule, while on the outside with every step I am pushing that urge down. Sometimes the internal part of me that drives me to stay on schedule impacts my mood. I don’t like to be late ever. Tonight, though, I don’t have serious plans making it easier for me to deviate from my plan. In my head, I was going to the clubhouse, I would sit down, have three beers tops, head home, and crash. I’ll still be able to do all of that, I’ll just be a few minutes later than anticipated. The doorknob twists easily, not locked, which surprises me again. Stepping inside, Honey sits at the front desk studying the computer.
“Why are you still here?” I ask her bluntly knowing damn well this is the last place she wants to be after hours.
She looks up from the screen, her curly hair wild around her face. One thing about Honey, if she doesn’t say it with her mouth, she says it with her face. Her face right now is absolute anger. Add to it I think she has literally been pulling at her hair, she is definitely frazzled. When she’s at work her hair is always braided.
“Got nothin’ else to do at the moment, so I’m orderin’ parts. What’s it to ya, Raff?” The snap in her tone tells me something is definitely not right.
I lift my hands in surrender, “not like you be workin’ late. You like to be home with Bray and Key for dinner.” I don’t add it, but it’s also not like Honey to toss attitude around that isn’t deserved. I damn sure haven’t done anything to upset her which immediately tells me the problem.
At the mention of her kids, her stone face instantly softens before hardening again, “Well, when their dad shows up asking to take them to dinner, I have two options: be the bitch I want to be and kick him in the nuts or be the bigger person and let my kids have time with him. He may not be my favorite person, but I won’t keep them from any time they can have with him.”
“Smoke came back to town?” I ask wondering if the fool realizes he’s playing with fire.
Those kids are everything to her and if he upsets them, disappoints them, or in any way rocks their boat, she will likely kick him in the nuts before castrating him. Smoke knows he fucked up years ago. For whatever reason the jackass will not get his head on straight and fix this shit. Not once has he tried to apologize. More than that, and Stud’s biggest problem, the fucker won’t come back to Salemburg to be around day in and day out for his kids. He sends money and calls, but never consistently shows up. Honey, Stud, any of us, we want those kids to have their dad again. Smoke, though, he checked out. Even if it doesn’t make sense, he’s still a Hellion. He made his choice to go Nomad, and it’s not my place as his brother to wade in on his home life.
Honey sighs, “Rode in and he’ll be ridin’ right back out tomorrow he says.” The agitation is clear in her tone.
I step behind the counter, closing the laptop screen on her before taking her hand to guide her to stand.
“Come on, there’s a get together at the clubhouse. Have a beer, unwind your brain.” Before she can think on it, I pull her into my side wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “Come on, Tiff,” her eyes soften that I use her real name which doesn’t happen often for any of us. “Don’t let the shit with Smoke steal your peace. Let’s have a beer. Bray and Key will be home before you know it, and he’ll hit the road again.”