"Sometimes doing crazy things is the spark we need in our lives to keep on going. Anyway, if having some flowers tatted on your ass is the craziest thing you do, then you need to get out more." His voice, low and gravelly, stroked her senses like velvet.
"I haven't been in Alina very long. I'd love to have someone show me the hot spots in town." She held her breath. When he didn't answer, her heart sank. Could you sound any more desperate? He only called to ask how you are. It's routine. I made an ass out of myself. "I have to go."
"Sure. If you have any questions or issues, just give us a call." His smooth baritone sounded strained.
"Okay," she mumbled and hung up. "Just give us a call." He didn't tell me to give him a call. She buried her face in her pillow as the blood rushed to her head. If she decided to get another tattoo, she'd never go back there. How could she ever show her face in that shop again? Even if she had to drive to Durango to get a tattoo, she'd do it before she went back there.
I so need to go out with a man. Maybe I should go out with Rory's coworker. What was his name? Blake, or Blaine? Maybe it was Brandon. Anyway, he seemed nice, and he wasn't super-hot so I wouldn't make an ass out of myself. One thing was for sure: she did need to get out more.
She picked up her phone and sent a text to Rory, asking her to arrange a double date with her coworker. When Rory responded with a series of happy faces and exclamation points, Hailey groaned and buried her face in the pillow.
Chapter Three
Goldie sat at the table, his legs stretched out in front of him, and watched Brutus and Jigger play pool. He curled his fingers around a large can of Coors, then brought it to his lips and took a long drink.
"What's happenin', dude?" Army asked as he slid a chair out from the table and sat down.
"Not much. Just chillin' until I have to go to work. What're you up to?"
"I got a hot date for later tonight. She's a real looker. She's got big hair, big tits, and a big ass. She's really something. The tats on her are awesome. It looks like your work. She said she had them done at Get Inked. Do you remember her?" Army picked up his glass of whiskey.
"Not offhand. I've worked on a lot of chicks who fit that description."
"You'd remember her. Anyway, I was thinking that after you get off work, you could join us. She's got a friend who's got the right curves. I know you'd like her. What do you say?"
"Not tonight. Tattoo Mike's gotta cut out early. His old lady's having an anniversary party for her folks and he's gotta be there. That just leaves me and Skull. I'll probably be there past closing."
"When have you ever passed up a sure thing? The chick's friend doesn't care what time you get to their apartment. She just wants you to get there." Army smiled widely and leaned back in the chair.
"They roommates?"
"Yeah. It could get real fun." Army chuckled.
Goldie wasn't in the mood for hooking up with a citizen. His head was still reeling from the fact that the beautiful woman with the luscious ass was Hailey Shilley. His thoughts rolled back to when he and Ryan used to hang out and Hailey always wanted to tag along. Even when they'd climb up to their treehouse, she would stand at the base of the tree and call up to Ryan. He sniggered. She knew how to manipulate us. We always gave in and I'd scramble down and help her climb up.
"What's so funny?" Army asked.
The memories scurried away as Army's voice and the clack of the pool balls brought him back to the present. "Nothing. I'm going to pass for tonight. Ask Chains. He's been itching for someone new. You know how he gets after being with the club girls for too long-he's ready for some fresh game."
Army busted out laughing. "Perfect way of putting it. Okay, I'll ask him. It's your loss." He moved his chair around so he could watch the pool game.
Goldie stared at the players, but they were just fuzzy silhouettes as his mind brought back pictures of Hailey. When he was a teen, it'd seemed to him that she'd grown breasts and curves overnight. He remembered the first time he'd seen her in a tight-fitting sweater. His pants had grown tight and he'd beaten himself up over what a douchebag he was for getting hard at the sight of her. He'd realized in that moment that he'd like to hang out with her more, but he hadn't dared to. How could he? She'd been his best friend's sister, and her fourteen years were a little too young to his eighteen. But it didn't stop him from glancing her way from time to time, and he'd caught her sneaking peeks at him when she'd thought he wasn't looking.
But she was all grown up now and had a killer body. One he'd love to roam his hands all over. Fuck. Stop. Ryan's still your best friend. The fact that Hailey was living in Alina and didn't look him up told Goldie that Ryan must've told her not to. Hailey and Ryan were very tight and she'd respect what he'd asked her to do. Knowing that Ryan purposely didn't give her his phone number told Goldie that his best friend wouldn't be pleased if he hooked up with his sister. He'd kill me.
Of course, that was if he found out. If he didn't tell Ryan, and Hailey didn't know it was him, there'd be no problem. He ran his hand through his hair. Only problem is that I can't do that shit to Ryan. It wasn't in his character to do things behind his friends' or his brothers' backs.
"Brutus is killing you. Hope you got a shitload of dough to pay him," Army said to Jigger as he looked behind his shoulder at Goldie. "What the fuck's wrong with you?"
"What're you talking about?" Goldie crushed his can in his hand.
"You looked pissed off."
"I am pissed off, but it's about something personal."
"It's better to turn that shit off in your brain. When I think about shit from my past it always pisses me off." Army turned back to the game when a few cheers filled the air.
And she was definitely flirting with me on the phone. She practically asked me out. She doesn't have a clue it's me. It was real tempting to call her back and make a date with her for later that night. He knew she'd jump at the chance.
Shaking his head, he sat up straight. He just couldn't get her out of his mind. If she weren't Ryan's sister, he'd be all over her already. He'd love to get to know her as a woman and see if the sparks they felt at the tattoo parlor the night before were real.
She's not just some chick with a pretty face and perfect ass. She's Hailey, and I've got to stay away. Fuck. He pushed away from the table and jumped up, the force of it knocking over Army's drink. He threw his two crushed cans across the room.
"What the fuck?" Army yelled as he rose, the amber liquid dripping off the table.
Goldie shrugged and glared at Kelly, who whispered something to the club girls. "You wanna tell me what the hell you're saying?" He started to walk toward them.
Army pulled him back. "Leave it be, dude. They're not doing shit. What's gotten into you?"
Goldie thrust off Army's hand. "Fuck you," he growled, then looked directly at the club girls. "And fuck all of you."
"No one's doin' shit around here except you. Take your damn problem outta here." Army glared at him.
Without answering, Goldie stormed out, slamming the door behind him. He marched over to his Harley and took out his sunglasses before he straddled his bike. As he grasped the handlebars, Chains rode in and parked. "Hey, I need to talk to you," Goldie said.
Chains came over and bumped fists with him. "What's up?"
"Can you get some info on someone for me?"
Chains was the computer whiz of the club and could locate and dig up just about everything on a person. He nodded. "Is this club business?"
Shaking his head, Goldie wiped the corners of his mouth. "It's personal."
"What do you want to find out?"
"The address of someone in Alina."
Chains raised his eyebrows. "That's it? Too fuckin' easy, dude."
"I can text you her name."
"Her?" He chuckled.
"This is between us, okay? I don't want any of the brothers knowing."
"No worries. Once I get the name, I can send you her address in minutes."
He grasped Chains's forearm. "Thanks. I owe you." As Chains walked away, Goldie remembered the chick Army was trying set him up with. "Chains. Talk to Army. The way he talks, he's got a chick who's a sure thing and looking for some fun tonight."
A wide smile cracked his face. "If she's so great, why aren't you in?"
"I have to work. Talk to him about it. Later." He switched on his Harley and rode out of the lot. He had no idea what he was going to do with Hailey's address once he got it, but it made him feel better to know where she lived. I'm acting like a goddamn teenager. He pushed the throttle harder, aiming his bike for the back road that cut through the great expanse of the desert.
The road was straight and one of his favorite rides in the county. He loved the way the San Juan Mountains rose up from the flatness of the desert. In the background, the blue-tinted mountains bursting with color were a vibrant contrast to the brownness of the sand, rocks, and brush. Springtime in the desert was beautiful in a harsh and desolate way. Since the early spring months had brought a lot of rain, pops of color from some of the flowers on the green bushes kept the landscape from appearing so monochrome.