"No. Just a few errands that can wait. Why?" I asked.
His jaw worked. "I need a spot."
I worried my lip with my teeth.
"You working?"
He shrugged. "Yeah."
I wasn't actually sure what Ghost did.
At first, I'd thought he was a law enforcement officer. But he was a little too free at handing out punishments, and any time a LEO walked in the door, Ghost walked out the back.
He helped them, yes, but he didn't actually work with them.
He did his own private work, and it was rarely ever that I saw him doing his job … at least I didn't think I did, anyway.
Though, I had never been to his house. He worked from home the majority of the time, and since he never allowed anyone to come to his place, none of us could ever confirm what it was he did.
So, him actually saying he was working instead of beating around the subject was enough to set off some red flags.
"Well, let's go," I said. "See you later, Dad."
My father frowned at me, at Ghost, and then in the direction I assumed Naomi was still sitting.
"We riding?" I asked as I walked out the back door. "Or do you want to take my truck."
If Ghost smiled, he would've done it right then.
"Ride."
"What's up?" I asked as I walked toward my bike. "Something wrong?"
"Thought you needed an excuse to get out of there. And I need an excuse not to fuck something up that's been in the works for four years now. I need to go, I just need to make sure that I don't let the crazy out when I get there."
I looked at my friend, then nodded once.
"I'm there if you need me."
He took a deep breath then released it. "I need you."
For Ghost to say something like that, I knew he really did need me.
I looked back one last time at Naomi standing in the doorway of my father's house, and knew that there was always one constant in my life … and that was my club. These men had always been there for me, even the jackwad, Jessie James, a time or two.
Without another thought, I turned my back on Naomi, and walked down the driveway to my bike.
***
"You need to give her a break, Son," my father said. "She was scared, in a town where she didn't know anyone, and honestly, she doesn't even owe you an explanation. She owes you less than nothing. You gave her an orgasm, that was it."
I refrained from saying 'and how do you know that?' But just barely.
"I don't remember asking for your opinion," I observed, staring up at my old man.
I picked up the bottle of water I'd filled from the fridge, and turned, not bothering to wait for the man's rebuttal. I knew he had one.
I also knew that he liked Naomi.
Hell, I did, too. Which was the problem.
She'd fucking left me in my bed, gone to work, and then had disappeared. Without a single word.
I didn't know if she was hurt. Didn't know if she was okay. Didn't know if I should be assembling a posse to start looking for her. I didn't know a goddamned thing.
I'd gone by her house to find it empty. Then had called in to work to see if they'd heard anything from her before she left, only to be informed that I'd have a new partner for a few weeks while Naomi took care of some personal issues.
I had no clue if those personal issues had anything to do with me since the woman hadn't even bothered to answer her goddamned phone.
I'd spent the next few days in a state of constant worry until yesterday evening when a nurse from the hospital called to inform me that my 'friend Naomi' was there and that she'd asked me to pick her up tomorrow when she was discharged.
I'd jumped at the chance, but after days of stewing in anger and worry, I wasn't in a good place.
So by the time I'd gotten to the hospital to pick her up the next afternoon, I was one seriously pissed off man who wanted to hurt her with my words instead of telling her I'd missed her like crazy.
Apparently, we hadn't shared what I'd thought we'd shared, and it'd all been in my imagination, just like always.
Which led me to now, two days later, taking Naomi to the fucking walking trail again so she could share two hours with her new friend instead of talking to me.
"Ready?" I barked, startling Naomi who was just coming out of her room.
She bit her lip, then nodded once.
"Yes."
She said that so quietly that I crossed my arms across my chest to keep myself from reaching for her.
"Then get in the truck."
At least she was well enough now to get in by herself.
If I had to put my hands on her, I wasn't going to be responsible for what I did.
For what I wanted to do.
Apparently, being mad at the woman didn't take away from the fact that I wanted her.
No, life was a cruel bitch like that.
***
Naomi
"The man, though he hasn't professed his love, really cares about you. I could tell that the day he picked you up from the hospital."