I stopped breathing. Tears were pouring out of my eyes, but even through the blurriness, I could see Marty’s smile. He seemed to be at peace with something.
“Dallas, I should be thanking you. You saved me. I know that things are not where they should be with you and Luke, but don’t make the same mistake I did. When God gives you an opportunity, embrace it. He loves you, Dallas. Let him.”
I didn’t know what to say to him. I didn’t know if he knew all the details of me and Luke, but what I did know was that Marty was right. I loved Luke and I knew he loved me. I was tired of playing these stupid “he loves me, he loves me not” games. I also knew that my life would not be complete without Luke in it.
“Thank-you,” I said to Marty, once again. I leaned over and planted a light kiss on his scruffy cheek.
“PROSPECT,” came a boom from the door. Both our heads turned around to see Luke standing there with a smile on his face. “I will be happy to add another year if you don’t get your hands off my girl.” Marty smiled in response and shook his head.
“I couldn’t help it, Pres. She’s beautiful.”
“That, she is,” Luke said eyeing me with admiration. It made me melt. I stood up, shaking the thoughts of Luke and his blue eyes, and hard muscles and “my girl” comment from my head.
“Okay, enough with all this sappy shit. What are you, a pig? Look at this place.” I began tidying up the little room, clearing off the table and folding blankets that were scattered everywhere. Marty laughed, then held his side as a pained look crossed his face.
“You okay?” I asked concerned, and immediately at his side.
“Stop babying him. You’ll turn him into a pussy,” I heard Tiny, the club’s Sergeant At Arms, say from the door.
“Pussy? Did someone say pussy?” Buck asked, pushing his small frame past Tiny and entering the room that was now filling up.
“Quit talking about pussy,” Crash chimed in. He was now sitting on the arm of the chair, flipping through the same magazine Luke had earlier, but not really looking at it. “I haven’t had any in a week.”
“Is that why you had you were holding hands with my girl?” Luke asked him, his death glare back in place. The whole room erupted with laughter, except for Crash who looked like he wanted to jump out of the eight story window. “I mean, if you think you can compete, then by all means.” I shot a glare at Luke and he smiled and cocked his head to the side. “Babe. I’m just kidding.” I rolled my eyes and started adjusting Marty’s pillows. This was no easy task. Just for him to move a couple inches caused him enormous pain, although I know he tried to hide it.
“You need to rest,” I said to him quietly, so no one else could here. From what I had been told, PROSPECTS caught hell during their first year. I knew he was trying to be hard in front of the guys, but this was ridiculous and since I was the reason he was here, I felt it was somewhat my responsibility to ensure his comfort.
“Okay, guys,” I said to the room. It grew quiet immediately, and I started to chicken out. “Marty has had a long day. I think we should let him rest.” Every face in the room, including Marty’s turned to Luke. Luke was eyeing me, seemingly impressed by my courageous, outspoken request. I mean, who the hell was I to announce to a bunch of bad-ass bikers that they needed to shut the hell up and get the hell out, although I didn’t say it in those words, they knew the meaning. What seemed like minutes, but was really only seconds passed when Luke finally spoke.
“Well, y’all heard the lady. Let’s give Marty some time to rest. Buck, you and Crash stay close. No further than the lobby.”
Both Crash and Buck nodded in agreement. Everyone said goodbye to Luke and I, then hugged Marty as gently as possible. I could tell they cared about him and gave him great respect for what he had done. No one had mentioned War, and even at the thought of him, my stomach plunged. I didn’t think it was an appropriate time to say anything so I kept my mouth shut, but made a mental note to ask Luke about it later.
“Babe?” Luke said to me, shaking me out of my thoughts. I looked up at him and smiled. He really was stunning. You wanna go? Maybe grab something to eat and let PROSPECT get some sleep?” My stomach growled at the mention of food and I turned to Marty to say my goodbyes.
“I’ll come visit you tomorrow. Is there anything you need?”
“No, ma’am. I’m good. Thanks, though,” he said managing a weak smile. I leaned down and kissed his cheek again and felt it heat against my lips. Big, bad, biker Marty was embarrassed. I straightened and Luke approached the bed.