Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112736 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
When the woman Coy’s dad barked at finally comes back with the beer for me, I tip it back and drain half the bottle to soothe my parched throat.
Coy’s dad turns his eyes back to me, takes a hit off his joint, and says, “Allison girl, my eyesight ain’t what it used to be. Do me a favor, would ya? Look over at the sign and read it for me.”
I blink at him, take another sip of my beer, and ask, “What sign?”
Coy’s dad exhales and points to a big black banner tacked up on the wall next to the American flag.
The letters are huge, and even if they weren’t, there’s no doubt in my mind that Coy’s dad could easily tell what they say. He probably says the words in his sleep.
Either he’s testing me again or he’s fucking with me.
I might be a little buzzed but I’m not stupid.
Still, not knowing where this is going, I say tentatively, “Royal Bastards MC?”
Coy’s dad nods his head, sucks in a another hit, and says, “Tell me what it says under the patch.”
Scowling, I glance quickly at the sign even though I really don’t need to, then say, “Louisville, Kentucky.”
Coy’s dad shakes his head as if he’s disappointed. “Nah, that ain’t right. Say it again.”
Really confused now, I look back at the sign and stare hard at the letters. Am I somehow hallucinating? How isn’t that right?
“Go on, say it again,” Coy’s dad says, his tone firm and leaving no room for argument.
I sigh, shake my head, and say, “Louisville, Kentucky?”
Coy’s dad looks me hard in the eyes. “You fuckin’ with me, girl?”
Goddammit, he looks almost exactly like Coy when he’s pissed at me, but meaner.
I swallow and shake my head.
His eyes boring into mine, he growls, “Say it again.”
Oh fuck. What the hell am I missing? Why is he so pissed off?
Somehow, I tear my eyes away from his and look at the sign again. Did I suddenly forget how to read? Or does he think it says something else?
The longer I take, the angrier he seems to get.
So I resign myself to my fate, take a quick gulp of my beer, and tell him, “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you think it says, but it says Louisville, Kentucky.”
He practically roars at me. “You fuckin’ shittin’ me?”
“No,” I squeak and recoil, seriously afraid he’s going to kill me.
My heart is thundering against my ribs and my legs want to make a run for it. He’s old, I could probably outrun him if someone doesn’t stop me…
“Fuck!” he yells and slaps his leg before shaking his head sadly.
All I can do is stare at him in horror.
He turns his face back to look at me, his eyes sad now. “I didn’t want to fuckin’ believe it when my boy told me, but he’s right. You really don’t remember, do ya?”
I shake my head, too petrified to speak.
“You don’t remember me teachin’ ya to say Louisville the right way?”
I shake my head again and take a deep drag from my beer, finishing it off.
“Fuckin’ hell, come here,” he growls, and before I know what’s happening, he’s yanking me into a crushing hug.
My ribs bend to the point I wouldn’t be surprised if they started cracking as he grumbles, “You were always a good girl, Allison. I’ve always liked ya. It broke my fuckin’ heart what happened to ya. But it’s good to have ya back, real fuckin’ good.”
He gives me one last hard squeeze and then holds me away from him. “Now I’ve got a question to ask ya.”
At this point, I’m not brave enough to deny this man anything.
“Coy tells me you brought his son back with ya. Levi, is it?”
Still speechless, I slowly nod my head up and down.
There’s something almost vulnerable in his eyes now as he asks, “Would it be okay if I come ‘round sometime to see ‘im? I woulda stopped by already, but my boy wanted you to meet me first.”
It suddenly dawns on me that this man who’s both terrified and intimidated the shit out of me is Levi’s grandfather.
Lord help me…
Clearing my throat, I force a smile. “You can come by anytime you like.”
Just warn me first so I can be somewhere else.
He leans back a little and says, “Goddamn,” with a look of surprise.
And then he’s pulling me into another hug.
“That’s why I’ve always liked ya!”
Would anyone help me if I called out for it?
Coy’s dad squeezes me even harder this time, and I can’t call out for help even if I want to.
When he finally pushes me away, I’m gasping for air.
“Now, I’ve hogged up enough of your time. You got a friend that’s been hoverin’ over there, waitin’ to pounce on ya. Why don’t ya get ya butt over there and say hi to her.”