Chas's Fervor: Insurgents Motorcycle Club (Insurgents MC Romance Book 3) (40 page)

It was small but clean, and it had a bustling crowd. The aromas from the kitchen were delicious. A large black-top counter and chrome black stools made up the lunch counter, and booths and tables decorated the rest of the place. Black checkerboard linoleum tiles covered the floors, and at the back of the restaurant three candy machines and one gumball machine lent a pop of color to the monochromatic color scheme.

“Do you want something to eat?” Chas asked.

“Maybe just some ice cream to coat my stomach. My mom used to give me milkshakes and ginger ale when I’d have a stomach ache.” Addie smiled as the memory soothed her.

“Can I take your order?” the waitress asked in a high-pitched voice.

Chas ordered a burger and fries for him and a vanilla shake for Addie.

“I’m having a very nice day. I’m happy we got to spend my day off together,” Addie said as she slurped the last of her shake.

“I’m having a good time, too. I always enjoy our time together. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

After Chas paid the check, they left the eatery and strolled down the street, window-shopping. Chas stopped in front of a jewelry store, the front window showcasing sparkling rings, necklaces, and earrings.

“Come on,” Chas said as he tugged Addie into the shop.

He let go of her hand as he approached the sales clerk. Addie glanced at the display cases, which glittered with gold jewelry and gems. She didn’t wear much jewelry, but she loved to look at it. She preferred the smaller pieces, and she had a few rings and earrings from her mother’s collection.

“Precious? Come here,” Chas said.

A store clerk stood next to him. “What?” Addie asked.

“Turn around,” Chas ordered.

Addie did as requested and felt Chas move her hair over her shoulder. He placed something around her neck and clasped it. “Go check it out and let me know if you like it,” he whispered in her ear, his hot breath tickling her neck.

Looking in a mirror, Addie gasped. Her reflection showed a lovely white-gold necklace with a solid white-gold heart and pink tourmaline pendant, a small white-gold key charm accented in pink tourmalines attached. A few tears escaped and trailed down her face. Wrapping his arm around her, Chas said in a low voice, “You hold the key to my heart, precious. Haven’t felt like this about a woman. I want you in my life, and I want to be a part of yours.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks as she spun around, then hugged and kissed him. “I want to be a part of yours, too,” she breathed against his ear.
By far, the best day ever!

*     *     *

Addie gathered the
dinner plates to bring into the kitchen when she heard Chas’s mother say her name. She and Chas had gone over to his parents’ house to pick up Jack when Chas’s mother invited them to stay for dinner. Addie was delighted to sit at the dinner table and observe the interaction between Chas, his sister, his parents, and his son. The family gathering made her feel sad and happy at the same time. The scene was reminiscent of the many dinners she’d shared with her parents before their death. Being at the Vickers’ table made Addie feel like she was part of a family again—something she hadn’t felt in years.

Addie pressed close to the door, peeking into the kitchen through a crack.

“You finally brought home a decent woman,” Chas’s mother said. “I can’t tell you how often I prayed for that. Addie is kind and lovely, and she adores you and Jack. I’ve wanted another grandchild so badly, and I know Jack would love a little brother or sister.” She wiped her hands on her apron.

Shaking his head, Chas laughed. “Don’t you think you’re rushing things a bit?” He grabbed the dish towel and dried a large frying pan. “We’re having a real good time, and for now that’s what it is—a lot of fun.”

His mother grabbed the towel from him and lightly slapped him with it. “You’ll be a fool if you let her go. Can’t you see how her eyes shine whenever she looks at you? And I know you gave her the necklace she touched all through dinner. You
did
give it to her, didn’t you?”

Clearing his throat, he admitted, “Yeah, I did.”

“What did you ever buy that witch, Brianna, in all the time you were married to her?” Before he could answer, she said, “Nothing. I’m telling you, Addie’s perfect for you and will make a good wife and mother. And from the way you looked at her all through dinner, I know she isn’t someone you’re going out with ‘just for fun’.”

Addie’s heart ached when she realized she could never give Chas a child, but maybe he didn’t want one. After all, he already had a son, so maybe he was done having children. Maybe it was just his mother who wanted Chas to have another child.
What the hell am I thinking? He hasn’t even asked me to marry him, and I’m already thinking about the child issue.
Hearing her name again, Addie put the dishes back on the table and leaned her ear closer to the door, opening it a little wider so she could see better.

“Don’t be afraid to love Addie, just because you married the wrong woman. Brianna was never right for you. I told you, but you had to find it out for yourself. Addie is like your other half. I’m telling you not to let her go.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he gave his mom a hard stare. “Enough already. We’re having a good time. I like her a lot. End of conversation.” Chas leaned against the kitchen counter. “How’s Dad doing? He looks tired.”

Her face tightened. “He says he’s all right, and he won’t go to the doctor. He’s stubborn, just like you. I told him the other…”

Addie pulled her ear away from the door, feeling guilty to have been eavesdropping on Chas and his mother’s conversation. Jack sauntered into the dining room.

“Whatcha doin’, Ms. O’Leary?” he asked loudly.

Addie leapt away from the door and picked up the stack of dishes she had put on the table. “I’m helping your grandma by clearing the table. Do you want to help me?”

“Okay.” Jack picked up as much of the silverware as he could hold in his small hands. He burst through the partially opened door to the kitchen.

“Oh, you startled me,” Chas’s mom said with a laugh. “Thank you for helping,” She took the silverware out of Jack’s hand. Turning to Addie, she told her, “You didn’t have to do that, dear. Here, let me take those from you.”

Before his mother could grab the dishes out of her hands, Chas darted over and relieved Addie of her burden. His black eyes caught hers, and she ran the tip of her pink tongue over her lip and back through her white teeth. Hunger crept into his gaze as it lingered on her mouth, making her catch her breath as a pink flush rose up her neck. In that moment, time stood still, and it was like they were the only two in the kitchen, caught in a chasm of desire where no one but them existed.

Coughing, Chas’s mother slammed the dishwasher door shut, bringing the couple back to reality.

Chas cleared his throat. “We gotta go, Mom. It’s late, and Jack’s had a full day. You and Dad did, too. Thanks for watching him.” Chas gave his mom a quick hug.

“You never have to thank a grandmother for watching her adorable grandson.” She hugged Chas back then looked sideways at Addie. “I’m so glad you are in my son and grandson’s life.”

Addie dipped her chin down and coughed. “Thank you,” she mumbled as she felt her neck and cheeks heating up.

What she’d overheard Chas’s mother say made her tingle all over, but she knew his mother didn’t know her backstory. She didn’t even know Addie was still married to a man she despised and feared. Thoughts of Ian continued stabbing at the bubble of happiness which surrounded her, threatening to burst it wide open, and she shivered despite the warmth in the kitchen.

“We better get going, little buddy. Say goodbye to Gramma,” Chas said.

After saying their goodbyes and thank yous, the trio drove to Chas’s house.

The house was only about a ten-minute drive from where his parents lived. Addie loved the quaintness of the neighborhood. The homes were small brick ones with big porches and spacious front lawns. Since it was an older neighborhood, large oak trees towered over the rooftops, providing cooling shade in the summer and gnarled branches in the winter.

Entering Chas’s home was a treat for Addie. It was the first time she had been there, and she loved the comfortable ambiance of his quaint abode. It had a small foyer, a large family room with a stone fireplace and an overstuffed, comfy camel brown sectional. Of course, it had the requisite big-screen television, which every man seemed to covet. The kitchen was small but cozy with white-painted cabinets, and bluish quartz countertops. Three bedrooms and two baths completed the first floor. The basement had another large family room replete with big-screen TV, pool, and poker table. Addie was surprised at how neat it was.

“I love your house. It suits you.”

“It’s rustic. Not too fancy, but I’m not the fancy type. Jack and I like it.”

“Let’s watch a movie, Dad,” Jack said as he kicked off his sneakers and jumped on the couch.

Looking at Addie, Chas raised his eyebrows.

“I’d love to watch a movie, Jack,” Addie told him.

“Are you gonna stay with us now?” Jack asked as he grabbed the remote control.

Rubbing her neck, she cleared her throat. Before she could answer, Chas said, “Yeah, little buddy, Addie’s gonna be here for a few days. You’re good with that, right?”

With wide eyes, his head bobbed up and down. “I’m glad. I’ve been wanting you and Dad to be together for a long time. Can we have popcorn?”

Chas snickered, then ruffled Jack’s hair. “Sure. You pick the movie and I’ll make the popcorn.” He moved toward the kitchen, tugging Addie behind him.

In the kitchen, Chas put the popcorn bag in the microwave. As it popped away, he drew Addie into his arms and kissed her deeply. Running his nose along her jawline, he murmured against her skin, “Do you want to change? My bedroom is the last room on the left. I put your bags in there when we came back to switch the Harley for the cage.”

“I’d like to get out of these clothes. I’ll only be a sec. Don’t start the movie without me.”

As she walked away, he swatted her ass, saying in a low voice, “Love your ass, babe.”

She giggled then left the room to search for his bedroom.

After the movie, Jack asked Chas if he’d read him one chapter of his bedtime story. Chas agreed, whispering to Addie, “I’ll be about twenty minutes then I’ll give you a bedtime story.” He winked at her.

In Chas’s room, Addie snuggled under the covers, her eyelids heavy. As the minutes ticked by, her eyes grew heavier, and before Chas was finished reading to his son, she was fast asleep.

C
has sat at
the bar in the clubhouse, drinking a beer while on his break from working on bikes at the repair shop. Loud music filled the great room. There weren’t many members in the big room—just a few older brothers playing pool. During the day, most of the members were either working, with their old ladies and kids, or in their rooms hungover or eating pussy.

As always, Chas thought about Addie. The last couple of days had been awesome with her sharing his house with him and Jack. She was so good with Jack, and his son seemed to adore her. Chas couldn’t rid his mind of his redheaded spitfire.

A large hand clapped his shoulder, and he whirled around.

“Hey, bro, how’s it going?” Hawk asked.

“I’m not complaining.” Chas took a swig of beer.

“Damn, it’s loud in here.” Hawk stalked over to the player and turned the volume down. The older members grumbled but continued playing pool.

“Fuck, I’m not gonna scream over that today.” Hawk motioned the prospect to give him his usual beer with a Jack shooter. “So, I got the info you wanted. The fucker’s name is Ian Quinn and he
was
staying at the Briarwood Hotel. You know, the one across from the train station?”

Chas, lips pursed, nodded.

“I had a prospect tail him. Found out he checked out over a week ago.”

“You sure he didn’t hole up anywhere else?”

“Nope. After he checked out, he took a flight to New York City. No sight of the asshole since then.”

Chas sighed. “There’s no way this fucker would just walk away. Something’s not right here. Why in the fuck would he come all the way here to just walk away?” Chas rubbed the back of his neck hard, and motioned for another beer.

“Maybe he got called away for some reason,” Hawk suggested.

“Yeah, like a job. Have you seen that sonofabitch Snake around?”

“He’s around, but he seems to only be fucking his bitch and whatever stripper he can find. We threw him out of Dream House with a warning that if he came back, he’d be lying in a pool of blood after we shoved a pole good and hard up his ass.” Hawk chuckled then downed his shot.

“Asshole. So, he’s not hangin’ around, checking up on Addie?”

“Honestly? I think that’s what he’s
supposed
to be doing, but the lazy fucker is just grabbing as much pussy as he can.”

“If he’s supposed to be keeping an eye on Addie, then fuckass is definitely coming back. I’ll be ready for him. I’d love to pump some iron in both fuckers after I beat the shit outta them.” Chas gulped his beer. “Thanks for the info, brother.”