“Different like not drinking, not partying, not being his normal unruly self.”
“I told him to take it easy and let his body recover.”
She shook her head. “It’s more than that. He’s changed.”
“What am I supposed to do with that information?” I asked.
Freddy shrugged. “No idea. I just know the Boxer that went into the hospital came out a very different man. He told me he almost died during surgery?”
I nodded.
“He said it casually. Like it was an afterthought, but he never seemed… I don’t know. He’s a biker. He lives hard and fast. But it was like this got inside him somehow. Shook him deep.”
“I’ve witnessed countless patients who’ve looked death in the face and walked away with their lives. Facing death changes a person.”
“It might’ve been facing death,” she agreed. “Or it might’ve been you. You’re the one that saved his life.”
The hopeful side of me wanted to believe Freddy. Every woman, whether they admitted it or not, wanted to be someone’s exception to the rule.
“Let’s go,” she said. “We have a bit of a drive. You can follow me. I know the way.”
“Freddy? What if this doesn’t go the way I hope?”
“Then I’ll bail on Bishop and we’ll stay the night at a shitty motel in Waco and drink ourselves silly.”
“Who’s Bishop?” I asked with a sudden smile.
“Bishop is vice president of the Coeur d’Alene Blue Angels. They’re tight with the Waco Blue Angels, and they frequently visit each other and party. I met Bishop a few months ago when he was in town and he came into Pinky’s with Boxer. We’ve got a thing, but only when he’s in Waco. It’s casual.”
“Ah, now I know the real reason you’re willing to drive all the way out there. This has nothing to do with helping me,” I teased.
By the time we got to the clubhouse, it was after nine. Nerves danced in my stomach, and my palms were clammy.
Freddy drove up to the brightly lit gate, guarded by two men in leather I didn’t recognize. They waved her through and then did the same to me. I parked next to her on a gravel parking lot. She cut the engine and then immediately climbed out. I was slower to follow.
I was surprised by the number of cars that were parked, but more so the fact that none of them were busted or looked like they needed to be impounded. Motorcycles were angled along the grassy lawn but not in a haphazard manner. They’d been cared for and were clean, and some of them looked very expensive.
Freddy marched up toward the large brown house that resembled a lodge, not even waiting to see if I was behind her. Bright lights illuminated the exterior, and there were cameras up above the door.
The cool autumn air nipped at my skin, but my blood ran hot. I was about to come face to face with a man I’d screwed in the living room of my condo among the shattered remains of my kitchenware during an emotional storm.
With a deep breath, I steeled my spine, forced a bravado I didn’t feel, and entered the clubhouse. The foyer immediately opened into an extra spacious kitchen and living room with a long couch and a few recliners. Counter space was congested with bottles of alcohol and mixers. There wasn’t any food.
It was empty except for two women who were sitting in the loungers. Both wore heavy makeup and had teased hair. I heard the thumping base of speakers farther in the back.
“Freddy!” The brunette got off the couch and came toward us. She was tall, her smile friendly.
“Hey, Rachel.” Freddy hugged the woman and then said, “This is Linden.”
The woman blinked, and then her smile turned into a knowing grin. “Oh, sothisis Linden.”
She clearly knew who I was and yet didn’t seem at all surprised to see me in the Blue Angels clubhouse.
“Nice to meet you,” I said.
“You too.” She took my arm and dragged me over toward the couch. She pointed to the diminutive bottle blonde who sat in one of the recliners with a baby blanket covering her front. “That’s Allison nursing the newest Blue Angel.”
Allison looked at me and smiled. “Hi.”