Now that Dex was thinking about it, he did not have Hammer’s either—a mistake that needed to be promptly corrected.
The bike stopped outside just as he left the bathroom, but when shouts erupted from the front of the house, Dex dashed onto the porch to see Frank’s broad form blocking Hammer’s way in the faint moonlight.
“I ask you again to leave my property. If your club wasn’t on such good terms with me, I’d be holding my shotgun, so don’t force my hand!”
Hammer’s gaze rose to meet Dex’s over Frank’s arm. His dark hair shone in the faint glow from above, and his broad shoulders were like a wordless invitation into his arms. “I’ve been invited.”
“Yeah, Frank! I invited him for dinner, so we can talk, and work out some sort of ceasefire.” He smiled but nerve bugs were eating up his stomach.
Frank shot him a glare. “‘Dinner’? Atmyhouse? Withmyfood?”
Dex swallowed. “Er… No, I was planning to make us something from my stash.”
“Instant ramen?” Frank shook his head, making his long braid snap like a scorpion’s tail. But it was his words that stung, making Dex feel like an idiot. They’d been in town. Heshould havebought something better.
“Yeah, it’s gonna be great. I’ll add hot sauce and all that.”
Shane chose this moment to roll onto the scene like a prince in shining armor saving him from this humiliating interrogation, though instead of riding a white horse, he sat behind the wheel of his old Mustang. The guy had a nose for gossip and ate up drama for breakfast, yet would deny it if asked. The opportunity offered by Hammer’s visit must have been too tempting to pass on. Dex wouldn’t be surprised if the bastard had been waiting somewhere close and only moved once he spotted the motorcycle heading for the house.
“Hi Frank! Is this a bad time?” Shane asked, shutting his door and approaching Hammer, as if he hadn’t kept him cuffed to a metal pillar just this morning.
Frank huffed and shook his head. “It’s already a crowd, so why the hell not?” he said and glared at Dex in a way that felt like a lance thrown to pierce his heart.
But Hammer smiled and walked past both Frank and Shane in quick strides that took him ever closer to Dex. Meeting him halfway was a no-brainer and Dex’s feet worked on their own, but as soon as Hammer was within reach, hesitation settled in. He wanted to kiss him and make up for that broken opportunity yesterday. Or at least give him a hug. But he wasn’t sure how much affection Hammer was comfortable with in front of the other guys.
He hadn’t made up his mind by the time Hammer climbed the stairs and looked down at him, standing way closer than a straight man would. The rich scent of cedarwood and leather hit Dex, making him sway on his feet as Hammer smiled, and his dimples appeared deeper. “You clean up well.”
The itch to touch him was so visceral it burned under Dex’s fingertips, but he didn’t want to rock the boat and pointed at his cheek with a wide smile. “I still have to get the stitches out. You smell good,” he added in a whisper.
Hammer’s brows shot up, and he leaned forward. For a breathless second, Dex was sure he’d be kissed, but Hammer’s face hovered next to his ear, breathing in air so intensely it felt like being touched by butterfly wings.
“Jasmine?”
Dex’s insides turned into sweet goo. When Hammer was around, the world blurred, leaving only him in focus.
“Yeah. Got kinda used to it.” Because he now associated the fresh yet flowery aroma with fucking Hammer.
Shane cleared his throat and pointed to the door. “Come on, lovebirds.”
Hammer stretched his neck and glanced Dex’s way without making a single move. It only then occurred to Dex that they were no longer at Cora’s, and he stepped back, opening the door for his guest. His temples pulsed, and his mouth felt as dry as an old shoe sole. What was it about inviting Hammer to his own place that made their interactions so awkward and stiff? Or was it Shane and Frank’s presence that made Hammer unwilling to show any affection? Surely, if he wanted to end things, he wouldn’t have come at all.
Frank closed their grim procession, slamming the door behind them. “I hope you don’t expect an apology. You know how things work.” His voice was gruff and bitter as he got himself a beer from the fridge. He didn’t offer any to his guests.
Uncertainty settled on Dex’s shoulders as he took in the open-plan living space with walls that badly needed repainting and a patchwork of furniture Frank had made out of junk. It was nothing like the luxuries of Cora’s home, even if the large table made from a massive door was quite the showstopper. It stood in the center of the room, between the kitchen and the back of the beat-up sofa, where Dex had watched the movie not so long ago. The large flat-screen TV was the only brand-new object within sight.
Dex remembered that Hammer had had a noose digging into his throat just this morning, and his gaze was drawn to a line of reddened, blistered skin there. “Fuck. Are you okay?” But despite the urge to touch Hammer, he stopped himself, because they were being watched by a hawk eager to sink his claws into Hammer and rip him apart, and a vulture who’d come here for the scraps of gossip he’d surely share with his boyfriend at dinner.
Dex knew Hammer was capable of fighting off birds of prey, but he still didn’t want to see his new friend pecked at. And if things escalated to those two sharp beaks turning Dex’s way, Hammer might notice what a fuckup Dex was in the real world. Deescalating was the key.
“It’s nothing. Thanks to you,” Hammer said and sat down at the head of the table, in Frank’s usual place. Dex’s uncle stalled, and his face twitched between grimaces, betraying an array of his true feelings. In the end though, Frank must have realized a battle for the favorite chair wasn’t worth fighting, especially not with a guest who’d never visited them before and didn’t know the house rules.
Begrudgingly walking off to the kitchen, Frank muttered, “He’s not made of paper.”
Dex rubbed his palms, wanting to make this visit pleasant for Hammer, despite Frank’s ill mood and Shane’s gawking.
“Anyone wants drinks?” he asked with a smile, heading for the fridge. “And I’ll make us all some noodles too. I have this special technique for making them that gives them that extra oompf.”
“Instant ramen deluxe! Will there be ham?” Shane asked with a mischievous grin, and sat down at Hammer’s left.