Damaged and the Dragon Read online

  Bailey would see it all and ditch me for a safer, better man. Where the hell would I be then? Would life be easier without such rejection?

  If I dreamed that night, I woke without remembering them. The alarm clock rang at five like most mornings. My body didn’t want to move, but I crawled from the bed with Bailey in mind. I needed to get my work and school done, so I could meet her and enjoy a real date.

  After downing a few breakfast bars, I showered and headed down to the Harley. Still tired and sore, I hoped a good workout would give me a little energy. I knew this plan was dumb. Every morning, I worked out and ended up dead tired by the evening. I even had to take naps before fights.

  The gym was run by a Reaper named Dave. Figuring we were all snitches, he didn’t like having non-club members working out there. After Tucker overruled these concerns, I visited in the morning to avoid the club guys. The Johansson brothers wouldn’t bother me, but the older members liked to tease me. I was a bitch in their eyes and they took every opportunity to remind me.

  Knowing I needed to be awake and mobile later, I didn’t work out as long or hard as usual. I still pushed myself though. Here with a Reaper watching me like I was scum, I never showed weakness. While I’d never be one of them, I did have my eye on the princess of the club.

  Hours later, Bailey really looked like a princess when I caught sight of her on the quad near our English class. Her blonde hair was lighter after a long sunny summer. She wore a pink halter-top, showing off her new tits. Holding books in front of them, she seemed to be hiding them from view. I never understood why she had to change anything about her body. Despite what I saw in her, I suspected Bailey didn’t feel like the prettiest princess.

  Always wearing a frown when unengaged in conversation, Bailey looked pissed until she saw me. Then, she looked nervous. I gave her a grin as I approached and her fear lessened.

  “Hey,” I said when she only stared.

  “Are we still going out after class?”

  Gesturing for her to follow me towards class, I nodded. “Why wouldn’t we?”

  “I don’t know. People bail sometimes.”

  “I’m not people.”

  “No, you’re not,” she said, smiling slightly.

  Once we got inside the cooler classroom, I dropped my books on a desk and Bailey followed my lead. We stood there, studying each other.

  Even after a year of orbiting her star, I knew very little about Bailey.

  I knew she was insecure from her designation as a hang and bang chick. Guys never took her seriously. I always found this fact strange considering how many jerks were knocked on their asses by Bailey or her brothers.

  Needing reassurance, Bailey wanted to know where we stood. When I caressed the stray blonde hairs next to her face, Bailey was against me instantly. Her arms wrapped around my waist, needing even more reassurance.

  Bailey felt warm snuggled in my arms as I ran my hand down the back of her soft hair. She felt right in a way few things ever felt right for me. More than anything, she felt like mine.

  Everyone around us faded away until I could only see Bailey. The old memories threatened to rise up inside me. The smell of my old trailer next to the sweet scent of Bailey made me want to stop touching her. I refused to pollute her with my filthy past.

  Bailey wasn’t letting go though. When a few girls entered, her embrace tightened and I smiled. At least, I thought I smiled until Bailey looked up at me and frowned.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, holding me in her vise-like grip.

  I didn’t answer because there was no way to make her understand. Her family was built on a criminal enterprise, but they were the classic nuclear unit. A mom and dad with four blond kids who spent summers traveling around the country in a RV. Overhearing Tucker talk about his childhood once, I imagined having such an easy life. The image always felt wrong when I was included. As if I polluted it with my presence.

  “People bail,” Bailey muttered and I thought she might cry.

  Wrapping her silky blonde hair behind her ears, I whispered, “I’m not people.”

  “I want to sit next to you in every class.”

  Finally, I smiled for real. “Staking your claim, huh?”

  “Fuck yeah,” she said without a smile. Glancing around the room, she sized up the competition. “I’ve killed for less.”

  Laughing, I knew Bailey was full of shit. When I scooted my chair closer, her brilliant blue eyes lit up. Her reaction to such a small gesture gave away how I had Bailey Fucking Johansson hooked.

  Chapter Five ~ Bailey

  My classes ended before Nick’s, so I drove home and showered. With more time to spare, I thought about Nick and Farah. They both wanted to be teachers. Poor kids from shitty families, they had a lot in common. Nick wanted Farah first, but now he was left with me.

  I planned to visit Winnie, yet found myself in front of Cooper’s slice of suburbia. Walking to the door, I figured Nick would like a house like this one. His dreams were so much like Farah’s that I wondered if they still included her as his perfect woman.

  Tawny answered the door wearing a tank top and jeans. Even in the late summer heat, she refused to wear shorts because of her chicken legs. I’d seen them and she was just being paranoid. She claimed I was the same way about my old boobs.

  “I need to talk to Farah,” I said and Tawny waved me in. “How’s your man?”

  “The hunky bastard wore me out this morning.”

  “Thanks for sharing.”

  “I just wanted to explain why I’m tired and limping.”

  Grinning at her, I walked to the kitchen where Farah made herself a sandwich. Her dark hair was up in a messy ponytail and a long tee covered her bump.

  “Hey, Bailey. You look pretty. Are you going on a date?”

  “Yeah, with Nick.”

  “Nick is sweet,” Farah said, giving me a smile.

  “You want him,” I hissed. “You whore.”

  My sister-in-law just rolled her eyes and walked to the recliner. “I think you and Nick will be cute together.”

  “Oh, now that you’ve discarded him.”

  “I thought you said I wanted him?”

  Tawny joined me. “Chill, Bay. Why are you so tense?”

  When Tawny tugged me to the couch, I let her soothe me, even though I was more depressed than angry.

  “Would you want to be Cooper’s second choice?” I asked Farah then turned to Tawny. “Or Judd’s?”

  The sisters glanced at each other and their smug expressions faded.

  “Yeah, second choice sucks,” I said when they remained silent. “Nick wanted Fat Lips over here, but lost her to Cooper the Pooper. Now, he’s stuck with me. A love story for the ages.”

  “I don’t think Nick was even into me,” Farah offered after a moment of silence. “Like he was nice, but he never acted like he wanted to date me. I think I was more into him than he was into me.”

  “What now?” Cooper the Pooper asked, entering the room and ruining our girl moment. “Who were you into?”

  Farah just rubbed her bump and smiled at me. Cooper’s gaze lowered to where his baby roasted in his woman’s oven. Feeling sufficiently triumphant, he smiled.

  “What are we talking about?”

  “I thought you were studying?” I muttered.

  “I needed a break. The law is stupid. Anarchy is the way to go.”

  Cooper joined Farah on the recliner even though she had to sit on his lap to make them both fit. I hated them for being happy. Okay, hated might have been a strong word, but I was seething with jealousy at them enjoying what I didn’t have.

  “I was telling Bailey that Nick wasn’t really into me.”

  “Bullshit. He tried to kick my ass, so he could have you,” Cooper said, being the voice of asshole like usual.

  “I think he just didn’t want to back down to you,” Tawny suggested. “I’ve seen him fight a few times and he won’t back down. Even when he’s about to get crushed, he keep
s going. Typical man who would rather die than walk away.”

  “Typical man?” Cooper asked. “Problems with Judd?”

  “No,” Tawny said, smirking. “My man isn’t typical.”

  “Whatever,” I grunted, interrupting all the bragging. “What about me ending up as Nick’s second choice?”

  Farah leaned her head against Cooper’s shoulder then smiled at me. “I don’t know about Nick’s love life, but I know he never asked me out. Never tried to kiss me or anything like that. He was just friendly. I hardly believe you’re his second choice.”

  “I guess.”

  “Why Nick?” Cooper asked while his fingers made little circles on Farah’s bump.

  “He’s fucking hot and smart and perfect. Fuck you for not noticing those things.”

  Cooper laughed. “You need to get laid, B. You’ve been so pissy since you went abstinence.”

  “I want Nick. No one else will do.”

  Tawny and Farah smiled at me like they understood, but Cooper was too horny for his woman’s bump to care about my needs. After a minute, he looked at me and frowned in that jerk big brother way.

  “If he hurts you, I’ll kill him,” Cooper sneered. “You tell him that.”

  “No.”

  “Tell him.”

  Rolling my eyes, I crossed my arms over my new boobs. “He isn’t scared of you. No one is. We just pretend to make you feel good about yourself.”

  Cooper gave me a great smile and I couldn’t help returning it. “I don’t know anything about Nick, but he can’t be any worse than Deputy Dipshit.”

  “That’s for sure,” Tawny said and we all nodded.

  Farah stopped flirting with her man long enough to pay attention to me.

  “Don’t let what you think Nick feels get in the way of having fun tonight. I assumed a lot about Cooper and I nearly lost him. Don’t assume anything about Nick.”

  “Okay,” I said, smiling. “Sorry I called you a whore.”

  “That’s okay. I’ve learned not to take anything you say personally.”

  “Good strategy.”

  Tawny smiled. “Bailey, I want you to go on your date with no expectations. Just have fun. When you try to force things, you can be a little…”

  When Tawny didn’t finish, I muttered, “Did you just call me a bitch?”

  Cooper laughed first then the sisters joined him. I rolled my eyes, but Tawny had a point. I needed to relax on the date and enjoy Nick’s company.

  Driving to the restaurant, I had the whole thing planned out. I would play it cool and stop worrying. No more wondering about Farah and whether I was Nick’s second choice. Yeah, the whole thing was worked out.

  Until I saw him looking so fucking hot in a blue tee and painted on jeans. Yeah, until then.

  Chapter Six ~ Nick

  I arrived at the restaurant before Bailey and decided to wait outside. Leaning against the Harley, I crossed my arms and ignored the girls smiling at me. They giggled even after I showed no interest in them. One of the many qualities I loved about Bailey was her inability to giggle.

  Another amazing thing about Bailey was how she made a pink tee and jeans look glorious. She stood next to her SUV, looking uncertain as I approached.

  “Hey,” I said, leaning down to kiss her. “What’s wrong?”

  Bailey didn’t answer until our lips parted. The kiss was short and soft despite how perfect she looked in that tee.

  “Am I your second choice?” she asked, eyes haunted. “Are you only going out with me because Farah isn’t available?”

  Cupping her cheek, I hated the concern in her eyes. If she knew how I saw her, Bailey would never need to ask such questions. She’d likely think I was an obsessed loser too.

  “I wanted you first, but you didn’t want me. Remember the trailer trash thing?”

  “I don’t remember saying that.”

  “Well, you did and I thought I had no shot with you. Then, I saw Farah and she seemed more…getable. I’m not saying she isn’t great, but she’s not you. None of the girls are you. They were all second choices and I decided second wasn’t enough. Does that make sense?”

  “Farah has those big lips.”

  “You have those pretty blue eyes and that big smile. This soft hair,” I said, running my fingers through it. “I knew your hair would be soft and I often thought about touching it when we sat in class.”

  “You were so hot for me,” she whispered, grinning. “No one else would do.”

  “No one.”

  We both smiled then she sighed. “I like you so much. Like crazy too much. I don’t want to pretend otherwise.”

  “Then don’t. No offense, but you worry too much about what other people are thinking. Besides, you usually guess wrong anyway. Just relax.”

  “If you run away from me, I’ll hunt you down. I’m not kidding,” she said and I had to laugh. Her eyes narrowed. “Are you planning to run?”

  “Run where?”

  “Away from me.”

  “I’ve been waiting for you for a year.”

  “Yeah, but that was a fantasy version of me. The real me isn’t as great.”

  “Bailey, shut the fuck up,” I said, taking her hand and tugging her towards the restaurant. “Let’s have dinner.”

  “Don’t tell me to shut up.”

  “Or what?”

  Bailey sighed so loudly that I stopped and pulled her to me.

  “You are beyond beautiful,” I whispered, kissing her softly.

  Bailey’s arms wrapped around me and her tongue searched for mine. My entire body came alive as the kiss deepened. How had I gone through the last year with this woman so close, yet out of reach? I felt suffocated by need, unable to think of anything beyond Bailey.

  The sound of Harleys racing past finally pried us apart. Bailey looked at the road then back at me and smiled.

  “Nick,” she whispered.

  “Bailey.”

  Sharing her smile, I took Bailey’s hand and we walked into the restaurant. After a short wait, we were seated in a booth and ordered our drinks.

  “Do you always drink Sprite?” I asked.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “I want to buy some for when you visit my place.”

  Bailey grinned like I had told her she won the lottery. If she kept smiling at me that way, I didn’t think my ego could fit into the restaurant much longer.

  “Do you always drink beer?” she asked. “Any specific kinds?”

  “No and no. I just felt like a beer would help me relax after that kiss.”

  Bailey touched her lips and smiled. “What’s your mom like?”

  Tapping my fingers on the table, I wished she didn’t ask the standard questions. Why couldn’t we have talked about movies and sports? Bailey didn’t want to talk about those easy subjects. She wanted to know about my shitty family.

  “I haven’t seen her in a decade or so.”

  “How come?” Bailey pushed in the way she always pushed.

  “She had issues with drugs. Meth mainly. Eventually, she was arrested for a bunch of things. I didn’t really know the details since I was a kid. All I knew was she’d gone to jail then to rehab. When she got out, she left my dad and moved away.”

  Bailey opened her mouth and it remained open for nearly a minute. Once she shut it, I saw her considering her options. In the end, she just nodded.

  “My mom is great. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault your mom is great and my mom isn’t.”

  “Was your dad why your mom never came around to see you?”

  Pushing back in the booth, I struggled to think about the woman I barely knew.

  “She has a new family with new kids. I was a mistake she made as a teenager with a man she didn’t like anymore. That old part of her life was something she wanted to forget.”

  Anger flared in Bailey’s eyes. “You know that’s fucked up, right? A mom should love her kid more than herself. I mean, even I would and I’m pretty selfish.�
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  Grinning, I liked how she was looking at me. Protective because I had value in her eyes. When Bailey looked at me that way, I felt more like Dragon than when the groupies wanted me to sign their tits.

  “Tell me about your mom. Her name is Jodi, right?”

  “Yeah,” Bailey said, smiling in the best way. “My mom is amazing. She loves me so much and I always know she’ll have my back. Like I could fuck up really bad and she would still love and protect me.”

  “Your family is close?”

  “Totally. I have idiot brothers and an evil little sister, but we’re still close. I used to want to kill the demon child then Raven explained things. Basically, sisters need to stick together, so I protect Sawyer even though she’s evil.”

  “Evil?” I asked, grinning as I looked over the menu. “Not really though.”

  “No, not really. She’s rowdy is all and has a big mouth. It was always weird hearing nasty things come out of her little mouth. I wasn’t like that as a kid. I was sweet.”

  I grinned at her, causing Bailey to roll her eyes.

  “I really was. I had my big loud brothers and I was the little princess. My pop carried me around everywhere like my feet were too precious to touch the ground. Mom was crazy about my hair because it wasn’t all curly like hers. Back then, I didn’t need to be bossy. The world was a paradise until Sawyer came around and destroyed everything with her giant dirty mouth. Bitch.”

  Even realizing Bailey was serious, I laughed at her anger. “How old is she?”

  “Seven.”

  “So you were the baby for a long time.”

  “Don’t lecture me please. I got enough of that crap from my therapist. It’s why I dumped her. Oh, and she didn’t think I needed an assistant.”

  “Do you?”

  “Sure. I want to be a manager and that means I need to get used to having employees. I’m in charge of Winnie. Her pay, hours, responsibilities, vacation time, sick time, all that jazz. I know it sounds easy, but Winnie isn’t easy to boss around. It’s good practice since being tough with normal people is easy. Being tough with Winnie takes finesse and that’s where I need practice.”