Easy (11 page)

Daisy’s phone rang again and she sighed as she checked the caller ID. Settling down in Rapid City was all well and good, but she couldn’t go on pretending that Delay and the people in it didn’t exist anymore. She tapped the screen and brought the phone to her ear.

“What do you want?” she asked, deciding that it was best to just cut through the bullshit.

“Hey, Daisy,” came Matt’s voice through the phone. “How are you doing?”

“Fine,” she said while stuffing one foot into a cowboy boot.

“So, are you really staying there? In South Dakota?”

“Yeah. I like it here.”

“You’re not... you’re not hooked up with one of them bikers or anything, are you?”

It was hard to tell if he was really concerned about her. It was possible, though, considering the fact that the first -and last- group of one percenters Matt had run into had beaten the shit out of him. It wasn’t hard to imagine what guys like that would do to a girl like Daisy.

Daisy had to admit she’d also had an unrealistic idea of outlaw MC’s before they’d arrived in Sturgis. To Daisy, they’d just been cowboys on steel horses and though it was obvious they weren’t exactly law abiding citizens, she hadn’t taken the time to consider what that really meant.

When Matt had stumbled back to their motel room with a swollen eye, a busted lip, and a broken nose, she’d had to reconsider what it would mean to be someone’s old lady. She would’ve been Matt’s old lady, if as he’d planned, he’d been accepted into whichever gang at the rally had impressed them the most. Daisy hadn’t known a damn thing about how someone actually got
into
an MC. Matt had apparently had his own ideas about it. Once they’d checked into their motel room, he’d unzipped a bag of freshly cooked meth. Daisy had gone apeshit. Drug dealing was far beyond anything she was comfortable with.

Matt assured her he’d trade the crystal for a place in a gang and Daisy, though not happy about it, believed him. He’d come back quite a bit worse for the wear and relieved of all his ‘product’. When she said “I told you so,” Matt had slugged her and left her in Sturgis.

“No,” she told him. “I didn’t hook up with anyone in an MC.”

“Well, when are you coming home?”

She scoffed. “Never, Matt. This
is
home.”

“Oh, bullshit,” he replied. “Who do you even know there? I’m not there. April’s not there.”

“April’s in Florida.”

“They’re coming back,” he told her. “Tiny couldn’t find work. Your mom’s here, too. So, come home.”

“I’m not coming back, Matt. I’m done with Delay. And I’m done with
you
.”

“None of that was my fault! And anyway, you’re the one who kept on about joining an MC. Life on the road and all that shit! That was all you!”

“Well, I didn’t tell you to cook up some meth!” she argued. “I told you to stay away from that shit!”

“I wasn’t using it! I was going to sell it!”

“That’s not any better! And you’re going to end up in jail, Matt. You can’t-”

“I don’t sell it, either,” he said quietly. “Believe me. I learned my lesson. So just come home. I’ve got some things going and-”

“What things?” she demanded. “If you’re not selling drugs, then what?”

“I took a job at the plant.”

A heavy silence hung between them and despite everything, Daisy still felt sorry for him. Matt had been determined not to end up like his old man, wasting away at the plant until his bad knees and messed up shoulder had put him on disability. Since she’d known Matt, the topic of most conversations was how to get the hell out of Delay. That he’d taken a job at the plant meant he’d given up on ever leaving.

“I can’t, Matt. There’s just no way.”

“Why not?” he argued. “What the hell do you have going on there that’s so great?”

“I have to go,” she told him.

“Go where?”

“Out. With friends.”

“What friends? You hooked up with some asshole?”

Daisy sighed. Honestly, that was the long and the short of it. She was hooked up with someone. And usually he was an asshole. “Bye, Matt,” she said and disconnected the call.

Hawk’s truck pulled into the parking space just outside her room and she went out to greet them. Tildy moved closer to Hawk so Daisy could fit.

“How’s your ink?” Daisy asked.

“The scab’s nearly gone.”

“Don’t pick at it,” Daisy advised.

Tildy shook her head. “I won’t,” she said and leaned back in the seat. “This week has been so crazy. My dress came in. Along with Sarah’s. It’s been murder trying to find a tux that would fit Hawk.”

Daisy grinned. “I believe it,” she said glancing at the large man. “He doesn’t seem like the tux type.”

Hawk grunted, but kept his eyes on the road. “Only for her.”

“He looks so good in it, though,” Tildy insisted.

“I believe that, too.”

“Abby’s got the ballroom ready and the menu is all sorted out.”

“You’re having it at her hotel? Fancy.”

“Well, she’s giving us a break,” Tildy explained. “Otherwise we could never afford it.”

Daisy frowned. “So, your folks aren’t helping out?”

It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Tildy came from money. Everything from the way she spoke to the way she accessorized her outfits, said she was high class. She never wore a lot of expensive jewelry, but there was always a scarf or a matching handbag.

Tildy was quiet for a moment, then shook her head. “No. They don’t even know. We haven’t talked in a long time.”

“What’s a long time?”

“About six months.”

Daisy whistled. That was almost as long as she’d gone without speaking to her own mother.

“I don’t know how it’ll all work out,” Tildy said. “I decided not to invite them to the wedding.” She looked impossibly sad and Daisy couldn’t feel anything but sorry for her. “I don’t know what would hurt more, them not coming, or coming and putting me down. Or Hawk. I
won’t
let them insult him.”

The large man said nothing but patted her knee gently. He pulled into Shooter and Sarah’s driveway and killed the engine.

“Where are you going on your honeymoon?” Daisy asked as she climbed out.

“New Mexico,” Tildy replied, shutting the door behind her.

Daisy raised an eyebrow. “New Mexico? Not even
Mexico
Mexico?”

Tildy grinned. “The woman who raised me lives there. I haven’t seen her in a while. And Hawk doesn’t mind.”

“Wasn’t planning on letting her leave the hotel room much anyway,” he told both of them. “Desert seems as good a place as any with a view.”

Tildy giggled and slapped his arm. When they entered the house, Daisy saw a blur of white streaking down the stairs. The Sullivan’s cat clawed her way up Hawk’s leg. Daisy winced in empathy, but the man didn’t even flinch. The cat nestled into the crook of his arm and purred loudly.

“I don’t know how a deaf cat always seems to know we’re here,” Tildy told Daisy. “But she always does.”

“She smells him,” Caleb replied from across the room.

Hawk flipped him off as he sat down.

Daisy noticed Easy sitting in an armchair, but only spared him a furtive glance. She didn’t really know where she stood with him.

“So?” Abby prompted. “Did you get the dress?”

Tildy beamed and nodded. “It’s amazing!”

“Totally agree. You’ll look great in it.”

“I feel like I need more time,” Tildy said, then caught her breath as everyone looked at her. “To plan!” she clarified. “I mean everything’s ready, the food, the flowers, the invitations... Oh!” She whirled on Daisy and grabbed her arm. “I sent out the invitations before you came to town. You’re coming, right?”

“Um...” Daisy blinked at her. “To your wedding? I don’t... I mean, I don’t even know when it is or-”

“It’s in two weeks. And you don’t need a date or anything.”

Without meaning to, Daisy glanced at Easy, who immediately looked away. Well, there was an answer of sorts about where they stood.

Tildy seemed to realize her mistake and hurriedly tried to fix it. “I-”

“I don’t have a dress,” said Daisy, interrupting her before things got any worse. “And I can’t really afford one,” she added.

Daisy had never been to a wedding, but it stood to reason that if it was being held at a fancy hotel, a fancy dress was required, and that would cost about as much as she’d earned so far.

“We’re about the same size,” Tildy pointed out. “You can borrow one of mine.”

That only left the matter of a gift. Daisy sighed inwardly and vowed to figure out something. “Okay.”

Tildy hugged her tightly, then pulled her into the next room. “Teach me how to win at poker,” she said. “Abby and Sarah have tried.”

“No luck?” Daisy asked.

Tildy made a face and shook her head.

“Here, sit next to me,” Daisy said, and pulled out two chairs.

Shooter grimaced as he sat down. “I thought we said no more women.”

“We always say that,” Tex reminded him. “But they’re so damn cute...”

Shooter grunted and shuffled the cards.

Tildy reached out and ran her fingers over Daisy’s arm. Daisy grinned at her and leaned closer and whispered loudly, “I don’t swing that way.”

Tildy blushed and took her hand away. “I was just looking!” she insisted. “You have so many. Why?”

“Tildy,” Hawk warned.

Daisy waved her hand at him. “It’s fine.” She held out her right arm so Tildy could get a better look. “My daddy left before I was born and it was always just me and mama. She works nights at the processing plant, always has, and sleeps during the day. She could never afford a babysitter, so I had to be real quiet. She’d put me in front of the TV with some paper and some crayons. I knew I’d get a belt if I made any noise, so I just drew. All day long.”

Tildy’s face fell and she withdrew a little bit. “My mom... my mom was like that,” she half-whispered.

Daisy nodded patted the girl’s arm. “Take away the money and we’re all the same,” she said. “Everyone’s got problems, not all the
same ones
, but everybody’s got them. Anyway, when I got older, I started staying after school to work in the art room where they had more than just crayons. I had a teacher who thought I had talent, which was better than my mama who never thought I was good for much of anything at all. And when I turned sixteen, I got my first one.” She pointed to a small dove on her forearm.

“I loved it,” she told Tildy. “It hurt like hell, but it was worth it. I could see, right there, plain as day, that I was worth something, that I had something no one else in Delay had- talent. And they could see it, too. Now, anyone who looks at it knows I’ve got something special about me.”

Tildy wrinkled her nose. “But they don’t know,” she pointed out. “I mean, you could’ve just had someone else draw them and put them on.”

Daisy shrugged. “Why would I care what strangers think? If they take the time to get to know
me
, then they know I drew them.”

“I love mine,” said Tildy. “I look at it in the mirror all the time.” Then she leaned a little closer. “Do you know what a reverse cowgirl is?”

Abby laughed from across the table. Hawk shook his head and groaned.

Daisy grinned at her. “Honey, I’ve ridden more cowboys than horses.”

“Hawk likes to look at it while we’re... you know.”

“That’s why tattoos are sexy, honey. They’re a tiny little piece of your soul that you wear on the outside so everyone can see what you love the most.”

Tildy sighed wistfully and looked at him across the table. “He’s my soul mate.”

Daisy squeezed her arm and smiled warmly. “Well, hold on to him, honey. Not everybody gets one.”

Two days later, Daisy walked to Tildy and Hawk’s place from the Rainbow. She glanced at Easy’s living room window, but the blinds were pulled and she couldn’t see in. Sighing, she mounted the steps of the other house and rang the doorbell. Tildy answered, in real clothes instead of a sleep shirt, and let her in. Daisy glanced around but didn’t see Hawk.

“He’s still at work,” said Tildy. “Easy, too. But they knock off early on Saturdays.”

Daisy shrugged. “Wasn’t all that interested. I’m here to try on dresses.”

Tildy gave her a knowing smile and Daisy scowled. “Okay, I’m a
little
interested,” she admitted. “For whatever that’s worth. He doesn’t seem to care.”

“We’ll put you in something
fabulous
,” Tildy replied. “Then you’ll see.”

She led Daisy down the hall to the last door. In the Master bedroom, the closet doors were open and Tildy’s wedding dress was hanging from one of them. It was off-white and short, as far as wedding dresses went. Daisy guessed it would hit Tildy just below the knee. It was strapless and had a bit of satin trim at the top and a matching strip at the waist. Daisy ran her hand over the creamy fabric and sighed. “This is beautiful, Tildy.”

Her new friend beamed. “I love it. Of course, my mother would hate it. It’s not traditional enough for her.” She shrugged. “Then again, neither is Hawk. He’s about as far from Tate as you could get.”

Daisy looked up from the dress. “Who’s Tate?”

Tildy blushed and bit her lip. “My ex-fiancée.”

Daisy grinned. “Tildy! Getting around all over town! Did you dump him for Hawk?”

Tildy shook her head. “Not really. I dumped him and Hawk happened to be there. It was... complicated. But I made the right choice. Hawk is... ” She sighed. “He’s everything Tate isn’t and everything I need.”

“Better in the sack, too, I’m guessing.”

Tildy flushed scarlet but laughed. “Way better,” she whispered. “I only slept with Tate once, but I can tell I’m not missing anything.” As she gazed down at her wedding dress, her hand fluttered to her lower belly.

“How long ‘til you know?” Daisy asked.

“Another week,” Tildy sighed. “It’s torture! I’d give anything to know. Hawk is so excited. It’s all he can talk about.”

“So, he likes kids?”

Tildy nodded. “He loves them. He’s got two little nephews that he adores.”

Daisy considered this. “Good in bed, loves kids, and the cat likes him. I don’t know this Tate, but I’d say you traded up.”

Tildy turned and pulled open the closet door. As she sorted through some dresses, she said, “Definitely.” She hesitated, then said, “Hawk’s so much... bigger, too.”

Daisy laughed. “The more I get to know you, Tildy, the more I like you. A size queen trying out all the men in town until she found the right fit.  I’m starting to think maybe we should’ve gotten you a tramp stamp, instead,” she teased.

“Oh, hush!” Tildy scolded and pulled out a blue dress. “This one matches your eyes. Give it a try.”

Daisy took it from her and looked it over. It was sleeveless and short, as far as reception dresses went, she supposed. Tildy was the same height but a bit more on the scrawny side. “Tildy?” she asked. “How sure are you that my boobs are gonna fit in this thing?”

Tildy frowned and looked down at her own chest, then at Daisy’s. “Hmm. Wear a thin bra,” she suggested.

Daisy went to the bathroom and shut the door from behind her. There was a huge tub nestled in a corner under the window and Daisy knew she’d give anything for a soak. “Holy crap!” she said loudly.

“I know, right?” came Tildy’s voice through the door.

“How many people can you fit in there?” Daisy asked, stepping out of her shorts.

“Um... at least two.”

“Tramp!” Daisy called out. Tildy laughed in response.

Daisy squeezed into the thing and managed to zip it halfway up on her own. She frowned at herself in the mirror, not sure what to think. She’d never owned anything this nice. It felt, and looked, so strange that she couldn’t judge it for herself. Her tats stood out against the bright fabric and she had to admit her tits looked nice, too. She had more going on than Tildy by comparison, but it still wasn’t a lot. The dress made her look like she had more cleavage.

She opened the door and stepped back into the bedroom. Tildy gasped.

“You look so pretty, Daisy!” She moved forward and swept Daisy’s hair off her shoulder. “Easy’s going to love it.”

Daisy frowned and shrugged. “He won’t even be my date.”

“Well, he’ll be there anyway,” Tildy reminded her. “He won’t be able to resist.” She put one of the castoffs back on the hanger. “How’s it going with him?” she asked quietly.

Daisy sighed and shimmied out of the winning frock. “He’s a tough n
ut to crack,” she admitted. “And by nut I mean I think he might be slightly certifiable.”

“Daisy!”

“Oh, come on. The guy lives in perpetual fear of being judged because of how he looks, but he keeps on doing it to me. For a guy who’s so self-conscious, he’s about the least self-
aware
person I’ve ever met.”

“He just needs time,” Tildy insisted.

“Time I’ve got, but I can’t change who I am, even if I had forever.” She hung the dress back on the hanger and slipped the plastic over it. “Maybe I’m just the bridge girl,” she told Tildy. “The one who helps him get over it, on his way to something else.”

“You’re not! I mean, you’ll help him get over it. And then he’ll see he’s been an idiot and you’ll stay together.”

Daisy shook her head. “Yeah, the thing about bridges, Tildy, is they usually end up getting burned.”