Chapter 1: Carter
Jean and I returned to the clubhouse. We announced that we are getting married and claiming each other. I turned and looked at Carter. "It's about time you opened your mouth and eyes, Manic. I thought I was going to have to try for Jean myself.
"The hell you would Carter." Manic told him.
I smiled at Carter. "Manic you know that Carter is joking. He is like my brother."
"I really am happy for the two of you. At least one of us is going to have a happy life. We both know that is not going to happen for me."
"Carter, why sale your beautiful house?"
"I thought I finally found the woman that would love me, and we would be happy there. She turned out to be a slut. She moved on to a man who didn't have scars."
"They tell women never trust a biker. We are just like any other man when it comes to wanting a woman of our own."
"What they should say is a biker should never trust women."
"I am not meant to be a husband, or father. They use me and leave me. I would protect the woman that loves me for me. That doesn't care about the scars."
"I am meant to be alone. And that is why I don't trust any woman that says she wants me and only me. Not anymore."
"I know there is a woman out there for you Carter. Just don't give up. I almost gave up on Manic. I am glad I didn't. Now that being said. My best friend is coming to stay with us. She is moving into town. Candy is an ice skater. She teaches kids to skate."
"Candy retired from pro skating one year ago. She is going to stay with us for a while. Carter she is single, and she would be perfect for you."
"Don't go there, Jean. I am not the kind of man your friend would look at twice."
"Don't be too sure of that, Carter. I know Candy. She is very selective on the man she dates and likes that way. I have seen her date two men. Both were not good for her."
"You know her sister, Rain told me that something happened to her right before she retired from skating. She told me that she saw bruises on Candy, and she even had a black eye."
"Candy told her she tripped and fell down the stairs. I didn't believe that than and I don't believe it now."
"Rain thought that Candy had started dating a new man, but Candy denied it, told her he was just a friend. She thinks that he was beating on Candy."
"Anyway, she will be arriving tonight sometime."
We were talking about nothing really when a prospect walked in. "Manic a truck the size of a big u-hall just drove into the compound."
We walked outside to see it was Candy. "Candy just park it next to the garage over there. We watched as she parked the truck and then she opened the door.
"This is going to be funny."
I watched a girl turn and put her knees on the steps. I walked over and put my hands on her waist and lifted her down. "How the hell did you get into that truck?"
"Simple I kindly asked a man to lift me up into it."
"You could have asked for help getting down."
"I could have but I am able to get down. Not without hurting yourself."
"Thank you, for helping me down. Dam you have beautiful eyes. Ice eyes. Blue with flacks of shards."
I turned and ran to Jean. Hugging her then she told her how much I missed her. "Candy, what is on your back?"
I backed away from Jean. Nothing. "Don't lie to me Candy. Turn around."
I turned around and she lifted my shirt. "Shit Candy there is blood soaking through your shirt. And why do you have three t-shirts anyway?"
I was leaning against the truck she just got out of smoking a cigarette when I heard what Jean said. "Jean it's nothing just let it be. I will be fine. I walked over and lifted the back of the truck enough that I climbed under it.
I watched to see what she was doing. Soon three suitcases came flying out of under the door. Then she climbed back out and spoke. "Someone please help me down and shut the door please.
A prospect lifted her down and shut the door. "Jean if you can show me the room I will be using while I am here, I will take a shower and clean myself up."
I frowned as Jean picked up one of the suitcases, and she carried two following Jean into the clubhouse. I then gritted my teeth. She was bleeding. Blood was starting to show through her shirt.
I threw my cigarette down and walked to the garage. I started working on one of the bikes. I can't go back into the club. When I touched her, I wanted her for myself.
That is not going to happen. No woman had ever told me that I had beautiful eyes before. I continued to work on the bike until Manic came into the garage.
"Carter, you have been out here for four hours now. Why don't you stop and take a shower and come and sit with us? Get to know Candy?"
"Not looking at Manic I said, I don't want to get to know her. I want her and I am not about to make a fool of myself. Not again."
"Fine, don't talk to her, but come inside. It is getting late."
I put the tools up and washed my hands. I walked out the door and closed it. I walked by the table not looking at her. I opened the door to my bedroom walked inside and closed it.
After showering I put on black jeans, and a tee-shirt before putting my boots and cut on. I braided my hair and walked out the door.
I walked to the table and sat in my chair not looking at her. Instead, I took my phone out and read my messages. I looked out of the side of my eye to see she was staring at me.
I don't understand why he doesn't like me. He stayed in the garage until Manic went out and got him. But he has not looked at me since he sat down.
I think he is really handsome and those eyes. I could fall into them. But I am not here to get a man. He is big and looks really strong. And those hands. If he wanted to hit me, he would hurt me even more than Kyle hurt me.
I feel safe as long as he stays over there. I keep looking around to make sure that a man is not standing or walking behind me. I don't know any of these men.
Jean told me they would not hurt me. I have to trust her. I will stay here long enough to find a nice two- or three-bedroom house. I need a basement where I can build a safety room. I need a craft room. Of course, I need a barn that I can have horses and a large metal building so that I can have a skating ring so I can skate.
I have enough money for all of this. With my professional skating money and being in some movies I saved a lot of money. I don't have to work if I don't want to.
I looked under my eyelids at him. He was talking to Manic. I looked at his wide shoulders. I wonder what it would be like to be held in those arms.
Stop it, Candy. It is not going to happen. Forget about him or any other man. I looked over at Candy and saw the sad look in her eyes.
Candy how long have you been single and when was last time was you dated? Two weeks ago. It was not good. I have been single since the day I was born. Never married.
"Carter there, he is single. He has not dated for over what? Two, three years." Jean asked.
"Three years. I have not found a woman I trust, let alone wanted to date."
"I don't look to find one anytime soon either."
"After my second girlfriend, I find it difficult to let a woman get that close to me. You already know that Jean we talked about it. Women are not to be trusted."
"I can say the same thing about me as well. They like to hurt women. Cause us pain. I should know. Jean, I think I will go to my room now. I will see you in the morning for breakfast."
I stood up and looked over at Carter with sad eyes. I am sad that he doesn't like me. I would have liked to have gotten to know him. He doesn't seem to want me to get close to him.
I know when I am welcome and when I am not. He does not welcome me in his clubhouse. I turned and walked out of the bar and down the hallway to the stairs.
Once I reached the door of my bedroom, I unlocked it walked in, shut it and locked it. I removed my clothes and walked into the bathroom. I soaked a towel in hot water before swinging it on to my back.
I gasped as it hit the cuts. I know it is getting infected, but I am hoping that this takes care of it. After I am settled here in this town I will go and see a doctor.
As the towel cooled, I let it fall in the bathtub before I stepped out and dressed for bed. I know I am running a temp, so I took Tylenol to bring it down.
My back was hurting so bad, but I can't let anyone know about it. Especially Jean. She will tell Manic. I climbed into the bed and let the tears fall from the pain.
I must have cried myself to sleep. I slowly opened my eyes and cried out as I sat up. I felt the scabs rip open. I showered to Losen all of them and then put on two tee-shirts.
I braided my hair then but my glasses on instead of my contacts. I walked out of the door and walked down the stairs to the kitchen. I was moving a little slower as my back was really hurting me.
I watched as she walked into the kitchen. I noticed she moved a little slower and was favoring her back. It is not my problem to deal with. She looked flushed as well.
I watched as she slowly sat down across from me. I watched as she ate but not a lot. Then I watched as she rinsed her plate and glass putting them in the dishwasher. As she bent over to do that, I heard her gasp.
Then she walked out of the kitchen. As I walked out of the kitchen saw she was sitting at a small table with a laptop. I didn't know what she was doing and didn't care.
I was looking up houses for sale in town and in the country. I found one in town with a nice yard, a garage, but the outside of the property looked like a junk yard.
I proceeded to look at the houses in the country. I found three. They looked promising. I e-mailed the realtor who happened to be Saling all three of them.
She agreed to meet me at the first house which was a street behind this one. I got the address and put it in my phone. I asked a prospect to open the door of the truck and ride my bike down the ramp.
After he did that I put on my helmet and rode out of the compound and to the address. I arrived 10 minutes later. I drove into the driveway and turned my bike off.
