Page 80 of Guarding Glenda

He nodded. “She’s a good girl. And he can be a dick, but he knows she’s good, too.”

“I’m gonna claim her.”

Bama stopped and grinned. “You sure do move fast.”

“Says the man who claimed a stranger.”

“Hey, I can’t help that I’m decisive. I knew she was for me. And she wasn’t a stranger after we met.”

“Well, I’ve known for a long time Glenda was mine. Just had to wait for her to realize it, too.”

He patted my shoulder. “Hey, man. I’m glad shit’s working out for you. Truly.”

I almost was afraid to let myself admit it, but it did feel like things were finally going my way.

Chapter 29

Glenda

The next few days were great. Nothing particularly exciting happened. But that was part of the greatness.

I felt safe. Loved. Happy. I wasn’t dense enough to believe I didn’t need therapy anymore. I still had shit to deal with, and hopefully over time, I would worry less about being triggered by random shit. But overall, I was lighter. And it felt good to be in a place where I was ready to finally deal with all my issues and face the past instead of ignoring or hiding from it.

There was tension with the club, but that would never go away. Someone would always be in the wings trying to cash in on what they established or take something from them. But they always dealt with it. I couldn’t worry over things I couldn’t control and didn’t really have to do with. Yes, Leigh was involved, and sometimes was in situations less than desirable, but that wasn’t new. I’d been with these guys for a few years now and couldn’t see myself any other place. And I couldn’t see myself with any other man.

“Hey baby, you about ready?” Leigh asked.

“Yep, just let me get my snuggles in really quick.” I patted my thigh and Bruce walked over, then sat. Leaning down, I pet his head, then his soft ears. “Who’s a good boy?”

Bruce licked his chops, drool hanging from his jowls, as I pet him then leaned in for a hug.

“Okay, boy. Stop getting all my lovins,” Leigh said, snapping his fingers.

I stood up and said, “Jealous?”

“Of course.” He leaned down, jerking me closer by my hoodie. He pecked my lips then said, “I’ll put him away, then we can go.”

The weather finally got cold enough for me to need something besides a long sleeve t-shirt. Linny was also wearing one that she got while we were at Thunder Beach not long ago. Her green hair was fading but still looked cute, almost like she did it on purpose.

We left for group therapy again. Dr. Stanley said it may still be good to sit in, even if I wasn’t ready to share and Linny wanted to go. Bama had somewhere to be so Leigh was our chauffeur again.

Since the meeting was midday, we’d made sure to get caught up on chores at the clubhouse the day before. Leigh would go to the shop after, and he had been out the last couple of nights with some of the guys, so we had been at the clubhouse late.

“This weather is deceiving,” Linny said from the back seat. “If you look outside it's all nice and sunny. But you walk out and brrr.”

“I love the cooler air. Less humid.” I stared out the window, watching the trees passing us by. The leaves were thinning and changing colors. I wanted to crack the window but Linny was cold.

Looking over, I took in the moment. Instead of riding in the back, tucked into myself and grasping onto Linny, I was up front with Leigh. He held my hand nearly the whole way. If Linny wasn’t in the back, I probably would have sat next to him. I enjoyed being by the window anyway. I longed to be on a bike, smelling asphalt and feeling that chill on my face.

Looking back at him, it was wild to think of how much had changed in such a short time. But if I was being honest with myself, the feelings for Leigh had been there long before Reggie was gone. I just convinced myself they were wrong and pushed them to the back, like everything else I didn’t want to deal with.

I still hadn’t said the words to him. He told me repeatedly every day that he loved me. And he showed me.

I didn’t have to chase him. If I asked him a question, big or small, he answered without aggravation or avoiding it. He checked in on me when he wasn’t around. And he must have spoken to Bama, because now Pinkie was practically shoving food at me every time I saw her.

Sometimes he still said things that made me cringe, but it was getting easier to swallow. I was beginning to understand what comfort felt like. Real love. Being with him was like being wrapped in a fuzzy blanket with a hot cup of coffee and a good book. Cozy, calm, and warm.

“What is it?” he asked.