Butch

“Have a good time and we’ll see you the moment you get back.”

Hanging up, he dismissed the crew. When they were alone he looked back at Alex. “What the f**k’s your problem?”

“I don’t have a problem. I’ll be at the fair tomorrow. Don’t go without me.” Alex left the room without giving Tiny chance to question him further. Something didn’t bode well with him. For the first time since he’d known Alex, Tiny didn’t trust him.

Chapter Five

“You’re dating him?” Anna asked, raising her voice. Glancing into her mother’s sitting room, Cheryl glared at her.

“Stop yelling. Matthew doesn’t need to hear you shouting.”

“You were supposed to be friends, and now you’re dating him.”

Waking up beside Butch had been amazing. They hadn’t had sex, but they’d taken advantage of their time together. He made her heart sing.

She wore one of the dresses he’d bought for her. The fabric clung to her skin, and he’d been unable to take his hands off her this morning. He’d only left her alone to go home to change. Butch was picking her up from her mother’s. She had a change of clothes for Matthew to get ready for the fair.

“Why can’t you be happy for me? I’m happy.”

“This man is a criminal. You barely know him, and look what happened with the last man you fell for.”

The blow was a low one. Tensing up, Cheryl turned to her mother. “Stop it. What happened in the past is my business. Butch knows the truth. Whoever Matthew’s father was, he’s not coming back. I’ve never seen or heard from him. I’m not going to wait around for a man who couldn’t handle my life. Butch, he’s different. He makes me happy. I love being around him. Why can’t you be happy for me?”

“Honey, I worry about you.” Her mother cupped her cheeks, drawing her close.

There were no tears to fall. Cheryl stopped crying over a man she didn’t know years ago.

“I’m going to get my son dressed. I would appreciate it if you gave Butch a chance.”

“Is Butch his real name?” Anna asked.

Staring up at the ceiling she blew out a breath. “You’re going to be difficult at every turn, aren’t you?”

“I love you, honey.”

“Then be happy for me. Give him a chance. This is the first time a man has left me feeling happy. Butch cares about me, and he cares about a son who’s not even his. Please, for once, be happy for me.” She slammed her palm against her chest, losing her temper.

“Mommy?” Matthew asked. “Are you angry?”

Closing her eyes, she counted to five and turned to her son. “No, baby. I’m not angry.” Going down to his level, she picked him up. Turning back to her mother she glared at her. “Be happy for me.”

Leaving her alone, she took Matthew to get changed. Her hands were shaking as she sorted him out. He no longer needed to wear a diaper as she potty trained him already. Her son was a fast learner. Slowly, she started to calm down. She knew her mother only worried. Why couldn’t her mother accept the fact she was happy?

Holding him close, she inhaled his scent feeling all the love she had for him come crashing through her. She’d do anything for him. The sound of her mother’s door being knocked on interrupted the moment.

She left her mother to open the door. “Are you ready to have some wicked fun?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Matthew said, giggling.

Picking him up and resting him on her hip she spun around in time to see Butch. His gaze lit up the moment he saw them. He was dressed the same way he was last night only they were fresh clothes. Butch took Matthew off her hip, kissing the top of his head. He claimed her lips, and she melted at the smallest touch.

“Are we ready to go?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Her mother was watching them from the doorway. “I hope you three have fun.”

“You’re not coming along?” Butch asked.

“Nah, I’m going to stay home. I’ve been to enough fairs to last me a lifetime.”

“Mom!” Cheryl growled through gritted teeth. Her mother wasn’t even going to give him this time.

“It’s nothing personal,” Anna said. “This is a time for the three of you. Take care of my daughter.”

Nodding, Butch took the lead, taking them outside. The fair was a walk away. She held his hand, and for the first time she was happy.

Butch put her son down, and together they walked out to the big field.

“You’re not regretting going with me, are you?” she asked.

In the past he’d gone with The Skulls. She knew he did as she listened to the gossip in the streets.

“No, this is what I’ve wanted for a long time.”

Smiling, she saw several of The Skulls ahead of them. She recognized Nash and Tiny with them. He tightened his hold on her as another set of bikers joined the crew.

“That’s the Chaos Bleeds crew,” he said, whispering against her ear.

“Are they your friends?” she asked, curious to know more about him.

“They were. They’re not my friends anymore. I made my choice.” His hand tightened around hers. She looked around aware of all the stares coming their way. Cheryl had never been so nervous in her whole life. Part of her wished she’d stayed home with her mom. “You look amazing. Stop worrying.”

She nodded, walking beside him.

“Hey, Butch, it’s true then. You’ve given up the club?” a man with short hair wearing a Chaos Bleeds jacket spoke up.

“Hey, Pussy. I’m bare, and I’m a civilian. I’d like you to meet my woman, Cheryl.”

“Pussy?” she asked, shaking the man’s hand.

“Yeah, name’s Shane, but I go by Pussy. Who’s the kid?” He pointed down at her son.

“Matthew, this is Shane.”

She watched the introductions being made. They were all walking with the biker clubs. Some of the women from town were glaring at her. Ignoring their glares she saw Eva taking care of their kids. They were in a small area being taken care of.

“He can go and play, Butch. You’re not part of the club, but we’re not f**king animals,” Tiny said. “We’ll keep an eye on him. We’re friends, right?”

“Right,” Butch said, squeezing her hand. She took the reassurance and smiled.

Cheryl nodded, watching her son run off to play with the others. Some of them were his age. It was the first time she’d seen him playing and having fun. She was always busy with work.