Free Strays (Red Kings #1) by Emma Kendrick Page B

move on. You're bugging me with this overprotective big brother thing you have going on. It's not needed.”
     
    He frowned at her, but nodded his head. He'd stop talking about it if that's what she wanted. Just as he was about to get off the crate he was sitting on, she started speaking again, a teasing quality to her voice.
     
    “Besides, it's not like it was Dean's fault. No one could resist getting up on all of this.” She motioned to her body with her hands, and Tyler made a face before getting to his feet.
     
    “And we're done here.” He shuddered at the mental images and started walking around the corner so he could get to his bike and avoid running into Beth. Her laughter floated after him down the alleyway and then he heard the back door of the diner shut. If Jackie was fine, then he was fine. Hopefully things were going to get back to normal now.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    9
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    July 3 rd
     
    Stepping off of the public bus, Jackie let out a sigh and walked into the lot of Eastside Mechanics.  Tyler had borrowed her truck again this morning and she was hoping she would be able to pick it up. The fact that she didn't see it parked anywhere in sight didn't bode well for that idea. She groaned in frustration, silently cursing Tyler as she headed into the clubhouse. The only people inside were Taco, TJ, and Ian. They were playing pool and filling the room with rowdy laughter. The biker she had hooked up with recently was nowhere to be seen, for which Jackie was grateful.
     
    Things between her and Dean had been playfully awkward, the lack of alcohol in her system bringing back her common sense and rational thought. There was nothing wrong with what they had done, it just made normal conversations between them a little weird at times. Thankfully, he didn't talk much anyways. If it weren't for Tyler's constant reminders of their drunken night, she probably would have forgotten about it already.
     
    At least, that's what she told herself.
     
    A crash snapped Jackie out of her reverie and brought her attention to the men in the room. TJ was lying in a heap on the floor as he laughed hysterically, an overturned bar stool on the ground next to him. The other guys were making just as much noise, leaning against the pool table for support. Empty liquor bottles littered the bar, explaining their childish behavior. At four in the afternoon no less.
     
    “Cupcake!” TJ yelled at her as he made no move to get up from his casual position. “Care to join me down here? It's quite comfy.”
     
    “No thank you,” she said with a shake of her head, receiving a shrug in response. “Is my boy around here anywhere?”
     
    “Who, Dean? He's out getting food,” Ian replied with an innocent smile, earning an eye roll from the woman.
     
    “I meant Tyler,” Jackie said with an exasperated sigh, confirming her suspicions that the whole charter had heard about her escapades.
     
    “Oh him, yeah he's doing something with the boss man and Nash I think. Not sure when they'll be back.”
     
    “Damn, guess I'm not getting my truck back then.” She crossed her arms against her chest in irritation, trying to decide her plan for the rest of the day without transportation.
     
    “Well, I could give you a ride somewhere if you need it,” Taco offered, scratching the back of his head nervously. The rest of the crew took the opportunity to start whistling and cracking jokes at the prospect's expense, causing the young man to blush. Jackie adored him; he was always nice and a bit timid, but eager to please. She knew from Tyler that he had been around the club for a long time before he had been given the chance to prospect for them and hopefully earn his rightful place amongst the bikers. 
     
    Jackie smiled sweetly at him, ignoring the childish behavior. “I'd appreciate that, thank you.”
     
    “Oh, I don't think so,” TJ said as he approached her, having recently