Addicted to You (Devils Right Hand MC #3)

Chapter 6

Axe's POV

I've never had a friend. I mean, I have people in my corner, but not friends. I have my brothers and their wives, but they're family, not friends. Technically, Mel and I started out as friends, but we were never just friends to me, I loved her from the second I laid eyes on her.

So I guess it's safe to say that Gabby is my first friend. I know it's kind of sad to get my first real friend when I'm 19, but better late than never.

It's still awkward between us sometimes, but those instances are happening less often. Now, we have learned each other's quirks. Like how she doesn't like to talk about her past unless she brings it up and she knows better than to ask about mine.

We have fallen into a comfortable flow over the past week, and I think it's nice for both of us to have that kind of friendship. She is also getting closer to the girls, so she's building more connections, which is great. She needs support in her recovery, and before the club, I don't think she had any.

I've taken her driving a couple of times this week, and after every lesson, I take her to a diner. I will never take her to Bev's Truck Stop again, though. The girls already giggle every time I even look at Gabby so I don't need to give them more ammunition. I don't know why everyone thinks we are star-crossed lovers or something. We aren't anything special. We are just friends and that's what we both need.

Work was hell today and I'm completely exhausted as Grease and I walk to the clubhouse. The thing about being a mechanic is that every day is unpredictable. Sometimes the only thing I do all day is change the oil in one car. Other times, like today, I work on a million cars and all of them need extensive work. Those are the days I love, the days that I can just work and stop thinking. But goddamn they are tiring.

"You look half dead," Clove laughs as I walk into the bar. It's Friday night, so everyone is piled in the bar for family dinner, even Hazel and Sammie.

"Rough day," I grumble as I plop onto a barstool.

"Yeah, everyone and their mother wrecked their car today," Grease agrees.

"Yeah, I got a couple of them up in the ICU," Clove says. Clove is an ICU nurse, though she has cut back to part-time since she had Sammie.

"How bad?" Shorty asks as she stares at the bar below her. Shorty's daughter, Hazel, was in a really bad car accident with her biological father last year. We all thought Hazel wasn't going to make it out, but she did. I never thought I liked kids, but that girl is something special.

"No fatalities, one guy needed surgery but they'll all be fine," Clove responds and I watch Shorty's shoulders visibly relax.

"Alright, guys, super's ready!" Grace calls as she and Gabby walk out of the kitchen, both of them carrying plates full of food.

"Hey! I thought the Southern etiquette is the cook eats last," Amber grumbles. Grace always made her and Amber wait until everyone got a plate, but I think Grace knows how much Gabby is struggling with food. When I was in her house last week I noticed her kitchen was bare. I try to give her leftovers when I can, but I don't want to overstep because then she'll stop accepting my help altogether. 

"Well, no one ever said I was a proper lady," Grace shrugs with a laugh as everyone lines in the kitchen.

After everyone gets their food, we all sit at the bar as Gabby stands on the other side and eats. She is beginning to trust us, but I've noticed she opens up a lot more when she stands behind the bar. I guess that's progress. On our side, she's very quickly becoming a part of the family.

"Oh! How about a karaoke night in a party bus?" Amber squeals which diverts my attention to the end of the bar where all of the girls are.

"Okay, I love that," Clove laughs.