CHAPTER TEN
Ruthie
“It’s like a bottle of Pepto exploded,” Blue says as she rotates in a circle and takes in the living room.
“No, it’s not. This is a light pink,” I defend.
“Ugh.”
“Her colors are pink and gray, we have to stick with the theme,” I urge.
“I know, but holy cow! Here hold on to this,” Blue says, handing me a large balloon. I hold the pink balloon and she wraps it with light pink tulle. We finish wrapping them and spread them around the living room.
“I love this house, Ruthie.”
“I do too. I can’t believe he forced us to have the bachelorette party here.”
“I can, he’s so overprotective. It’s pretty adorable.”
“Shut it, Blue. Shadow is the same way. Henceforth, Bolty being bored out of his mind,” I say nodding my head toward the sliding glass door that leads to the back patio. We’ve dubbed him the Grill Master, then set him up with an Xbox, and movies in the guest room.
“Oh, no. Not even close. Skull is in full on protective Daddy mode. Speaking of, when are you going to spill the beans?”
“After Dixie Rose’s wedding. If my belly stays smallish. I swear it’s growing at an exponential rate. We didn’t want to steal any thunder, and we wanted a chance to work our shit out.”
“Have you?” Blue asks.
“I think so. I mean, we both have a long way to go in some areas. But the major speed bumps have been run.”
“Good. That makes me happy to hear. He’s different now. I don’t want to say softer, but more. He’s moved forward from the eternal child stage I think every member of the club goes through.”
“I hope you’re right, ‘cause I kind of love the asshole.”
She drops the Cheers, Bitches flag banner. “Love?”
“Head over heels, rest of my life, if he asked I’d say yes, ride or die in love.”
“Oh, shit!” Blue whoops and hugs me tight. “I knew it! I just knew the two of you were meant to be.”
I laugh, relieved to have the truth out.
“Does he know?”
“I don’t think he’s ready.”
“Bull, you’re his Old Lady and having his baby. If not now, when?”
“Come on, Blue. One bombshell at a time, yeah?”
She releases me and smacks her lips. “You know how fast shit goes down around here. Don’t leave things unsaid.”
“I hear you.”
“Good. Stubborn ass. It figures you of everyone I know, would end up being. Mrs. Skull.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” I retort as I bend to grab the banner and we move to hang it against the wall. “What’s next?” I ask. It’s barley ten o’clock and the party isn’t until later, but we have our work cut out for us. Dixie Rose more than any one I know, deserves to have the perfect party and wedding.
“We got the gummies soaking in champagne, the strawberry filled margarita shots are good. The cake is probably ready to decorate along with the sugar cookies.”
“Let’s do the cookies first to give the icing time to set.”
“Deal.” She pulls out the small tubs of icing we bought.
Then I get the rest of the decorations and piping bags down from the cupboard. We’d been living in his grandparents’ house for a few weeks. The transition had been ridiculously easy. It added an extra ten to fifteen minutes onto my work travel, but I didn’t mind. The vintage charm puts a smile on my face daily.
I giggle as we pull out the butt shaped cookies we’d baked last night along with the penis cake.
“Time to put some underwear on these naughty bitches,” Blue sniggers.
We stuff the bags and work in a companionable silence.
“So. I want to run something by you,” Blue says.
“What’s up?”
“You’re almost four months pregnant right?”
“Yeah, about there, why?”
“Shadow and I have been thinking about trying…you know, so our kids can be close.”
“Are you serious?” I whisper.
“As a heart attack.”
“Oh my God…Yes! Do it.”
“Nothing is set in stone. But I wanted to know what you think. I mean you’d be just a step ahead of me, so I could help you through everything and you could tell me all the shit people neglect to tell their pregnant friends.”
“It’s a deal. God, he’s such a good dad, and you’ll be an amazing mother.”
“It feels good to say it out loud,” Blue whispers.
“Are you trying?”
“Not yet. This may be my last hurrah.”
“Good, drink enough for both of us.”
“Oh, believe me I will. Right after I make sure Dixie is good and wasted.”
I laugh. “I can’t wait to see her drunk. She’s so collected all the time.”
“Don’t let her fool you. She’s Chaos through and through.”
We set aside the cookies and turn our attention to the cake.
“Alright, let’s MaGuvyer this bitch,” I say as we run the tubing through the cake and connect it to the whip cream can.
“I cannot wait to see her face when we set this off,” Blue says.
“Me either. Did Nev end up finding a sitter?”
“Yeah, her and Mimi are going to car pool with Dixie.”
“I’ve got a room set up for her. You’re my bunk bitch for the night.”
“You know you’re the only woman I’d have a threesome with,” Blue says straight faced.
We look at each other and burst into laughter.
The sliding door opens and Bolton steps in. “Do I even want to know?”
I shake my head unable to stop laughing as tears slide down my face.
“Oookay. I’ll just be in the guest room, playing games.” He walks by shaking his head.
“So like his father,” Blue says.
“And you love it about him,” I say after I catch my breath.
“Yeah, one of the many things I love about him,” Blue says with a contented sigh.
“I love seeing you so happy.”
“Ditto, babe,” Blue says with a wink. “How are you feeling by the way?”
“Great, the morning sickness has gone for the most part. Did Shadow tell you what the boys were going to do?”
“Stay at the clubhouse.”
“So get wasted out of their mind and dick around with the King Chasers.”
“Some of them, not our men, though.”
“Damn straight. I’m sure Echo wouldn’t either, right?”
“I never asked her about their arrangement, but given all he went through to keep her, I’m leaning toward no,” she says.
I digest the information. We’re rare jewels in this world. It’s a harsh truth. The ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ thing is alive and well. Especially, when they go on runs. I couldn’t live with the what if’s.
***
Headlights shine through the house. “They’re here!” I squeal.
“Let me check,” Bolton says all business. My nephew is really coming into his own. It’s an amazing and terrifying thing to witness. All too soon, he’ll be prospecting, and losing the last of his innocence. He walks to the window and pulls the curtain aside slightly. “Yeah, it’s them. We have prospects who’ll be riding by the house all night too.”
“Thanks, Bolty,” Blue says as she grabs my hands and tugs me toward the door. Holding hands, we giggle as we wait for the right moment to unleash our surprise.
He opens the door, the girls walk in and we pull the string on the net we’ve taped above the door. Pink and silver balloons float down.
“Surprise!”
Dixie Rose laughs. “You girls are too much.”
“Please, queen for the day, have a seat and let us crown you,” Blue says.
We close the door.
Then Bolton quietly slips away.
I can’t help but snicker. Once the alcohol hits, he’ll be getting an education.
I run to the fridge, grab the champagne soaked pink and white gummy bears and place them on the silver tray that holds the champagne flutes. They have Dixie Rose seated in a chair with her I’m getting married pink tank top with elegant black lettering and a crown on her head.
“Everyone grab a glass and we’ll break out the Mimosa pitchers and the bride tribe tank tops,” I say.
We pass around the white tank tops with matching lettering that say So we’re getting drunk, and Nevada and Mimi laugh.
“Where were you when I got married?” Nevada asks.
“Here in Cali, you eloping ass,” Blue says.
We fill the cups and settle in.
“We have a lot of things planned. The first thing we have to do is take out before mug shots,” Blue says pulling out a mock slate.
“Damn, now I know we’re at an Old Lady’s bachelor party,” Mimi says as we snicker.
“I figured it was fitting,” I reply with a shrug.
“Are you going to be the next in this position?” Nevada asks.
“Me? Oh, no. I don’t know if rings and vows are Skull’s style.”
“No offense, but I didn’t think monogamy was either,” Nevada replies. “I think it’s safe to throw assumptions out the window.”
If you only knew, he is going to be a daddy too. “I think I’ll stick to settling into this Old Lady thing first,” I retort with a wink as I sip on my orange juice. There’s a reason my cup is marked with an R.
“Alright, Queenie. Time for your photo op,” Blue says getting Dixie Rose to stand. Thirty minutes later, the strawberry jello shots have been devoured and Bolton is working on beef kabobs on the grill to keep us from getting too drunk prematurely.
“I think it’s time for Junk in the trunk,” I announce.
“Oh, hell yeah. You ready to shake what your mama gave you?” Blue asks.
“Maybe,” Dixie Rose says.
We burst into laughter as we gather the tissue boxes and attach them to everyone’s waist. We place a few ping pong balls inside.
“The goal is to shake it until your tissue box is empty. The first one with an empty box wins,” I explain.
Blue grabs her phone. “Alright…in three, two, one.”
The sound of Single Ladies blares from the speaker and we shake our hips like we’re out to make a few dollars. Ping pong balls are clattering to the ground and I can’t stop laughing. Sober as a judge, and I’m having the best girls’ night I’ve had in years. I feel a strong bond with these women and know exactly where I stand with them and what they would do for me, if the chips were down.
I study Blue and Dixie Rose while I laugh at their various states of inebriation.
Nevada peeled Mimi off the couch about an hour ago and went home to relieve her babysitter. Even though Vegas is nearly one, she’s still a bit over protective. It’s sweet really.
“Are you ladies going to make it?” I ask.
“Why aren’t you drunk?” Dixie Rose slurs.
“‘Cause I’m knocked up,” I say.
Her jaw drops and I can no longer contain my laughter.
“Since when? How? I mean I know how, but—Shit. Congratulations?”
“Thank you. We’re keeping it under wraps until you walk down the aisle, little miss.”
“Thank you…” she slurs.
“Look at you proud as hell over your forming baby bump,” Blue says.
“What can I say? I’ve grown attached to it,” I reply as I cup the forming mass that looks like pudge.
The sound of bikes out front, makes me tense.
Bolton surfaces. His face is hard and closed off. His eyes darken to a dangerous shade of blue. It ages him beyond his seventeen years. He peers out the window and gives a bark of laughter.
“Who is it?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “My dad, Skull, and Echo.”
I wrinkle my nose and stand. “What are they doing here?”
The lock turns and the three stroll in.
“What happened?”
“No point in staying at the clubhouse when what we really want is right here,” Skull drawls.
“Oh, yeah?” I tilt my head back to meet his gaze.
“Damn straight.” He grips my hips and lifts me up.
I wrap my legs around him, and loop my arms around his neck. His thick length presses against me through the denim. I lean in and caress the shell of his ear with my lips. “Someone is happy to see me.”
“I plan on showing you how much.”
“I’ll just take the couch,” Bolton says.
“Thanks for watching them. We’ll remember this when it comes time for you to prospect,” Skull says.
“I’ll remember that,” Bolton replies as he flops down on the couch.
Skull cups my ass cheeks, massaging them roughly, as he carries us further down the hallway. I nip at his bottom lip and scratch the nape of his neck lightly with my fingernails. He shudders and I grin. Gotcha. I trail the tip of my tongue over the abused skin of his bottom lip and suck it into my mouth. His groan rumbles through his body as I squeeze my thighs and roll my hips.
“You’re playing with fire, little girl.”
“It’s okay I’m a fire tamer. Can’t you tell by my hair?”
He chuckles. “That mouth.”
“Why don’t you put it to better use?” I taunt him, knowing the punishment will be a delicious pay off.
“You telling me what to do, Mama?”
“Gently suggesting,” I retort with a wink.
He guides me into the lavender bedroom I’ve come to think of as my sanctuary and lowers me to the brand new King size bed he insisted we needed to buy. He pushes my white skirt up around my waist and caresses my pussy through my black panties. “Always so wet for me.”
“I see you and a river runs between my legs.”
“Keep saying shit like that, and I’m going to turn that plump ass of yours up.”
“Please do,” I purr.
“Get that face down and that ass up, Mama.” He moves back to sit on his heels.
I scramble to all fours and stick my ass out, swaying it from side to side. He delivers a firm slap and I cream my panties.
“You liked that a little too much. I’m supposed to be punishing you.” He slaps the other cheek alternating for nineteen more strokes.
My flesh stings and my core throbs.
“Spread your legs. Wider.”
I comply, stretching myself out, until he’s pleased. He bends down and buries his face between my legs, nudging my engorged clit with his nose.
I whimper.
“Don’t you come until I tell you to,” he says in his stern voice.
I push back the orgasm and breathe deeply.
“Good girl.” He strokes my hair and I swear I’m about to melt into a puddle. He hooks his thumbs under the sides of my underwear and works them down my body and off my feet.
I’m not surprised he keeps my heels on.
“Look at that pink flesh.” He rubs his hand over my tender skin, soothing it as he places kisses over my ass. He bites down and I arch my back. “So responsive.” He slips his hands between my trembling thighs and rolls my clit between his calloused fingers. I rock my body toward him. “No, on my terms tonight.”
I bite down on the inside of my cheek and go still. He leaves the bed, and I fist the sheet. The clink of his belt buckle sets my heart to top speed.
“You’re so beautiful waiting for my next command.”
The bed dips with his weight. I hold my breath. He slides his thick cock between my lips, tapping my bundle of nerves with every thrust. Tease. He slips the tip in and pauses. I breathe heavily, contracting my muscles. “That greedy pussy is trying to tempt me.” He slams into the hilt, and I bury my face in the sheets to keep from waking the neighbors. He pulls out and smacks my ass. “Move with me, Mama.” I grip the cotton sheets and grind my ass into him, meeting him stroke for stroke.
“So good. So good.” I chant the words as he beats my pussy up like it owes him money. I’ve never had a man so long and thick. He gives me a pleasurable pain from being stretched and filled, I can barely keep it together.
“That’s it, girl. Damn.”
His breathing hitches and I know he’s getting close. I flex my muscles.
“Shit. So tight.” His fingers dig into the sides of my hips. “Come for me, girl.”
He slams in two more times and I implode, shaking and praying to God like I caught the Holy Spirit. He gives a throaty cry, and fills me with his thick, hot, spray. We slump down onto the bed sideways, still connected.
“Love this,” Skull mumbles.
My eyes widen. It’s the first I’ve heard him mention the L word. “Me too,” I say willing him to understand all the things I’m leaving unsaid. He’s not ready. But the way he’s putting in the work says all I need to know. I hug the arm he wraps around my body and let sleep drag me under.
***
I walk out of my office with my portfolio in my hand. We’re doing an ad campaign for a local makeup brand, and I’m having way too much fun over seeing it. The sample kits given to the women earned oodles of brownie points. I live for the moments when my interests and my job correspond. I don’t have to be wearing makeup every time I walk out of the house, but I’m a real lipstick whore.
My lips are rarely bare, even if I’m just wearing a nude gloss. The makeup boxes I own are filled to the brim with lip products. I figure I’m allowed to indulge in something, and I’ve never known a woman who went bankrupt because of lip liner.
I step out of the building and the joy oozes from my pores, dying in the tense air. My father is waiting by my car. “You shouldn’t be here,” I call out.
“I’m exactly where I need to be.”
I glance around the parking lot nervously. It’s not unusual for the boys to do ride bys to keep an eye on me these days. “Why are you doing this? I don’t need saving.” I place my hand on my hips.
“I thought that too.”
“Look, I’m not a snitch. I don’t harbor secrets that people would want to kill me over, and I’m not binging.”
“No, because you’re pregnant. You’re never going to get out unless you come with me now and run as far and fast as you can.”
“Your parenting days are over. I don’t like you. I’ll never value your opinion, and I’ll repeat once more. I. Don’t. Need. You. The best thing you can do is get in your car, and disappear to wherever you came from.”
“So much like me.”
“You know nothing about me.”
“I know you’re putting your faith in the wrong people, and headed for a path of destruction with your child in tow.”
“No, I will never be you. Because I’m not a selfish asshole.”
“You think I didn’t think I was doing the right thing too?”
“All you cared about was your career, drugs, and drinking.”
“That’s not true at all.”
“Actions speak louder than words,” I counter with a sneer.
“Exactly whose money kept you in a house, attending school, and fed?”
“Always with the money. It’s all you have to prove you did anything for us,” I snap back. If he’s trying to guilt me, he’s in for a long wait.
“I let your mother leave didn’t I? You think she could’ve hidden from me?”
“God, you’re a real narcissist, aren’t you?” The man in front of me disgusts me.
“Because I’m honest? Truth hurts.”
“So does living with your consequences,” I counter.
“Clever.” He smiles as if I just graduated college with honors.
“If you don’t leave, they will hurt you. I don’t want to see that. It’s unnecessary.”
“Then come with me.” He holds out his hand.
I’m struck dumb by his delusional state. “What do you think is going on that I would go anywhere with you?”
“You’re making a mistake you won’t be able to take back,” he insists.
The pity in his eyes pisses me off. “I’m not a rebellious teen acting out and running away with the town bad boy. He’s my old man and we’re having a child. It’s a lifetime commitment. I don’t know what Mom told you, but KOC is not Hell’s Dominion. You know that.”
“They’re not yet. These clubs don’t start out that way.”
“No.” I hold my hand up. “I’m done. We have nothing left to say to one another.”
“Didn’t you ever wonder about my side of the story?”
“No. I didn’t. Because I was old enough to see you were never around and when things were chaotic and at times…pee my pants scary.”
“Addiction is a disease.”
“Yes and how we choose to handle it is up to each individual,” I argue refusing to buy his poor me lines.
I swear I see calculation in his wideset hazel orbs. The man is a master manipulator. It’s how he slips into so many situations unnoticed with a chameleon like quality to blend in and befriend. Investigative reporting is not for the faint of heart, he went all out and after the big dogs. It earned him money and a reputation, sure. But it also turned him into a walking target. Some days, I was shocked he still lived.
Skull is going to be pissed.
“I need to go.” I move around him.
He follows behind me. “You can’t just ignore me.”
“I’m not. I’m asking you to leave me alone.”
“No matter what happened in the past, I am still your father.”
“Thank you for the genetic contribution, but your services are no longer needed.”
He grabs my wrist. “I’m trying to prevent you from ending up like me.”
“That’s where you misunderstand. I could never end up like you. I’m not that heartless, reckless, or self–absorbed. I knew what I was getting into. This is what I want. If nothing, you can understand that you’ll never force me to do something I don’t want to do. If you really love me. Back off, and let this all die down before you ruin the lives we’ve made for ourselves apart from you.”
The sound of a motorcycle makes us both jump.
He hesitates.
“Go!” I bark.
He gives a curt nod.
I close my eyes and wait for the shit storm I know is about to rain down.
“Ruthie.” It’s Skull’s concerned filled voice.
“I’m okay.” My voice cracks.
“What the fuck was that?”
“My dad trying to save me.”
“That motherfucker needs to be worried about himself.”
The dangerous glint in Skull’s eyes makes my stomach clench. Can I live with my father’s death on my conscious? “Maybe he got the hint.”
“Out of his hands now.”
I widen my eyes. “What do you mean?”
“Out of my mine too. Past is going to catch up with him.”
Hell’s Dominion. “Today?”
“Soon. Are you okay?”
His evasive response sets me on edge. The urge to speak to my sister sweeps over me. No matter what Gunnar Gruppe did, he’s my flesh in blood. The thought of him dead hurts. Please just leave, Dad.
“Did he hurt you?”
“No, he just tried to get me to go away with him. He’s afraid I’ll get caught up, like he did.”
“He’s the one who put you at risk coming here and showing his face. Do you think HD really cares about hurting his family? As my Old Lady you have protection. They don’t want to start a war over one person. But what about your sister or your mom?”
His words make me sick. She’s already been through so much. “Are they going after them?”
“No, but I’m reminding you what’s at stake. I know you got a soft heart, babe, but he fucked with the wrong people. These brothers got a long memory. They been waiting for the opportunity to pay him back without blowback. You have to get yourself ready for that hammer to drop.”
My hormones surge. I sniff to hold back my tears. A new life is preparing to enter the world, and another one is about to exit.
“Are you about to start with the water works?”
“No,” I say seconds before the sobs begin.
“Shit.” He wraps his arms around me.
I grip his cut, letting his scent calm me.
“Mama, you know this prick ain’t worth the stress. You need to keep calm for you and the bean.”
“I know. I fucking hate crying!” I wail.
“I know you do.” He pats my back.
I marvel at the changes that have happened over the past few months. “I miss my sister.”
He sighs. “I’m not telling you to stay away from her, but I am saying draw some lines. Your mother is toxic, babe. You need to avoid her right now. Once the baby is born and you’re back to being yourself, then you can try again. But if she brings more shit to our door step, I’m going to handle it.”
“Okay.”
“You good?” he asks.
“Yeah, I think so,” I say swiping away the tears.
“Good, cause if you miss the wedding tomorrow, Dixie Rose would slaughter me.”
“I’m going to go home and veg out. Tomorrow will be hectic.”
“Okay, gonna be a late night for me. If you need anything—”
“I know. I know. I’ll ask someone. If you’re like this when I’m four months pregnant, how are you going to act once I’m further along?” I ask playfully.
“Worse.”
“Thanks for the honesty,” I retort dryly.
“Anytime.” He pats my ass. “Now get home, so I can follow you and make sure this asshole keeps his distance.”
“You’re so romantic.”
“I live to please,” he teases stealing a kiss. He opens the car, takes my portfolio and puts it into the backset.
I slip into the driver’s seat. He’s a hands on man. There’s rarely a time when I carry anything heavier than a coffee mug. It used to drive me crazy, until I realized this was his love language. That or the baby had him topsy-turvy. Either way, there were worse qualities a man could have.
He closes the door behind me, taps the roof and climbs onto his bike.
As I pull out of the parking lot with him and his brothers behind him, I’m overcome by a sense of safety and security. I made the right choices with my life because I’ve never been happier, despite the family drama. I just need to prep myself for the inevitable.