Peyton

 

 

I was so nervous on the way to the barbecue, that I almost told him to turn around. But, I somehow held it together, and soon we were pulling up to a large picnic area in Mounds Park.

“Wow,” I said breathlessly, staring at the large group of people hanging out near the pavilion. It was a rough-looking crowd, but they were all waving and smiling at us as we drove into the parking lot.

“Big turnout,” said Dom, after he parked his bike at the end of a long row of motorcycles. “Looks like everyone showed up.”

“How many people are in your club?” I murmured, glancing over toward the group. I noticed most of the women wore shorts and tank tops, which made me feel overdressed.

“As of today, we have twelve club members and five prospects,” he replied. “Damn, I’m hungry. Looks like they’re really putting on a good spread.”

There definitely was a lot of food, and many of the women were busy getting it ready. My stomach growled from the delicious smell of the smoky, barbecued meat. “What’s a prospect?”

He explained that they were guys trying to become a fully patched member of the club.

“How does that work?”

“If they get sponsored by another member of the club, we vote them in as prospects. Then they perform special tasks and have to earn their right to get in, just like everyone else.”

“So, they’re almost like apprentices?”

He grinned. “Yeah, I guess you could look at it that way. Anyway, most of them usually get fully patched, but some aren’t a good fit for us, or vice-versa. So, that’s why club members are prospects before anything else.”

“How long are they usually prospects?”

“I don’t know. Anywhere from six months to a year. Then, if they’ve proven themselves worthy of joining our club, they usually get voted in and patched.”

“Can a woman become a prospect?”

“Not in ours. There are some women’s clubs out there, though.” He grinned. “Why? You thinking of joining one?”

“Probably not,” I replied, smiling back. “I was just curious.”

He grabbed my hand. “Good, because I’d hate to have you belong to anyone but me.”

I smiled. “I could say the same thing about you.”

He just smiled back.

When we reached the pavilion, everyone greeted us warmly, and then Dom made the introductions. He named off everyone and I noticed there were a lot of strange nicknames.  

“How’d you two meet?” asked Lily, who I learned was Phoenix’s Old Lady. She looked to be around my age and was very pretty, with her jet-black hair and friendly smile.

“Lily, she just got here. You know better than to start grilling people until they’ve had a drink, or two,” said Phoenix, smirking. He was much younger than I’d anticipated, with blond hair and bright blue eyes. I thought that he and Lily made a good-looking couple.

Dom explained.

“Tarot, did you know you two were going to get together the first time you set eyes on her?” asked one of the guys, Len.

“Of course. Who could resist a stud like me?” he joked, taking the beer Phoenix offered him.

“Tarot?” I repeated.

Dom cracked open the bottle. “Yeah. I know. They’ve dubbed me the name even though I don’t read Tarot cards.”

“Maybe you should start,” said Smitty, an older guy with a long beard. “You ever try doing it?”

“No,” he replied. “And I never will. Just like I won’t touch a Ouija board.”

Devon, who reminded me of Elvira, but as a bad-assed biker chick, spoke up. “Nobody should ever touch a Ouija board. You’re opening up yourself to some potentially evil shit. I once had a friend who threw a party and they played with one of them things. She swears a bad spirit tried entering her body and scared the hell out of her. She burned the board and started going to church every Sunday.”

“You must be joining her now that Brass has been trying to enter yours,” joked Len.

Some of the guys laughed, including Brass.

She reached into one of the coolers and threw a small piece of ice at Len. It landed on his vest.

He picked it up and shoved it into his mouth. “Thanks, doll. A hot devil like me needs to be cooled down.”

“Speaking of which,” Devon looked at me. “I hoped Dom warned you. Some of us are…” she motioned toward Len, “strange, but for the most part, we’re one big, happy family.”

I smiled. “He only mentioned good things about you all.”

“Ah, this must be your first date,” said Smitty. He looked over at the prospects. “Take notes—never let your lady friends know what kind of assholes you hang out with until after you get laid. Or you might lose them to someone like me.”

“Why do you say that?” Devon asked.

“Because asshole equals bad-boy, which women are attracted to. The bigger the asshole, the more pussy he gets,” said Smitty with a smile.

“You have a lot of class, Smitty. Too bad most of it’s low,” remarked Devon.

“You know it’s true, darlin’. Don’t deny it,” he replied, not offended at all, apparently.

Len grunted. “When was the last time you even had a woman?”

He looked over his shoulder at Len. “Last night. I had no idea your mother could bend like that.”

Len’s snorted. “You wish.”

“So, do I,” said one of the other bikers. “Have you guys seen Len’s mother? She’s smokin’ hot.”

Lily groaned and looked at me. “Did you want a wine cooler or something to drink? We also have bottled water, pop, and apple cider beer.”

“I’ll take one of the apple cider beers,” I replied. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” she said, going to grab one for me.

Smitty shook his head. “You women and your fruity beer.”

“Maybe you should try a little,” said Devon, holding out her bottle. “It might sweeten you up, grouchy.”

“Yeah, what’s up with you today?” asked Brass. “You’ve been really touchy.”

“You haven’t noticed that I quit smoking?” Smitty asked.

“No shit? Good for you,” said Phoenix.

“Nothing good about it,” he growled. “I even got me one of those patches. Problem is, I can’t figure out which end to light.”

We all stared at him.

He grinned. “I’m just messing with you.” He pulled out a pack of cigarettes. “I tried quitting once and nobody could stand being around me. I’d rather be happy prick with lung cancer than an asshole with no friends.”

“I’ll drink to that,” said Digger.

I had to admit, Dom’s friends were very… interesting people. Even as crass and as scary as some of them were, I was already starting to feel comfortable around them.

“Here’s your beer,” said Lily, handing me a bottle.

“Thanks,” I replied, taking it from her.

“Okay, everyone! The food is ready,” said Liz, who I later learned was Phoenix’s mother. She motioned toward the long picnic table in back. “Get it before it’s gone.”

“Wow. Looks like a feast,” said Dom, pulling me toward the food.

I agreed. Potato salad, baked beans, hearty bowls of fruit, corn-on-the-cob, and many other sides accompanied the heaping plates of grilled meat.

“We’ve got hamburgers, hotdogs, and bratwursts galore. Enough to feed an army, so don’t be afraid to eat,” said Liz.

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” said Smitty, stubbing out his cigarette.

An hour later, I was laughing and enjoying myself. Everyone made me feel comfortable and it seemed like all of the stories I’d heard about the club were just that. Stories. At least, it’s what I wanted to believe.

“So, how did you and Phoenix meet?” I asked Lily as we watched him and Dom play horseshoe with some of the other guys, a short time later. The two of us were sitting alone at a small picnic table.

She explained how they’d gone to high school together.

“You’ve been together all this time?”

“No. I moved back from Chicago, just recently,” she replied.

“To be with him?”

“Yeah. I was living with someone else, actually, shortly before Vaughn and I got back together.”

“So, you left the other guy to be with Vaughn?”

“Not exactly. Carl cheated on me. So, it was already over.”

My eyes widened. “Oh, no. What a jerk.”

Lily smiled. “Actually, it was the best thing that could have happened. Once I returned to Minnesota, Vaughn and I found our way back to each other. Now I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.”

It sounded like there was much more to their story, but I didn’t ask. “So, did you always date bikers?”

She laughed. “No. This is a first for me. My parents sheltered me when I was growing up. Another reason I moved to Chicago after graduating high school. What about you?”

“First time for me, too,” I said, glancing around at the other women who were chatting or pushing their kids on the swings. Most of them looked like they’d been born and raised in the MC world. I could tell by the way they talked, dressed, and carried themselves. Lily and I were almost like… prospects, trying to fit in with the Old Ladies. Although she was the president’s fiancée, I had a feeling she was still trying to find her way inside of the club.

“Hey, girls, you in the mood for some dessert?” Devon asked, walking to us with a stack of plastic cups and a small brown paper bag.

“I’m so full. I couldn’t,” I replied.

“I’m stuffed, too,” Lily said.  

Devon pulled out a bottle of Irish Cream from the paper bag. “I’m not talking food. Brass picked this up for me at the liquor store. It’s still cold. You sure you don’t want a little?” she asked, looking from Lily to me.

“Oh, hell. I can’t refuse that. I’m in,” said Lily.

Smiling, Devon handed her a cup and then turned back to me. “What about you?”

“I’d love some,” I replied.

She handed me a cup and poured us each a small amount of the liqueur. We toasted to the health of the club and meeting new friends.

“I have to admit,” I said afterward, “I was really nervous about meeting everyone. But, I’m so glad that I came today.”

“I was nervous the first time I met the guys in the club, but I tell you what,” said Lily, she nodded toward Devon, “Nobody is as bad-assed as her. This chick saved my life.”

“We saved each other,” said Devon. “Don’t sell yourself short.”

“What happened?” I asked, intrigued.

Lily explained that a few months ago, the Blood Angels had kidnapped the two of them.

“It was for this douchebag’s bachelor party,” Lily said with a disgusted look on her face. “I don’t even remember his name.”

“Jet,” said Devon.

“So, they were going to rape you?” I asked.

“Among other things,” said Devon dryly. “Anyway, we got away but it was because of both of our efforts, Lily. Not just me.”

Lily smiled.

“Dom mentioned the Blood Angels are trying to frame him,” I said.

Devon nodded. “That’s who we think it is. We don’t know for certain.”

Lily’s eyes hardened. “Yeah, I heard about it, too. I wish they’d just go away.”

“Don’t worry, hon. The guys are working on making that happen,” said Devon.

Before I could ask any more questions, Dom showed up.

“You ready to go?” he asked.

“You’re leaving already?” pouted Lily. “We were just getting to know her.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I have a plane to catch early tomorrow,” he said.

“That’s right,” said Devon. “Good luck on that.”

“Thanks,” he replied, looking a little uncomfortable.

“What are you going to do if she’s your child?” Lily asked.

“Whatever I have to,” he replied.

“So, you’ll raise her?” Devon asked.

He nodded. “Of course.”

Devon looked at me. “How do you feel about all of this?”

I told her the truth. “I support Dom. If she is his, I think he’ll make a great father.”

His smile was humble. “Thank you. I wish I had your confidence.”

“I don’t think that any first-time parents have much of that,” I replied. “So, you should be just fine.”

“She’s right,” said Phoenix, joining us. He put his arm around Lily’s waist. “And you know we’re all here for you, brother.”

“I appreciate it,” he replied, looking pleased.

Phoenix looked at me. “It was nice meeting you. Hope Tarot here brings you around again.”

“Me, too. It was fun,” I replied.

 

***

 

 

 Dom took me home and walked me to the door. We kissed and then one thing led to another. In the end, we ended up having sex again, and he didn’t leave until after one a.m.

“Call me when you can,” I told him as he was about to walk out the door.

“Of course.”

“If she’s yours, are you going to bring her back with you right away?”

“I’d like to keep her there until I’m moved into my place, but Ruby’s aunt is complaining that she can’t afford to keep her any longer.”

“Oh.”

He shrugged. “I was thinking I might give the woman some money to make things easier.”

“Well, if you need me to help in any way, let me know.”

Dom smiled affectionately. “I’m going to miss you. Don’t let anyone fall in love with you while I’m gone.”

I laughed. “Like that would happen.”

He touched my cheek. “I think you’d be surprised.”