Chapter Three
Sally stood just outside of the clubhouse. It had been three days since she’d last seen Steven, and this was the part she hated more than anything. After he’d given her the best experience of her life, tucked her into bed, and stayed with her, he’d been gone. Not a single word from him. She’d been tempted to text him, but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. It wasn’t in her style. It never had been, and never would be.
“You’re just going to stay outside. You’re not going to come inside?” Angel asked. Sally turned to see the other woman, the old lady of Lash, the leader of The Skulls. Out of all of the women, Angel was the nicest. Tate was the biggest bitch, followed closely by Sally’s own mom. Well, her mother wasn’t a bitch. She just had an attitude about her, and that was always a big problem for a lot of people, not that it stopped them from visiting the salon that Lacey owned.
“Yeah, sorry. My mom called and said she needed my help.”
“It’s barbeque. All the kids are off, so it’s the perfect excuse to have a big party.”
“Oh.” Sally tried to be excited about that, but the truth was, she had been avoiding the parties for some time, and that hadn’t changed in the last few years. The parties were great, fun even, but they also brought her a lot of memories.
“Don’t look so happy,” Angel said, laughing. “The Chaos crew is coming.”
“Great.” So everyone was going to be back again. She didn’t know if she should be happy or sad about that. When they were all together, bad shit tended to happen. “Are my mom and dad inside?” Sally asked.
“Yep, they sure are.”
“I’m going to go and see them.”
Leaving Angel alone, she made her way inside. She passed the small play area the clubhouse had installed years ago.
“Sally, Sally, look what I can do.”
She turned to see Daisy on the swings. Her younger sister was kicking her legs up, getting higher and higher.
“I want to fly.”
Sally saw that Anthony, Angel’s oldest, was watching Daisy. The intent look on the boy’s face was something she was used to. Anthony was the quietest amongst the entire group, but that didn’t mean anything. Angel had been so worried that she had wanted to take him to a speech therapist. From that moment on, Anthony would spend a lot of time talking a mile a minute. When Sally had asked him why, he said he “didn’t need to talk to no weirdo.” It had been so funny, but it made her wonder exactly who Anthony was. All of the kids had seen her as the big sister for so long. Being the eldest of the kids, she’d known why they had looked up to her. Of course, that was all on Michael and Darcy now, the two kids that were in high school. Darcy was Blaine and Emily’s daughter. Michael was Alex and Cheryl’s son, but that had a whole lot of drama attached to it that Sally refused to get involved with. Everything was crazy at The Skulls, and at times hard to follow. She sometimes wondered if she should draw a little chart for herself to make sense of it all. Drew told her that they were all one big family, so it didn’t really matter.
“Be careful, Daisy. Don’t even think of trying to jump off,” she said, shouting to be heard.
“She won’t,” Anthony said.
Sally was just going to leave then, and made her way toward the kitchen. Lacey was inside arguing with Tate.
“You’ve been banned from the kitchen. You shouldn’t even be here,” Tate said, hands on her hips. “Get out.”
“I was grabbing a glass of water, bitch. Your father’s not the Prez anymore.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Tate asked.
Lacey took a step toward Tate, and Sally didn’t like it. “Mom, you called. I’m here.”
Instantly, the argument, or smackdown, came to a close. Sally smiled at Tate. “Hey, Tate.”
“Hey, Sally. Good to see you again.” Tate walked over and gave her a hug. “Don’t turn out like your mother.”
“I heard that, bitch!”
Sally laughed. “What was all that about?”
“Bitch doesn’t know when to keep her damn mouth shut. She keeps driving me insane, and I’m going to fuck her up.”
“You won’t do that.” Sally tucked some hair behind her ears.
“Do you like your hair?” Lacey asked.
“Yes. Drew said it looked great. I could be spotted in a crowd.”
“Just the look you were going for.”
“I wasn’t going for any look. I don’t want to be spotted in a crowd.”
Lacey shrugged. “You’re too cute to not.” She squeezed her chin. “So will you be inviting Drew?”
“You want me to? You think that’s a good idea?” Drew wasn’t part of The Skulls. He wasn’t even close family. His family wanted to be rid of The Skulls. That wasn’t going to happen. The Skulls were wanted in Fort Wills. They provided a great deal of employment. Also, the women loved having Lacey do their hair. Baker had also helped with the bakery as well that they’d invested in. The gym had become a place that had people visiting as well.
The town thrived with The Skulls. They helped invest, and also made the town safe. Of course, it didn’t help that they had a bit of a bad reputation. It wasn’t entirely their fault, but they did seem to attract trouble.
“Yes, invite him. I know Whizz likes him, and that’s a big deal to him.”
“He likes the fact that he’s not part of the club.”
“Did you know that Drew spoke to Lash?” Lacey asked.
“About what?”
“About joining the club.”
This had her freezing in place and turning toward her mother. “He did? When?”
“A couple of weeks ago. I know that Lash is thinking about it. Prospects all have to earn their patch. You know that.”
“I’ve got to go,” Sally said.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to talk to someone about something.” She was already moving away from the kitchen, and heading toward Lash’s office when she bumped into Killer. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Killer put his hands on her arms, to steady her. All of the club did that. At times, her prosthetic didn’t move with her, and she found herself stumbling. Of course that was enhanced when someone bumped into her. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Do you know if Lash is in his office?”
“I’m not sure. Knock and check.”
She nodded and moved past him. Killer still stood, staring at her. “Is there anything else?”
She shook her head. “Nah, not at all. Everything is good.”
“You look like you want to say something to me.”
“No. It’s fine. Have you seen Steven?”
Heat filled her cheeks. She lied. “No, not recently. I better go and see Lash.”
She went to the office, and knocked on the door. Tapping her foot, she couldn’t believe how nervous she was.
Part of joining the club was the Prospects had to prove themselves. That was doing humiliating shit, and also fighting. The thought of Drew being pitted against Steven made her nervous. She didn’t want either of them fighting.
“Come in,” Lash said.
Entering the office, she saw Lash with a pair of glasses reading a sheet of paper. “Hey, Sally, what’s up?” he asked.
She took a seat at the table. “Drew.”
“Ah, what about him?”
“He wants to be a Prospect.”
“Yep, and I’ve got to put it to the table.”
“Don’t let him become one,” she said, taking a seat opposite his desk.
Lash sat back, staring at her. He removed his glasses, and rubbed at his eyes. “Why?”
“Think about it. His family would never allow something like that to happen. You know they won’t. They’ll make trouble.”
“I don’t give a shit about his family, Sally. We’ll be his family. I’ve told him to think long and hard about this. We don’t accept half-assed shit. It’s all or nothing.”
“I can’t convince you to not let him join.”
Lash stared at her. “Is there a reason you don’t want him to join?”
“His injury. You’ll hurt him.”
She didn’t like the way he was looking her. “A lot of people seem to think I don’t pay attention to shit that is going on around me, and that is total utter bullshit. Don’t treat me like a fool, Sally. Now out with it.”
Gritting her teeth together, she didn’t want to say anything.
Lash got up from his chair, and rounded the desk. “I know about you and Steven.”
“Nothing is going on.” She spoke a little too fast, and it scared her.
“Don’t lie to me. Something is going on, and it has been for some time.”
“Nothing has happened.”
“Whatever goes on between brothers, it will stay between them. If Drew wants to join that is up to him, not me. I can bring his voice to the table, and give him a chance. If the brothers vote on it, he’s a Prospect. I’m not going to cut his chance because of you.” Lash looked at her. “Be careful with what happens there, Sally. You’re not a fool so don’t pretend to be one, but make it plain to one or both that you’re not interested. It’s not fair to be selfish like this.”
He went to his door, opening it up. She was so nervous it made her sick to her stomach. At the door, she stopped and looked at Lash. “Anthony’s like you, isn’t he? He doesn’t give a fuck about anyone unless it’s his family.”
He stared at her, and didn’t say a word.
Sally shook her head, and left his office. How he’d won a woman like Angel was beyond her.
****
Steven had a soda in his hand and watched the kids play. The barbeque was being set up, and he was aware of Sally. Every time she looked over at him, her cheeks would heat, and he knew without a doubt what she was thinking about, and he loved it.
He’d not seen her in a couple of days, and she hadn’t texted him either, which surprised him. He’d expected her to text him at least, but nothing.
“What is going on with you and Sally? No bullshit,” Lash asked, coming up behind him.
Taking a large sip of his soda, he stared at his Prez. “I don’t need to answer that.”
“Drew has asked for the chance to Prospect, and I was going to bring it up at church in a few hours. Sally just asked me to not let him join. Why is that?”
He glanced over at her, and she was looking at something Tabitha was showing her. The Chaos Bleeds crew was due to arrive any minute, and Tabitha’s attention would be taken by Simon.
“I don’t know. She probably thinks he’s too much of a pussy to make it here.”
Lash nodded. “You’re full of shit. She’s worried that you’re going to hurt her precious friend, and the way you look at her, I know.”
“I don’t look at her any way.” He went to take another drink, but Lash grabbed his arm. The grip of the Prez had him gritting his teeth at the pain that went up his arm.
“You lie to me again, and I will have you removed from the club, Steven. Angel likes you and remembers the sacrifice you gave, and that’s enough to her. Don’t make me upset my woman because you’re a fucking liar. Whizz doesn’t want you sniffing around his daughter, and I don’t want your bullshit.”
Steven stared at Lash. “When did you butt your nose in other people’s business?”
“The club is my business. You’re my business. That cut you’re wearing makes it so. You want to back away, and tell me to fuck off? Give me the damn cut, and get out.”
“You’re the Prez, not my dad.” Steven glared at him now. He was so angry he wanted to spit.
“I’m more important than your fucking father. Don’t create a divide in my club. I’ll be the one to fucking break it.”
Steven was about to tell him to stick the club up his ass, but just in time, the Chaos Bleeds crew arrived, stopping him from making a big mistake.
Lash walked away to cheer for the Chaos Bleeds crew. Steven hung back. His heart was racing, and he ran a hand down his face, to clear his fucking thoughts. This shit was fucked up.
Whizz had ordered him away from Sally. At first he’d asked him nicely, and when he’d not listened, Whizz had turned it into an order by going to Lash. Of course, Whizz did have authority as he was Sally’s dad. Steven didn’t like it. Never had he liked being ordered with what to do.
“Tabby!” Steven looked over to see Simon climbing out of the car, his excited squeal drawing everyone toward the two.
Tabitha left the playground where she’d been pushing Primrose and Bluebell on the swings and ran toward Simon. They collided, falling to the ground, and giggling as they did.
Tiny winced, and Eva held onto her husband’s hand.
Steven finished off his drink, and headed back into the kitchen to toss the drink into the trash, and to get something stronger.
As he was turning around, he saw that Drew had turned up. Glaring at the other man, he waited for the fucker to say something.
“Hey, I’m here to see Sally,” he said.
“She invite you?”
“Yeah. I got a text. She said something about there being a bit of a party, and that she wanted to know if I wished to come and have some fun.”
She’d text Drew but not him?
That pissed him off. “You really think you’ll make it as a Skull. You’ve got a fucked-up knee, and last time I checked, we don’t take on defects.”
He’d give it to Drew, the other guy didn’t back down. “I know you don’t want me here, and that’s fine. I’m not here for you. I’ve got a messed-up knee, but I’m strong.”
“Apart from running away. That shit you can’t do. Why don’t you do everyone a favor, and fuck off back to your parents? Go suck on your mother’s tit!”
Drew burst out laughing.
“Steven!”
He closed his eyes. There was Angel behind him. Great, just great.
“Drew, it’s great to see you. Sally’s outside.”
The punk ass nodded, and made his way past him, heading outside.
“I can’t believe you’d say something like that. Don’t you think that was mean?” Angel asked.
It sucked that Angel had heard him. “I don’t like him.”
“That doesn’t matter. What if Anthony had heard? Or one of the other kids? This is a family party. That vulgarity can be saved for when children aren’t at risk of being in earshot.”
Steven laughed. He couldn’t help it. “That’s all you care about. What the kids would hear.”
“I’m not stupid, Steven. I know you’ve all got a mean streak a mile long. I just expect something different from you all, I guess.”
Feeling utterly scolded, he watched her turn on her heel and leave. Fuck!
Moving toward the window, he watched as Drew entered the kids’ play area. Sally was sitting on one of the swings, and she smiled at Drew.
He’d been the one to claim her as his. There was no way he was going to get jealous of that asshole. Drew didn’t have anything on him.
Still, Drew moved behind her, and Sally held onto the swing handles. She let out a squeal as Drew pushed her, and to anyone looking on, they looked like the perfect couple, which pissed him off.
Drew pushed her up and up, and the smile on Sally’s face took his breath away. He wasn’t going to let that bastard win her. Sally was his. She came apart in his arms, and they had this thing between them that they couldn’t deny. He’d not been denying it, not even for a second. Drew grabbed the handle bars, and Sally collapsed back, laughing. Her legs were pressed together, and she wore a pair of jeans, which hid the prosthetic from view.
Leaving the kitchen, he started to mingle, aware of the kids moving closer to Sally and Drew.
He had a beer in his hand, and was watching them even as he spoke with Devil and Lexie.
No one needed him to talk, and he watched as Drew pushed Sally, Tabitha, and Daisy on the swings. He wore a fucking shirt and a pair of pants. He stood out like a sore thumb.
“So, let’s get this party started,” Lash said. He came out of the kitchen holding a giant water gun. “Run!”
The kids screamed as streams of water began to shoot out of the end. The windows opened, and Steven saw Angel, Eva, Sophia, and several of the club start to throw water bombs. The entire clubhouse backyard erupted in laughter, in giggles. Whatever conversations had been going on ceased as the fight kept on going.
When a water bomb hit him, it woke Steven up. Rushing behind a wall, he glanced toward the play area, Sally was leaning behind a shrub. Drew was there, and he had a hand on her stomach. Jealousy rushed over Steven. He had to deal with Whizz, and he needed to handle this fucker.
“This is so not fair! No one has let us have some water guns,” Sally said, screaming.
“Truce! Truce!” All of the kids shouted.
“Dad, no fair, we need to be able to defend ourselves,” Anthony said.
Steven watched as the kids stood up, one by one. It always amazed him that they were united as one. They were a defense on their own. Even Michael, who had been an outcast, and had the whole of the kids beating the shit out of him, was now part of the group.
Sally was on the side of the kids, and Steven was on the side of the adults. This was their divide. Could he get Whizz to look past it? Drew was on Sally’s side as he was the same age, whereas Steven was over ten years older. Whizz had seen him at his worst with the club whores, but he’d changed. Steven wasn’t the same man that he was then. The only thing he could do was prove to Whizz that he was the right man for Sally.
He really didn’t know how.