Chapter Five
Sally turned the eggs in the pan, watching them slowly start to thicken and cook. She hated sloppy scrambled eggs. Most chefs would probably tell her that she had burned hers, and that they were too rubbery. She was strange like that. She loved hers with a bit of a browning all over. Totally wrong to some people, but she liked her stuff cooked.
“You’re deep in thought there,” Whizz said.
“Just making sure I’m overcooking my eggs.”
This had him laughing. “At least they’re not black. Lacey burns everything to a crisp.”
“I know. She even burned this kitchen to a crisp. You did good remodeling everything, and putting in the extra vents for smoke and stuff.”
“That woman burns toast. I had to do something. I think you guys leaving town, and spending some time with Lola was a shock. I expected to find you at the clubhouse, not here.”
“You did yell at her. She was upset, and she doesn’t like it when you scream.”
“I’m a bad husband.”
“Nah, you’re not. You were worried. It was a close call.” Her mom had set the fire in the kitchen. Fortunately, the fire crew had come before she burned the entire house to the ground.
“It’s been a while since we talked.”
“It has?” She glanced over to see him sitting at the counter.
“You know it has. Something is going on with you. Trust me to help you, Sally.”
“I’m fine, really.”
She finished her eggs and placed them in a bowl. Buttering a couple of slices of bread, she took a seat at the table. Whizz got up, and she listened as he fixed himself some coffee. Within seconds he was beside her, staring. She ate her food, and waited for him to speak.
“Are you happy here?” Whizz asked.
“What? Of course I’m happy. I wouldn’t not be happy.”
“No, I mean are you still happy to live here with me and Lacey? I know you’re older now, and I guess I’m waiting for you to say that you’re moving out.”
“Do you want me to move out?” she asked.
“No, no, damn, this is harder than the sex talk.”
“We didn’t have the sex talk. Mom took care of that one.”
“Yeah, that’s because she heard I was making a total screw-up of everything, just like I am now.”
She took another bite of her eggs, and waited for him to finish talking. It was kind of funny to watch as he stumbled all over himself. He couldn’t seem to help it, and she did find it hilarious. He was this big, tough biker, and yet he couldn’t seem to get his bearings when it came to her. She felt pity for Daisy.
Lacey told her that he was going to be doing the serious sex talk with Daisy seeing as she did it with her.
“You know I think you should have dealt with sons,” she said. “It would have been a whole lot easier.”
He took her hand. The contact startled her at first. “I love you, Sally. You’re my daughter in all the things that matter. If you asked for the world, I’d give it to you. I just want you to be happy.”
“I am, Dad. I am. I don’t want to leave.” She licked her lips. “I’m having … trouble right now.”
“What kind of trouble?”
You know, I’m in love with Steven, but he’s your club brother, oh, and now Drew is as well, and he kissed me.
“School. I no longer want to be a social worker. I don’t think I’ve got it inside me to do something like that.”
“Then what do you want to do? I know college is all about picking the right course for you. What do you want to do?” he asked.
“I don’t really know. I’ve got the summer to decide. I’m also working at the gym as well. I sent my application form last week, and I got the job.”
“Now that I do know about seeing as I was the one that approved your application,” Whizz said, releasing her hand. “I think you’re capable of doing whatever it is you need to do.”
“Thanks, Dad.” It was in moments like this that she really wished he was her biological father. Whizz was a good man, and she’d been lucky that they had found her. She’d been close to running away again, not wanting to be passed to another family.
“Drew made Prospect. He’s even got a special jacket, and he’s staying at the clubhouse as well.”
“That must thrill a lot of people.”
“He was unanimously voted in,” Whizz said.
“He was?” This did surprise her.
“It took Steven a little time to make up his mind, but he let him in.”
“Oh.”
She finished her breakfast, and walked back toward the sink, and began washing her dishes.
“I like Drew. He’s a good boy.”
“He’s in his early twenties. Simon, Miles, Michael, they’re all boys.” She dried her hands on the towel, and turned toward him.
“What?”
“Nothing. I … you’re all grown up.”
“Nothing is going to happen between Drew and me,” she said.
“Look, I know I asked for you not to have anything to do with the club brothers, but Drew, he’s your best friend. I’d understand if you’d want more with him. He’s a great guy. He was your friend long before he became a Skull.”
“Precisely. He’s my friend. Nothing will happen between us.”
“You spend a lot of time together.”
She licked her lips. “It doesn’t matter. Steven is Angel’s friend. They don’t sleep together.”
“If Steven even touched Angel, Lash would bury him. Not that Angel would allow anyone else to touch her. She’s all Lash’s, and he’s all hers.”
“I’m going to get ready for work.” She made her way upstairs to the bedroom and changed into the uniform that she had been given. The long pants hid her fake leg, and she tied her purple hair back.
The shirt she wore had the title of the gym, The Skulls Gym. It was kind of funny, really. The Skulls insignia was on the shirt. She liked it.
Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile to her lips. “Hey, welcome, here are your towels.”
She rolled her eyes. Her main job was going to be working at the reception desk. She could do this, and handle everything that was thrown at her.
The only other option was working in the clubhouse, cleaning. Not happening. She had seen how some of the brothers kept themselves. Some of them were just plain nasty.
There was a knock on the door, and Sally left her room, heading downstairs when Whizz answered it. Drew was on the other side. He wore his leather jacket.
“I’m here for Sally,” Drew said, which had her pausing on the steps.
“I’ve got work.” She spoke up before Whizz could say anything.
“I’m your ride to work.”
“Oh, right. Okay.” This wasn’t going to be uncomfortable at all. Grabbing her jacket, she passed Whizz, placing a kiss on his cheek. “See you later.”
“Will do. Don’t work too hard.”
This had her laughing. “You make a really bad business owner. You’re supposed to tell me to work harder.”
They both laughed. “Yeah, well, everyone else can work hard. You’re my daughter. Sit around all day with your feet up.”
There was no chance of that happening, and they both knew it.
Drew opened the car door, and she paused, staring at him. “What do you think?”
“I’m surprised they let you join.” She climbed into the car, not knowing what to do. This was awkward. They hadn’t talked since their kiss, nor had she texted him, even though he’d been texting her constantly. She didn’t know what to say to him.
He was her best friend. They had gotten close, and now it felt fucked-up and wrong. The line that neither of them had crossed before had now been crossed, and she didn’t know how to come back from that, or how best to deal with everything.
“I’m still me, Sally. Nothing has changed.”
“Of course everything has changed. You’re not just you. You’re part of the club, and when you’re Prospecting, that comes first. It will always come first. Do you think it’s always like it was on the weekend? Friends, family, those kinds of get-togethers. The married men may not play games with the sweet-butts, but they are still there for those that like to play.”
“Are you jealous?”
No, she really wasn’t. “I hope you’re prepared for everything they’re going to ask of you. This isn’t like a game, or a match. This life, it means something to them, and it doesn’t matter to anyone else. What about your parents?”
“I’ve got an apartment that I’ve already rented, babe. Believe me, I’m already way ahead of you on that score. They’ve disowned me.”
“What?” She looked toward him. “I’m so sorry, Drew.”
“I’m not. I was tired of their bullshitting ways, Sally. You think this is a joke to me, but I can promise you, it’s not. This is who I am, and I want to be part of The Skulls. Sure, they’re loud, and they’re strong, and they don’t give a shit about what society thinks, and all that crap, but I want to be part of that. I’m tired of caring.”
“Okay.” She didn’t have anything else to say, and she didn’t want to bring up the kiss at all.
They traveled in silence, and she didn’t say a word. When he pulled up outside of the gym, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“I don’t regret the kiss,” he said, grabbing her arm.
This made her stop.
“I know you’re in love with Steven.”
She turned to look at him. “Please, don’t say anything else. I … I’ve got to go.”
Sally left, heading inside the gym. She welcomed the distraction of work.
****
Steven looked around the basement of The Skulls trying to help Angel find whatever it was she was looking for.
She’d already been through six boxes full of junk, and was now working on the next box.
“What exactly are you looking for?”
“I want to make a photo album.”
“Can’t you just buy that shit in the supermarket?” he asked.
“No, no, not make something. I have the book, but I want pictures.”
Steven frowned. “Why?”
Angel looked up. She pushed her hair off her face. Lacey had been practicing on all of them, and her blonde roots were starting to show through. It would explain why he found Lacey trying to convince her to go to the salon. Lash had entered and told Lacey to leave his wife alone.
“Why?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Because we’re all a family. Each and every one of us. We’ve lost people along the way, and we’ve gained so many people. This is my entire life. I hated it here when I was first forced into this. I didn’t want any part of it. I hated Lash, and I hated The Skulls. Now they’re my entire world. My babies, my love of all of you. I want to document that in case anything ever happens.”
Out of all of the women, Angel was the biggest surprise. She was the nicest woman he’d ever known, apart from Sally. Angel’s niceness had never been diminished. Her love, her ability to care and give, it brought something to the club. They had all been hardened criminals. Some of them had served time, Gash being the latest. A few minutes with Angel, and that darkness that seemed to fester in all of them dissipated. She had this calming effect on everyone around her.
They were able to see the good in a world that they had thought was not there.
“Lash said I would find everything here or at Tiny’s place. I’ve talked to Ned as well. He’s bringing some pictures. It’s going to be so funny seeing some cute pics of Eva as a baby.”
“I think you just need to look at Tab to see a baby version of Eva.”
Angel hummed. She went back to looking in the boxes. Steven was there as the heavy lifter. Lash asked him to keep an eye on Angel, to make sure she had everything she needed.
“Is everything okay between you and Lash?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I just, I was curious.”
“Oh, he doesn’t like me lifting heavy stuff or doing anything strenuous.” She dumped everything back in the boxes. “I can’t believe how much stuff is here. I thought it would have all burned in the fire.”
“The basement door kept it all safe and secure. It stinks, though.”
“Yeah, it does.” She opened one box, and then giggled. “Oh my, I wonder who forgot about this?”
Her cheeks had gone a bright shade of red.
“What is it?” Steven asked, curiosity getting the better of him as he moved toward her. She held up a long whip in one hand, and a set of fluffy cuffs.
“Is this what I think it is?” Angel asked.
“That depends. What do you think it is?”
“Oh my, Steven, are you blushing right now?”
“You should take a look in the mirror. You’re blushing enough for the both of us. I bet you don’t even know what it is.”
She threw her head back and laughed, and then a really grossed-out expression crossed her face.
“What is it?” Steven asked.
“I just realized that it’s stuffed in a box. What if someone had used it and not washed their stuff? Ew, I really need to wash my hands.” Angel was already heading out of the basement toward the nearest bathroom.
Grabbing the box, Steven made his way up to the main room. Several of the club brothers were there, and when he was sure no kids were around to see what was in the box, he opened it.
“So, Angel and I are looking at our old stuff. Anyone know who this belongs to?” Steven asked, upending the whole box.
“Steven, I can’t believe you did that,” Angel said, rushing forward. “I’m sorry, everyone. He’s not very good at these kinds of things.”
Suddenly, Adam, their British member, stood and made his way toward it. “Been looking for this stuff. I brought it with me, and Tiny said I could store it in the basement. Totally forgot about it. Sorry.”
“Oh my,” Angel said. “Erm, okay, there you go, all found.” She turned on her heel and made her way back toward the basement.
Steven followed but was laughing. “Whose did you think it was?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t think anyone would actually claim it, or at least in front of me.” She took her seat again, and he watched as she paused, pressing a palm to her head.
“Okay, something is going on now. What is it?” Steven asked.
“It’s nothing.”
He stared at her, not really convinced.
She sighed. “I’m pregnant again. That’s all, and the doctor has warned that I need to take it easy.” She reached into another box. “Lash is worried that our pregnancy is cursed, and I’ve told him time and time again not to worry.”
“You are cursed.”
“Look, I’ve been pregnant around the time that bad stuff happens. We’ve been clear for a while, so I don’t see anything going wrong. Now, do you want to tell me what is going on between you and Sally?” She pulled something out of a box, and turned to look at him. “You can’t deny that something is going on.”
“I’m not.”
“Then what is going on?”
Steven sat down, and stared at his friend. Angel, she had a way about her. “I love her.”
“Well anyone can see that.”
“I don’t think she does.”
“Sally’s got to deal with Whizz, and the possible fallout from that. Think of Devil and Tiny. Something bad could happen there.” She shrugged. “I think the biggest problem with the club at times is it doesn’t know when to think properly.”
“What do you mean?”
“This thing with you and Sally, it’s not really a big deal. If she stayed fifteen then I’d understand, but she’s a grown woman now. I was nineteen when I met Lash. There’s nine years between the two of us. I wouldn’t worry so much.”
“You’re not Whizz. You’ve not warned me away from her.”
“What does Sally want?”
“I don’t know. I think she feels guilty because she wants it, too, but Whizz has asked her not to.”
Angel looked at him. “It’s not that complicated. You need to talk to Whizz and Sally. Or better yet, talk to Lacey. She’ll bring Whizz around.”
Steven nodded. “What about Drew? He’s going to be around all the time now.”
“I know. I can only tell you that when the heart wants what it wants, no one can really stand in the way.” She held up a huge stash of photographs. “Found some stuff.”
Steven moved closer and saw one picture of Lash, Nash, and Tate. They couldn’t have been any older than ten.
“Anthony looks like him so much.”
“How is Anthony now?” Steven asked. “I know you were worried about his lack of talking.”
“He’s wonderful. He talks to me all the time now about what he does in school, and what he loves the most. He’ll even read to me while I’m cooking.”
The love on her face made him smile. “I’m glad.”
“I was so worried that something was wrong and that the club life was affecting him. I’m so happy it’s not.”
“Is the box full of photographs?”
“Yes, completely full.”
“Come on, then, let’s get out of this musty basement and somewhere fresh where you can look through everything to your heart’s content.”
Steven couldn’t do anything right now. He followed Angel around instead, grabbing her a drink, and helping out.
She would bend over backwards for every single member of the club. They all adored her, and she was his friend. Sitting at the table, he watched as Adam approached.
“Hey, Adam,” she said. Her cheeks were already a deep shade of pink.
“Hey, Angel, so, erm, I wanted to apologize for what you saw there. Totally inappropriate.”
Angel laughed. “Actually, I didn’t think so. Steven should be apologizing for showing it off to everyone. With it being summer vacation, kids are usually around and playing. He was lucky someone didn’t walk in.”
“I’d just let Adam explain everything to whoever saw it.”
She wrinkled her nose. “That would be … scary. Let them grow up first.”