1
Addie
Six Years Later
Zane 17 – Addie 23
Sitting in a booth with Piper, Delilah, and Zane we scour the menu for something to eat. Why Piper picked Hooters, I’ll never know. The TVs are loud from the games playing, and the smell of burgers and cheap perfume linger heavily in the air. Still, I’m starving and will eat just about anything, anywhere, right now. It’s not that I think ill of the girls working here, it just makes me question my own body when I’m at places like this. They have tight hips, a perfect ass, and don’t get me started on their hair. How is it that long and shiny? Is it fake?
Ugh, I hate feeling sorry for myself. It just makes me eat more.
However, it was Piper’s turn to pick where we ate so what choice do we have? Us brats, that’s what the parents called us growing up, so that what we call ourselves, always try to get together once a week. With us getting older we get busy in our own affairs, but we don’t want to be out of each other's lives completely, so that is why we make it a must to meet up. Hell, we grew up together and been through some shit with our parents in a biker club, and we need to stick together.
“I think I’ll get some cheese fries.” I bite my nail in thought, but a burger sounds really good too. Setting my menu down my eyes connect with Zane’s. His hostile green irises locking me in place. Things have been different between Zane and me ever since the shooting those years ago. We're not normal around each other. I know he's six years younger than me, but I can't help but feel some kind of pull toward him. Maybe it's because he saved my life, maybe it's because a bullet sliced through us both mixing our blood into one. Like fate has it out for us or something. Who knows, maybe it’s this darkness that surrounds him, like a vast of the unknown you can’t help but be intrigued that draws me toward him.
Growing up, kids whispered about Zane, how he didn’t talk much and was sure to be the kid that would snap and start a mass shooting at the school any minute, and that scared a lot of people.
Not me. If anything, I was the butterfly brought to the flame by temptation, wanting to risk my life to see what made the forbidden fire burn so bright. Zane is different, and I want to know why and how.
My mother wanted me to stay away from the club after the drive-by, but I couldn’t. I went to every function I knew Zane would be at.
“Fuck that, I’m getting hot wings! Lots of wings!” Piper cackles, slapping her menu down. Ripping my gaze from Zane’s I mask a smile toward her. She’s such a free spirit, I admire her for it. I doubt she gives a shit about the half-naked girls walking around. In fact, I think she even worked at a Hooters before.
“Addie, order us some beer or something,” Delilah scoffs, twisting her hat backward. She is such a tomboy and always up for a good time. We always knew she would be the wild child of the brats. Younger, but definitely in more trouble. She’s not dark minded like Shadow, but something in her is broken. I’m just not sure what.
“D,” Zane warns, his tone deep and gravelly. He’s always chasing after his sister trying to keep her on the right track. If you ask me, he’s chasing a ghost. She does what she wants. I love it about her. She’s unpredictable.
Delilah gives Zane an irritated look, her green eyes growing bored of him constantly parenting her.
“I’m going for a smoke.” I’d lecture her like my mother does about smoking, but she shoves the menu away from and stomps off before I can say anything.
“I’ll go with her.” Piper rolls her eyes and scurries out of the booth. Her ripped up shorts showing the cheeks of her ass as she climbs out. I’m surprised Zane hasn’t gotten on to her for wearing them so short. He’s protective of us all. Even if he can be an ass about it, I know he still cares underneath it all.
Zane sits back in his seat and a warmth runs over my skin knowing we’re alone. Nibbling my bottom lip, I risk a glance at him. Our eyes lock and I can’t help but sigh deeply. He’s so masculine, so mature. He already has tattoos, and I find them so stunning. I want to stare at them and really see what they are, but it makes me hot and I begin to sweat nervously he will catch me.
Resting my hand on the table, I let whatever this feeling is I have for Zane rush over me like a sunburn. He sits forward, his dark hair falling into his eyes. His hands resting not even an inch from mine you can practically feel the magnetism between our bodies. He extends his finger and brushes my knuckle in the softest way possible. The simple touch zaps me to parts unknown. He smirks, knowing he’s affecting me. This is wrong on so many levels. Bobby and Shadow have preached to us brats how we are not to lay with one another. That we are family, yet here I am barely able to contain my heart rate at the thought of me and Zane being more than friends. He's been with girls, I’ve heard them talk around town about how amazing he is in bed. I haven’t gone that far with a guy though. Still, my mind wonders what it would be like with Zane.
I open my mouth to ask him what we’re doing, what’s going on between us but then a waitress shows up and Zane and I split like The Red Sea.
All the little hairs on the back of neck lay back to normal, and I feel cold.
“You guys ready?” The waitress beams, looking right at Zane. Her dark hair is pulled up into a messy bun, and her attire leaves little to the imagination. She looks older than Zane, maybe twenty.
Zane smiles and sits back, throwing his arm across the back of the booth like he’s a king.
“Your name tag just says Hooters,” he points out, not answering her question.
She looks down at her left tit where her name tag hangs sideways, and her cheeks redden.
"Nobody believes my real name." She rests her hand on her orange-clad hip. Her tan stockings not fooling anyone that her skin is flawless.
Zane sits forward, his leather jacket claiming him in an ominous tone. He wants to wear the leather cut of his father’s club one day, until then he wears that leather jacket as if it were the club’s.
“Maybe I’ll believe you.” He flirts, and my stomach twists. Gross. He’s just like the guys at the motorcycle club. Always fishing for a woman by his side. They don’t know the meaning of a relationship. I kind of hope his dick falls off.
“Baby.” The girl puckers her lips. “My name is Baby.”
My face scrunches, who names their kid Baby? She giggles and I’ve decided I’m done with conversation.
“I want cheese fries,” I interrupt, not giving a shit I’m cock blocking Zane.
Baby glares at me, and Piper and Delilah show up just in time to place their orders.
Baby stands there after taking our orders, eye fucking Zane and biting her bottom lip like a twat. What is she waiting for?
I slap the table gaining Zane’s heated eyes.
“Order!” I insist. I’m starving here.
“Burger.” He tosses the menu across the table, and Delilah and Piper order next.
Baby, sways on her feet, biting her lip.
“Is that all?” Her voice sounds lustful. Oh my God, this witch is thirsty!
“That’s it. Thank you,” I answer for us all. I can’t help but be irritated. I hate to say I’m jealous, but this ugly feeling inside of me can’t be anything else.
Piper gives me an awkward look, and Delilah laughs at my rudeness. I’m never rude. Zane just sits back enjoying the show that I’m clearly giving him. The asshole.
Baby leaves, eyeing me heavily, and Piper turns in her seat and shakes her head at Zane. Her eyes narrowed in on him.
“Do you have mommy issues or something?” Her face scrunches up like she ate something sour, her elbow on the table as she points her thumb toward Baby.
Zane raises a brow. He either doesn’t get it or isn’t amused. I find it funny though.
“She’s saying you’re into older women, dip-shit,” Delilah fills in the gap as she twirls the straw in her soda. Probably upset it’s not a beer.
Zane’s eyes pop to mine and I stiffen. The look in his eyes silently telling me he does like older women. Like me.
But I’m forbidden.
After we eat, with small talk about our parents and what we’re up to we decide to leave.
On our way out, it wasn’t lost on me that Baby gave Zane her number in passing. I’m angry, I want to demand he give it to me, I swear I’m never going to talk to him again. In the parking lot, Piper hugs me goodbye and I try to ease my tense shoulders to hug her back. Just over her shoulder, I catch Zane crumpling up the paper and toss it across the parking lot.
That made me feel special for some odd reason.
Like maybe he’s holding out for me one day.
Zane
Six Years Later
Hands on the dresser I lean onto it as I glare at my reflection in the cracked mirror sitting on the back of the dresser. Shamrock green eyes haunt me, morning stubble lining my jaw, and messy dark hair in my face. I could use a fucking haircut for sure. Running my hand over my smooth chest, I yawn. Fuck it’s too early for this shit. Does the club wake up this early every day?
Doesn’t matter, today is the day. The fucking day I’ve trained my whole life for. I’m getting my shot at being in The Devil’s Dust. This town thought my father was the antichrist, they ain’t seen shit yet. This is the day I’ve been waiting for since I was a kid.
Moaning sounds come from my bed, and my eyes pop over to Baby’s bare ass. She’s mine as far as mine goes, I guess. We aren’t a thing, but I fuck her when I’m horny. I’m too messed up to do the relationship thing. I don’t love her and could care less if she left yesterday. The way I live, trigger to trigger, it’s all I care about. Besides, I’m not up for conversation, or romantic antics, so I’m not really the guy to take home. Girls don’t really like that, and it works for keeping them at an arm’s length.
“Good luck today,” Baby groans half asleep. Her head under a pillow with her hands sprawled out on the bed. I fucked her good last night, I’m sure my sheets smell like rancid pussy. I’m going to have to get one of the club girls to clean my sheets today. I may be a vile bastard, but I like my sheets to smell fucking clean. Clean clothes, clean sheets, and clean pussy.
It’s about time I trade Baby in.
Grabbing my new leather cut from the back of the door, I slide it over my white shirt and inhale the majestic feeling draining into my veins. The cut feels better than I ever could have imagined. Even when I would sneak my father’s on when I was a kid, it felt nothing like this. I feel powerful, a part of something bigger than anyone who doesn’t wear this cut would know.
I’m in a brotherhood. Loyalty and respect my mission.
Jerking my boots on, laced untied I run my hand through my hair and glance at Baby one more time. Just lying there sleeping, probably ‘til past noon. She doesn’t work anymore, so she’s always clinging to me.
“Get up and do something today,” I growl. Her head pops up, curls everywhere as she tries to glare at me. She flips me off, and I slam the door. Lazy bitch.
Heading down the hallway, the original members gather around the bar and eat hash browns with eggs. Anahi, my grandpa’s Ol’ Lady made breakfast again this morning, I’m sure it’s spicy as fuck. She’s Mexican so everything she makes has a kick to it. Your asshole learns to take a beating when you eat her food.
My dad, Shadow, shovels in spoonful after spoonful, he must have hit the gym before Mom got up to make breakfast at home today. Even for his age, he keeps in shape. A lot of people say I look just like him, besides the eyes. Those I got from my mom. Dad glances at me before doing a double take.
“What the fuck is that?” His eyes widen, and everyone turns from staring at the TV to look at me.
“You’re not prospecting, son!” Dad demands, standing so fast the stool he was sitting on falls to the ground. That tone, one he takes with Mom a lot, pisses me off.
“I am,” I declare. I’ve put a lot of thought into this, and this is what I wanted.
“You’re the fucking prodigy of this club. You know it better than anyone. You are not doing grunt work!”
“Yeah man, it’s kinda weird,” Bobby agrees with him with a mouthful of food. Just because I have the blood of the Devil’s Dust in me, doesn’t mean I should have more privilege than others.
“Exactly, if I’m going to be in this club, I’m going to earn my place just like every other bastard!” I tell him. You can tell I’m starting to lose my temper.
Dad shuts up, his face still red.
“The boy has a point, Shadow. Let him earn his keep. It’s the Devil’s way,” Grandpa Bull grunts from his place at the end of the bar, not taking his eyes off his breakfast. It was him who gave me the patch. He agreed with my reasoning, but apparently, he didn’t tell my father about it. He probably knew my dad would lose his shit.
Dad turns, slamming his hand on the front door of the club to leave. He’s not happy I’m the club’s bitch until I earn my keep, and that humiliates him.
“Sup brother!” Saint and Rad blast through the doors just as my dad storms out, goofy ass grins on their faces. We went to school together, well, when we actually attended, and none of us are conventional. I recommended them to the club for prospecting, and the brothers ate them up. The men are getting older, and the club needs the numbers.
Saint looks my cut over, rubbing his chin with his index finger and thumb.
Saint is mixed and tattooed up and down his arms. His hair short, and brown irises so light you can’t help but look him in the eyes. Don’t let his caramel colored skin and bitch eyes fool you though, he’s had a rough life. The color of his skin made thicker because of it.
“Shit, you’re a prospect? I thought all you white boys had your heads up your daddies’ ass,” Saint says, laughs punching me in the arm.
“Wait, isn’t your dad white?” I point out.
"Yeah, but my mother is black, and she made sure my head didn't stick up my dad's ass," Saint informs.
Rad chuckles and lifts his chin at me arrogantly.
“I just fucked your mom and she let me in,” Rad laughs at himself, he’s the other dipshit I grew up with. His comment causes my shoulders to tense. He’s trying to be funny, but it isn’t funny. He’s obviously been hitting the bong a little early. Fucking surfers.
Rad basically lives on the beach. He talks surfer slang half the time which pisses me off. He's got a temper though and is constantly in trouble with the law. He’s the best person I know escaping from the cops.
Us three together made perfect sense to the Devil’s men, but they don’t know what they’re asking for.
"Alright, boys. The first job of the day!" Bobby turns on the stool he’s sitting on and rubs his hands together. Rad and Saint get excited. Dumb shits. You can tell they didn’t grow up around the club. They’re prospects just like me, nothing we are about to do is going to be fun.
“Wash all the bikes!” He grins, and the rest of the brothers standing around the bar. Saint and Rad look at me confused, and I lift a brow. What did they expect?
“You bitches can soap, I’ll rinse,” I state.
“Oh, mommy fucker.” Bull points to Rad, he must have heard his shot at fucking my mom. “I got a job for you. Old Guy can’t handle my woman’s cooking and the toilet overflowed upstairs.” Rad gives me a look. “Who the fuck is Old Guy?” he asks with a look of disgust.
“Old Guy is one of the brothers, he hangs out in the garage a lot,” I fill in the gap for him. Old Guy is getting old, and even more an asshole than he was when I was a kid. He tends to keep to himself.
Anahi in a tight little leather dress suddenly appears from the kitchen, tossing Rad a plunger that has seen better days. I have to keep from laughing.
“What the?” Rad looks the nasty plunger over, a wrinkle of disgust flashing across his face.
“Better get to work.” I shrug my left shoulder.
An agonizing female groan from down the hall has me and Saint stop laughing and look in the direction of the noise. Piper stumbles out of a room, looking a fucking mess. Red hair sticking up everywhere, makeup running down her face, and her white dress barely covers her black lace underwear. She’s been partying a little too hard lately, and gets a taxi to the club and passes out for the night. I’m surprised her dad, Lip, hasn’t been in her face for acting so fast.
Saint whistles and Piper stills leaning against the wall. Her eyes landing on Saint.
She stands up tall and brushes her hair from her face.
I raise my hand to slap Saint in the head, but Lip beats me to it and backhands him in the head.
“You better be fucking whistling at Zane!” Lip raises a brow. His eyes narrowing in on Saint like a dead man. Lip is one of the patch holders and has a dark temper. I’ve seen him get pissed.
“That’s off limits, brother,” I inform. Saint nods, his Adam's apple bobbing but I get the sense he ain’t going to listen. Piper’s like a sister to me, if he breaks club law and goes for her… I’ll break his fucking neck. Piper isn’t ready for a relationship, and if someone inside the club breaks her heart… I’ll be digging a grave for them.
Stepping outside to do the fucking grunt work, Old Guy brings out a bunch of motorcycles that look like they went mudding. Old Guy has a gray ponytail, wrinkles, and nothing but black on.
“How many fucking bikes do we have to wash?” Saint complains.
My phone rings from my pocket and I answer it.
“Hey, Addie left some graded papers on her counter at her place. Can you run and get them and bring them by the high school? I gotta roll out with Bull in a few,” Bobby asks me.
Rubbing my chin, I turn away from Saint. Addie, I haven’t seen her in years. She went off to college and I was ordered by Bobby and Bull to stay away if I wanted my leather cut. I did as I was told. Everyone thought it was cute that we all hung out as kids, but when we hit puberty, our parents did everything they could to keep us from dating each other. Piper and I became like brother and sister, but Addie and I got closer… until I fucked it up.
“Is that going to be a problem?” Bobby asks, breaking me from thought.
"No, not at all. When did she get back?" I can't help but ask. Every Devil needs an angel to help him rule his kingdom, and I knew Addie was something angelic the day we both got shot. Even as a kid I knew I wasn't right. I thought dark shit and felt things I shouldn't. I didn't know what to do with myself. Until the day our family was shot up and the sun only shined on Addie. I needed that sun to show me where to point my vengeance and Addie was that light.
"A while ago." I can hear the hesitation in Bobby's voice. He doesn't want me around his daughter any more today than he did years ago. I bet he knows my dark secret, my father and him are best friends so he has to know. "She works at the high school now. I'd get them myself, but I can't." My arm tingles where I was shot saving Addie, thinking about her. To see her again, it’ll bring back so much emotion I tried to bury.
“No, I got it. Where does she live?”
Bobby gives me the address and informs me of a spare key under the garden gnome before hanging up.
“I'll be back,” I tell Saint. He pops an eyebrow at me, and I grin. “Don’t miss a spot.” I point at the area he’s rinsing.
They both groan and cuss at me as I find my motorcycle.
Climbing on I start it and rev it up. The vibration helping my running thoughts a little.
Riding my bike in the sun sends a sense of relief through my bones, but not one I can fully respond to. Sure, the silence and time to think helps with the chaotic thoughts that get too loud, but I long for something more. The psychologic relief of pulling the trigger of my nine-millimeter. It’s the only thing strong enough to outdo my demons.
Pulling up to the address Bobby gave me, a small duplex sits off amongst some palm trees.
I spot the gnome almost instantly by a pile of rocks outside the door on the right.
Unlocking Addie’s door, her apartment smells like her, everything is so fresh and clean. White couch, with modern decorations, but it has a small country feel to it. There’s no sign of a man anywhere to be found so I can't help but wonder if she's single. Not that it matters. We can't be together, not that I want to be together. She was too good for me back then, and by the looks of it, she definitely is now. I find the papers on a marbled counter next to a black candle and get out of there.
I need to get these to her and get the fuck back to the club where I belong. Maybe being a Devil can place me somewhere in this world where I might belong and be accepted.
Pulling up to the high school the pipes on my Harley echo through the small area. I park in front of the entrance and turn my bike off. Jesus, this place looks just like I remember, that was before dropping out. My mom nearly killed me when she found out. Dad wasn’t surprised.
The old one-story building with stained windows sits low in a valley, filled with control fueled assholes - I’m sure. I don’t like being told what to do, especially from some old fuck wearing a cheap suit.
A bunch of teen girls crowd together giggling and smiling flirtatiously next to a cracked concrete bench. Jailbait.
Taking my helmet off, I run my hands through my sweaty hair before putting my bike on its stand, I throw my leg over the seat and straighten my back.
“Hi!” One of the older girls wearing a cheerleader uniform blushes. Her red hair matching the freckles on her chubby cheeks. Narrowing my brows at her I think about saying something about how she shouldn’t flirt with strange men, but the air suddenly thickens, and I close my mouth.
“Okay girls, that’ll be enough, get back to class!” A familiar silky voice has my head flicking to the left.
Addie. My body always knows when she’s around before I was fully aware of it.
Her blond hair is down in ringlets just above her breast. Her long lashes sweeping across her lagoon blue eyes. My chest begins to pound, blood rushing in my own ears as I take her in. A cute black striped dress hiding most of her creamy legs, with a jean jacket barely covering her full chest. A waft of honey spirals around me, and I can't inhale it long enough. She’s got this innocent finish to her, but looking into her sultry eyes you can’t help but wonder what they’d look like gazing up at me while her full lips sucked my cock.
Fuck, she is all grown up and a ray of fucking sunshine. I’ve missed her.
"I see Bobby sent you." She crosses her arms, tension thick between us. When she left for Texas, we were starting to cross a line of friends to something else. She was offered a killer internship in Texas and I felt I was getting in the way of that. I didn’t want to be the reason she threw everything to the side. I got scared and found Baby working at the local Hooters. Took her back to the club and fucked around with her on the back of my motorcycle, making sure Addie saw. It killed me to do that to Addie. My chest felt like someone ripped my ribcage in half and seared my fucking heart, but I knew it what was best for Addie.
She left two years ago, and I haven’t spoken to her since. Until now.
Clearing my throat, I reach in my saddlebag and grab the papers Bobby wanted me to get, and hand them to her. Her delicate fingers brush against mine, and I stare at her pink polish a little longer than I should. She’s so damn petite and girly. It does something to me.
“Thanks.” She gives the papers a firm tug and I let go. “So you are a prospect now?” She takes in my leather cut.
“Did you see me doing anything else?” I squint against the sun.
“Not at all actually.” She smirks, looking me up and down and I can’t resist the desire running through me. It’s as if she’s so pure and forbidden I can’t help but want to break the rules and see what happens when Heaven and Hell tangle together.
She’s everything I’m not. A light that shines in my darkest corners revealing my inner beast and yet she still smiles like I’m her best friend. Why did I let her go?
“How was Texas?” I change the subject.
“Hot,” she snaps. Her eyes shoot to mine, and I know I hit a nerve. Her body tenses, and those blue eyes turn unfriendly.
“Look, I know you’re—” I try and bridge the gap. Explain my actions.
“Don’t!” She holds her hand up. “I was stupid—”
"Stupid is right. You shouldn't have come back, Addie." I shake my head and her mouth parts with disbelief. I have regretted taking the higher road and letting her go before. Now that she’s back, I’ll never make the mistake again. How does that saying go? Let her go, and if she comes back you take her?
“You have some nerve!” She blinks, looking anywhere but at me.
“I ain’t letting you leave so easily this time.” I step into her personal space needing her to understand how much I missed her, and she presses her palm against my chest pushing herself a step back. The feel of her dainty soft hands against my body makes my teeth grit.
“You don’t own me, Zane,” she whispers, and I laugh.
“For smart, you sure are fucking dumb.”
I owned her the day I took a bullet in the arm for her.
Our eyes dance, tension thicker than the hot air around us. Kids begin to stare at us, and teachers glare out their windows nosily.
“Is there a problem?” A man wearing tan pants and a white shirt whiter than his teeth steps up behind Addie. The dragon tattoo on his arm is a little out of place considering he looks like a giant tool. My fist balls into itself. Who the fuck is this chump?
“Who the fuck are you?” I lift my chin at him.
"Zane!" Addie scorns, her swollen lips parted in panic. "This is the new principal, and yes…” She glances at the prick with sharp eyes. “Everything is fine." She reassures the man starring daggers at me. I lift a brow, ready to fucking beat his skull into the concrete.
He looks to Addie, before giving a silent nod and heading back inside. Smart move, dumb fuck.
Addie hits me with cautious eyes and it dawns on me I acted out. What did she expect, I don’t take others getting into my business lightly.
“I gotta get back.” I anxiously run my hand through my hair. This has already gone wrong in every way possible.
“Yeah, okay,” she mutters under her breath. Those lashes fanning out over sad eyes.
Taking in a sharp breath, I turn and put on my helmet. Licking my bottom lip in thought. I remember how Addie and I would run around in sprinklers as kids, swing together, and play. It wasn’t complicated back then. We didn’t overthink shit.
Now that we’re adults it seems so long ago and mundane. A past that wasn’t real.
Because now all I can think about is how I’m going to take over this town with her by my side.
As I said, she's the light in my darkness and I need her to do what I do best.
When will she see that?
Addie
The scar slashed into my arm begins to tingle seeing Zane. It hasn’t done that in years. I thought I was ready to see him, told myself the connection we had was based on a limited selection, or that I'm too old for him. Then again, I never put my confidence to the test. I’ve purposely stayed away from him. I cannot believe my stepdad sent him to bring me these papers today. He knew I wasn’t on talking terms with Zane, they didn’t know we were romantically involved, just that we had a disagreement.
Zane’s grown so much since last I saw him. Strong shoulders, more sexy tattoos up his arms that definitely weren’t there before. His dark unruly hair has grown and now falls into deep green eyes that hypnotize you. His tight jawline making him appear unapproachable, but the way his heavy lips cork into that goofy grin, you can’t help but swoon for him. I knew him before he wore the Devils leather cut, back when he dug worms out of the dirt and put them in my hair.
But he’s not the boy I remember.
Time doesn’t soothe a hurting heart. It hurts today as much as it did then. Before I left for Texas, I thought Zane and I were getting closure, finally starting to see eye to eye and he did everything he could to push me away. Why would lead he me on only to mess around with Baby of all people? I mean, I put off my career just to find out if there was something between us, and he broke my heart.
“Who was that?”
I turn where I stand and find the principal glaring at me with his arms crossed. His almond-shaped eyes squinting at me as if I broke a rule having someone bring me papers from home. He looks like he just stepped off a golf course, and is young looking for a principal. Sandy colored hair hitting the tips of his ears with patchy stubble lining his round jaw. He looks like a frat boy rather than a serious principal ready to dish out rulings. I have only been here a short time and can’t decide if I like him or not.
“He’s a family friend. He didn’t mean to cause a disruption,” I lie in Zane’s favor. Zane leaves chaos wherever he goes.
Mr. Thad lifts a brow. "He's in a gang, I don't want him around the school, Miss Addington."
I frown, my chest heating from the thought he is labeling Zane before even getting to know him. Then again, the club does come with bad luck. My scar proof of that.
“Yes, sir,” I agree.
Three cheerleaders walk by coming back from lunch and Mr. Thad inhales a large breath staring at them while they walk by. The way his eyes zero in on them, and he bites his lip as if he’s trying to contain some uncontrollable urge concerns me. It’s not the first time I’ve seen him go weak in the knees around the older students.
I clear the bad taste taking over my mouth, and he shakes his head to give me a glance.
"That’ll be all." He grins and turns to catch up with the young ladies.
Creep.
The rest of the day went by as if the clock was standing still. I couldn’t focus and kept getting hot sweats. It was Zane. Seeing him today has dug up so many unanswered emotions I have been trying to bury for so long.
The question is, how long do old ties stay buried before you can’t ignore them anymore?
Addie
Beep beep beep
My head snaps up, two of my feathered pillows over my head. Rolling over, my body is tangled in the bed sheets and I squint at the alarm blaring from the bedside table. Nine in the morning? It’s Saturday, why is my alarm… then I remember. Mom wanted to have brunch today.
Turning the alarm off, I groan and sit up. It was a restless night of sleep. I hadn’t had a nightmare about the drive-by shooting in years until last night.
Slipping my legs over the side of the bed, I zombie walk to my closet. Snatching some clothes from the hangers I start slipping them on, yawning. My stomach growls and I can’t wait for food. Something soft rubs against my foot and I jump back with a startle.
“Jersey!” I huff with panic.
Jersey is a Lionhead bunny I bought in Texas. I was at a shopping center one day and saw a pet store and decided to go take a look. I ended up buying him and a cage, and every other thing a bunny might need.
When I got home and actually read up on bunny care, I couldn’t put him in a cage. I house trained him and he runs around as if he were a cat or dog. I love him.
Heading to the bathroom, I grab a hair ribbon and tie my hair up in an updo and brush my teeth. My reflection staring right back at me this morning is judging me for staying up all night thinking of Zane.
After getting ready I slip on some flip-flops and head outside to my car. Jesus, it’s already hot as hell outside, but there is no sun in sight. It’s blocked from the haze in the sky from all the fires happening. We are in desperate need of some heavy rain in our area. Mom said if the fires keep as they are, we might have to evacuate. Again. I remember when I was a kid and the club was in danger of a fire. My mom kept insisting that we pack up and leave but Bull wouldn’t have it. All the guys were out in boots, shorts, and their leather cuts spraying the surrounding area.
I smile thinking about bystanders taking pictures of the guys, wanting to turn it into some calendar.
Getting in my Jeep, it’s covered in ash, so I have to turn the windshield wipers on. Man, I hope they get control of this fire before it gets any closer to my place. It took me weeks to find the right place.
Once I make it to the restaurant, Bobby and Mom are sitting on the outdoor patio talking. They are such an odd looking couple. Bobby with his wavy crazy hair, leather cut, and tattoos. Then my mother who looks like she could teach Sunday school.
Getting out I notice there’s a lot less ash floating in the sky in this area. Still no sun, but you can see its vibrancy peeking just behind the heavy gray.
Mom notices me walking across the parking lot and waves me over. Putting on a smile, I weave through a couple of tables until I am finally at her side.
“Hey, baby!” Mom smiles.
“Hey!” I give her a hug and then lean in to hug Bobby. Not being able to help myself I yawn.
He kisses my cheek, the smell of his cologne reminding me of growing up. It’s an ocean spicy smell.
“Too early for you?” Bobby chuckles.
I give him a knowing look and grab a croissant from the basket on the table. The flakey goodness sticking to my fingers.
“Anything new?” I ask around a mouth full of carbs.
“We find out next week if we are pregnant.” Mom smiles.
I hold my fingers up crossed for good luck. Mom and Bobby have been trying for a while, and I know there are about to give up if it doesn’t happen soon. I’m an only child as my father died when I was just a toddler so my mother was busy being two parents. She’s a doctor and is always working, and helps the club out a lot too. Everyone I know calls her Doc, but her real name is Jessica.
My phone rings on the table next to me. Piper’s name and picture pop up along with the notification I’ve missed three calls from her.
Clicking it off, Bobby and Mom give me an off look.
“You still haven’t talked to them?”
Hesitation pulls at my face. It’s complicated.
“I just, I’ve been busy settling in. I’ll get with them later today,” I state, and probably lie.
“Zane delivering your papers yesterday wasn’t a problem was it?” Bobby asks before taking a sip from his glass of water.
Mom’s eyes widen in his direction.
“Bobby, you didn’t!”
“I had shit to do! Bull wanted me to go check out some potential clients, so I had a prospect do it.”
“Guys!” I stop their fight before it escalates.
“It was fine. We’re friends, I was happy to see him. Everything is good, I’m just… just trying to get settled into everything,” I defend.
They both stare at me, silence hanging over us like a dark cloud. They aren’t buying it, they know something happened between me and Zane. They don’t know what exactly, but they know Zane and I aren’t on talking terms.
“You should go out with the girls tonight, let loose!” Mom giggles and Bobby gives her the dad look that makes me laugh. I’m pretty sure I could be forty and he would still be yelling about me being out too late and my dress is too short.
“Yeah, I think I will just stay in and watch some Netflix.” I scrunch my nose at her suggestion.
“Great idea!” Bobby encourages.
An egg sandwich is brought to me just in time. It smells delicious.
Just as I pick up my fork to stab at a juicy piece of fruit people screaming from up the street catch my attention.
“What in the hell?” Mom must hear it too. A black car ramps over a hill, barreling down the street like a madman. It hits a man on a bicycle and people continue to scream and run.
“Oh my God!” Mom holds her hand above her head to block the sun and looks in the direction of the chaos. Bobby stands.
“Get up,” he orders to nobody in particular.
Mom and I don’t move. Is he serious? Does he recognize the car?
Bobby looks at me with a hard look.
“Get the fuck up!” Not giving me time to stand, he grips my arm and my mother’s and starts running through the tables on the patio.
The car races into the parking lot nearly wiping out my Jeep and blasts through the patio gate, sending people and tables flying before coming to a standstill of bricks halfway inside the building. Bobby, Mom, and I barely making it out of the way. Hair in my face, out of breath, and scared to move, I stare at the car in shock.
Bobby’s angry, his broad shoulders and chest puffing, he lets go of me and my mother and stomps over to the car.
“Are you okay?” my mother asks, I nod as I watch Bobby.
Opening the door, a man slumps out, his face covered in blood. He’s bald with tattoos on his face, and caramel colored skin. That’s all I can make out from all the cuts all over him from the broken windshield.
Bobby grips him by the shirt and jerks him from the car, a leather cut claiming the man’s torso, one that I remember well causes me to shake. The wolf blowing smoke, its eyes reminding me of one of those old dolls. You can move left or right, but it’s always staring at you. It’s the same patch as the men that attacked us the day of the drive-by.
“You motherfucker!” Bobby growls, and the man laughs before spitting blood at Bobby.
“Tell your club we’re coming for the boy!” He cackles before starting to shake involuntarily. His eyes roll into his head and he falls limply to the ground.
“Move!” Mom screams, rushing to the man’s side. Bobby stands there in disbelief as my mom tries to help the man. It’s in her nature, she can’t help it.
“Don’t save him!” Bobby tries to push Mom aside, but it’s not in her blood not to save someone. Regardless if they deserve it or not.
“He’s having a seizure!” Mom defends, laying the man straight on the ground.
Chaos erupts all around us, police, and ambulances lining the street, but the look Bobby gives me sends a cold whisper up my back. War has just begun for the club.
Bobby drops me off at my apartment after fighting with me that I should be at the club after the attack. I refuse, I don’t want to be around the club. I just want to be normal.
So for the rest of the weekend, I stay inside my apartment grading papers and watching sappy romances all weekend.
I never called the girls back as I just don’t know what to say. With them comes Zane and I don’t think I’m ready for that. I didn’t sleep at all those couple days off because of nightmares, and I hate to say it, but I butt dialed Zane and hung up on him least three times.