“Not all women are into the skinny, hipster look, Dan. Just maintaining my friend.” I crack a smile when he looks down at his arm before he flexes it.
I’m giving him shit. Dan is only slightly smaller than I am and the same height. If I didn’t know he had a heart of gold, I wouldn’t want to come across him in a dark alley. The freak show genetics of his family should be tested and whatever they have, that the world is lacking, should be bottled up and sold. They’d be rolling in dough.
“Shut the fuck up man. Spot me.”
“Always so competitive.” I chuckle.
Dan’s phone goes off a second later. He gets up, the weight bar ignored, and answers. I stretch out my sore arms and try to tune his conversation out until he mentions a certain name.
“Emerson. My sister, little Emmy? You sure?” He questions. There’s silence on his end for a minute, then Dan’s eyes come to me. “Yeah, I’m looking at him. You know he never keeps his phone on him while he’s maintaining his manly physique.” Dan passes his phone to me, still not giving me a hint as to who’s on the other end. He does however mouth I’m going too.
“Yeah,” I answer.
“Hey Joss, how are things?” My boss Zander greets through the phone.
“They’re good. What’s going on?”
“I’m assuming you saw all the hype about Emmy’s fight?”
“I have.” I’m so fucking proud of Emmy. I’ve always known she had a passion for fighting; you can’t miss it when you see her watch it on TV. When I found out she was training for a purpose, I decided to help her out where I could. It’s hard not to give that girl what she wants.
“It’s getting pretty crazy around the bar. I’ve had to hire some extra security.”
Shit, when I saw the headlines, I knew there was a possibility that reporters would show up to try and get a shot of the first female MMA fighter in the Cage family.
“You need me to head over to her place, stay on her until everything dies down?” I assume that’s why he’s calling.
“See, that’s the thing. She’s not home. It seems she thought it would be a great idea to jump on a motorcycle with her friends and go on a road trip.” I don’t miss the clipped tone.
“Seriously? Didn’t she just start riding?” I find my own annoyance mounting to the surface. How could she be so careless?
“Add in the media storm, and you’ll see why I’m about to ask you to drop your life and follow her.”
“I’m on it.” No questions asked. Whenever she needs me, I’ll be there. “She still on a GPS?” I nudge Dan’s shoulder and nod at the locker room. He catches my hint and follows me to grab our shit.
“Yup, as long as her phone’s on, you’ll be able to find her. I appreciate this Joss. You’ll be paid generously for what you’re doing.”
“Nah, I don’t want anything this time.”
“Joss,” he warns, but I steer the conversation back to the pain in the ass at hand.
Emerson Cage is one of the sweetest girls I know; she’d help anyone if they asked. She also has this streak, a wildness in her that gets her in trouble all the time. All I can envision is her flipping me off at the gym earlier this week. The thought has me grinning through changing my clothes.
I hang up with Zander knowing I’ll have no issues catching up to them. He clocked them going thirty down the pike, heading into Connecticut.
“Looks like I’m going on a little trip, Dan. Your sister…” I shake my head.
“Yeah, who would have thought the baby in the family would be the hellion? Like I said, I’m going with you. That group together is nothing but trouble. There are worse things she could have done, and I could definitely use a change of scenery. Did Dad say Penny was definitely with her?”
“Uh, yeah.” I look at him curiously. “It’s Em, Leo, and Penny.” He nods his head.
Dan isn’t wrong, but this is still a pretty poorly timed sabbatical. She should have known the announcement of her fight would warrant a heap of new attention for her.
“How are you going to break it to Mandy? We both know she isn’t exactly Emmy’s biggest fan.”
“Fuck,” I mutter. I forgot all about her. That tends to happen whenever Emerson comes into the equation. “She’ll understand. It’s not like we’re serious. I’ll call her before we leave.”
We leave the gym and agree to meet up at his parents’ place in an hour. It gives us enough time to get home, pack our bags, then gas up our bikes before we head out.
I walk in the front door of my house and pull out my phone set to calling Mandy.
“Hey JJ,” she greets, walking up and throwing her arms around my neck. Guess I don’t need to call her anymore.
“Hey, Mandy.” I bend and kiss her lips quickly in greeting. “Listen, I don’t have a lot of time, but we need to talk real quick.” She gives me a skeptical look and follows me into my bedroom. After I pull a backpack from the closet and start putting deodorant and aftershave inside, her eyes narrow.
“You haven’t packed for the wedding yet?” She rolls her eyes.
“Uh, I already told you I couldn’t make the wedding. I’ve been working more lately.” I leave the part where I’m not ready to meet her parents yet out. We’ve only been dating for a year, and we’ve been just as much off as we have on.
“I thought you’d change your mind. I bought you a ticket and everything.” She pouts her lips, and I can’t hold back a sigh.
“I have an important job that just came up. I’m sorry, but I can’t go…like I told you two weeks ago.”
“What? You can’t just leave.”
“I have to. Zander called…”
“Emerson? The Cage brat again?” She doesn’t try to hide her frustration. I know she really does like Emmy, but in these moments, she’s grown to resent her.
I stand up after grabbing my motorcycle boots and stare at her. “Yeah and knock that shit off. You know she’s Dan’s little sister. I’ve known her as long as I’ve been friends with him.”
“I don’t care. My sister’s wedding is this weekend. Did you forget about that?” When she crosses her arms over her chest, I find myself annoyed that we keep speaking in circles. We had this conversation two weeks ago, then a month before that, and it’s getting tiring.
“Sorry.” I grab a couple of pairs of jeans and some shirts.
“You’re sorry? You’re going to make me fly all the way to Arizona by myself? What am I going to tell my family?”
“Listen, I never said I was going. But, if it makes you feel better, I’ll call them myself and apologize.” I hoist my bag up on my shoulder and make my way to Mandy who I swear has steam coming out of her ears. I throw it on the ground next to the door. “Go, have fun with your family, and I’ll see you when I get back. I’m sorry, I know this is shitty timing, but it’s part of the job.” I head for the bathroom hoping I’ve diffused the situation.
“Don’t go.” She whispers just as I have one foot in the bathroom.
I stop and turn to face her. “I have to. It’s my job.”
“So, I’m forced yet again to stand in the background while you take off to protect the little Cage princess? We’ve been together for a year Joss. Do you realize that? Most of the times we’ve taken a break is because of this right here. You always running off to play hero to the little Rebel Cage.”
I didn’t realize her reaction would be this severe. She knows my end game and what I’m working toward. My own private security company. Not to mention all the times she’s wanted us to take the next step, and I’ve told her I’m not looking for that. “Okay, now you’re overreacting. Go to your sister’s wedding, have a great time, and I’ll see you when I get back. Don’t let this put a damper on your trip.” I walk back to her, bend down and quickly kiss her lips.
“We’ll be having a talk when you get home about priorities. A conversation that’s been a long time coming.” She pouts her lips, but I don’t miss the hint of a grin before she walks out of the room.
I look at Mandy’s retreating form. Really look at her. We’ve been together for a while, and if I’m being honest, I’m not sure if she’s okay with my goals. Being with her is easy, and that’s why I’ve always gone back to her. But is that really what I want? I’ve thought about marriage and always thought that when the right girl came along that it’d change everything. That nothing else would matter. If Mandy doesn’t make me want to change my views on marriage, does that mean she’s not really mine for the keeping?
For now, I have a job to do and a whole trip to figure things out before I get back. I need to figure out what I want in life and if that life involves Mandy.
“I love you.” She wraps her arms around me at the door.
“Have a safe flight, yeah?” I don’t miss the hurt in her eyes as she nods her head and closes the door behind me. I’ll never say what I don’t mean. Ever. If that makes me a bad guy, then so be it.
With a leg tossed over my bike, I sit and start the engine. The drive over to the Cage’s doesn’t ease any of the tension I’m feeling with Mandy.
Danny’s getting off his bike as I pull up to the curb and park my bike.
“It looks like something is bothering you.”
“Other than my girl being pissed as hell I had to bail? I don’t know man. I’m trying to put my life into perspective. Wondering if what I have is what I want long term. Nothing I want to discuss.”
“Damn, what happened from when I left you till now?” He chuckles.
“Just sick of the guilt trips. This is my life, and I need to see if Mandy is going to fit into it. If she can’t deal with this lifestyle, a lifestyle I’ve busted my ass for, then I don’t know if we’re the right fit.”
“Let’s leave this heavy bullshit at home and hit the road. My dad wants to talk to you before we leave.” I nod and follow Dan into his parents’ house.
It’s hard to focus because my thoughts from earlier are wreaking havoc on my mind.
When the right girl comes along, nothing else matters.
But what if that girl’s already come into my life and I’ve pushed her away?
Chapter 6
Emerson
“No fucking way,” Leo states in disgust.
“Live a little.” Penny rolls her eyes before grabbing her necessities from her saddlebags.
“That’s my point! If we go in there, we will only be living a little longer. This is where the killer lives, and we all know that I’m leaving your asses behind in a chase. None of this you’re only as fast as your slowest person. I’m sorry Penny, but your ass would be dead.”
“Gee, thanks,” she mutters.
I look at the rundown motel and inwardly cringe. I can’t tell him I’m on the same wavelength. The determination to prove that I can live like the other side is strong, and also seeing Leo throughout all of this is pure comedy. When Penny’s eyes shift to me, I know I mustn’t be masking the horror as well as I thought.
“You guys are ridiculous. Sorry, you never had to rough it like the rest of the population. I lived in one of these for a few months when my mom was whoring it up to earn enough money to buy food when I was a kid.”
“Your tales of the day's yonder are really depressing. Are you sure you’re fit to counsel others?” Leo deadpans.
“Fuck you. I’m going to ask for the grimiest room they have, and I’m locking your ass inside. Good luck with your crab infested sheets.”
“Whoa there. No one said I had to be in a room by myself.” The dread in his eyes is real, and I have to hold in my laughter. He pulls out his phone, and after a minute his eyes widen. “There are reports on Yelp that a crazy mountain man pops up while you sleep!” He’s hysterical, and now I really can’t hold back my laughter.
“Stop it. You’re being a little over the top…even for you. Plus, the last time we shared a room, I caught you doing things with my lotion.” I stare at Leo. The image of him going to town on himself still vivid in my brain.
“And I’d do it again. Get used to it. I’m a man, and we require release. I can’t drive a motorcycle with balls filled with pent-up juice. We already know I have big manly ones, they barely fit in my pants on a regular basis, if you catch my drift.”
“Okay, never refer to it as juice again” Penny yells making her way to the motel. “Actually…”
“Don’t you whip out your inner sex therapist at me missy. You know it’s better out than in.”
God help me. If I have to hear about his precious manly balls all night long, I’ll probably have dreams about them. Well, nightmares. At least I can keep my lotion under lock.
After an awkward meeting with the front desk, we finally have our key in hand. Yes, key. Not plural. Not a key card. The nicest room they could offer was fifty bucks a night, and you have to put quarters in to watch the TV. When they asked us how many hours we needed to stay, I thought Leo was going to run out the door and never look back. It’s hands down the worst place I’ve ever stayed at, and I’m kicking myself in the ass for not stopping at one of the many hotels in New York. Hotels that had room service and spa options.
As we awkwardly stand around looking at each other, I realize I can’t stay here all night hanging out. Sleeping will be tough enough.
“Wanna head to the bar across the street?” I ask already jumping from the bed and grabbing my leather jacket.
“The bar,” Penny states. “The biker bar across the street?” She lets out a snort. “No, thank you.”
“Is miss spawn of a prostitute scoffing her nose at the perfectly good watering hole built for our pleasure?” Leo looks at me with over exaggerated surprise on his face.
“Why I think she is. Last I checked, we were badass biker chicks. We have a fucking lady gang.” I try to hold back my laughter as I say it.
“Fine,” she says with exasperation dripping from her tone. “But let’s keep Rebel under wraps tonight. Promise me.”
“You know that whore comes out without notice. It’s like telling a lion not to hunt its prey,” Leo states gesturing in my direction.
“What he said.” I agree with Leo. “The only way to control her is if I don’t drink, and I’m having some drinks after that long drive. Don’t worry babe. I won’t try to make out with you again.” I wrap my arm around her and pull her in for a squeeze.
I look over to Leo. “Keep me in check. If I go to grope Penny, throw me at someone else.” I wink then grab my leather jacket.
“Tell me again how you can flirt and do god knows what with women, but the second there’s a man in the equation you swallow your tongue and act like an idiot.”
“I’ve already explained this to you, Leo,” Penny starts with her therapist voice. “The fact that she’s more open with women means they’re her easy way out. Her beard.”
“That’s one way to put it. I didn’t say throw me at a woman either. You’re putting words in my mouth, Leo.” I chuckle under my breath.
“She has to work harder to talk to guys,” she continues ignoring my comment. “That leads me to believe that men are her more preferred choice when it comes to a relationship because she’s picky about who she spends her time with.”
“Oh God,” I whine. “Love is love. I’m only twenty-two, leave me alone.” I head for the door and walk through knowing in my mind that psychoanalyzing is Penny’s favorite thing and won’t stop until I make it end.
Was what she said true? Yes. I’m a touchy-feely person. I love hugs, cuddling and making out. Men or women, it doesn’t matter, but when I’m drunk, I tend to gravitate more toward women. I feel comfortable with them, they have soft lips, and they don’t tend to watch MMA as much as men. Men make me sweat, give me extreme tingles in my nether regions and have me fighting over my tongue to speak.
It’s not like I take women home every night and I’ve only ever been on a date with a woman a handful of times. When it comes to men, yeah, that’s a different story. Like I said, I become a blabbering idiot when a semi-decent guy tries to talk to me, forget about
it when a gorgeous one approaches me. I don’t know what it is, but I’m starting to believe Penny’s babblings. Maybe I am waiting for the right man to whisk me off my feet. I don’t know, but until I do, I’m going to do me and live my life.
***
“Reb, come on we have to go.” Leo pulls on my arm.
I don’t know why he wants to leave. I’m having such a good time. I just met a sweet girl visiting from Alabama who’s been eying me for the last hour and a giggling Penny to my right shows we’re definitely having a good time. Miss goody-two-shoes took five minutes to even walk in. She walked us back to the hotel, then back to the bar where we stood in the parking lot for ten minutes. At that point, she declared, “I’m an adult.” From there it’s been non-stop shots of patron and delicious ciders on tap.
“We have a problem.” He cranes his neck around the bar like an ostrich. I pop up on my knees on the bar stool and try to do the same. Apparently, I’m not supposed to be a bird, or he gets jealous I do it better because Leo shoves my head down and I fall into Penny’s lap.
“Now I thought this is what we were trying to stop tonight. Hellooooooo little Penny.” I start walking my fingers up her thigh when I’m back up and onto my stool in the next second.
Leo’s hands surround my face as he gets his face a few inches from mine. “I know you and Penny are extremely drunk, I’m right there with you, but we have a problem.”
“Wait, wait. I know what’s going on,” Penny slurs. “Leo, did you shit your pants again?” she asks seriously.
“God help me,” he mumbles under his breath as Penny leans over to check the back of his jeans. “Danny and Joss just walked in.”
That barely sobers me but gives me a moment of sheer panic, although I’m not sure why. “Fuck, I need coffee. Are you sure you saw them? Maybe it was their doppelgangers?”
“Yeah, believe me, I know what they look like from years of worship. I figure I can wrangle you two out the back door and to our room before they find us. It’ll buy you some extra time.”
Rebel: A Brother's Best Friend Standalone Romance Page 4