Animal’s Reformation

by Wilder, Chiah

  All of a sudden a deafening roar rattled the windows and sliced through the night air.

  “What the hell?” Harper said jumping off the couch.

  “It’s a bike,” Olivia said, rising up from the chair.

  “A bike? Impossible,” said Alice as she followed Harper to the window.

  “A motorcycle—not a regular bike.” Olivia pulled the sheet away from the window and peered out.

  Sure enough, chrome gleamed under the soft streetlights, and a big-ass Harley swung onto the driveway of Animal and Lucy’s house. The biker killed the engine and quietness descended once again over the cul-de-sac. Olivia watched as the man walked up the sidewalk, then sucked in a small breath when she saw Animal walk out on the porch. He bumped fists with the man, talked for a few seconds, then the biker went into the house. Before following the visitor, Animal turned around and stared right at her. Olivia’s heart pounded and she tried to move away, but she couldn’t. Instead, she stood transfixed, her gaze locked with his until Harper and Alice’s voice broke the hold. She slowly let the sheet slip from her fingers, shutting out the outside world.

  “He’s a biker,” she muttered under her breath. Suddenly it all made sense: his road name, the odd familiarity, the danger he exuded, the swagger—oh, the damn biker swagger—and the attitude.

  “That was one loud-as-hell motorcycle,” Alice said as she grabbed the bottle of wine and settled back down on the couch.

  “I wonder what makes them so noisy. My uncle had one when I was a kid, but it didn’t sound like that at all.”

  Still standing at the window, Olivia slowly turned around. “Illegal aftermarket pipes. Bikers replace the industry exhaust pipes with the aftermarket ones. They say the noise keeps them safe, but a lot of them just like the sound. It’s like holding up the middle finger to the establishment.” She shuffled over to the kitchen and took out another bottle of white wine from the refrigerator, ignoring the surprised expressions on her friends’ faces.

  “How in the hell do you know all that?” Harper asked.

  “My brother and dad rode bikes. I guess I just learned it along the way.” Olivia refilled all their glasses with Chardonnay.

  “The bigger question is, why is that biker coming over to your neighbor’s house?” Alice said as she picked up her glass.

  “I don’t know. Probably a friend of his,” Olivia said.

  “Do you know your neighbors?” Harper asked.

  “The one to my left is a nice young couple with two adorable kids—a boy and girl, both under the age of five. The couple across from me is in their late thirties, maybe early forties, and have three kids—two teenagers and one in grade school. Actually, I think the boy goes to Slavens. I’m pretty sure I saw him in the hall the other day.”

  A second or two passed and Alice and Harper looked at her expectantly. Olivia took a gulp of wine, set the glass down, and ran her fingers through the fuzzy fabric of her nightshirt.

  “And who lives next door?” Alice said. “The house that the biker just went into?”

  “Uh … a guy and his daughter, Lucy. She goes to Slavens too. She’s in Clara’s classroom.”

  “I know her,” Harper said. “She’s the new girl. She’s just been here for a couple of months—after the Christmas break. Clara said she keeps to herself a lot, but has a real temper on her. She also told me her dad is a royal pain in the ass and is a member of the Insurgents.”

  Olivia’s stomach knotted. “Insurgents?” she whispered.

  “Yeah—the outlaw motorcycle gang. You’ve seen them around town.” Harper picked up a fortune cookie and ripped open the cellophane wrapper.

  “I have, but I didn’t know he was in that club.” That just figures.

  “Those are the guys Kennedy parties with sometimes at their club. I bet she knows him,” Alice said.

  For reasons Olivia couldn’t figure out, that tidbit of information made her stomach sour and her body flush with anger at the same time. The thought of Kennedy and Animal together really pissed her off, but if she were being totally honest, the thought of Animal with any woman made her blood boil. But it shouldn’t. Maybe I need to start dating again.

  “Your neighbor’s hot, though. He’s got a great body on him, and he comes off as real dangerous and exciting.” Harper giggled. “He’s not my type, but I do think he’s got a real sexy vibe going for him.”

  “I’d agree with that, but I could never see myself going out with him. I never was into bad boys. I like a stable, kind, and sweet man. That’s why Jonathan’s so perfect,” Alice said.

  “I like guys like Jim Farley.” Harper groaned.

  Olivia smiled and shook her head. “It’s too bad he’s already taken.”

  “It seems like the good ones always are. And Jim’s such a good husband and father. He’s nothing like that creep, Marcus Thurber. That idiot is always hitting on all the young teachers and mothers. I don’t know how his wife puts up with him. I heard he’s having an affair with Samantha Paulson. Can you believe it? What a louse.” Harper broke open the cookie and took out the small white banner that held her fortune.

  “Isn’t that Daniel’s mother?” Alice asked.

  “Uh-huh.” Harper waved the paper ribbon in the air. “So this says, ‘The love of your life will appear in front of you unexpectedly.’ Yeah … Right.”

  “Jonathan did. It does happen.” Alice picked up her fortune again and re-read it. “Mine says, ‘You should definitely go for it.’ That says a lot.” Alice laughed.

  “Who writes these?” Harper rolled her eyes.

  Olivia shrugged but her mind was on her sexy neighbor. She still couldn’t believe he was a member of the Insurgents. As hard as she tried, it seemed like she could never shake off her damn past.

  “I have to get going,” Alice said standing up. “This was so much fun. I really love your house.”

  Olivia rose to her feet. “Thanks—I do too. It needs some work, but I bought it at a great price, so I don’t mind using some elbow grease.”

  “When are you going to get some window coverings, or are sheets your go-to?” Harper chuckled.

  “I’ve been looking online for some, but they’re so damn expensive.” Memories of Animal watching her from his second floor room when she’d first moved in flashed through her mind. “I definitely want to cover the windows.”

  “I don’t blame you, especially now with having an Insurgent living next to you.” Harper shuddered then walked over to the front door. “You remember Perry, right?” Olivia nodded. “I can ask him if he can get you a deal on blinds or something. He gets all that stuff either at cost or at a steep discount on account that he’s a decorator.”

  “I forgot about that. It’d be great if you could ask him. I would love to get rid of the sheets. It’s such a pain to have to tape them back all the time to let the light in.” Olivia opened the front door.

  “I’ll call him during lunch tomorrow. See you in the morning.” Harper stepped out onto the porch.

  “I’ll see you in the teachers’ lounge for lunch,” Alice said as she zipped up her jacket.

  Wintry air swirled around Olivia as she stood on the porch watching her friends pull away from the curb. She wrapped her arms tighter around herself, tucking her chin downward into the soft fabric of her nightshirt. Above, clouds the color of wet ash covered the night sky, providing a modicum of warmth. Olivia glanced over at the Harley-Davidson Ultra-Classic Limited parked on Animal’s driveway, and a sudden sadness rushed over her with the force of a wave, tumbling her emotions. She closed her eyes, remembering how Leo used to take her to the corner drugstore when they were kids to buy her Starburst candy when all the yelling and screaming got to be too much in the house. He’d always take out the leather wallet Grandma Betty had given him—it made him feel so grown up—and put down a five-dollar bill on the counter. No matter how much the candies cost, Leo would always give a five.

  Tears seeped out of her closed lids and trickled down her face and
off her chin. Memories flooded her mind—from Leo’s infectious laughter, his crooked smile, and the way he’d always had her back—to the bikers who filled the crowded church and Leo’s picture on an easel next to his steel-gray coffin. A chill ran through her. That night—the one when she’d lost her brother to a barroom brawl—had plunged her into a pit so dark, she was still recovering from it. It’d been over two years since Leo had been killed, but at times, it didn’t even feel like a minute had passed.

  The din of voices dragged her out of past memories, and Olivia wiped her cheeks and looked toward the noise. Animal and his friend stood by the motorcycle talking and laughing. She watched them even as her body shivered and her teeth chattered. Then his eyes found hers and locked on. For a long moment, they just stared at each other, oblivious to their surroundings, and something passed between them. Animal’s friend punched his arm, breaking their connection, and he turned away.

  A strong gust of wind whipped around her, tousling her hair, and Olivia opened the screen door and walked inside. She closed the door and leaned her forward against the smooth wood. The screaming cams from the Harley were like music to her ears, and she stayed there long after the roar of the exhaust pipes faded away.

  After what seemed like endless minutes, Olivia locked the door, switched off the porch light, and made her way to the bedroom. Suddenly she was very tired, and all she wanted to do was crawl into bed and fall into oblivion.

  Chapter Seven

  Inside Dream House, Animal sat at a table with Bones, Smokey, and Rags close to the edge of the stage where Diamond crawled across the floor until she was right in front of them. Loud, shuddering music blasted from the stage in the dimly-lit club. The place was packed, and a round of whistles and applauses egged Diamond on as she writhed and rolled around on the ground.

  “Full house,” Bones shouted to Animal.

  “Yeah. I’m sort of surprised since it’s a Tuesday night,” he replied.

  Animal hadn’t planned to hang out with his brothers at the MC’s strip club, but Banger wanted him and Bones to check out the new dancers and help out Emma, the GM, if she needed it. Jada had agreed to watch Lucy, and his daughter seemed happy to spend a night without him around. The whole situation with Lucy was aggravating as fuck. Just when he thought he was making some inroads with her, she’d shut down and freeze him out. He wasn’t sure if she’d ever come around despite assurances from his dad and Jada that she would.

  “Diamond’s giving you the eye,” Rags said, nudging Animal’s side with his elbow.

  He looked up and saw the dancer on her knees, her legs spread wide. The pretty brunette was topless, and she looped two fingers around the elastic on her thong then slipped out of it with the ease of an expert. Her gaze fixed on his as she crawled closer to the edge of the stage. She was naked except for thigh-high stockings and a pink sequined garter belt, where she stuffed the bills that men gave her. Diamond’s hips humped the air in a sensually circular way, and Animal stared at the toned muscles in her ass and thought of Olivia. Since the sexy neighbor had moved in next door, she’d been on his mind way more than he liked.

  “Too bad we can’t fuck the help,” Rags said. “Diamond looks like she wants to jump you right here and now.” He guffawed.

  Animal nodded, his eyes straight ahead, but the only woman he saw in his mind’s eye was the pretty teacher’s assistant. Like a fucking school boy, he was looking forward to the following night when she’d bring the dinner she’d promised Lucy. How fucking pathetic was that?

  The thumping bass of the music pulled his attention back to the stage, and Animal watched Diamond wriggle around in all her sexy nakedness for the audience, but he knew she was really dancing for him. She had the hots for him in a big way and had even told him she’d quit Dream House so they could get together. Animal had been flattered—she was one of the top dancers at the club, but he’d told her he wasn’t in the market for a girlfriend, and he didn’t want her to lose out on making money for a few nights of fucking. To her credit, Diamond hadn’t held his rebuff against him, but that didn’t mean she didn’t keep trying.

  Twenty minutes later, Diamond exited the stage, blowing kisses to a group of businessmen before disappearing behind the black curtain. Sparkling red and pink lights cast swirling patterns across the stage. The poles gleamed and the music flowing out of the ceiling’s speakers wasn’t as hard hitting. When the next dancer took the stage, the tunes would be amped up and the stripper would entertain the mostly male audience for another set of four songs.

  Rinse and repeat. Animal stood up and stretched his back, cracking his neck in the process.

  “Where’re these new chicks we’re supposed to be checking out?” he asked Bones.

  “The next one up is one of them. You in a hurry or something?” Bones replied.

  “Probably wants to check out his neighbor again,” Smokey said as he picked up his shot of Jack.

  “Neighbor? Whaddaya mean?” Bones said while Rags leaned in to hear.

  “No one. You’re full of shit, dude.” Animal picked up the beer bottle and took a long drink.

  “You’re the one who’s full of it.” Smokey looked at Bones and Rags. “Last night I stopped over at his place, and when I was leaving, there was this chick next door on the porch … and lover boy here went ape-shit over her. I was talking and all he was doing was staring just like some lovesick pussy.”

  Bones and Rags guffawed, and Animal clenched his fists.

  “Fuck, man, you never mentioned you had a sweet piece living next door to you,” Bones said.

  “It’s a damn good setup—easy access and all, you know?” Rags laughed and leaned back in the chair.

  “You’re all fuckin’ assholes. She works at Lucy’s school, that’s all.”

  “You’re gonna fuck Lucy’s teacher? All right, dude!” Bones high-fived it with Smokey and Rags, but just laughed when Animal refused to lift his arm one inch.

  “That’s damn hot. I always wanted to bang a teacher. Ms. Carlson was hot as fuck. She taught English at Pinewood Springs High when I was a sophomore.” A wide grin spread across Smokey’s face. “Damn … she had a starring role in so many of my dirty-as-fuck fantasies. I’d love to bump into her again.”

  “You’re all full of shit. There’s nothing going on with Olivia—”

  “Olivia. Sounds like you’re pretty cozy already,” Smokey said. Bones and Rags busted out laughing.

  “Grow the fuck up. She’s just a chick who lives next door. Hell, she’s not even my type—she’s a good girl.”

  All of a sudden, the three men nodded and grew somber.

  “I hear you, dude,” Rags said.

  “Good girls have stars in their damn eyes. Fuck, man, stay clear from that one.” Bones motioned the waitress for another round.

  “Even so, you sure were giving her the eye, and it wasn’t like the way you look at Charlotte or even Diamond. You better be careful, bro, or she’ll have you tied and locked down,” Smokey said.

  Animal sank back down on the chair, a scowl deepening the fine lines in his forehead. “No chick’s tying me down.”

  “I’ll drink to that.” Smokey clinked his glass against Animal’s beer bottle.

  “Me too.” Bones held up his empty glass.

  “Fuck, yeah,” Rags said picking up his tumbler.

  The conversation switched to the latest Harley-Davidson of their vice president, Hawk, and the way he customized the hell out of it.

  By the time midnight rolled around, Animal had had it with the loud music and gyrating dancers. He had to interview job applicants the following day for his appliance repair business. He started Mountain Appliance Repair a few years before, and it had really taken off due to the fact that he didn’t gouge customers and knew what the hell he was doing. Since it’d grown so fast, Animal had to hire some employees, and finding people who had strong work ethics and knew what the fuck they were doing was a difficult task. He’d had to let Tyler go because the dude s
moked too much weed on the job, and it was screwing up his ability to be reliable.

  “I’m outta here. The redheaded chick’s a go, but the blonde with the humungous fake tits and the other one with the two left feet are a no. Do you agree with me?” he asked Bones.

  “Yes, for the two, but the big-titted blonde should stay. Let’s see how she does with the guys,” Bones replied.

  “Yeah—she’s pretty hot,” Rags said.

  “I’m with Animal on this one. The chick didn’t know how to dance or flirt. I dunno, she didn’t have sex appeal, and that’s something a dancer needs, especially for booking private rooms. I don’t see her as a money maker for the club,” Smokey said.

  “We should give her a chance. If she doesn’t do well in a month, then we’ll let her go,” Bones replied.

  Animal pushed his chair back and rose to his feet. “I told you what I think. Prez will be the one who’ll decide.”

  “Banger and Hawk,” Rags said.

  “Right. Hawk usually has the final say since he’s more involved in running the gentlemen’s club. Either way, I did my part and now I’m outta here.”

  The men bumped fists and Animal headed toward the exit. The cold air wisped inside as he opened the front doors and stepped out into the night. The frigid wind iced his cheeks as he made his way across the parking lot. Settled into the SUV, Animal switched on the engine, cranked up the heat, and pulled out of the lot.

  When Animal turned into the cul-de-sac, he glanced at Olivia’s house and saw that there was a light on in one of the back rooms he guessed was her bedroom. The bullshit he told his brothers at Dream House about Olivia not being his type was so not true. Olivia was exactly his type: dark long hair, stacked nicely, sweet ass. The truth was, he could find that with Charlotte or some of the other club girls, even the hangarounds, so those physical traits alone weren’t the only things that attracted him to her. It was the blush of high color on her cheeks anytime she was nervous, the way her pert nose crinkled while she laughed, and how those sweet lips made her face light up when she smiled.