Ashby Holler

by Jamie Zakian

  “It’s past noon, and everyone’s here,” Otis said, gesturing to the clubhouse. “We’re just waiting on her.”

  Vinny rocked in place. On any other day, running to fetch Sasha would be a highlight. She’d spout out some hilarious rant, they’d blow a quick bone, he’d see that glimmer in her eyes. He could pull that off. One last time, before the big vote changed everything.

  “I’ll go get her,” Vinny said, hurrying toward the garage.

  ***

  Sasha

  “Wake up.”

  Sasha grinned. Warm breath tickled her ear, and a hand clutched her waist. She scooted back, into the soft body behind her, and pulled the arm around her tight against her chest.

  “Someone’s banging on your door,” Misty whispered.

  “What?” Sasha sat up. Over a steady knock, Vinny’s muffled voice flowed through her closed door.

  “I’ll be down in a minute,” Sasha yelled, falling back into the pillows.

  “Why is your door locked? Open up,” Vinny said, jiggling the knob.

  “Oh my God,” Sasha mumbled. “Dude,” she shouted, “I’ll be down in a minute.”

  After the thump of boots trailed off, Misty rose to her knees. “Are you not supposed to have people here?”

  “No. I just…don’t usually have people here, that’s all.” Sasha tossed the blanket aside, draping her legs over the edge of the bed. “Whoa.” Her head spun, and a surge of fire jetted from her stomach to the back of her throat. “Not again.”

  Sasha dashed to the bathroom. Her knees hit cold floor, and she dry heaved into the toilet.

  “Are you okay?” Misty asked, rushing to Sasha’s side.

  Misty brushed Sasha’s forehead with her silky hand, and Sasha backed away. “I’m good. It’s just some weird stomach thing.”

  “And it usually happens when you first wake up?”

  “Yeah,” Sasha said, slumping against the wall behind her. “Is there something going around?”

  “Umm, yeah. It’s called pregnancy.”

  “What!” Sasha jumped to her feet, ignoring the sway of the room. “That’s just, no.” She pushed past Misty, stopping in the middle of her room. “No. It’s not…It can’t…”

  “When was the last time you had your period?” Misty asked softly.

  Days melded into weeks, flying by like the lines of the road. Sasha looked at the calendar on the wall. Almost two weeks of X’s stood between this day and the day she was supposed to get her period. A few days late was understandable, a week was sweating it, but nine days? She dropped her head into her hand, slapping her palm against her forehead a few times. “No fucking way.”

  “It’ll be okay.” Misty spoke in a soothing tone while rubbing Sasha’s shoulder, but it didn’t help. Okay was the last thing any of this would be.

  “There are places that,” Misty shrugged, leaning close to whisper, “that take care of this sort of thing. Maybe some of the local women can point you in the right direction.”

  “Yeah. Fuck! I have a meeting. I gotta go.” Sasha pulled on a pair of cargo pants and grabbed her jacket. “Just chill here. I’ll be back in an hour. Sorry.”

  Before Misty could speak, Sasha scurried out the door. Her steps slowed at the sight of Vinny. He leaned against the rail, smiling up at her from the bottom of the stairs. She wanted to punch that look right off his dumb face. If he had any idea about the spawn growing inside her body, he’d choke on that bobble-headed grin of his.

  “It’s about time, princess,” Vinny said.

  Sasha’s plan to play cool crumbled. A snarl lifted her lip. She stomped down the last few steps, shoving Vinny out of her way. “You’re an asshole,” she shouted. His smile dropped into a frown and her stomach retched even harder, so she stormed toward the clubhouse.

  “What’d I do?” Vinny ran in front of Sasha, blocking the path that would lead her away from explanations.

  “Nothing. I’m just…” Pregnant with either your or your brother’s baby. “Cranky. I’m sorry.” She forced her scowl into a half-smile, gesturing to the clubhouse. “We better go before my mother comes out here breathing fire all over the place.”

  Vinny moved aside, and they strolled toward the porch.

  “That reminds me,” he said. “Dez had the burnt-out trucks cleared away this morning.”

  “Oh yeah.” Sasha looked across the now-empty lot then to her feet. Dez, the latest of the many people she treated like shit for selfish reasons. This one stung more than usual. Vinny was used to her shit, but Dez put her on a pedestal. He’d created a flawless version of her inside his mind, one she could never live up to, a self she never even wanted to be, until now.

  Her footsteps went into double time. It didn’t make sense, but she knew one glimpse of Dez’s frosty eyes would calm her riled soul. She stepped into the backroom, and all eyes went to her except for the ones she wanted most. Not a glance. Dez sat in his spot, hands clasped, jaw clenched, his glare fixed on the solid table.

  “Sasha,” Ellen said, the way one would address a naughty child.

  Sasha tore her gaze from Dez, turning to face her mother.

  Ellen sat at the head of the table, narrowing her glare on Sasha. “Are you gonna join us?”

  Vinny had taken his seat, leaving her alone in the doorway. She considered shaking Dez until he acknowledged her presence, but she settled for a loud slamming of the door. He still didn’t look over.

  “All right.” Ellen pushed an ashtray full of joints to the center of the table. “Everyone, light one up for Chewy.” She waited until five halos of smoke rose into the air, took a long drag of her own doobie, and then leaned forward.

  “I know it’s soon, but with everything going down, we need to fill the VP seat. And discuss bringing in some new blood.”

  Sasha uncrossed her legs, banging her boot to the ground. “Chewy’s body is barely cold.”

  “We need a strong front,” Ellen said, looking around the table. “Satan’s Crew might be out, but others will come. We need to be prepared for the next pack of loudmouth douchebags who roll onto our turf.”

  Otis sat up in his chair. “I nominate Vinny as VP.”

  “What!” Sasha and Dez thundered, almost in sync. Now Dez was looking at her, but not the way she wanted. She wanted a longing gaze and got a seething glower.

  “I’ll second that,” Ellen said, directing her harsh leer at Dez.

  Sasha grated the legs of her chair against the floor, turning to face Vinny. “What the fuck?”

  Vinny shook his head. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

  “Let’s vote,” Ellen said in a chirpy, giggly tone. “All in favor?”

  “I,” Kev muttered, his gaze low.

  “Opposed?” Ellen asked through a grin.

  While caught in Vinny’s apologetic stare, Sasha fought the urge to laugh. The words Hell no bunched in her throat, and for the life of her she couldn’t push them out. Dez didn’t make a peep. Sasha couldn’t bring herself to look at Dez, to see the hurt in his face.

  “That’s three in favor and two undecided. Congratulations, Vinny, you’re our new vice president.” Ellen smiled, pointing to Chewy’s vacant chair. “Why don’t you come take your position?”

  Shame. Sasha caught shame in Vinny’s eyes as he rose to his feet. He walked around the table, behind Kev and Otis, and sat at the other end—opposite his brother, next to her mother, and far from reach.

  “Are we done here?” Sasha tapped her foot, glancing at the door.

  “No,” Ellen said. “There’s still the matter of choosing two new prospects.”

  “I vote yes to whomever you’ve chosen to be our prospects.” Sasha jumped up from her chair, latching onto Dez’s arm. “So does he.”

  It didn’t take much of a yank to get Dez on his feet. The muscles beneath his skin flexed and she let go, but he grabbed onto her hand as they walked out the door.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Dez jerked his hand away the moment t
hey walked out the clubhouse’s front door, and Sasha flinched. She followed him onto the porch, stumbling when he spun to face her.

  “I saw you sneak that girl into your room.”

  Sasha fought to keep a blank expression as her brain scrambled for a suitable explanation. Since her mind was too high to produce a witty comeback, her instincts kicked on. She stood tall, slapping on her game face. “I didn’t sneak shit.”

  “You threw me out on my ass for some skank.”

  “She’s not a skank.”

  “Did you fuck her?” Dez asked with a deep growl that sent shivers.

  Sasha took a step back. She looked at his scabbed hand, curling into a fist. “No. Why would I fuck her?”

  “Don’t stand here and try to play me. Your mother told me about you, about what you are.”

  “What I am?” Right there, Sasha should’ve decked him, except Dez wasn’t who she wanted to punch. That person floated around this compound acting like the president of the world and not a two-bit club of dimwitted thugs. “Jesus Christ, Dez. In case you haven’t noticed, my mother likes to start a lot of shit.”

  His body loosened, and the anger that seemed to sizzle the air around them faded. Sasha inched closer, taking Dez by the hand. The cracked skin on his hand drew her stare, and she rested her palm atop his knuckles.

  “I was a bitch to you this morning,” she said, looking up into his eyes.

  “Yeah, you were.”

  She rose to the tips of her toes, her chest gliding along his. “You should probably get used to that.”

  Dez snickered, wrapping his arms around Sasha’s waist. “Why don’t you go bounce that hippie bitch on her ass and sneak me into your room?”

  Sasha groaned. “She doesn’t have any place to go.”

  The stiffness returned to Dez’s body, and he pushed Sasha away. “What is it with you and strays?”

  “Two, three days tops and she’ll be gone forever.”

  “Fuck!” Dez waved his hand, walking away. “I’m not okay with this.”

  “Dez.”

  He turned away from her and jumped into his truck. The engine revved, and he sped off, showering the lot in tiny pebbles.

  ***

  Sasha tore into her room, and Misty jolted up from the pillows. A hint of fear lit Misty’s eyes, and guilt sliced into Sasha’s stomach. It was like she had an asshole cloud hovering over her, absorbing her misery to rain it back down on the suckers who got too close.

  “Bad meeting?” Misty asked, scooting to the edge of the bed.

  Misty’s blonde hair shimmered in the light of the open door, more so when Misty ran her fingers through her hair. Sasha wanted to dive into Misty. Those silky strands could run all over her body, cleanse the filth from her spirit, except bum-rushing the woman without a word would probably be another asshole move.

  “I’ve had worse.” Sasha swung the door closed, and it bounced back open.

  “Can we talk?” Vinny stepped into the doorway, stopping short. His eyes shifted between Misty and Sasha, ending on his boots. “Wow! Are you…busy?”

  “What do you want?” Sasha yelled, giving Vinny a little shove. “And by the way, now you really are an asshole.”

  “I didn’t know that was gonna happen.” Vinny glanced at Misty then gestured to the landing.

  Sasha crossed her arms, raising a brow. “Bullshit.”

  “Dammit, Sasha.” He pulled her outside, shutting the door. “You’re right, I am an asshole, because some part of me actually thought you’d be happy for me.”

  “Happy,” she sneered. “Whatever my mother told you, it was all lies. She tricked you into believing you want this to use you as a pawn in her stupid games. And you fell for it.”

  “You’re just a selfish bitch. If it’s not about Sasha, you don’t give a fuck.”

  Vinny turned, just in time to miss her gasp.

  “Hey,” Sasha yelled, and Vinny spun to face her. “You don’t get to talk to me like that. You might be my superior now, but I brought you into this life. If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t be shit.”

  Tears rose inside her eyes, higher with every disgusting word that flew from her mouth. She fumbled for the knob and stormed into her room, locking the door.

  ***

  Vinny

  Vinny sped down the mountain, his truck bouncing along the narrow road. Five miles, a small town, and two rocky hillsides stood between him and the holler, yet Sasha’s word rang loud and clear in his mind. He turned onto his street, and there was Dez’s truck, parked in his driveway. His house rolled into view, along with Dez hanging a new front window.

  “Great,” Vinny muttered, climbing from the pickup.

  “I’m almost done,” Dez said between hammer swings.

  “You don’t have to do this.”

  “Yeah, I kinda do.” Dez dropped the hammer and grabbed a caulk gun without casting a single glance Vinny’s way.

  “Can you stop fucking with that shit and come inside? Let’s have a beer, talk about this club shit.”

  Dez stood up straight and turned toward Vinny, staring down. “Is that an order from my VP or a request from my little brother?”

  “C’mon, man. It doesn’t have to be like that.” Vinny peered up, finding that look, the one Dez reserved for those about to taste their own blood. Maybe now, it did have to be like that.

  “Your brother,” Vinny said, his shoulders sagging, “who might have no idea what he’s gotten himself into.”

  The sharp edge drained from Dez’s face, and he dropped the caulk gun into the toolbox. “I could use a cold one.”

  ***

  Sasha

  Sasha sunk into her mattress as Misty’s soft hands ran up her bare back. Misty’s thighs clung to Sasha’s sides, squeezing as Sasha propped on her elbows.

  “Can you feel the shiatsu technique lift away your tension?” Misty asked, her breath tickling the nape of Sasha’s neck.

  “Fuck yeah.” Sasha looked over her shoulder, staring at the beautiful woman massaging her back. It was worth living through a fucked-up day to get an ending like this. Misty’s palms slid down Sasha’s arms, and her nipples pressed into her back. The thin top that trapped Misty’s breasts separated their skin, blocking the electric vibe. It drove Sasha’s mind into a frenzy. Their eyes connected, and her fingers twitched. God, how she wanted to tear that shirt to shreds.

  “You’re amazing.” Sasha bit her bottom lip, crinkling her nose. That was supposed to be a thought, but it rolled off her tongue so easy.

  Misty slinked away, dropping onto her side. “No, I’m not. I’m,” her eyes fell to the checkered sheets, and she tugged on a loose thread, “trouble. You should get me out of here, drop me off at the nearest rest stop.”

  Sasha sat up, tossing on a tank top. “If you really want to go, we can leave right now. I’ll take you wherever. Ohio, D.C., you name it.”

  “It’s not like I want to go, but I probably should, before I ruin your life.”

  Candlelight flickered, showing glimpses of fear and guilt in Misty’s stare.

  Sasha leaned back, studying the woman’s eyes in the seconds they flashed to her. “What are you talking about?”

  “I don’t know.” Like a switch flipped, the confident air returned to Misty’s face. “Things got crappy for you when I showed up. Maybe I’m your bad luck charm.”

  “My shit was fucked long before you got here. It’s this room.” Sasha hopped up, glancing around. “A lot of mistakes happen in here. It has bad karma. You wanna go do something?”

  “Sure.” Misty pushed aside the blanket she’d hung over the window, peering outside. “It’s getting dark. There’s a line of cars driving in.”

  Sasha squeezed behind Misty, staring at the convoy coming up her driveway. Any minute now, music would seep through her walls and rattle the beer bottles scattered on every surface. A party for the new VP, a major event. Half the state would trample this compound in a few hours. Busy bee, her mother, slapping together a
huge blowout in only hours. It’d be crazy to think she had days to plan this.

  “Looks like the bar’s open,” Misty said, gawking at a guy with a bright green Mohawk.

  “There’s a party tonight. That dude from earlier—”

  “The one you tossed out or the one you yelled at?” Misty asked with a smile.

  Sasha started to chuckle, but she covered her mouth. “The one I yelled at. He got a big promotion today. Festivities must follow, in the form of trucker sluts, unending shots of whiskey, and copious amounts of drugs.”

  “Trucker sluts?” Misty cringed, moving away from the window.

  “That’s what they call themselves. It’s just a group of chicks who only date truckers.”

  Misty giggled. A cute, nervous smirk followed. “Truckers have groupies? That’s excellent. Can we go to the party?”

  “Yeah, but…” Sasha eyed Misty over. The whole package, suede halter top, billowy skirt, right down to the silver bells that encircled her ankle, all screamed sore thumb. “Your outfit is awesome, but—”

  “I don’t fit in.” Misty lifted the sides of her long, flowing skirt before her arms flopped to her sides.

  “Do you trust me?” Sasha asked, flashing a smile.

  This time Misty’s laugh, even cuter than the last, held a sarcastic edge.

  “I let you take me to new places, didn’t I?”

  Misty’s lips, eyes, and silky shoulders floated within Sasha’s grasp, teasing Sasha’s fingertips. Misty was an apple given that one could not eat, existing only to torment Sasha’s mind. She had to turn away or risk taking another bite.

  “This’ll be different and much more uncomfortable,” Sasha said, opening the bottom drawer of her dresser.

  ***

  Dez

  Dez grabbed a beer from the fridge, sitting at the little round table in Vinny’s kitchen. He took a sip, staring at Vinny. His little brother, not so little anymore. He hadn’t noticed, until now. It could’ve been the harsh kitchen lights, this VP bullshit, or the fact he was done chasing his dick around, but he noticed the man who stood in front of him.