**
I empty my phone and all of my pockets out into the bin outside of the door where choir is held. Grim just returned from his honeymoon with Sunshine, and he is geared up to get down to business.
"First things first, Romeo, how's things shaping up in Chicago?"
"It's going, they have a new Prez, guy by the name of Kilmore, wants to have a sit-down with us soon. He'd like to visit and check out the still, but he is even more eager for us to send up a guy or two and set up something up there. Tread just left out this morning with a truck full for them," Romeo answers him, giving the rundown on how much we've made this month in sales with Chicago.
"Alright, Striker, how's things with the garage, anything I need to know about?" Grim continues asking each brother for updates on what's going on in their area. "Floor is open to new business."
I wait my turn and give Grim the news that the Devils Rejects are starting back up and looking to reach an agreement, leaving out the part about Baby and Lucky. To say Grim isn't happy would be the understatement of a lifetime. But being that he hasn't been President long and that he is looking to keep us all in the loop, he puts it to a vote.
"Another war with the Devils Rejects right now wouldn't be smart on our part. If they step over into our territory or mess with any of our charters, they will have hell to pay, all those in favor of letting sleeping dogs lie, say aye."
A unanimous, aye rings around the room.
When I get out of choir, I have a text message from Baby that only reads a simple okay. I know I need to make things right with her, but I don't know how.
I know that it is only a matter of time before we are knee deep again with the Rejects. I am going to have to talk to her though, to get in touch with Lucky. If he sent her those flowers, he is going to get a rude awakening when I see him again. Maybe I can get Baby alone tonight. I know she won't be allowed at the Roadhouse for tonight's party. If I can't get to her tonight, I will get Foxie to have her over for dinner. Grim doesn't like any of the brothers hanging around Baby or Rumor when he is around.
I send Baby a text asking her to meet me at the garage tonight during the party. She replies that she can't that her and Rumor or going out for a girl’s night out. That doesn’t sound right. The Baby I know would rather kiss a dead fish than hangout with her sister. Just what in the hell did I say to her last night?
Baby
Tonight after dinner, I am going out dancing with Rumor for a girl's night and Lucky just might happen to be there. I failed to mention that he'd be there to my sister, but people can bump into each other in a public place, no harm in that. Besides Grim doesn't care what we are doing, he is just glad that we are getting along. He will be out most of the night anyways, they are holding a big party tonight at the Roadhouse, it's members and old ladies only.
Rumor comes into my room to get ready. I am going to do her makeup and she is going to do my hair. Who would have thought the two of us would be getting along so well?
"I've never been out dancing or even to a club before, other than the Roadhouse. Are you sure I'll have fun?"
"Hell yeah, we are going to get dressed up looking smoking hot, and all the guys will be eating out of our hands and buying us drinks. Besides I invited Trouble along to be our DD, so you don't have to worry about anything other than having a good time." I really invited Trouble because I want to see if Lucky was telling me the truth. I want to know if Trouble is trading club business with the Rejects.
Trouble pulls up out front to get us in his Trans Am. I see Rebel watching us from the backdoor of the kitchen at the Roadhouse. Let him worry after me for a change. I pretend I don't even see him. Rumor and I had a nice chat about him while she was doing my hair. She told me how he was there for her when she first came to live with us, and how he told her he loved her. Motherfucker played my sister, and me, but I still love him. It's harder for me to let him go, he was my first everything, and I have loved him my whole life. Rumor has only known him a couple of years. She says she is over him and that if I choose to be with him. she will respect my choice as my sister. Not that it matters. Rebel and I have no chance in hell of ever having a relationship. I just hope my sister is smart and she really does stay away from Rebel, he will only damage her heart as he has mine.
The club we are going to is called The Dungeon. I figured no one we know would be caught dead in the place, it's a popular place for the university kids from Eastern. The Dungeon happens to be a good hour and half from Drag Creek as well. Trouble isn't wearing his cut tonight. They wouldn't let him in the doors if he was. Rumor and I are riding in the back together so that she doesn't have to sit by herself. Trouble passes me a bag of weed so I can roll us one.
Watching Rumor take a hit for the first time is comical. I swear the girl is coughing so hard she is going to bust a lung.
"I told you not to toke so hard." I laugh at her as the tears prick the corners of her eyes. Minutes later we are all buzzed and having a good time. Rumor is laughing at anything and everything. We have to pull over to get drinks, so we don't die of cottonmouth. When we come out of the filling station, Lucky is leaning against the passenger side of Trouble's car. He looks like danger on legs, and it is hot. His hair has grown out more. He has it pulled back in what I refer to as a man-bun. His blue eyes are so dark. He looks so fine dressed up, wearing jeans and a black dress shirt with a white t-shirt underneath; his tattoos are peeking out of the collar. His sleeves are pushed up revealing his muscular forearms. Swoon!
"Can I ride to the club with ya'll?" He looks to Trouble and Trouble gazes to me for approval. I nod that he can come with us. I introduce Lucky to Rumor and she gets in the front to ride with Trouble, allowing Lucky and me to share the backseat.
Once we start back on the road, Lucky Slides me into his lap. "You ready to say yes to me, Baby?" An amused smile plays on his lips.
"I'm still thinking about it." He wraps his arms around me tighter engulfing me with his scent. He smells all manly again, intensifying my attraction to him.
"What's to think about. I like you, you like me, one date." He loosens his grip on me and I turn to where I am straddling his lap.
I lean in close draping my arms around his neck, my lips almost touching his so that when I speak we are practically kissing. In a whispered breath I say, "Let me guess...you think you can take me out show me a good time, lay me, and I'll think it's love, and in return for your devotion I'll tell you anything you want to know about my family. Did I miss anything, Lucky?" Licking his bottom lip, I continue, teasing at his mouth, "Do you imagine you are the first guy to assume, getting in my pants will get you one over, because you're not the first and I doubt you'll be the last."
His hand moves up my back slowly, until he reaches my hair, with a fistful of my red locks he closes the short gap between our lips. His breath tastes of mint toothpaste. Our tongues collide, twisting, and probing one another. He breaks our kiss briefly. "Do you know that your smart mouth drives me wild?" Kiss. "But you are wrong, I may not be the first guy to want you, but I am damn sure going to be the last to have you. I always get what I want." Smooch.
Sliding back to my side of the car, I say, "I hope you are prepared to handle disappointment."
When we get to the club, I send the guys to get us a table and order us some drinks, while I take Rumor into the bathroom to fill her in on my plan for the night. "Look, there is something you should know, okay well two things. One Lucky is a Reject and two he and Trouble are friends."
"Ok, Baby. It isn't nice to call your date a reject." Rumor bursts out laughing, guess she had a little too much of that puff puff pass.
"No, you half baked potato! I mean HE is a Devils Reject."
"Oh-ohh," she sounds the word out slowly.
"Yeah, oh, now listen. Tonight I need your help. I want you to pump Trouble for information about how he and Lucky know each other without being obvious. Can you do that for me while I manage Lucky?"
"I bet you are going to
handle him." she waggles her eyebrows. I am going to have to get my sister stoned more often, she is a fucking riot.
I leave Rumor at the table sipping a drink hoping like hell she doesn't blow my plan to shit. Lucky leads me to the dance floor to be better acquainted or I guess I should say to rub up against me.
Calvin Harris is pounding in my ears. Lucky is pressed tight up against me, so much so that it feels like if he gets any closer we will be the same person. My skin is on fire with every touch. And when he kisses me, I swear the room spins and I lose my ability to think of anything but him dragging me to the car and having complete control over me. How is it that he makes me feel and I mean really feel like my body is humming? When I was with Rebel, it never felt anything quite like this.
We've been here nearly two hours and the only information I am getting out of Lucky is how attracted he is to me and that he isn't taking no for an answer. Rumor isn't getting much better information out of Trouble either, he says they grew up together end of story, but I still don't buy it. I am missing something...but what is the question. Rumor is trashed and on the verge of passing out. It’s time to take her home, I just hope she doesn't puke in the car.
**
After weeks of playing cat and mouse I finally gave in to Lucky, we have been secretly dating for a month now. That boy is playing a dangerous game with my heart. I had thought I loved Rebel but what I felt for him is nothing in comparison to the way I feel when Lucky is near me.
Rumor and Tread are openly dating with Grim's permission. I have to say a part of me is envious of them. I wish I could introduce Lucky and have him pick me up for our dates. Rumor has had a big helping hand in my schemes and excuses to get out of the house to see him.
Rumor
Things with Tread are going decent, I suppose. I pull into the parking lot at the local dairy drive-in to meet up with Aspen for lunch. We’ve become close lately. It feels good to have a real genuine friend. She really gets me. If anyone understands my not wanting to be part of the life, it’s her. Aspen and Striker have been dating for a long time, but her family doesn't approve of him at all. Then there is the fact that she is moving to Chicago this coming summer, she got an offer at an animal clinic that she can't refuse. Striker isn't happy about it, but he wants her to be happy. Tread told me that Striker and Aspen have an open relationship, so he doesn't see them lasting after she leaves. There is no way I could share my boyfriend with anyone else. I haven't ever asked Aspen about it. The thought makes me uncomfortable. I am not keen on discussing sex, unlike Aspen. She loves to talk about it all of the time. I swear she is a sex fiend.
What no one knows is that I am thinking of going with her to Chicago. Aspen helped me apply for some colleges and I was accepted. I can’t believe I was accepted. I never really wanted to go to college. I did great on my GED, but I never thought I would ever be intelligent enough for college. I am getting really excited about the possibility though.
"Hey, girl!" Aspen waves me over to the picnic table she has claimed us a spot at. I swear she is the best. She already has my chili cheese fries and a chocolate milkshake waiting on me.
I take my seat beside of her and dig in. "I swear they have the best shakes in the tristate area. I am going to miss these when we move."
"Wait...you’re coming with me?" Aspen squeals and squeezes my neck. "We are going to have so much fun. This is going to be great! Have you told Tread yet?" Her brow knits and I hadn't really thought of how he would feel. I mean we aren't serious or anything. I haven't told a soul, I am not sure how Grim and Sunshine will feel about it, but I think they will be happy I am finally doing something with my life.
"No." I blow my bangs out of my eyes. "I haven't even told Baby about it." When I say my sister's name Aspen rolls her eyes. Baby is not on her list of favorite people. She has a bit of a jealousy issue when it comes to Baby and Striker. She thinks that they have a thing. I have tried to inform her otherwise without giving away Baby's secret. My sister has been dating a Devils Reject and the consequences could be life altering if it were to get out. The only people that know about their relationship are Trouble and me.
Chapter 8
18 years old
Baby
Lucky and I broke up last week. I was right, he's just like the rest—thinking I will give up my family because he says that he loves me. Besides it was getting too grueling, always sneaking to be with him was becoming draining. I am pretty sure Grim was getting suspicious. How many times can I run out of shampoo or need to go buy tampons in a month without it being odd? He has been in a real shit mood ever since Sunshine lost the baby. She lost my little brother around the middle of her second trimester. Something to do with his heart. Her and Grim have been down ever since. Rumor and I try to cheer her up when we can, but there is only so much we can do.
My mother's friend—Rush has been getting pushy lately, trying to setup another meeting with me. I don't know what he wants from me. I almost told my father about him...almost. Another reason I broke things off with Lucky, he was asking me questions that made me think that he doesn't love me at all. That maybe he was ordered to date me, and patience is running out, because he wasn't getting the information he needs or wants from me.
Rumor thinks I am being paranoid and should give him a second chance. As if she is one to talk, she dumped Tread two months ago because she had the feeling he was fucking around on her on the road. But what was she expecting—she isn't giving him any? The man is going to go where he can get a taste. I know her situation is different with her past but at some point, if she wants to hold a man, she is going to have to work through it. Not that she really wants a patched man anyways. Rumor is heading off to college in the fall. She has been accepted to a University in Illinois. I wish I could go with her, but Grim and Sunshine think it's best that I do my first year at the local community college. They don't trust me, and I don't have the smarts that my sister does for her fancy pants school. I haven't been the best student. I am lucky to be graduating at all next month. I can't wait for graduation. I will be a legal beagle, ready to mingle. I am already eighteen but until I am officially out of high school, I am stuck under Grim's thumb. There won't be a damn thing Grim can do about it then. I smirk to myself, relishing in the thought of being able to say when and where without my old man's permission.
Things with Rumor and I have been going decent. We have grown a lot closer since we both left Rebel alone. Don't get me wrong, we are both still friends with him, but things between me and him will never be what they used to be. Rebel has been fucking some whore from the Fox's Den, her name is Amanda, but the brother's call her Diamond. Whatever and the fuck for I have no idea, but Striker says it is because she bedazzles her vagina. Who has time for that, I mean shit, wax that motherfucker and go on, ain't nobody got time to be making it all sparkly and shit. Anyways Rumor and I get a good laugh out of it, but I suspect it bothers her more than she lets on. I think she is afraid I will be mad at her if she admits to me that she still cares for Rebel. I thought about trying to talk to her about it. I really am over that. It was puppy love. I guess in my mind I had built up this fantasy of the life I thought Rebel and I would share, but reality wasn't anywhere close to living up to the dream.
However, tonight I don’t care about any of that heavy stuff. I am going to my senior prom. Trouble is going to be my date. He is the only guy Grim would approve of my going with and he is my best friend.
**
"You look beautiful, Baby." Sunshine snaps a picture of Trouble and me, as we get ready to go to the dance. I do a twirl for her and Rumor showing off my pink dress. It is strapless with a heart shaped bustline and it is A-line resting above my knees. This shade of pink compliments my skin tone and red hair perfectly. This dress was made for me, hugging my curves in all the right places. I wish Lucky could see me. I almost sent him a picture. But that asshole doesn't deserve to see how fuckable I look.
Walking out onto the front porch, Grim and some of the br
others—including Rebel are watching us leave. That's right Rebel this could have been yours...eat your heart out. Striker waves at me as we pull away. Trouble looks so handsome in his tux, I know he is going to get a lot of shit for it, but he says it is worth it just to see me smile. He really is the bestest friend a girl could ask for. He even got a haircut and shaved his beard for tonight. Trouble is allowed to be my date because he is only nineteen—had he been twenty I would be SOL—shit out of luck. Always the perfect gentleman he opens the door to his Trans Am for me. He wanted to ride his Harley, but not in this dress and these heels. Besides, I spent way too much time on my hair to fuck it up.
We decided to skip dinner; I'd rather smoke a little smoke and drink a little drink before we get there anyways. Trouble stops off at the carryout to grab us some beer and some Zigzags. The carryout is owned by Foxie's dad, so we don't have to worry about being legal to buy alcohol. My phone beeps with a message from Lucky.
Lucky- You look beautiful tonight.
Baby- How would you know?
"Because I am standing right here." Lucky is standing next to the car with Trouble wearing a tuxedo. What in the hell is he doing?
"I'd like to take you to prom, if you'd have me." Trouble is grinning at being able to put one over on me. "So what do you say, can I take you to prom, Baby?" He flashes his wicked smile at me, knowing I can't say no, no matter how pissed I am. I mean look at him. His shaggy dark blond hair is slicked back, his blue eyes shimmering with hope, so full of promise. His eyes call to me, they draw me in, and I get so lost in him. When we are together nothing else exists, it is only him and me.
"What about Trouble, he's all dressed up and nowhere to go?" I ask feeling guilty for thinking about ditching him after he went through all this inconvenience for me.
"I have plans, Baby. Don't worry about me. I just want you to go and have the night of your life." My best friend gives me his blessing and his word, so Lucky and I leave Trouble at the carryout and he escorts me to my senior prom.
Just Ride Black Rebel Riders' MC Volume 1 Page 27