“I just want to sit here like this for a little bit,” she tells me.
“You’ve only got a towel on baby, I don’t want you getting cold, maybe you should get dressed first.”
“Just hold me Country and I’ll be warm enough, I promise, please.” So, I wrap my arms around her and close my eyes and take in the moment.
I must’ve fallen asleep with her nestled in my arms because I’m awakened by someone tapping their foot against mine. I open my eyes and see Gunner standing over us, “Hey man, must’ve fallen asleep, what’s up?”
“Pops need to see us, man.”
“Hang on and I’ll wake her up,” I tell him as I begin to move.
“Just us Country, lay her in bed and let her sleep. Cam’s passed out in our room too, I left her a note letting her know what’s going on and to come in here with Charlee once she wakes up.”
“Need you to get out of here, man.”
“Care to explain exactly why it is my sister is in nothing but a towel and straddling you?”
“Gunner!” Charlee calls out to him, “let it go already dammit, I’m a big girl who doesn’t need her big brother opening his mouth and inserting his foot. I’ve got this, we’ve done nothing wrong. I took a bath and needed to feel his arms around me, get over yourself and the whole I am Tarzan act you have going on.”
“You’re a cranky little shit when you wake up, and fyi, I’m always going to be your big brother and I’m always going to insert myself into your life…get used to it,” he says as he turns away from us and walks out the door.
“I could’ve handled him baby,” I tell her when I see how upset she looks.
“I know you could’ve Country, but I needed to let him know in no uncertain terms that this is our relationship and he has no room in it with us. I love my big brother, I really do, but he has his own problems he needs to worry about. I love you too much to step aside and not stand beside you when there’s something I can do.”
“I love you too, but remember baby, I’m a big boy and can take care of myself. Gunner will never respect me or us if I’m not the one speaking up to him.”
“I get it, now give me a kiss so you can go to this meeting with Pops.” I give her a kiss and help her lay in bed, I cover her up and go to the bathroom to take care of business. I check on her one more time before I leave the room and notice she’s fast asleep. I head out in the hallway and Gunner is leaning against the wall waiting for me.
“How is she?” he asks me.
“She’s good man, a little on edge but she’s strong and she’ll get over this and move on.”
“She is strong, how are you holding up?”
“Not as good as she is that’s for sure, I just want to wrap her up in bubble wrap and keep her glued to my side. I can’t fathom anything ever hurting her again man…I would kill anyone in my way if something like this ever happens again.”
“You really love her, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I really do.”
“Good, don’t fuck it up,” he says and just like that the conversation is over and we head through this maze of a house to find Pops.
We finally locate Pops and Ma, once we made our way to the foyer, we were then escorted by the butler to the grandfather’s room. I still haven’t learned this man’s name and honestly could care less what it is. In my eyes, he’s the reason for this shit storm and could care less what he has to say. But I will honor my President and Gunner and will respectfully listen to whatever it is that needs to be said. Ma sees us and runs up to Gunner and myself and envelopes us both into a hug, it’s so good to have the feeling of motherly arms wrapped around me, she’s not my mom, but she makes it feel like everything’s going to be okay.
“Country, how’s my girl?” Ma asks me. I can see she would rather be with her than in here with us, and who could blame her? This man is the reason she was forced into hiding so long ago, giving up her family for a life with Pops.
“She’s good Ma, sleeping right now.”
“Good, that’s good, she needs her rest. I’ll go visit with her once we’re done here.” I want to tell her no, that Charlee needs sleep and that I want her all to myself for a while, but even I can’t be that selfish.
“Sounds good Ma.” She smiles at me with a knowing look.
“Don’t worry Country, I won’t visit for long, I can tell you’re not quite ready to share her with the world.” She winks at me and moves over to be at Pops’ side. This is where my Charlee girl gets it all from, her heart, loyalty and devotion. I can’t wait to see how she matures and grows as the years come.
“Let’s get this started and over with,” Gunner pipes in, I have a feeling he’s not interested in getting to know his paternal grandfather on any level of the spectrum.
“Sit down and show some damn respect,” Pops tells him, “we raised you better than this.”
“I beg to differ,” Gunner says, “you taught me to never cower down and always stand up for what I believe in. I firmly believe this man is the reason for my life and hell, all of our lives to be turned upside down. I have no respect for that, Pops, and I’m sorry if that upsets you or offends you.” The old man begins to laugh but it stops quickly with a coughing fit. An older version of Charlee comes rushing into the room, now I know where Charlee gets her looks from, this woman who’s in her seventies at least is a vision of beauty. Someone who even at my age, men stop to admire.
“Amos, you must calm yourself down,” she says, and I swear I hear an Irish brogue in her voice when she speaks.
“I’m fine Claudia dear,” he says as his coughing subsides. “Our grandson reminds me so much of our boy, he’s just like his father,” he says to her with admiration for either Gunner or Pops, for which one I can’t tell. She looks over at Pops and opens up her arms, he goes into her arms like a little boy needing to feel the warm embrace of his mother. It’s a side of him I’ve never seen, not even with Ma. I look over to take in Ma’s reaction, she’s smiling happily for her man, even after all they’ve put her through she is still happy for his reunion with his family, who you can tell he’s missed deeply.
“Pops,” I call out to him, “I don’t want to seem rude or cut this short, but I’ve got a girl that’s been through hell and back and I’d really like to get back to her as soon as possible.” He smiles at me and then tells us to have a seat. I can tell several chairs have been brought in for this meeting, I walk over and take the chair next to Gunner. I want to be here to show solidarity for my friend and also be able to grab him should his anger rear its ugly head. I can tell he’s barely got a grasp on now, I can’t say I’d be that strong if I were in his shoes. The only worry I have is Charlee, he’s got this new family, Cameron and the MC.
“Keep your mouth shut until I finish what I have to say boys, then you can jump in with questions and objections,” he tells us, we both agree, and he continues on. “You boys know how this whole thing began and what sent Ma and I running, but what you don’t have is the filling information Luca so kindly left out. There is always a middle part to a story, fellas, remember this so you always look for it before making rash decisions.” I keep looking at him, respecting the fact that he didn’t want any interruptions. He gives us a skeptical look but continues on with what he has to say. “Long before I met Ma, I was engaged to another woman, I wasn’t in love with her, but she’s what was expected of me. It was an agreement between the two families that we would marry and unite the two families for power. Together we would be a force to be reckoned with, unstoppable and that is something needed in the lifestyle we live.”
“Lived Pops, lived because your life is at home with us and the MC.” Gunner just couldn’t help himself, and earns a scowl from Pops.
“You gonna shut up and let me tell this or not boy?” he scolds Gunner.
“Continue Pops,” he says as if Pops needs his permission. This time it’s Ma who gives Gun a shut up and listen look. Gunner squirms in his seat, but shuts up and waves his hand telling
Pop to proceed.
“Jesus Gunner, you need to learn to follow orders, you’ve always been rash and jump the gun, you need to get over it already.” Tension is running high through Pops, I see Ma squeeze his shoulder in support. “As I was saying, in this life union is key to survival, there was a war brewing within our ranks for control, this union solidified our families and would keep us safe. You have to understand, before Ma, this family was everything to me, but the second I laid eyes on her, I knew she was meant to be mine. I tried to force the feelings to the side, but they grew with every day that I was with her. It got to the point that I couldn’t see my life without her in it, by my side, not just as a lover but as my future. I got into arguments with my father over ending my engagement, to show him how serious I was once he made Ma leave the family home, I moved in with her. In my mind, I thought that if he saw how much I loved her he would stand behind me and help me end that scam of an engagement. Unbeknownst to me at the time, father did try to end the relationship, the other family took it as a sign of disrespect and betrayal. They threatened my mother and brother, of course I didn’t know that, I was only thinking of myself and not the impact my decisions would have on the family. When we found out Ma was pregnant, we felt we had no other options than to run and change our identities. My brother ended up married to Caralynn, and I never knew until today the sacrifices he made for me and your Ma,” he says looking at Gunner, begging him to understand. “I chose myself, you and Ma over the welfare of our family, I don’t regret my decision, but I do regret the impact it’s had on everyone else.”
“It all sorted itself out brother, it wasn’t easy, but I learned to care deeply for Caralynn,” Luca tells him.
“I never wanted to take your father away from his true love,” Amos says grabbing his wife’s hand, “I know how it feels to deeply love another. I tried to fight for them, it’s why I let them leave so easily, I pulled my guards back once the call came in informing me of their departure. I knew if he was gone, I would stand a better chance at fighting for him—for them. As time went on, Salazar agreed to allow his daughter to marry Luca. Luca took a lot on for our family, and he’s made the best of the situation. Now that Caralynn has passed away, there is another uproar and I won’t be around to fix it this time. Your father and mother need to come home and take their place at the head of this family to keep the peace. I can’t die knowing that this family will fall at the hands of those who want to destroy it. My dying wish is for the family to reunite, and live long and prosperous lives.” Pops leans over and places a kiss on his father’s cheek, he has a tear leaking down one side. It’s hard to watch this tough man breaking down at the loss of his father’s life.
“This is why I needed to see the two of you,” Pops says, “I need you guys to go home and take care of the MC while Ma and I stay here and take our roles on as head of the family.” Say what now? He’s staying here and leaving us behind!
“Pops,” Gunner begins but is cut off.
“This is important Gunner, I’m passing the club on to you. You need to stand up and take charge now, I will always be here to be an adviser to you should you need one, but it’s time for me to come home now and take on my responsibilities. We’re not leaving your life Gun, we’re just moving locations. We love you son, you will never get rid of us regardless of time and place. As for the house and Ma’s car, we’d like to give those to Charlee and Country if you have no objections Gunner.”
“No Pops, of course Charlee should have the house, I just don’t want to worry about you two,” he says. Then, pointing at them, “Are we safe to go home?”
“The announcement has already gone out through the proper channels letting the other families know Julius is home and now head of the organization,” Luca informs us. “Things will be safe for you and your sister now Gunner, if there should be a problem that arises we will come and protect you to keep you safe and unharmed.”
“We don’t need you to come protect us Uncle, we have an entire MC standing behind us.”
“Numbers are of much importance during those times Gunner, we will show family solidarity and let everyone know our prince and princess are not to be messed with.” Gunner sighs and runs his hands down his face.
“Understood Uncle,” I must have a shocked expression on my face because Gunner looks over to me and burst out laughing. “Even I know when to step back and accept defeat on certain things Country.”
“Uh-huh, sure you do,” I say which causes the entire room to break out in hysterics.
I wake up with someone lying next to me and combing their fingers through my hair, I know instantly that it isn’t Country, I turn over in bed and see Ma smiling down at me. She’s leaned up on one of her hands as the other combs itself through my hair like she used to do when I was a little girl and had a bad day.
“We will be parting ways again here soon, my girl.”
“What do you mean Ma?” I ask with tears in my eyes, I’m not ready to say goodbye to her just yet, I just got her back after a year. She begins talking and telling me about the latest news in our family. I understand when she finishes why they have to stay, but the little girl in me wants to stomp her feet and scream about how unfair this is. We hold each other as we both cry out in grief at our future without a daily dose of seeing each other. I hear the door open and I turn and see as Pops, Gunner, Cameron and Country are standing in the doorway. Luckily, I woke up earlier and changed into real clothes so I’m not exposing myself to everyone in the room.
“We’re going to have a family dinner tonight, and tomorrow you and your brother are heading for home,” Pops informs me, and I sprint out of the bed and run for my father, engulfing him in a hug.
Dinner was both comforting and saddening at the same time, I take comfort in knowing that I will get to speak to my parents as much as I want and will see them in the future months to come. The next morning when we say our goodbyes, there are a lot of tears shed, but we leave knowing that everything will be okay.
It’s my seventeenth birthday today, things are strenuous on Ma and Pops and they can’t make it home to celebrate with us. Country says he has something special planned for us, and I can’t wait to find out what it is. We’ve become inseparable as the months have passed us by, we turned my bedroom into our room and Cameron has taken over Gunner’s room as her own. According to Cam, she and Gunner are taking things slow and waiting for her to graduate before they decide if they should move forward in their relationship. Jamie hasn’t taken the breakup well, he’s turned stalking into a whole ‘nother word with his tendencies. Gunner and Country taught him a lesson when he showed up at our school and tried to drag Cameron away. We haven’t seen or heard from him since, but I have a feeling he’s still around waiting for his opportunity to snag her and run off with her. She has her own security detail now, and I’m forever grateful to my brother and the guys for taking her safety seriously.
Cam and I are in my room trying to find the perfect outfit for tonight’s date.
“Is he taking you out on the bike or are y’all taking your car?” she asks me as she rummages through the closet.
“We’re taking the bike.”
“So you need jeans and your boots for sure, we just need to find a top that is cute but appropriate for the bike.”
“Sure nuff,” I tell her as I’m going through my makeup, I don’t wear a lot of it, but I want to look sexy tonight for my man.
“What about this one?” she asks pulling out a lightweight, long-sleeved top. It’s baby blue and was a late Christmas present from the folks. A couple of weeks after we returned home, we had packages delivered to us, the letter said, ‘better late than never, love Ma and Pops.’
“Yes, I love that and it’s perfect for night riding on the back of the bike.”
“Not to mention it makes your eyes pop,” she says to me and winks.
“What do you think I should do with my hair and makeup?”
“You should braid your hair, so it doesn’t
get messed up on the way to wherever he’s taking you, and it still looks nice.”
“It’s gotten so long it’s hard for me to braid,” I tell her as I take my hair and scoop it over my left shoulder.
“Here, scoot over and let me do it for you, do you want a French braid or a regular braid?”
“French if you feel up to it,” I tell her.
“I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to do it for you silly,” she says laughing like I said the craziest thing or some shit. “You know, seventeen is the consenting age in the state of Texas.”
“Yep, I know what brought that on?”
“Just making sure you know you can make the most of your birthday, I know you’ve told me y’all have done other things, but tonight Charlee, Country can finally pop that cherry.”
“Okay, gross I don’t want to talk about my cherry being popped with you.”
Charlee's Choices: DreamCatchers MC Page 15