by Bijou Hunter
“That’s not a good enough reason to forgive,” I say, stepping back as if the laundromat’s door will provide me freedom from this awkward moment. “Besides, I already forgave you.”
“But you can’t go out with me because of Longdong?”
“That sounds right.”
“Does he kiss you sweet?” Camden asks in a dark voice, challenging my imaginary guy and me.
“No. He has spout breath and a dry mouth, but I still like him.”
Camden grins. “You want to tell me yes.”
“I’m a girl. We’re vaginally programmed to say yes to guys like you. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“I’ll pick you up later.”
Shocked by his persistence, I blurt out another lie. “My sister is picking me up.”
“Ruby or Harmony?”
“Whichever one will scare you off.”
Camden stretches like a bear playing with its terrified prey. I spot his belly button when his shirt rides up. I don’t know why that image makes my vagina hum with curiosity, but I force my gaze away.
“Here’s a twenty for the gas I took,” he says, plopping the bill in my hand. “I’ll see you after work.”
“I won’t be here waiting for you.”
Camden takes a big step and pins me to the door of the laundromat. He stares intensely into my eyes, making me hold my breath.
“I don’t want to siphon your gas every morning until you relent. Just do what I say and save us both the trouble of going through this ruse.”
Swallowing hard, I muster up a bit more courage, but I feel it running low. “I’d call you a stalker, but I sense you’d take that as a compliment.”
“I get what I want.”
“Why do you want me now? It’s been two months.”
“I tried waiting for you to come back to me, but my patience ran out. I’ll see you after work.”
His body heat infects me, and I want a shower to wash away the uncomfortable desires racing through my every nerve. Rather than reveal my intense attraction - nay, horniness - I shrug.
“You can do whatever you want, Camden Cheesestick Rutgers, but I promise nothing in return.”
“That’s not my middle name.”
“No, not the one your mom gave you.”
Camden leans down to kiss me, but I turn my head, and his luscious lips land on my cheek. Warm, moist, and without a hint of spout-scent, the momentary affection awakens a part of me dead since Hannah’s party. I allow my gaze to meet his when he steps back.
“Thanks for the ride,” I say for the hundredth time. “See you around.”
Before Camden can make more promises or aim more kisses, I open the door to the laundromat and hide inside. He doesn’t leave immediately. In fact, I shove my salad lunch in the office fridge and return to the front counter before hearing his Harley. As much as I want to watch Camden ride away, I refuse to indulge my obsession with the addictive asshole.
Three - Camden
Hickory Creek Township is my playground, and I never plan to leave. People recognize me when I ride my red Harley named Shasta down the small Tennessee town’s streets. I know most of them too.
Even if I don’t know their names, I have a gist of their stories and whether they’re threats, allies, or nobodies. As the son of the Serrated Brotherhood MC’s president Adam “Mojo” Rutgers, my future requires knowing everyone and everything. One day, I’ll run Hickory Creek Township. While my twin Dayton might help, I can never be sure with how his cock controls his self-control.
My mother, Clara Hallstead, lives in a massive two-story house on a big green piece of land my father bought her as part of their divorce settlement decades earlier. These days, Mom lives with her new husband, Erik, and my half brother, Hudson. When I pull up to the house, Medicine by Tab Benoit blares full blast from the open windows.
Parking Shasta next to Dayton’s unnamed Harley, I walk up the porch and into the house where Yipper awaits. Mom’s older Pomeranian barks wildly at me even after I pick him up. The dog loves to fucking bark. I’ve even seen him do it in his sleep.
“Your father is a son of a bitch,” Clara announces as I walk into the two-story family room. “I hid that from you boys when you were kids, but you’re old enough to hear it now.”
“You’ve been saying that for a long time.”
“Well you’ve been old enough for the truth for a long time,” she says, giving me a wink.
Mom was quite the sexy biker bitch back in the day. I’ve seen pictures of her with wild blonde hair, short shorts, and blue shadow matching her eyes. Dad claims she was a virgin slut when they met. Of course, I always remind him how I never want to imagine my mother naked EVER. Mojo always laughs and talks more about her hot curves.
“People fuck, Camden. Don’t be a stuck-up bitch about it,” Mojo likes to say.
Clara remains a looker. Though she’s more Hallstead upstanding than Rutgers wild since leaving my father for behaving as the aforementioned son of a bitch.
“What did he do now?” I ask, letting Yipper go so he can run to where my blond, buzz cut sporting brother Hudson stands on the back porch.
“He wants to buy the De Campo’s Pizza Shop.”
“So?”
“And turn it into a strip bar.”
“So?” Dayton asks, from the couch where he rests with an arm over his face.
I glance down at my twin brother and find him nursing a hangover. Taking out my phone, I set a loud alarm to go off next to his face.
“You’re a dickhead,” he growls.
“Why you so angry, bro?” I ask innocently.
Dayton grins and hides behind his arm again. He eventually turns over so his shoulder-length blond hair covers his face.
“Will you talk to him?” Clara asks, tugging me to the kitchen. “I made you pie.”
“He won’t listen to me.”
“Bullshit,” Clara mutters. “You just want another titty bar around here.”
“Never for myself. I’m only looking out for those talentless hot women who need jobs. Don’t forget about their plight.”
Clara gives me a dark look, but I only smile. Not getting her way, she removes the pie from the kitchen island.
“Don’t be that way,” I say, glancing at the pie over her shoulder. “Is it apple?”
“No, it’s cranberry. Go away.”
“Fine,” I sigh. “I’ll talk to him, but I promise no particular result.”
Returning the pie to the island, Mom gives me a winning smile. “That’s a good boy.”
I take out a plate and cut myself a piece. Mom tops it with so much whipped cream I can barely see the actual pastry. She knows just how I like it.
“Do you remember Daisy Crest?” I ask.
“Her father is the ambulance chaser, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Her mom, Mustang Sally, used to run in the same party circles as I did years ago. With the way she drinks like a fish, it’s no wonder she loves living at Lush Gardens or named her kids after liquor.”
“What do you think of Daisy, though?”
Dayton sits up on the couch and then grimaces at the bright sun. “Are you chasing the Chubby Cock Tease again?”
Clara sighs. “You boys are so cruel. I blame your father.”
Dayton gives me a smile. “You can’t start a rumor about a chick and still think she’ll want to bang you.”
“I do the banging, idiot, and I only started the cock tease thing.”
“She was a little chubby.”
“No, she was curvy,” I growl, ready to punch his handsome face. “I don’t like skinny chicks with all their bones jutting out everywhere.”
“I’m a skinny chick,” Clara says, hands on her hips.
I stare at my mother for nearly a minute before shrugging. “There is no response I can give that won’t make me look like an ass.”
“No, probably not, Cam.”
Dayton leans back on the couch. “Harmony say
s Daisy hates you.”
“What else does Harmony say?”
“She believes in Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster.”
“She sounds lovely,” Clara announces. “Who is Harmony?”
“Daisy’s sister.”
“You know,” Clara murmurs in a conspiratorial tone, “Sally has no luck with marriage, and none of her girls got married even the two with kids. They’re a fertile stock, though. I wouldn’t mind having grandkids before I’m too old to deal with the noise.”
“Daisy hates him!” Dayton yells, making sure we don’t forget his earlier declaration.
“She’s angry, but no way does she hate me. Besides, you chase Harmony around, and she’s injured you on several occasions.”
“She’s feisty,” Dayton says and then laughs. “She thinks dinosaurs still roam the earth.”
Clara gives me an odd look before going to the fridge to pour a glass of milk to go with my pie.
“Why are you interested in Daisy out of all the girls who don’t hate you?” she asks.
“Daisy doesn’t hate me.”
“Why her, baby?”
“I don’t know,” I mumble, shrugging. “I saw her around and thought she was hot. Then she pulled her cock tease move, and I got pissed.”
“You handled that great too, bud!” Dayton yells.
“Shut the fuck up!” I yell back.
“No fighting in the house,” Clara announces. “Your brother is doing his schoolwork.”
I look at where sixteen-year-old Hudson stares out into the backyard while two Pomeranians sit at his feet.
“He’s not doing anything.”
“He’s contemplating life,” Clara says without a hint of humor. “He’s becoming one with his surroundings.”
Dayton sits up enough to share a look with me over the back of the couch. After a mutual eye roll, my brother hides his face again.
“Does Hudson do actual math or reading?”
“Sure, but that was earlier. Now he’s meditating. Later, he’ll have shooting practice with his dad,” Clara says, walking to the living room where she curls up in a chair. “Don’t be jealous your father wouldn’t let me homeschool you two.”
“I liked school,” Dayton says.
“If homeschooling involves meditating, I’m okay with skipping that,” I add.
“Send the Daisy girl flowers,” Clara says from the living room. “If she’s angry, flowers will soften her up.”
Dayton snorts his amusement. “I’ll ask Harmony what flowers Daisy likes. Betcha they ain’t daisies.”
“After you do something sweet for your crush,” Clara says, “talk to your father about the pizza shop. Mickey doesn’t want to sell, but the Brotherhood is strong-arming him.”
Hudson enters the room and looks us over. The kid is getting big, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up hitting over six-four.
“Extortion is the legal term for what they do,” Hudson says.
“Look at the lawman over here,” Dayton mumbles and rolls off the couch. “Mom, I’m crashing in the guest room.”
“Rest for a few hours. When you get up, I’ll make you a sandwich.”
I roll my eyes at a grinning Dayton. He loves our mother’s babying. While I like her babying me too, I’m subtle about it.
Hudson joins me at the kitchen island. “Why did you call the girl you like a cock tease?”
“Because she acted like one.”
“Didn’t you know she’d be upset if you called her that?” Shrugging at his question, I hate when Hudson turns inquisitor. He studies me, and I know he isn’t finished with the questions. “Did you not care if she was upset?”
“I cared, but I was pissed.”
“Now she’s pissed.”
“Yeah, but she’ll get over it like I did.”
“How long were you pissed?”
“A few weeks,” I say, taking my dish to the sink and washing it.
“Why did it take you so long to stop being pissed?”
“I wasn’t pissed all that time.”
“So why do you want to buy her flowers now?”
“I’m done waiting for her to chase me.”
“So she needs to stop being pissed because you’re impatient?”
“Are you planning to be a lawyer?” I ask, crossing my arms and frowning down at him.
“No, but I like rules and logic.”
“The heart ain’t about logic, Hud. My heart got stomped on when she blew me off, and I overreacted. Now my heart is ready to give shit another try.”
“What about her heart?”
I recall how angry Daisy was today and figure she’s still sore about my tantrum. She let me kiss her cheek when we arrived at her work, so I decide to take that as a good sign.
“I’ll fix things,” I finally say.
Hudson watches me with his dark eyes, and I watch him with mine. I don’t know how he beats me in this staring contest, but I suspect it’s only because he has nowhere to go while I have errands to run. Giving up, I walk past him and into the living room where Clara brushes Pip.
“I’ll talk to Mojo,” I tell her. “Thanks for the pie.”
“Get the girl one of those mixed flower bouquets. Roses are too obvious, and daisies will likely make her mad. The mixed ones show you think outside the box.”
“Or my mom does.”
Clara Hallstead Rutgers Patrick gives me a big smile. “If you want this girl, you’ll get this girl. Just don’t give up. I made your father work for it, and that made him a better man. This girl can do the same for you,” she says and then adds, “Or at least, you’ll have fun during the chase.”
Leaving behind my mom and siblings, I return to the roads of Hickory Creek Township. Dad wants me to show up at several sites and look scary. I also need to talk to him about the pizza shop and pick up flowers for Daisy.
First, though, I plan to find out if her dry mouth mystery man is the real deal. If he poses a threat to my second chance with Daisy, I’ll need to pick up a shovel and pay the guy a visit.
Four - Daisy
An hour passes between when Camden drops me off at work and my cell ringing. I’m technically supposed to avoid talking on the phone at work, but my manager is too busy on her phone to notice. I slip away to the dryers and answer the call from Ruby.
“Why were you riding Camden Rutgers’s Harley?” she asks rather than saying hello.
“How did you know it was Camden? Could have been Dayton.”
“No, Lydia said she saw you riding Shasta, and everyone knows that’s Camden’s Harley. So fess up.”
Despite my exasperated sigh, I’m relieved to have someone to talk to about Camden. “He siphoned the gas from my car, and I ended up walking to the bus stop where he showed up and offered me a ride.”
“Why would you say yes?”
“I didn’t until he threatened to pick me up and force me.”
“Did you consider using your pepper spray?” Ruby asks, and I sense she’s ready to laugh
“No. Can you even imagine if I used it on Camden? I wonder if he’d kick my ass or pay someone to.”
“Probably pay someone. I doubt he hits women.”
“True.”
“So you’re okay?”
“Yeah, how did you find out from Lydia?”
“When she saw you pass by the liquor store she’s working at now, she called Mom, who called Harmony and me to see if we knew what was going on.”
“Well, now you do.”
“What’s his deal?”
I shrug even though Ruby can’t see me. “He wanted to apologize for that night and calling me a cock tease.”
“What about calling you chubby?”
“He claims Brittany Sams added that part.”
“Seems likely. She hates Harmony for being prettier or smelling better. Something ridiculously childish from high school.” I remain silent and can actually feel my sister thinking. “So what now?”
“I don’t know
.”
“Camden didn’t go through all that trouble just to apologize.”
“He wants to pick me up after work and go out to talk.”
Ruby snorts and says in her throaty voice, “Yeah, talk.”
“I want to ditch him, but he’ll just chase me. Maybe it’s better if I go out with him and be a super dull dorky loser so he’ll ditch me.”
“That has the makings of a solid plan, but I worry.”
“About what?”
“He’s a handsome guy, and he clearly has powers over your common sense.”
“I only made out with him at Hannah’s party because I was drunk.”
“Sure, sure, kitten.”
Rolling my eyes at her condescending tone, I ask, “Do you want to come on the date and babysit me, big sis?”
“That’s not a bad idea. Harmony and I could bring the kids and sit nearby to provide you with an exit strategy.”
“What if he wants to go somewhere that isn’t family friendly?”
“We’ll leave the kids with Mom.”
I don’t know.”
“You’re afraid we’ll make fun of your dating moves, right?”
“Totally.”
Ruby makes a weird sound, and I think she wants to laugh. “Crap. I need to get off the phone in a minute. Look, I know you’re nervous, but think about how things went last time with Camden. You freaked and made a run for it. Doesn’t it make sense to have someone around to give you a ride like at Hannah’s party?”
“I guess, but promise you won’t embarrass me. And no heckling.”
“We’ll do our best.”
Even glad to have the backup, I’m more than a bit bothered I’ll act dumber in front of Camden if I have an audience.
“Fine. I’ll text you once he shows up after work and tells me where he wants to go. You know, assuming he actually shows up. If not, you need to pick me up.”
“Done and done. I need to go.”
Ruby hangs up before her boss catches her on her cell. I don’t have to worry since my manager is outside arguing with someone on the phone. The laundromat is empty except for one regular, who spends most of his day watching the overhead TV. I suspect Barney has several safe, air conditioned places to spend his days. He shows up here on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I smile at him and then go about doing busy work, so I look, you know, busy.