by Bijou Hunter
“Your mother has a different view of success.”
“Your versions of success might be different, but you’re both happy. I’d say that puts you on equal footing.”
“I want you to be careful with this man. You know what his family does.”
“Shouldn’t you want me to date a rich guy from a wealthy family? He comes from the Hallsteads, and that makes him royalty in this part of the state.”
“He takes after his father.”
“Physically yes but he’s a Hallstead up here,” I say, tapping my head. “You don’t know him, so maybe we should stop chatting up his pros and cons.”
Ollie might look like a hobo and have the breath of one too, but he’s a decent lawyer and wins a lot. Maybe this is why he thinks he can bitch his way into winning this argument with me.
“I thought Sally didn’t like bikers.”
“I never heard that. It could be true. I do know how she feels about lawyers.”
“Funny, Daisy.”
Grinning, I finish my drink. “I appreciate you getting me this job lead. I’ll call him on Monday.”
“You should be working at somewhere better than a tanning salon.”
“Don’t forget it’s a laundromat too.”
My dad grudgingly smiles. “You’re a smart young woman. I still think you would have aced college.”
“Probably but I didn’t want the debt.”
“I hate thinking of you settling when you don’t have to.”
“How can you say I’m settling? I’m trying to get that job in downtown Nashville. Oh, and I’m dating a rich, hot man with powerful connections. If anything, I might be aiming too high in life.”
Dad stands up, signaling our monthly lunch is over. “It’s like talking to your mother. You’re always right. You never back down. There’s no reason to discuss things.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad,” I say, grinning as I throw out my trash. “I forget how sensitive you can be.”
My father is an old school man. Even too affectionate. Always protects his ego. He’s not tough but likes to pretend he could hold his own in a fight. It’s how he was raised. No feelings, all action. Except once he bawled his eyes out, and Sally can’t stop telling people the story.
“His entire face was covered with snot!” she always cries in her accented voice. “And he wanted me to hug him. I’ll let children wipe snot on me but not a grown man. Can you imagine?”
I suspect every day of his life since then Ollie wishes he hadn’t shown such weakness around a woman he planned to railroad in the divorce hearings. Sally might have gotten screwed with alimony and child support, but she sure made certain everyone in Hickory Creek Township knew her ex-husband wailed like a colicky baby on a windy Saturday evening. Not only did everyone know, but they never let him forget it either.
No wonder Ollie hates Hickory Creek.
Twenty Eight - Camden
Dayton blows me off once again. If I were the insecure type, his bullshit would hurt my feelings. He claims something came up, but I learn through the grapevine he’s showing JJ around town. Why my brother hid this information from me is obvious. I view JJ as a threat to our claim on the club and Hickory Creek while Dayton wants a new buddy to chase tail with.
In the past when I got pissed, I’d look for a fight or a quick fuck. They provided temporary relief to temporary problems. Now I need the kind of soothing only Daisy’s presence offers.
Waiting for her to get home from a job interview, I can’t believe she still watches TV on an old CRT set. I need to upgrade a few things at her trailer, but I think the best bet is to have her move into my place where everything is new. I don’t know how Daisy would feel about moving, but I figure it won’t hurt to ask.
Daisy texts me to say she’ll be late because of traffic. Until she arrives, I watch TV on an old set with the cats surrounding me on the couch. One of the boys is curled up on my lap. I can’t keep the cats’ names straight. I know Seoul is the mom because I think of her being the “soul” of the family. No way could I pick her out of a cat lineup, though. They’re all black and white. One has a little orange on its face, but that doesn’t help me.
When I pet the cat on my lap, he purrs because cats don’t give a shit about their names. Dogs are cooler, but there’s something to be said for a cat’s indifference.
An hour later, Daisy arrives in a rage. I hear her complaining before the door is open.
“People drive for crap,” she announces.
Nudging the cat off my lap, I walk to her and kiss away the frown on her face. “Who did you wrong, Bourbon Babe?”
Her eyes lose their anger, brightening for me. “No one. I just can’t stand going downtown and dealing with bad drivers. Everyone knows the lane is about to end, but there’s always someone who wants to cut in line.”
“Assholes. You should get their plates so I can hunt them down and teach them a lesson.”
“Funny,” she says, kicking off her boots.
Daisy isn’t wearing her usual fishnets and shorts. She’s gone working girl with an ugly blue pants suit. I reach down and pull up the bottom of her slacks to find mismatched printed socks underneath
“Knew it,” I say.
“I couldn’t find any professional looking socks at the Goodwill.”
“I’d have given you money, so you didn’t need to buy this thing,” I mutter, pulling at the top.
“I don’t want your money, and it wouldn’t matter anyhow. The interview was a bust.”
“What happened?” I ask, following her into the bedroom where she strips.
“The guy who interviewed me was a butt nugget. He knew I didn’t have any experience when he agreed to meet me,” she grumbles, yanking free of the thick blue top. “So I get there, and he says they’re looking for someone with a four-year degree and at least two years experience. I’m like, ‘Are you frigging kidding? You want all that for a 24,000 a year job?’ When he acted impressed by his law firm’s reputation, I just rolled my eyes. At that point, I figured I wasn’t getting the job, so I didn’t need to be polite anymore.”
Daisy tugs free from her bulky pants and continues complaining, “I mean who the fudge gives a fart about the firm’s reputation when it comes to a translating job. I’d get it if I were a new lawyer wanting to work my way up, but I’m there to translate documents and meet with Spanish-speaking clients. Oh, and this fancy schmancy law firm is located right next to a bail bond office. No way are they getting big deal clients. I’d guess a lot of DUIs and spousal abuse cases. Doesn't matter since I was just pissed to have wasted my time.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, cupping her bra-covered breast. “You look sexy.”
“I’m standing in my underwear and socks.”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sweaty.”
“You’ll be sweatier in a minute,” I murmur, tugging down her bra straps and freeing her tits.
“Camden, I’m not in the mood.”
“You always say that, and I always get you in the mood.”
Daisy glares at me. “I’m crabby and want a shower. Ice cream would be nice too.”
“Afterward,” I whisper, leaning down to suck at her jaw. “You’re so hot when you’re pissed. I need to fuck.”
Daisy pulls away and gives me a darker frown. I figure she doesn’t like the word “fuck” to describe us together.
“Is ‘hump’ better?” I ask.
Daisy’s frown never falters.
“How about ‘make tender love?’ Do you prefer that, babe?”
I see a flicker of humor in her hazel eyes.
“Oh, I’ve got it,” I say, popping my jeans, shoving them down, and releasing my cock from its cage. “I want our souls to touch through our crotches.”
Laughing, Daisy glances down at my erect manhood. She’s weighing her options. I help her decide by reaching around and undoing the hooks on her bra. After she’s topless, I kick off my shoes and pants while yanking my shirt o
ver my head.
“Seems like a waste of all this nudity if we don’t become one in the nether regions.”
“You need to stop talking,” she says, reaching up and kissing me.
One of my hands wraps around her waist as the other yanks down her panties. Daisy can’t break free from the death grip of her underwear and finally flops onto the bed to wrestle them off.
“I can help,” I murmur, climbing over her. “You'd be surprised by my tongue’s many uses.”
I slide my body along hers, warming our skin and giving my cock a delicious taste of what’s to come.
“I’m glad you were here when I got home. You make everything better.”
“I know I do,” I tease before covering her mouth and stealing her breath.
Daisy slides her fingers through my hair. “I’m not that mad about the job. I would rather work in a school with kids than at a law firm.”
“You’ll find a place.”
I sense Daisy wants to tell me something. Putting my lips in neutral, I stare into her eyes. She looks back and smiles at me but says nothing.
“You’ll tell me later,” I promise her, and Daisy narrows her gaze at my challenge.
Before she can get too irritated, I return to kissing her. Daisy wraps her arms around my neck and gives into my hunger. By the time I lower myself on the bed so I can explore, she’s putty in my hands.
Her dark nipples shine after my tongue teases them. Even as hard points, they seem delicate to me. Everything about Daisy is fragile in my mind. She puts on a tough act, but she isn’t a tough chick. I never understood the saying about someone “wearing their heart on their sleeve.” I thought it meant people who freely shared, and everyone I knew was a loud mouth, but I doubted they fit the saying.
With Daisy, I understand. What she loves, she loves fiercely. Her family, cats, the crappy 1980’s music, and even this trailer are hers. When she speaks of them, her gaze shines.
Now I realize she’s the same way with me. When we’re together, her gaze is entirely open even while fearing what my cock might do to her still-learning pussy. She trusts me, and I suspect she already loves me.
“Wait, stop, no, don’t stop,” she babbles as my cock slides inside her. “Yes.”
Daisy’s eyes close like they always do when she feels pleasure. I fucking love the way her face looks right now. Hell, if she’d let me, I’d grab my camera and take a pic of the blissful expression she’s wearing. I’d even make the shot my screensaver. Nothing in my life makes me as proud as when Daisy comes hard as if I healed her deep inside.
Twenty Nine - Camden
The perfect job for Daisy is available in the next town. I want her to get the position since she’ll work at an excellent school in a safe neighborhood. While she already submitted her application, I can’t leave her success to chance. My woman has small dreams, and I’m a failure as a man if I can’t give her everything she wants.
Unfortunately, Angus Hayes is the asshole running the town over. Unlike Common Bend, which feels like the Wild West many days, and Hickory Creek, which is like Wild West’s slightly better behaving cousin, White Horse is picturesque and efficient. Though all three towns are essentially controlled by dictators, Hayes does the best job of scaring the shit out of his people. I also suspect his tranquility is built on the large elderly population. Old timers rarely riot over a traffic stop.
I drive into White Horse without giving Hayes a head’s up. He likes knowing when the club guys are in his territory, but I’m not his fucking bitch, and he ought to learn how to deal with surprises better.
His office is a bunker-style monstrosity that fits the man to a T. I admire anyone so willing to forgo style to make himself harder to kill.
Inside, I find his assistant and new wife. Candy is another reason I don’t call ahead. The blonde refuses to take messages and often calls me by women’s names even though she knows exactly who the fuck I am.
“He’s dead,” she says, prying her eyes away from a game of PC Solitaire to look at me. “We were all shocked and ask for our privacy at this difficult time. Thanks for understanding. Now get out.”
“He’s a bad influence on you,” I say, crossing my arms.
“He wishes,” Candy mutters. “What do you want?”
“I need to talk to your old man.”
“He’s dead, so that’ll be tricky. Know any psychics?”
“I hear him in the back office.”
Candy never misses a beat. “That’s his ghost. You didn’t think he’d go quietly, did you?”
“Be a good little girl and scoot your ass to the back and tell him I need to talk to him. If he doesn’t talk to me today, I’ll keep coming back. That’ll be more work for you, so I guess you ought to be scooting.”
“Sure, Dayton.”
“Funny.”
“Wait, which one are you then?”
“Just get Hayes.”
Candy grins at my irritation and then leans back in her chair. “You have a visitor!”
“I see that!” Hayes hollers back.
“I’d kick his ass, but anyone over six feet is above my pay grade.”
“I’m not giving you a raise!”
“Stop flirting with each other!” I yell and begin toward the back office. “It’s not nearly as cute to other people.”
Huge and imposing, Hayes sit behind his desk and puffs on a cigar. His step-kids stand at the window. The boy and girl twins turn in unison and stare at me.
“Save the creepy twin shit,” I mutter. “I did that crap when I was a kid, and it’s not nearly as effective if you don’t match.”
The dark haired girl frowns. “Your sister is identical to you?”
Rolling my eyes, I sit across from Hayes. “Can you make them leave?”
“I can do whatever I want, turd, but I’m their teacher, and this is a good lesson for them,” he says and looks at the twins. “Today’s lesson deals with disappointment. Let’s see if Rutgers handle it without crying.”
“I have a favor to ask.”
“No.”
“A personal favor. Don’t you want to teach the creepy kids the benefit of having powerful people owe you?”
Hayes puffs at his cigar and considers my words. He gestures for me to continue.
“I have a woman, and she needs a job.”
“I don’t own any strip clubs.”
“Funny and a lie.” I glance at the twins and add, “He’s lying, you know?”
“Yeah, but we don’t care,” the blond boy says.
“Are you sure they’re not your bio kids?” I ask Hayes, who frowns.
“Make your pitch, Rutgers.
“The Berrywood Elementary School is looking for someone to work with the Spanish-speaking kids. My woman is fluent in Spanish. She needs a job, and I want her working somewhere safe. Your town offers me that, so I’m giving you the opportunity to have me owe you.”
“Why can’t she get the job on her own?”
“She lacks experience. Her resume is full of doctor’s offices and laundromats. She’s the real deal with translating, though. She’ll work hard, and you won’t need to bail her out for mistakes or any of that shit. Just get her in the door and she’ll do the job right.”
“And you’ll owe me a favor. That’d be more appealing if you were the big dick in Hickory Creek.”
Leaning back in the chair, I hold his gaze. “I will be soon enough. When I am, I’ll have my eye on southern territory rather than going north to Common Bend and White Horse. So I’m not only a good person to have owe you, but I’m a potential ally for your heirs here.”
The twins look at Hayes and then back at me. They’re unimpressed, but Hayes looks ready to give Daisy the job. A small move on his part could come back to help him big time later. He didn’t get ahead by passing up easy opportunities.
“What if your brother becomes president?”
“The only way that happens is if I’m dead, and I plan to live a long fucking time.”
“Other people might plan something different for you, boy.”
“No doubt they do. Planning something and making it happen are two very different fucking things.”
Hayes isn’t done messing with my head, even if he’s ready to agree to my deal. “Your old man and uncle still have their greedy eyes on Common Bend. I don’t want their bullshit spreading.”
“Neither do I. Taking Common Bend means going to war with another club. That’s a lot of collateral damage for little payoff. I don’t have to be ancient like you to know that much.”
Hayes grins. “Balls are a wonderful thing, but you better be careful not to write checks your testicles can’t cash. You have Mojo, Howler, and your idiot brother standing in your way to get the crown.”
“You let me worry about that. You just worry about getting my woman the job.”
Hayes stands up and puts out his cigar. “Even if your dad is around or your brother becomes president, I can see how an olive branch to you could be helpful to me. I’ll get your woman her job, but I won’t clean up anything for her. She does the work or she’s out. I’m no one’s babysitter.”
“Good,” I say and put out my hand to shake his. “The future is nearly present, and I think we have the potential for a solid relationship. Until then, let’s keep our flirting private. I don’t need anything causing my club to cannibalize itself.”
“What does 'cannibalize' mean?” the boy asks.
“Google it,” Hayes says and walks me out of the room. “Next time you want to chat, call first. I’ll make sure Candy puts through the call. That’s just you. Not your daddy or brother and certainly not your horndog uncle. I can be cooperative but not that fucking cooperative.”
Walking to the door while he stands next to Candy, I glance back. “It’s always a pleasure, Mister and Missus Hayes.”
“He has pretty hair,” Candy says as I exit.
“Next time, you can ask him for beauty tips,” Hayes replies.
Leaving them to their flirting, I wear a big fucking smile while riding Shasta back to Hickory Creek. Daisy needed something, and I got it for her. I can think of nothing more invigorating than providing for my woman.