by Chiah Wilder
So Wanda was pimping out her daughter. Another great moment in his fucked-up family album. “If you need something to do, clean up the trailer. It’s disgusting.”
“Why bother? Mom just makes it dirty again. I’m sick of not being appreciated.”
In the background, he heard Wanda hacking away, and he suddenly wanted to get as far away from them as he could. No wonder Pete moved to California. I don’t fuckin’ blame him. “I’m outta here. I’ll be back later, and your ass better be here to help unload the groceries.”
“You gonna give me any money?” she asked in a low voice.
He blew out a long breath. “When I come back. Be here. I’m not joking.” He straddled his bike, gripped the throttle clutch, and took off without a backward glance.
When he returned, night had already fallen. He hopped up the wooden stairs and entered Wanda’s home. Kelsey was stretched out on the couch watching TV, and Wanda was dozing in her recliner.
“I’m back,” he said in a hushed tone.
Kelsey leapt from the couch and followed him out. “Did you bring me any potato chips? You know I like the sour cream and chives.”
“I bought them.” He grabbed seven bags of food, and she grabbed the rest.
In silence, they put the food away, Kelsey’s occasional squeal when she saw something she liked pricking the quiet. After everything was neatly stacked in the fridge and cupboards, Jerry handed her a hundred-dollar bill. She clapped her hands and stuffed it in her bra.
“If you clean the place and keep it neat, I’ll pay you eighty bucks a week.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you serious? Make it a hundred and you have yourself a deal.”
“Eighty bucks. I’m not negotiating.” Her eyes rolled up and her lips pressed together like she was trying to figure out how much that would amount to on a regular basis. “It’s three hundred and twenty dollars a month.”
“Wow. Okay. Deal. When do I start?”
“Tomorrow. The hundred is your first payment. I threw in a twenty-dollar incentive bonus. I’ll do that from time to time. And I have no qualms about firing you if you do a shitty job. Remember that.” He brushed past her and glanced at Wanda, who was still sleeping. He jerked his head toward her. “Don’t tell her about our arrangement.”
“I’d never do that. She’d want me to turn all the money over to her.”
He opened the screen and stepped back in when he saw a man in his early twenties with platinum spiked hair and tattoos on the side of his face and neck, wearing jeans, black leather jacket, and biker boots. Jerry watched him as he walked to one of the trailers, trying to make out the logo on the back of his jacket. He definitely belonged to an MC, but Jerry couldn’t read the name. The guy jumped up the stairs, opened the door, and closed it behind him. Jerry noted the trailer number was 72.
“You know him?”
“Uh-huh.”
“How long’s he been here? And who’s he stayin’ with?”
“He’s been here for about ten days. He’s with a couple of other guys, and they’re staying with Randy and Dolores. Randy and his girlfriend keep to themselves a lot. They’re not friendly at all.”
“Ever notice funny smells coming from their place?”
“Yep. It kinda stinks.” Kelsey wrinkled her nose.
“Do the guy’s two buddies wear the same type of jacket?”
“Yeah. How’d you know?”
“Ever notice what it says?”
“Something with skulls. There’s a big one in the middle and it looks like its head is split open on one side. I don’t know. I don’t see them often. Why you asking all these questions?”
“Just want to make sure I know who’s around here so I can keep you and Wanda safe. Gotta go. Stay in tonight and lock the fucking door.”
“Okay. Thanks for the food and money.” She waved from the door as he started up his truck. He was glad he didn’t have his Harley; the asshole would’ve spotted it in a second. Jerry was positive the three men staying with Randy and Dolores were from the Skull Crushers MC. They’re back in our territory selling meth. Sonsofbitches. They were probably selling the homemade crank the couple was cooking up. It was pure luck he spotted the fucker that night.
He bypassed going to his apartment, instead racing to the clubhouse to share the news with the brotherhood.
Chapter Thirteen
Kylie rushed down the hall to her room when she heard her phone ring. Still riding a high from the previous weekend with Jerry, she held her breath as she picked up the phone from her bed, not daring to look at the screen in fear of jinxing herself.
“Hello?”
“Hey, babe.” Jerry’s deep voice covered her like a warm blanket on a wintry day.
“I was hoping it was you. What’re you up to?”
“Same stuff—working, drinking, smoking too much weed.” His chuckle danced on her skin. “What about you?”
“Studying and more studying, and even more studying. Ugh, I am so ready for the semester to end. You know, I’ll be home in three weeks, and we’ll have the whole summer together. I can’t wait to see you. You excited to see me?”
“Uh… sure. Yeah.”
Kylie frowned. “Don’t overexcite yourself,” she snapped.
A jagged breath pushed through her ears. “You know I fucking want to see you… and be with you. We just gotta be extra careful.”
“Way to kill the romance.”
“Babe, you know we’re both skating on thin ice with this, right?”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course I know. I’m not stupid. I was just excited about seeing you soon, that’s all. I didn’t want to talk about anything but that.” She paused, hoping he’d say something. He didn’t. “Whatever. I have to go to the library. I should have been there an hour ago.”
“Don’t be that way. I really can’t wait to see you and spend time together.”
“Whatever. I’ll talk to you later.” After his good-bye, she clicked off the phone, tears springing in her eyes. She knew she was overreacting, but she wanted him to tell her that he couldn’t wait until she came, and they’d have the whole summer to make passionate love, ride the backroads, and lie on the ground, staring up at the twinkling stars, their hands clasped together. She didn’t want to hear the hesitancy in his voice, the warning about being careful, and all the other shit he left unspoken.
“You going to the library?” Taylor walked into the room, interrupting Kylie’s musings.
“Yeah. You planning on going?”
“Fuck no. I’ve lived in that damn place for the past five days. I’m beat. Tonight, it’s junk food and a juicy reality TV show.” She took her lollipop out of her mouth, her purple tongue licking her lips. “Want a sucker? They got a whole mess of these at the front desk downstairs. I picked up a handful.”
Kylie shook her head then flopped onto the bed with a long sigh.
“Trouble with your hot guy?” Taylor sat on the desk chair and scooted closer to Kylie’s bed.
“No. Yes. I don’t know. He was so different when we were together over the weekend, but now that he’s back home, he acts reserved and hesitant. It pisses me off, that’s all.”
“Didn’t you say your dad would go ballistic if he knew you were having an affair with Jerry? And he is in your dad’s club. I mean, when he was with you last weekend, it was like he was on vacation. No club. No pissed-off dad. Just the two of you.”
“I get that, I really do, but does he have to remind me every time that we need to be careful, or what the consequences are if we get caught? I want him to tell me he’ll fight for me, no matter what.”
Taylor nodded. “I’d want that too. Maybe he’s not ready for that, though.”
“As the time passes, I’m starting to think he just wants some fun for a while, and there’s no reason to get on my dad’s bad side if what we have is going to fizzle.” Her voice hitched.
Taylor looked at her, softness lacing her eyes. “Guys are like that. They think with the
ir dicks, and we think with our hearts. Do you love him?”
“No,” she replied quickly. “I’m all in for the fun too. I don’t know. I guess I’m worn out with all the studying and stress of the upcoming finals. And my period is starting. I always get so sensitive during that time of the month. It’s fine with Jerry. No biggie at all.” She pushed herself up and slung her backpack over her shoulder. “I better get going. It’s going to be a long night.”
Crunching on the bits of sucker in her mouth, Taylor grasped and squeezed Kylie’s hands. “It’s going to be okay. I could tell by the way he looked at you at the spring festival that he’s crazy about you.”
“Thanks,” she said with a half-smile. She shuffled out of the room and made her way to the library.
A few hours later, Kylie walked out into the fresh twilight air, inhaling deeply the scents of spring. Along the tree trunks and brick borders, daffodils and multi-colored petunias added punches of color to the college’s landscape. As she headed back to her dorm, she heard a male voice call out her name. She paused and turned toward it, a warm smile spreading across her face as she saw Ricky coming toward her. “Hey.”
“I’m glad you heard me,” he breathed between gulps of air.
“Did you run over here?”
“Yes. I saw you when you walked down the stairs. I was at the science building. I’d know your walk anywhere.” His eyes shifted down to her hips encased in her tight jeans.
Uncomfortable, she pulled her backpack closer to her side. “How’s studying going for you?”
“Terrible, except for my math and science classes. I know I blew the English paper I had to do in Jansen’s class.” He shrugged. “Want to grab a sandwich at University Café? I’m paying.”
“Sure, but I can only stay for an hour because I have to finish my paper for English Lit.”
Taking a shortcut, they crossed through the thicket of pine trees and, in no time, opened the glass doors of the college eatery. Even though she and Ricky knew the menu by heart, they stood reading it, their arms crossed over their chests. “What do you want?” he asked as he approached the counter.
“A grilled cheese with extra tomatoes and pickles.”
“You want to share a basket of fries?”
“Sure. I also want an iced tea with lemon. I’ll grab us a table.” She spotted a corner table for four near the window and dropped her backpack on one of the extra chairs. Several minutes later, Ricky came over holding a tray of food. She helped unload the tray, placing several napkins in front of him.
As they ate, he said, “I found out some information on that Marcus dude.” Kylie leaned forward, her eyes wide. “He’s from your town, Pinewood Springs.”
She sat back. “No. Really? He’s from Pinewood? I wonder where he went to high school.”
“Registrar records show he was homeschooled.”
“Oh. Maybe he found out I’m from there, and that’s why he’s been in my face.”
“Maybe. He’s definitely weird.”
“Damn, I never knew he existed until the past few weeks.” She took a bite of her French fry. “You’re right—he’s an odd one. I bumped into him over the weekend at the Grizzly Saloon. He came up to the table and just stared at me. It sorta creeped me out.”
“Were you alone?”
Kylie took a gulp of iced tea. “No. My friend Jerry was there.”
“Jerry? Who’s that?”
“A friend from home. I love the grilled cheese sandwiches here. They always toast the bread just right.”
“Is that the biker dude who hung out with you at the spring festival?”
“Um… yeah. I’m eating all the fries. Don’t you want any?”
“Did he spend the weekend with you?”
“We hung out, yeah. I’m serious about finishing up the fries. Last chance.” Kylie wished he’d stop asking her questions about Jerry. She didn’t want to tell him that she had the best weekend of her life. That her years of dreaming about him didn’t compare to being with him. That she gave herself up to the man she’d been holding out for. That was for her girlfriends to know, not Ricky. And she hated the way each of her answers made his shoulders drop a little more.
“Are you dating him?”
Dating? No, she didn’t think Jerry thought of her as his girlfriend. That thought made her eyes sting. “No.”
He slumped back on his chair, a relieved grin cracking his face. “I’ll order another basket of fries.” He rose from the table and headed to the counter.
Kylie looked out the window, staring at the headlights of the cars as they turned into the parking lot close to the café. Her phone pinged.
Jerry: I fuckin’ think about u all the time.
Her insides danced, and a burst of joy coursed her body.
Kylie: Is that a bad thing?
Jerry: Guess it depends on who u ask.
Kylie: I’m asking u.
Jerry: It’s a good thing. Wish u were here now.
Kylie: Me 2.
Ricky placed the basket of fries in the middle of the table. “I got some more ketchup.” He plunked down the bottle. She looked up and smiled, grabbing a fry.
Jerry: U being good?
Kylie: Define good.
“That should get him going,” she muttered under her breath.
“What?” Ricky asked.
“Nothing.” She shoved the basket closer to him. “I cannot eat all of these. I already killed the first basket. Keep them next to you.”
He laughed. “Who’re you texting?”
“A friend. We should plan on a day to go over our in-class presentation for the psych project.”
Jerry: Not fucking anyone but me. Not hanging out with asshole prick or any other fucker. Only thinking about me.
Kylie: Check on the first. Having fries with Ricky. And a HUGE check on the third. 2 out of 3 isn’t bad.
Jerry: Fries and what else?
Kylie: Just fries. Talking about psych class. U being good?
Jerry: Thinking about u, so yeah, real good.
Kylie pressed her lips together. Should she ask him if he was still fucking the club women? Would she sound too possessive?
Jerry: Gotta go. Church called.
Kylie: Say hi to my dad for me.
She knew that was a low blow, but he deserved it; he purposely didn’t bring up that he wasn’t with any women. In a perverse way, he wanted her to think everything was okay with him. Maybe it was. She guessed she didn’t have any right to tell him not to screw the club women, but then he didn’t have any right to tell her which guys she could hang around. Typical biker—no, male—double standard. She gritted her teeth.
“You okay? Your friend must’ve said something that made you mad. You look pissed.”
She shook her head. “You about done? I really have to get started on my paper.”
He seized the last fry and plopped it in his mouth. “Done.” They pushed away from the table and headed back to their dorms.
* * *
The next morning, after her psych class, Kylie approached Marcus. His head was bent down as he rummaged through his backpack.
“I didn’t know you were from Pinewood Springs,” she said, gasping when he jerked his head up and she saw his bruised face. It seemed like there were additional bruises besides the fat lip Jerry had given him the previous Saturday. “What happened to your face?”
His beady eyes narrowed. “As if you didn’t know, you bitch.”
Taken aback, she took a couple of steps backward. “I don’t know what happened. Why would I?”
“Because that fucking goon you were with paid me a visit. Don’t tell me you didn’t know. I wouldn’t believe anything you told me. You’ve turned out to be like all other women.” His lip curled, and his cold eyes took her in. “I thought you were different, Kylie. I was wrong.” The tone of his voice turned her blood to ice.
“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”
“Well, it did. You lied at the restaur
ant. You chose him over me.” He rose to his feet. “You’ll find out I don’t forgive easily. You’ll find out I can be very cruel when someone disappoints me.” He pushed against her so hard that she lost her balance and had to grip the back of the chair to keep from falling down. “I’ll see you in Pinewood Springs, very soon,” he hissed as he walked away.
She watched him leave, cursing Jerry for not controlling his temper. She’d lived among bikers her whole life—they all wanted to beat their chests and pummel whoever looked at their woman, then come home and expect a good meal and a helluva fucking. Sometimes it was too much. Jerry had made his point when he’d belted Marcus at the restaurant; did he really have to go back for seconds?
She whipped out her phone and found a bench outside her classroom.
Kylie: Did u have to beat Marcus up? Wasn’t 1 time enough?
Jerry: Who the hell u talking about?
Kylie: The guy at the restaurant. Remember?
Jerry: That asshole? So what?
Kylie: He looks awful. Really…?
Jerry: He better. lol
Kylie: He’s pissed.
Jerry: He threatened u and had an attitude with me after I belted him. No way I’d let that go. He gives u trouble u tell me. I’ll take care of it for good.
Kylie: U should’ve told me.
Jerry: No reason to. U wearing tight jeans and a sexy top that hugs ur tits?
She giggled.
Kylie: Maybe.
Jerry: Come on. I need to picture u in something. I got a hard-on just hearing from u.
Kylie: U’re being a bad boy. I gotta go to class.
Jerry: Babe, when u come home, I’ll show u just how bad and dirty I can be.
She read his words several times, each time hitting harder between her legs. She couldn’t wait to find out.
Kylie: Sounds fun.
Jerry: It will be. I got a whole lot of nasty things to teach u.
Kylie swallowed, getting turned on just thinking about his lips on her private parts. She knew he’d wanted to lick and kiss her there, but she’d come so fast each time that he didn’t. She didn’t want him to know that she was scared about him kissing her sex. Taylor told her she’d never had a boy do that to her, but she read in Cosmopolitan that if a guy knew what he was doing, it was mind-blowing. Kylie knew Jerry wanted to do that to her. She clenched her thighs tighter.