Scandal: The Reckless Series, Book #3 (The Reckless Crew)

by Bellus,HJ

  “Actually get six.”

  Ava pats me on the back, silently acknowledging the shitty day I’ve had. I want so desperately to run back to the beach house with Kip and take long rides on his motorcycle wrapped around him. Enjoy lazy afternoon naps and sit in the sand, that’s all I want right now.

  But it’s week two of reality and there’s no escaping it at this point. Zack is being served with papers today and my counseling session was exhausting. I love my counselor, but she pushes me to the brink of breaking down. I find solace in my journal and late at night when a lightly snoring Kip is wrapped around me.

  We haven’t kissed, petted, or even attempted to attack each other since the beach incident. It’s for sure strengthening my self-control. But I know Kip deserves all of me and not shattered pieces of a woman.

  I haven’t really experienced fear until now since being here. It’s more than fear coursing through my veins as I wait for the wrath of Zack to rain down on me. He won’t take this well. I don’t put anything past him to get me back and not tarnish his sparkly reputation.

  My lawyer has a back-up plan to use if Zack is a dick about it. There are pictures of his abuse from iCloud, recorded verbal abuse, and my own-recorded recounts of the hell I experienced. I’d forgotten about storing the pictures on my iCloud until my lawyer asked. I hated taking pictures of the wounds and scars, but now feel thankful I had enough composure to take them in the moment.

  My parents have called my phone hundreds of times, but I’ve refused to listen to their pleas for me to come back. They’d never be in my corner. They know there’s too much at stake for Zack and will want to protect him. That’s been the hardest part of my counseling session. Confusion always sets in followed by anger trying to understand how parents could turn on their own child.

  Darby’s been in charge of listening to the voicemails or threats as she calls them and deleting them. However, my lawyer has instructed me to answer if Zack calls and record it. The app is all set to go, but my mind is reeling with the possibility of hearing Satan’s voice.

  “What if he calls and you’re sloppy drunk?” Ava asks while Darby pays for the mother load of wine.

  I shrug, not really giving a fuck. I’m done living on eggshells. It’s now or never time. He has no more power over me.

  Charlie squeals, running around the grass in just her princess panties. She’s in the potty training stage and hasn’t been too successful yet. I’m on my third glass of wine and feeling more relaxed with each sip. Darby keeps pushing food in front of me. She’s being quite the buzz kill right now.

  My back-up phone buzzes with a new text message.

  Kip: How’s it going?

  I smile just seeing his name and hate that he’s been working more and more. He took all of his vacation days.

  Me: Missing a friend of mine

  Kip: Oh really?

  Me: Yeah, it’s this broody tatted man that’s been growing on me.

  Kip: Sounds like a real champ

  Me: Don’t tell him. He already has a big enough head.

  Kip: You have no idea

  Me: Heart Emoticons

  Kip: I’m off shift in an hour. Want me to pick you up at Ava’s?

  Me: Hell to the yes

  He’s bartending tonight and when he goes radio silent, I know it’s because he has an order to fill. Kip only has another week working the stage and then he’s back to tending bar. Ross, the boss, finally found some new talent and Kip can’t wait to get off the stage. I find it cute he’s so open and honest talking about it. Unlike Zane and Rhett, he doesn’t enjoy wiener wiggling. Claims it makes him feel dirty and doesn’t like all the eyes on him.

  He’s a reserved man, so I get it. It’s one of his sexiest qualities I admire in him. He’s healed from his past from the inside out and keeps it that way.

  “Zane, quit peeing on the damn plants,” Ava hollers.

  All of our attention goes to Zane, who has it whipped out whizzing in the flower bed. Charlie runs to him when she hears her mom. I can’t quit laughing when Zane tries to turn off his faucet and zips up his pants.

  “Potty, daddy.” Charlie looks up to him.

  She pulls down her panties and mimics his position even though she saw nothing but his backside. He swoops her up and races her into the house.

  “Pour me a jumbo one.” Ava plops down. “Of apple juice that is.”

  She clutches her belly. The evening floats by in fun laughter with friends. Ava and I make a plan for me to watch Charlie a few days a week and I’m nearly shocked out of my seat when Zane thanks me.

  Darby’s in Rhett’s lap chewing on her bottom lip.

  “We have an announcement,” Rhett finally pipes up.

  I don’t miss the elbow to the gut he receives from Darby, but it doesn’t stop him.

  “We’re adopting.”

  Those two words make the table fall silent. The only sound echoing around is Zane sitting down his beer on the glass tabletop.

  “Congratulations.” I stand and go to hug Darby.

  “Are there problems?” Zane finally asks.

  “Yeah, there are lots of problems. They’re called kids who are abandoned and forgotten about,” Darby’s voice is laced with passion.

  “Congrats, guys,” Zane says.

  We all toast to them and wish them the best on their journey. When Darby finally feels comfortable with the topic, she opens up about the amount of research they’ve done and how close they are to meeting their daughter. She’s a three year old in New York who has grown up in the foster system.

  The rumbling roar that lights up my soul fills the air. I look up the lane to see the sexiest man alive rolling in on his dark and sleek Harley. I study all of his moves as he kills the engine, flips down the kickstand, and peels his body off the bike. His signature snapback is swiveled around on his head so it sits backwards.

  My smile widens when he struts up the stairs and makes eye contact with me. He sends me a wink, grabs a beer from the cooler, and then sits across from me. I’m not offended knowing we’ve had to keep some space between us to control ourselves.

  The men take their time harassing Kip. It’s one of their favorite past times. He takes it like a champ. I don’t take my eye sight off of him studying his gorgeous smile, bright white teeth, and gorgeous eyes.

  A phone rings on the table. It takes me a few moments to realize it’s my old ringtone. It takes me even a few more seconds to gather enough courage to look down at it. It’s him. Ava and Darby are at my side.

  “Answer it. You’re ready.” Ava squeezes my hand. “You know what to say. Push the app and then answer.”

  There’s a red dot in the corner of my phone. I find the courage to push it and then slide the green button to answer it.

  “Hello.” My voice shakes just like it used to. I’m back there in that house with him.

  “Chloe.”

  It’s like Satan spitting my name.

  Kip reaches across the table and whispers, “Look at me.”

  I drop Darby’s hand and reach for his. He squeezes until it’s nearly painful and stares at me with his loving eyes.

  “Chloe.” The blunt way my name floats across the phone startles me. “Listen, bitch. I can hear you. What in the fuck are you pulling?”

  “I’m divorcing you.” My voice still shakes, but not nearly as severely.

  “Like fuck you are. I’m sending men for you. You will get your fucking whore ass back here.”

  “I’m not coming home. I’m never coming home.” I restate it to make it official.

  “Like fuck you’re not, you selfish cunt.”

  Kip jerks in his chair and Zane is there to push him back down.

  “Your threats will not work, Zack.”

  “Do you have any fucking idea how you’ve fucked up my life? I’m sending someone for you.”

  “No. Leave me alone. I’ll go to the cops with everything.”

  “You really think they’re going to believe a nobody
whore like you over me?” He laughs into the phone.

  The wine swirling around in my belly threatens to come back up.

  “I’ll see you in court and have no problems going to the cops.”

  “I’ll kill you.”

  “Bye, Zack.” I end the call and drop the phone like it’s on fire.

  Kip’s out of his seat and politely as possible pushes the girls away from me. I’m in his arms, burying my head in his neck, and letting the tears fall.

  “You did it, baby.” He smooths down the back of my hair.

  I begin shaking like my body is expelling a virus from me. I have no idea how I feel right now. I’m not scared. But possibly a combination of every other fucking emotion.

  I hear Darby’s voice. It’s clear she’s already on the phone with the police and then my lawyer getting a restraining order started. We’re putting all of our faith into the damn legal system and I can only hope they can protect me from Zack.

  Nineteen

  Chloe

  We’ve put watching Charlie on hold for a few weeks since Zack’s phone call. I’ve been watching over my shoulder everywhere I go. It’s exhausting and I’m so done with all of it. I’m at the point of waving a white flag and if Zack comes for me, he does. I’m wasting my time and energy.

  Kip’s been on edge. I’ve found myself fearing life more and more. It’s all going backwards in fast-forward or is that rewind? Everything is becoming jumbled again. I’m ready for the next step.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?” Darby asks, peering up from the road.

  “Sure am.” I have no reservations about it.

  “It’s different when you get there.”

  “I don’t care. I’m living life. I won’t go backwards.”

  “Explains your new ink.”

  I raise my arm and look at the quote that runs from my elbow to my wrist. It’s a beautiful handwritten combination of cursive and print. It reads, “I’m going to love him forever.”

  Whether Kip and I end up together or not, I will love him forever. He saved me. Gave me the strength and courage to heal…I’ll love him forever for that.

  I find myself staring down at the words and finally respond to Darby, “I love it.”

  “It’s pretty work.” She kills the engine in front of Blue Iron.

  It’s Kip’s last night on stage and I wouldn’t miss it for the world. He was over the moon excited when Ross told him his replacement would be ready sooner than first thought.

  “I’m warning you, Chloe. It sucks to see the man you love up on the stage.”

  I don’t like the way she uses the word love even though I have it permanently and forever on my arm.

  “I’m not in love like that.”

  “And I have a dick.”

  Our argument goes silent when she opens the door and the loud music blares. The place is packed with excited women carrying drinks around. I’m way underdressed for the occasion. My tight capris and flowing button down blouse stick out like a sore thumb. Hell, even Darby is in a fuck me type dress finished with heels. I undo a couple buttons to let some cleavage spill out, trying to fit in.

  We find a seat and each have a drink we’re sipping on. I pull my phone from my pocket and text Kip.

  Me: I’m stepping outside my box.

  Kip: Where are you? Who are you with? Do you need to call me?

  I hate he’s so on edge and worried about me since the fucker called and threatened me.

  Me: Calm your tits. I’m doing one last thing to step out of my comfort zone.

  Kip: You’ve got my attention.

  Me: See you soon ;-)

  My phone continues to buzz in my purse, but I ignore it. It was a relief to hand over my old phone to the police and not worry about the past. Throw Your Hands Up featuring Pitbull begins playing and the vibe in the club automatically amps up. Women are on their feet swinging their hips to the sexy song. It takes a few beats of the song before Kip appears on the stage. My jaw drops when I see him in loose blue jeans, a white tank, and barefoot. He begins snaking down the stage to the rhythm of the song.

  I had no idea he could move his hips like that. He’s mucho grande killing the sex factor. I don’t miss it that he keeps his eyes glued to the stage. He’s not entertaining the crowd with bedroom eyes like the other strippers.

  Darby must read the thought on my face. “Each stripper has their own thing and his is playing hard to get. The women go crazy for him.”

  Well, I could’ve done without that last bit of information, but then again I’m swamped by the screaming crowd of horny women wanting my Kip.

  My Kip…I run the two words over and over in my mind until a whoosh of air gets my attention. Kip is in a push-up stance in front of me. His enormous biceps flex as his hips thrust up and down. He’s making love to the stage. It’s not gross, but rather fucking dreamy the way he moves his hips to the song.

  He turns his head over to me and finally makes eye contact. I’m covering my mouth and I’m my eyeballs are the size of baseballs. He smiles wide and then he slowly licks his lips. My insides pool. I want that tongue on me and in me.

  I don’t even notice when the song changes, but it does and I can’t even comprehend it. Kip sits back up on his heels and then tears his shirt off his chest. He actually shreds the white material and then tosses it to the side.

  His ink is vibrant under the lights and his light sheen of sweat. I’ve seen him topless, hell I’ve felt his bare chest pressed to my back night after night and have never realized it’s a piece of expensive art work.

  I rub my thighs together trying to release some pressure when he begins rubbing his palms up and down his chest. He stares right at me, silently showing me what he wants to do to me. It’s no secret that both of us have some serious built-up tension between us.

  His hands sneak below the waistband of his jeans and the women light up the club with the shower of dollar bills and hoots of approval. I follow the movement of his hand and know exactly what he’s doing. I caught his silhouette in the shower the other morning. When he grunted and then pounded the wall, my center ached.

  He crawls on hands and knees over to me until he’s nearly off the stage and I mouth two words to him.

  “I’m ready.”

  Just when I didn’t think his smile could widen any further, it does. I’m in shock and don’t even realize his pants come off. I’m vibrating with excitement. I fly to Tennessee in two weeks to appear before the judge. My counseling sessions are becoming easier along with all the coping skills I’ve learned. I’ve also joined a local support system. I refuse to let one threat pull us in the wrong damn direction.

  Darby and I walk out to the car.

  “I think you enjoyed that a bit too much,” Darby says.

  “It was hot.”

  “Yeah, I saw your foner.”

  “Foner?”

  “Your female boner.”

  My phone rings in my purse and I answer, trying to stop the laughter pouring from me. I mentally berate myself when I answer and didn’t check the caller ID. There’s heavy breathing on the other line sending chills up my spine.

  “Hello.”

  “Ah, shit.” A loud ruckus sounds on the other end. “Dropped the phone. Want to go on a date tonight?”

  “Thought you’d never ask.”

  “Where are you?”

  “In the parking lot with Darby.”

  “Have her wait with you. I’ll be right out.”

  “Okay.”

  I end the call and beam up at Darby.

  “What was that about?” she asks with a raised eyebrow.

  “He asked me on a date. I told him I’m ready.”

  She wraps me up in a tight hug. “I just knew it.”

  “Don’t get too excited. We’ve talked about going slow.”

  “I can tell he’s really into you.”

  “You act like we’re in middle school.”

  She steps back and eyes me. “I’m just excited b
ecause he’s a good guy.”

  “Who we talking about ladies?” A deep voice joins us.

  I blush in the dark parking lot even though I know it’s Kip.

  “You.” Darby doesn’t hesitate. “If you hurt her, I’ll cut your nuts off.”

  “I’m fond of my nuts.” He cups his balls.

  “Okay, Mom, we’re going now.” I put a stop to the conversation that could lead to potential life altering moments.

  “We’ll follow you home so Rhett doesn’t kill me.”

  Darby hops in her car and I follow Kip to his bike. It’s almost a natural move to climb on behind him. I beg to take his bike everywhere we go together. He never complains.

  “Feel your boobies are safe?” He turns and smiles to me.

  “Men don’t say boobies.” I press them into his back and wrap my arms around him.

  “Nice men say boobies.” He kicks his bike to life and chases Darby’s tail lights.

  It’s always too loud to talk when he’s driving, so I talk with my hands. My cast remains on the top of his thigh while my other hand sneaks up under the hem of his tight black shirt. I’m thankful the roar of the engine is dramatic because it stifles my moan when my palm splays across his hard abs.

  I feel the top of his thigh twitch and decide to slow down, so I don’t cause an accident. I reach up a bit and leave him one light kiss on the side of his neck before relaxing back into him.

  His scent makes me drunk. It’s strong and woodsy and all I want right now is to bathe in it. Life is moving and I’m not going to be left behind, becoming a victim. Zack hasn’t tried calling back and I know my lawyer is on top of it. I’m falling hard and fast for Kip and if I’m being really honest, I’ve already fallen in love with him.

  Darby pulls in front of her small house. Rhett is already out on the front steps waiting for her with a beer in hand. Kip doesn’t kill the engine even though Rhett’s holding up a bottle offering him one. He sends him a quick wave and turns the bike around. He drives fast. The wind flowing through my hair is liberating. I have no clue where we’re going, but he seems to have an idea in mind.