“What the fuck?”
“Hey man,” Smoke called out lazily, no longer on edge.
“Jesus, Chief, you scared the shit out of me,” I huffed out.
“Scared the shit out of you?” He asked seeming awestruck. “I came to check on you as soon as I woke and realized we had a hell of storm blow through last night. I can’t believe I left you alone instead of staying here,” he managed to get out as he dragged his hand through his hair. Then he glanced between Smoke and myself a moment, took in the rest of the room, and a grin spread across his chiseled features.
“What storm?” I asked. I don’t know what was so funny, but my brother threw his head back and laughed heartily at my question instead of answering it.
He walked over and picked up the nearly empty bottle of rum from the coffee table and his laughter only died down to a mild chuckling as he tipped it in my direction. “I see why you weren’t aware of the storm, Lil’ Sis.” Then his attention turned to Smoke as he cocked his head a bit to the side in question. “Any particular reason you’re barely dressed at my sister’s place this morning, Brother?”
I saw the shrug of Smoke’s shoulders as he sauntered forward and reached down for his shirt, tugging it back over his head. I watched as it slid down across his shoulders, muscular back, and the achy place between my thighs I’d almost forgotten about twitched with the memory of last night. Lord help me. I didn’t know how I was going to deal with this while figuring out everything else I needed to do.
“Came by yesterday hoping to catch you still here. Didn’t think you’d leave your sister alone her first night,” there was a bit of a bite to his tone as he said the last. My brother just raised a brow at him. “You weren’t here, and Poppy was in the middle of a freak out when she opened the door.” This revelation received more attention from my brother.
“Pop, what the hell?”
It was my turn to shrug as I walked over to the chair in the corner and plopped my ass down, wishing I’d done it a little more gingerly as a spike of pain shot through my body. “Everything kind of hit me all at once, and I…”
“She was mid-panic attack man, so I wasn’t gonna leave her like that. She didn’t want me to bother you, because she said you were exhausted. So, we started talking, she mentioned hockey, and…”
“Fuck me,” my brother muttered, cutting Smoke’s recap off. “Should have seen this shit coming. Didn’t even think,” he continued to mutter. I don’t even think he was talking to either of us, but more to himself.
“Anyway, had a prospect drop a bottle and some coke by, and the rest isn’t really anything you want to hear.”
Chief’s eyes snapped up to his club brother then, because he’d obviously already surmised where the rest of the night took us, but to my surprise my brother did not look the slightest bit pissed off. Instead, he was grinning again. “Yeah, I’m guessing that’s the reason my sister, who hates storms, didn’t even realize we had a major one blow through last night.”
“Shit man, I didn’t realize either,” Smoke mentioned.
“Bike’s fine, man,” my brother told him. It occurred to me then that my brother had to see the motorcycle sitting outside of my house when he rolled up so he knew someone was here. “Though, it’s not your normal ride,” my brother stated, which I was guessing was the reason he’d been banging on the door the way he was.
“Nah, had to snag a loaner while mine’s getting the paint job,” he told Chief.
“Forgot about that,” Chief nodded then turned in my direction. “The old ladies sort you for food, or you wanna get dressed and go find some breakfast?”
“I could eat, and I don’t feel like cooking, so breakfast out sounds about right.”
“Okay, well go get ready,” he told me. I glanced between Smoke and my brother wondering if he was just trying to get rid of me so he could have the big brother chat without my prying ears sitting here listening. He smirked my way when he realized what I must have been wondering. “Not gonna give him a lecture, Sis. You’re both grown ass adults and fuck if I’m gonna complain about someone taking your mind off the shit you’ve got on it.” With that, I stood and removed myself from the room, especially since I remembered I also had a very desperate need to pee.
As I was leaving the bathroom, heading back to my bedroom I overheard my brother. “Heard her laughing when I was rolling up to the door. Haven’t heard her laugh like that in a long damn time, man.”
There was a silence that followed his statement, and I waited while holding onto the last breath I’d taken as if it were all I’d ever get. “Hearing it can’t possibly compare to seeing it in action,” Smoke informed my brother.
“Fuck me,” my brother muttered again. “My lil sis has always been able to enchant people. She has no clue she’s capable, because Walk snatched her up and sure as fuck wasn’t letting go when he first saw her. I knew back then it wouldn’t last, but she wouldn’t hear it. He was good to her in the beginning so I had no cause to step in, until recently, and if Pop had been honest with me sooner about what was going on I would have stepped in a few years back.”
“He’s a fuckin’ fool. I think he’ll realize that sooner or later and come callin’. I’m telling you now though that I am not stepping aside. Informed her this morning, I’ll step back and be a friend while she adjusts and goes through her shit, but the minute I think she’s ready for more, she’s mine.”
“You sure you want to make that promise after less than 24 hours with her?”
“Not my style to do so, you know that considering how long I was with Julie before. Two hours in with your sister and I wondered how I was capable of wasting all that time with a woman who could never compare.”
I wondered then who Julie was and if she was still in the picture. I got my answer before I had to worry if I had unwittingly been the other woman. “Good you got shy of her when you did then,” my brother murmured and I moved to find the shoes I had stuffed in boxes. “Take shit slow with her, man. That fuckwad ex of hers did a number on her in more than one way. If I’d known she was spending the anniversary of our family’s death that way I would have been there kickin’ that fucker’s ass and getting her the fuck out of that town a whole hell of a lot sooner than I did.”
“You’ll tell me about that later,” Smoke demanded. I didn’t hear a response from my brother, and I figured it was time to get my booty out there before they could continue this conversation. I wasn’t sure I wanted anyone else privy to my humiliation. It had been bad enough that Snake had been there to witness most of it.
“Ready, sorry, I’m moving a little slow this morning,” I apologized before locating my purse, digging through it, and coming out with a triumphant fist in the air, filled with my bottle of Ibuprofen. “Thank you, sweet baby Jesus,” I called out. This made the guys chuckle. I turned, pointing a finger to my brother. “You hush.” Then I turned to Smoke. “You too since your devil’s juice brought this on.”
“Sis, I do not need to know about Smoke’s juice – devilish or otherwise,” my brother called out on a sigh. For a moment I was actually caught off guard enough to be puzzled, then it hit me.
“Eww, nasty! I was talking about the rum, you idiot!” This had both men laughing as they moved closer to the front door.
~*~
We were seated in the local pancake house that the guys assured me was far and away better than the popular chain restaurant just down the street. I took their word for it, figuring it was never too soon for me to get to know some of the local gems since I’d up stakes and moved to Cedar Falls. My hometown of Sierra High didn’t have any chain restaurants outside of usual fast food joints. Everything else had been locally owned and operated and the people from Sierra High preferred it that way. I did as well, if I was being honest.
Our waitress finally made her way over to us with a giant smile on her face as she took the guys in. “Hey there, fellas, how are y’all doing this morning?” I wasn’t going to find offense in her �
��fellas’ only comment, because I figured she knew them since they’d bragged about this place at the house. “I didn’t see the bikes outside,” she mentioned, pointing towards the window as if they didn’t know whether or not they’d ridden here.
“My sister drove since we were all headed to the same place,” my brother told her as he scanned her with narrowed eyes.
“Oh,” she perked up, even brighter, if that were possible. “Sorry, didn’t see you sitting there,” she amended, her words obviously a lie. There was no way she missed me as she scanned the occupants of the table when she walked up. I’d dealt with this shit whenever I traveled away from home with Walker and the guys too. This type of thing did not happen at home though, because it was a small town atmosphere and everyone knew exactly who I was and whom I belonged to. That being said, her slight didn’t go unnoticed nor would it go unaddressed. I’d been in and around the MC life for the past ten years. You either demanded respect or people would walk over you without thought.
“Yes, you did,” I hesitated as I took in her nametag, “Sally.” She attempted to sputter out a denial, but I held my hand up to stop her. “Listen, I watched you clock our table, me included before you even sashayed your hips over here – which by the way I was going to check in on you and make sure you hadn’t thrown one out of place, because sweetheart that was some serious hip swishing going on – and you locked eyes with me before purposely not including me in your greeting. Bit of advice to you, don’t disrespect any of the women the MC brings around, because you never know who they are, how they’re attached, or how your rude ass bullshit will play out for you. Now, find us another waitress, because I won’t be ordering from you.”
“This is my station, you can’t…”
I moved to stand up then. “Then we’ll move, no sweat off my back,” I stated plainly as the guys just took in the scene as if it was highly entertaining.
“Please, look, calm down or something. My boss will not be happy if…”
“The way you treat your customers, your boss shouldn’t be happy, sweetheart. Now, do I have to go get him or what?”
“That won’t be necessary,” a woman with big hair, also a redhead, stated as she came sauntering up with a natural sway to her hips and a grin on her overly made up face. “What seems to be the problem today?” She asked as she eyed the boys who were still just watching with amusement evident in their demeanor.
“Your waitress is rude, I requested someone else wait on us. Preferably, someone who doesn’t ignore the patrons who don’t have a dick swinging between their legs.” At this, my brother couldn’t hold his composure anymore and burst out laughing. Not that I could blame him since it was rare that I used questionable language outside of my home, and even rarer that I got my panties in a twist over pretty much anything. I was sweet and southern as you please, normally. That hadn’t gotten me anywhere before except walked all over, so I was turning over a new leaf.
“Damn it, Poppy, I missed the shit out of you,” he admitted through his laughter. “Daisy, can you send one of the other girls, let them know we’ll tip well for covering a table that’s not in their section?”
“Sure thing sugar,” the overly done woman told my brother, smile still in place on her face. Then she turned back to me and pointed. “Not sure who you are, sugar, but I like you already.” She stated this in a no nonsense way that brokered no arguments.
“Daisy, this is my little sister, Poppy. Poppy, Daisy here owns this fine establishment.”
I held my hand out to her. “Nice to meet you, Daisy. My brother and Smoke have been bragging your place up, and since this is my first day here since I moved yesterday, and this is where we ended up for breakfast, I’m guessing that means good things.”
Daisy grinned big, swatted my brother in the shoulder and hooted out a laugh. “Lord, Chief, you bring your sister ‘round more often. I am thinking good things about this one.” My brother beamed at me. I smiled back at Daisy. Daisy turned to see the waitress, Sally, still standing there gaping at all of us. “Don’t you have tables with people you haven’t offended to go see to?” The woman asked.
“I,” the girl’s lip trembled as she glanced back at my brother and then flipped her nervous, and very longing gaze, across the table – not to me – to beg with pleading eyes to Smoke. He just sat there, and stretched his arm out behind me, tucking his hand behind my shoulder. He spoke not one word, but his message was sent loud and clear, because the girl stumbled backwards as if someone had physically pushed her back. Then she took off for the back of the restaurant.
“Damn, there goes another one,” Daisy complained. “Can’t keep the young, decent looking ones long with the way you guys run through them.” I scrunched my nose up at that making Daisy laugh. “Yeah, it’s like that, sugar, but I’m guessing the way you lit Sally Mae up that you already know that. Even when they don’t get their claws in the guys, the minute they see their crush wrapping those arms around another woman they can’t handle it.”
“That’s why they never get what they’re after to begin with,” Smoke finally spoke. “It’s easy to see the ones who will be a problem, and won’t be able to handle their shit.”
“You got that right, Smoke. I need to have you all sit in on interviews from here on out so maybe my employee turn over won’t be so high.” She smiled at him genuinely then as if it was no sweat off her back that she’d apparently lost another waitress. “Now, since I’ll be taking over her tables anyway, what can I get you all?”
We ordered our food. It was fantastic, and I immediately understood why the guys loved this place. Everything was spectacular from the food to the company, since Daisy joined us for a bit and talked to the guys about how things were going, and to me about how my move was going. Daisy was apparently the old lady of Mick, the security officer for the club. Daisy turned back to me before walking away.
“I don’t suppose you’re looking for work?”
“I still have a few jobs that carried over from my old place, but if you need a website maintained, graphics made, or any advertisements done you let me know, and I’ll be all over that.”
Daisy cocked her head towards me, thoughtful for a moment. “I’m all good with things for now, but I have a friend interested in rebranding a store she just purchased. I’ll give her your information.” I nodded to Daisy, and she walked away.
Smoke looked at me then. “What is it you do again?”
“Just what I said. I’m part graphic designer, part website guru, part marketing and advertising genius. I used to handle more than a few of the accounts for businesses in our town, but when everything went down and my dumbass ex husband started running around I lost a few accounts, because some of the businesses there are only loyal to the club, and they thought they were doing right by dropping me since it looked as if Walker had already done the same. They learned they weren’t correct when Snake dealt with them, but I wouldn’t take them back on as clients after that, so I don’t really have enough work to keep paying the bills long term at the moment, but I’m hoping to branch out now that I’ll have more time on my hands to do it.”
“You ever handle social media for people or companies?” He asked.
“I did for the two bars in our town for a while until the one changed owners who didn’t like social media and the other was one of those businesses that sided with Walker when we split.”
“Might have something for you, let me check on a couple things first,” he suggested. Then he glanced down at his watch. “Shit, I need to get going. Promised Soph I’d watch the kid today.” I stiffened a bit as he stated this, wondering if it meant he had a kid, if Soph was his woman, baby momma, or what? Shoot. I felt a kick to my shin under the table and my brother shook his head slightly at me as I sat watching Smoke get himself up from our table.
“You guys stay and enjoy, Granger’s on his way to take me to my bike.”
“All right man, give little man a hug for me,” my brother told him. Smoke gave hi
m a chin lift before turning to me, putting a hand on my shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “I’ll give you a call later, Poppy. Enjoy your day. You need anything, just let me know.” With that he turned and left. I watched him go then glanced out the window to see him get into a black Ford Expedition before it shot off into the light traffic of the morning.
“The kid isn’t his,” my brother told me, snapping my attention back to him instead of where it currently resided in la-la land outside the window. I didn’t say anything, just raised my brow in question. My brother grinned at me like the idiot he was. “Sophie is his sister,” Chief clarified, and I felt my shoulders go slack as the tension I didn’t realize I’d been carrying was swept away. My brother noticed then pounced. “So, you guys bonded over hockey, huh?”
That did it. I bounced excitedly in my seat. “Did you know his younger brother is Kent Lewis of the Pittsburg Penguins?”
Chief laughed then, shoulders shaking, eyes twinkling, and head shaking back and forth at my excitement. “Yeah, Pop, met him last year when he came in for a visit.”
“What?” I shrieked.
“Pop,” my brother attempted to calm me with his tone.
“What? You mean to tell me you met Kent Lewis last year and you did not share that information? You didn’t invite me up to meet him? What kind of brother are you?” I didn’t give him a chance to answer. “Never mind, I know. You’re a horrible brother. Holy shit, Keith! Kent Lewis was here! You met him! You… you… you should have told me!”
My brother was full out laughing at this point. Daisy had emerged at some point and was standing at the end of our table looking just as amused. “I take it your Poppy here is a hockey fan?”
“The biggest,” my brother informed her.
“Oh lord!” She sighed out. “Does Smoke know that?” There was a glimmer of worry before she buried it and went back to focusing her attention on my brother’s answer.
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