“One night,” he conceded.
Nettie disappeared through the door with a wave.
Mrs. Jackson reached in her shirt and pulled out a phone as it rang.
“Earline here,” she answered as she moved to the rear of the trailer.
Moments later she reappeared transformed. Heels replaced slippers. Lipstick bright. A sparkling halter now topped her jeans. Putting earrings in, she stopped at the table before speaking. “Make yourself comfortable on the couch. I got a date. Be back in a couple of hours.”
Date? Right. He knew what that meant. Nothing had changed. He only nodded as she headed out the door.
He snapped his bedroll out on the couch. Eventually he dozed but did not fall into a sound sleep. He heard his mother return although he didn't let on he was awake. When he felt confident she was finally asleep, he relaxed and slept as much as possible.
* * *
Brick opened his eyes to the rays of dawn peeking through the tattered blinds next to where he lay. The only movement in the house was the fans pushing warm air around the room.
He swung his feet to the floor and sat on the edge of the couch, focusing on where he was. He ran a hand over his head and stood then made his way to the kitchen and searched until he found the makings for coffee. With that brewing he headed to the shower.
Refreshed, Brick toweled off and quickly dressed. He had been here long enough. He longed to be home.
As the living room came into view, he heard before he saw her.
“Surprised you can make coffee. Your no-good father never did.”
She sat in one of the two faded chairs still dressed in her night clothes. A short slip covered by a thin well-worn robe hanging open.
“What the hell are you doing?” He jerked his bag from her lap.
“Don’t bellyache. You ain't got nothin’ I want. You got nothin’ at all. Four dollars. How do you live on four dollars?”
“I do fine.” He growled tossing his bag on the couch.
“You probably sleep on the ground like a homeless person by the looks of that blanket thing.” Her hand flew to the direction of his bedroll.
He did. At lease this trip he did. A tarp tied to his bike and staked to the ground with him under it made him feel free and at peace.
She studied him a moment. “Are you homeless?” Tilting her head, “Prison? Bet that's it. Never hear from ya. And this is all ya got?” She nodded. “Prison. Whatcha did?” Her eyes followed him as he gathered and rolled the blankets to tie to his bike.
“Got all I need.”
“Don’t see a phone neither.”
“No phone.”
She waited for an explanation that did not come.
His mother's speculations were halted by a knock at the door. She twisted to see Nettie enter.
Brick looked through his bag. Nothing was missing. He zipped it up, grabbed his bedroll and turned to the door.
Usually when Brick visited he stayed a couple days. This time he couldn't. Didn't have the stomach for it anymore. Something had changed. Things were different.
“Gotta go.”
“Wait,” his sister spat as she stood between him and the door.
He set his bag and bed roll down and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Me and mom have been talking. You need money. I need a favor.” She hesitated fidgeting her shirt hem. “Well, I’m still on Will’s life insurance.”
He waited.
“I can give you five-hundred dollars to get rid of him,” she blurted.
“Divorce him.”
“Divorce is expensive. I can’t afford a lawyer. But if he dies, there’re no lawyers. I get the money, the kid gets his inheritance. We’re all good.”
He studied her. “Boy like his dad?”
“Yes.” She bit out.
“Divorce him. Let it go. Let the boy go.” He picked up his bag and bed roll and stepped around her.
“I'll just get someone else to do it. I’m offering you the money,” She yelled.
No doubt the kid was better off with his father. He wasn't taking that from the kid. He knew his sister wouldn't part with the money it would take to get a hit either.
“Good luck hiring a hit for that kind of money.” He stormed out the door. Packed and mounted his bike and sped away.
Outside town, he stopped to retrieve the personal belongings he stashed before heading to his mother’s place.
Two days ride he would be home.
Chapter Twelve
Her parents shunned her why shouldn’t he? If anyone in your life should love you unconditionally and celebrate your happiness, it should be your parents. But not her parents. What if Brick realized she wasn't worthy of him?
Shaking all the bad thoughts away she forced a smile and returned to work.
With the manager out all day and the receptionist leaving at lunch, the bank was quiet.
“Cheer up girl.”
Nealy's head jerked around.
“I've seen how that man looks at you. No way he abandoned you. You'll see.”
“I don't know Edna. We talked every day. Every day. It's been a week now and nothing at all.”
“I'm taking my lunch break now ladies,” Mrs. Lipscomb informed them as she reached under the teller window and pulled out an insulated bag.
“Yes ma'am,” Nealy acknowledged. “Take your time.” Then she spun her chair to face Edna again. “How's wedding plans going?”
“Don't change the subject.” Edna sighed, “But hold on to that thought and grab the phone. I'll get this car pulling in.”
Nealy picked up the receiver. “Good afternoon. How may I help you?”
“Not cool having your boss screen your calls,” the voice hissed. “You'll pay for that. Lucky for me, Miss Fashion Disaster just left. Now that your bodyguard is out of the way, I’m coming for you. Soon.”
Hair stood on end. This had become serious. And what did he mean out of the way. Had something happened to Brick?
She slammed the receiver down and dug her phone from her purse and dialed one more time only to leave another message. “Please let me know you’re okay.”
* * *
The days were getting shorter. She needed to get her business done, check on Brick, and get home and lock up before dark.
First she drove to the clubhouse to find no one there. She thought of the bar he had boasted about the club starting. Maybe he was there but she was not sure she could find it and be home before dark. So, the grocery store was her next stop. Last stop would be the gas station.
Nealy returned the nozzle to the pump. A motorcycle roared into the lot across the street. She squinted against the setting sun and recognized the bike joining two already parked in front of the auto store.
She pulled into the lot and stopped next to the motorcycles.
Nova sat sideways on his bike. Cowboy dismounted and stood beside a younger man, whose vest said prospect working on his taillight.
“What’s up Cupcake?”
“Headed home and saw you. Thought I'd say Hi.”
Nova and Cowboy shot a questioning glance at each other. The prospect kept working.
Cowboy stepped to Nealy's window. “No problems here. What's really going on?”
She looked away then to her lap where she was fidgeting with her bracelet. She exhaled a deep sigh and looked to Cowboy and smiled. Only the smile never reached her eyes.
“I'm good.”
“Whatever you frettin' over, don't. Brick wouldn't want that. Things get crazy sometimes. Just gotta ride it through. Remember we’re always here if you need anything.”
She sighed with relief and smiled, “thank you.”
“Sure thing darlin',” Cowboy tapped her window, “Be safe.”
Surely he would have told her if something had happened to Brick. But why had she not heard from him? Conflicting emotions tugged on her mind as she drove home. That would be sorted out later. It was nearly nightfall but she had made it home and locked
up just in time.
* * *
She fell asleep shortly after midnight. Nealy blinked her eyes trying to focus on what roused her from sleep. Soon another boom rattled her house.
She shot out of bed and grabbed a baseball bat from the corner of the room.
Bang!
She crept through the house checking each window and door. All locked. Making her way back through the dark house she grabbed her phone from the nightstand and dialed 911. The operator kept her talking while she huddled on her bed with ball bat in hand.
Just before the police arrived the beating sound stopped.
They searched her yard and the nearby grounds and found nothing. No one. No footprints. No evidence. Nothing, except the dents in her siding.
Reports were filled out and the area combed again.
She locked up behind them and went back to bed taking her phone and ball bat with her. Sleep eluded her the rest of the night.
* * *
“Ooooh girl, you look rough today. Somebody keep you up all night?” Edna teased as she walked into work.
Nealy slouched at the teller window with her chin propped on her hands. She glanced up as her friend sat down and rolled her seat next to her. Her eyes blank with dark circles.
“Somebody beating on the side of my house during the night.”
“What? You okay?”
“Yeah just tired.”
“Surely you called the police.”
“Whoever it was, was gone by the time the police arrived,” she sighed. “They assured me it was just some kids having fun.”
“Nu-uh,” Edna shook her head.
Nealy swiveled her chair to face Edna. “Even when I told them about the phone calls I’ve been getting here. Nothing they can do but send a patrol car by regularly.”
“You come stay with me.”
“No,” she shook her head. “I can’t disrupt your life. I'll be fine. And if something happened, I couldn’t forgive myself if I put you in danger.”
Edna sighed and sat back. “You got a gun?”
Nealy shook her head.
“You need a gun. And use it. Don’t be afraid to use it, girl.”
“I've never used a gun before. Don't know if I can.”
“Time to learn.”
She held up her hand to Nealy as she rolled her seat back to the window.
“Hello, Mr. Nelson. How are you today?”
“Fine. Fine. Still kickin' and goin',” he chuckled. “Nothin' better 'en that 'cept seein' you ladies.”
Edna laughed, “What can I do for you today?”
The elderly man relayed why he was in the bank. She took care of his business and watched as he left the building.
Edna’s chair rolled back next to Nealy again.
“Call the police after you shoot.”
“What?”
“Shoot the man. Then call the police first. Then call me. I will have your lawyer there in no time.”
Her mouth dropped open as she stared incredulously at Edna.
“Come to think of it…” She rolled back to the window and pulled a business card down from the wall.
Nealy waited as she rolled back next to her.
“Here’s Marcel’s card. Just in case you’re arrested.”
“I don’t want to be arrested!”
“You want to be dead?”
“No.”
“Didn’t think so. Shoot the son of a bitch! Marcel will have you out in no time, with no time.”
Nealy slowly took the card from her hand. “Thank you.”
“Honey, we got your back. Do what ya gotta do.”
Edna was crazy. Or was she? Maybe she was right. Maybe protection was what she needed.
* * *
“CLOSED”
Where else could she get a gun? Nealy sat in her car staring at the sign. Her shoulders fell and her head rested against the seat. Determined to buy a gun, she started the engine and pulled out of the empty lot.
For an hour she drove around town. Defeated, she turned toward home. Food and rest is what she needed. First thing in the morning she planned to return to the gun shop.
She had been so focused on hunting a gun shop, Nealy never noticed when the car behind her appeared.
The car was so close she sped up.
The car sped up also. The setting sun cast a glare on the windshield making it impossible to see inside the car behind her.
She slowed to allow the car to pass.
The car slowed too.
Nealy's heart raced. She turned onto her road. Almost home.
The car turned as well.
BAM!
Her body jerked. She looked in her mirror to see the car speeding toward her again. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel and concentrated on maintaining control.
BAM! Her car jerked with another ram from behind.
Her heart raced as her eyes followed the car coming beside her.
The car rammed her from the side this time.
She swerved without hitting the ditch.
She sped up.
The car sped up.
The car swerved again and Nealy slammed her brakes.
The car scraped her front fender and kept going.
She could see her house just ahead. She stomped the gas pedal and realized the car was turning to come back. She swerved into her drive and never slowed. Passing her house, she ran through her back yard and the yard adjoining hers. Then took the back-neighbor’s driveway to the next road and kept driving.
She wove in and out of side streets until she was sure no one was following and found herself at the clubhouse. She pulled behind the building unseen from the road.
Safe.
* * *
Tap, tap, tap.
Nealy shot awake grabbing for the baseball bat in her passenger seat.
“Whoa, take it easy, it’s just Nova and Rash.”
Breathing heavy she stared blankly at them. What time was it? Why was she still here? She must have dozed off. Slowly, she focused on their faces.
“Unlock the door, darling. Nobody's gonna hurt you.”
Her hand shook as she reached for the door. The lock popped up.
Nova gripped the handle and slowly pulled the door open. “Put that thing down. You okay?”
Nealy turned her eyes to the ball bat she held by her shoulder. She lowered it to the floor.
“I’m fine. I must have dozed off.”
“You don’t look fine and your car sure as hell doesn’t look fine.”
Nealy was unsteady as she emerged from the car.
Rash reached for Nealy's arm and they stepped back scanning the car. Dents and scrapes covered the driver's side and the rear bumper had been smashed.
Her knees buckled at the sight of the damage. Her mind raced; the events of last night crashing in. A gun. She definitely needed a gun.
“I need to go,” she stepped toward the car.
“No, you need to come inside,” Rash said as he pushed her car door closed.
She shook her head.
“You’re pale and shaking. You’re in no condition to drive.” They stood between Nealy and the car.
“I guess I really could use a little girl’s room.”
They laughed.
“No little girl's room here. We only serve women. Come on.” They escorted her around the building and pushed opened the door.
“You know where it is. Go freshen up,” he nodded his head to Brick’s room.
She hesitated and searched the area. “Um, do you have a public one?”
“Public?” Nova's brows popped up.
“I don’t think he would appreciate me in his space. Is there another restroom?”
“Aah. Just friends. Sure. Right around here.” Nova pointed her to the door by the stairs.
Refreshed and calm, she joined them a few minutes later by the pool table. “Thank you.”
“No problem, Cupcake.” Rash hit a ball and set the end of the pool stick on t
he floor next to him. “What happened to your car?”
“Just a little accident.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Gonna tell us why you sleeping in your car? Behind the clubhouse?”
“Got lost.”
“Uh-huh.”
She couldn't explain something she didn't understand herself. Also, Brick had turned his back on her just as her parents had; therefore, she was determined not to involve them. She shouldn't be here anyway. Edna was right she needed to protect herself.
Nova slid his pool stick on the table and leaned a hip on it. “You still look tired.”
Still dressed in her work clothes from the day before, she ran a hand down her skirt trying to smooth away the wrinkles from sleeping in it.
“I'm alright really.”
“When have you eaten last?”
“Chicken salad... for lunch... at work,” her voice faded.
“So, yesterday.”
Her shoulders slumped as she looked away.
“You don’t want to tell us, that’s on you, but I can’t let you leave ‘til you’re rested enough to drive. You know you’re safe here. Got plenty of beds or the sofa is pretty comfortable.” Nova pointed toward the large leather furniture. “Just an hour.”
She eyed the large soft sofa. It looked inviting and comfortable. “I guess the sofa would be okay. For just a little while.”
Rash opened a large closet and brought out a blanket.
“Rest.”
For long moments she looked to each of them and the blanket worrying her lip with her teeth. Finally she took it.
“It has been several days since… Just an hour.”
Nova smiled. “We’ll be close by; if you need anything just yell.”
It took no time at all for Nealy to fall into a deep sleep. Sometime later she awoke to an empty room. She folded the blanket and returned to the restroom to wash her face. Facing the mirror, she realized how on edge she truly had been. The nap had been exactly what she needed.
A door slammed startling Nealy. She raced out to see Nova with arms full of bags.
“Well, damn!” His head jerked to the sofa before he spotted her. “That slipped. Glad I didn’t wake ya.”
Rash stepped off the bottom stair. “Perfect. Let’s eat.”
Nova dropped the bags on a table and pulled out containers.
“Hope burgers are okay, Cupcake.”
Brick Solid (Voodoo Troops MC Book 1) Page 9