On this day however, Charlee needs something to be picked up, and I’m not happy with what she asks me to grab on her behalf. Not one bit! I’m a man, come on already. Embarrassment at the thought that I’d stroll through a store and grab tampons has me not only blushing, only the way a man does of course, but also needing to hide myself from Gunner, he’s watching me intensely thinking something is wrong with his sister.
I turn my head and cup the receiver with my hand, so he doesn’t hear our conversation.
“You want me to grab some what?”
“Tampons, Country, they’re these things that women need when they start bleeding, it clogs it up, we insert it up our hoo-ha. I need them! Stop playing around, Country.”
“I’m not getting those! Are you crazy or somethin’?”
“Oh my gosh, grow up Country, it’s not like I can hop in the car and go to the store myself. I don’t drive, remember?”
“I’ll come by and pick you up, so you can get your own. I’m not getting them…period.”
“Country, I can’t go anywhere like this! I’m completely out, I thought Ma had bought me some extras before they left…I’ll be bleeding everywhere! Don’t be a baby and get them on your way home.”
“No.”
“What do you mean no? This isn’t just some random store pick-up Country, I need these in order to go on with my day and not be sitting on the toilet for a week!”
“I’ll come grab Cam and she can come with me to get you some.”
“You’re going to put Cameron on the back of your bike?”
Suddenly I know I fucked this up. No one goes on the back of your bike except for your girl.
“No Charlee girl, I’ll bring the truck. I’d never do that to you.”
“Ugh, why are you making a big deal out of this? Get my brother on the phone for me.”
“Why?”
“Because…I need tampons and you’re being a baby, I’ll see if he’ll have someone bring me some. Shit Country, I don’t have time for this inept conversation with you.”
“Inept? I’d say this conversation is anything but Charlee girl. No man goes out and gets tampons for his girl, that’s disgusting.”
“What’s so disgusting about getting an item that is needed Country? Please do enlighten me.”
“You know where those things go?” I ask her like it’s more than obvious what’s so gross about getting that product.
“Of course, I know where they go…you’re starting to piss me off Country, put Gunner on the phone.”
“Ummm…no, nobody is getting you something that goes up your hoo-ha, period.”
“Then it’s settled, you’ll get them for me on your way home…don’t make me tell Gunner that you won’t.”
“Don’t threaten me with your brother Charlee girl.”
“If it gets the job done. See you when you get home.”
“Wait!” Too late, the line goes dead. Now, I’m in no hurry to leave and head to the house. “Need me to do anything here before I head to the house Gunner?” I ask him, stalling for time.
“Nope, we’re all good here, what did Charlee want?”
“Nothing,” I rush out to say, no way in hell am I telling her brother what she wants me to get on the way home. I still can’t believe she’s making me do this.
“You either tell me, or I’ll pick up the phone and call Twerp myself.”
I groan out loud and see a smirk on his face. The fucker knows it’s something embarrassing.
“Don’t wanna talk about it,” I say under my breath.
“That wasn’t a request, that was an order Probee.” Fuck my life.
“She’s in need of feminine products,” I rush out to where it sounds like it’s all one word.
I look over at Gunner and he’s doubled over in silent laughter, there’s tears running down his cheeks. Fucking hell, you’ve got to be kidding me right now, my misery is his amusement.
“Do you know what kind you’re getting?” he asks through his wheezing laughter.
“Kind? There’s different kinds?” I ask in shock, how the fuck do I know what to get…this is ridiculous. She didn’t tell me there were different types and which one to get.
I get up and leave the clubhouse, I’m stomping the entire way to my bike…fuck this relationship bullshit, a man can only take so much and picking up feminine products, where everyone is staring at you, is not my idea of a thing a man is supposed to do for his woman.
Thirty minutes later I’m standing in the female product aisle and not knowing which product to get. Gunner was right, there are so many choices and I have not a clue which one she uses. There are at least ten different choices, from brand to heavy, super and thin. I mean really, why so many? It only gets used for a few days out of the month! Not knowing which products she uses, and what size she takes, I grab two boxes of everything. Better to be safe than sorry, I tell myself. Don’t want to make another trip because I got the wrong item. As I’m standing at the checkout line I see candy bars, then it hits me, she asked for chocolate…a lot of chocolate. So I set my items on the counter and grab as many different variety of treats as I can. The lady checking me out gives me a funny look and suddenly I feel the need to explain.
“These are for my girl.” She raises her eyebrows up at me like she’s waiting for further explanation. “She didn’t tell me what kind to get, so I’m going in prepared.” She looks concerned for me and then asks me a question.
“How old is she, dear?” Fuck me, I did not want to get into this with anyone, let alone this older cashier.
“She’s fifteen going on thirty,” I tell her, and it’s the truth. Charlee acts anything but like your typical fifteen-year-old. Not to mention, she’s got me by the balls like an older woman does her man.
“These ones here, are going to be too large for her, you should stick with these two.” She points to the box for medium and light and small and large.
“Extra-large are going to hurt her,” she goes on to explain, I don’t want her in any pain, so I remove the bigger ones from the ones I plan on purchasing.
“Thank you, ma’am,” I tell her, even though I’m embarrassed, I’m grateful for her input. I walk out the store with my purchases, these should last her for quite awhile, I have at least six boxes of tampons and at least twenty candy bars. Next time we go to the store, I’m gonna have her stock up on these items, I never wanna make this kind of store run again.
Country comes home and drops three bags onto my lap. I can’t help but to laugh at the expression on his face, it’s relief that he no longer holds those bags in his hands.
“It’s not funny, Charlee girl. First of all, you didn’t tell me which kind to get, second, I had to have a lady at the checkout counter inform me of which ones are correct for a teenage girl! It was fuckin’ embarassin’! Enjoy your laughter while it lasts, I’m never doin’ that shit again. Next time we go to the store you’re stocking up on that shit…understand?”
I’m laughing so hard at his facial expressions that I can’t catch my breath to comment so I just nod in response to his statement. Note to self, he gets embarrassed purchasing girly items, I need to remember this, so I can do it again and again to him. I’ve never seen a guy blush before and it’s well worth the show he’s portraying. I mean seriously, they’re in a box and he doesn’t even have to touch them. Even if he did, it’s not like they’re going to reach out and bite him in the ass or anything. He stomps his foot at me like a teenage girl and leaves the room. Guess I know how to shut him up now when I want to, send him to the store or tell him I need tampons! Crazy ass man.
“What has Country stomping down the hallway sputtering out curse words?” Cameron asks me as she comes into the living room. I spill all that happened which has her laughing at his discomfort. I need to go take care of business, so I leave her to her amusement.
As I walk by Gunner’s old room I hear Country cursing up a storm, unable to help myself I call out, “Pussy.” and I keep goi
ng to my room. I take care of business then put my purchases away in the cabinet above my toilet. I can’t believe he’s acting so childish. My pops used to get them for me all the time when Ma couldn’t make it to the store for one reason or another. I wonder to myself if Country would be this way if we have a daughter…whoa, where did that thought come from? We’ve barely been ‘getting to know each other’ and I’m already thinking of future children. That puts things in a totally different playing field, I want kids, but I shouldn’t be thinking about having any at my age. Shit, I don’t want any kids until I’m in my later twenties.
My sixteenth birthday is next month, that leaves one year and a month and three days to go, until Country and I can make us an official couple. I get excited every time I think about our future together, even though he tries my nerves, I can see him as my forever.
Charlee’s sixteenth birthday
Country is taking me out on a date tonight to celebrate my birthday…one year to go, I can do this. In the meantime, we’re still acting like a couple, doing things together, like dates and hanging out. We’ve even had some intense make-out sessions, those kisses are what keeps me going so I remember all of this will be well worth the wait. After dinner, we’re heading to the clubhouse for a party in my honor—Gunner insisted. I didn’t want a party, it doesn’t feel right without my folks there to celebrate with us. I give in though, knowing this is something Gunner and the guys are looking forward to. I know the club has been in chaos with not knowing what sent Ma and Pops on the run. The guys are fearful that whatever happened will blow back on the club. I hear them talking when they aren’t aware I’m there listening. To be honest, I’m a little concerned about what their absence means for my future as well.
We’ve hidden their absence from my school and most of my friends, not knowing what that would mean for me if anyone official found out I’m pretty much on my own. Gunner doesn’t live with me, so I have no guardian there with me. Country doesn’t count since he’s not officially family, legalities and all that bullshit. As long as I’m fed and clothed I don’t see why it’s anyone else’s business what goes on in our home, but the law sees things differently I suppose.
Since we’re partying at the clubhouse, we’ve decided not to dress up too much. I’m wearing my best pair of Jordache jeans and a long-sleeved shirt since the weather is a little cooler these days and especially on the back of a bike. The shirt is black with a beaded design in the shape of wings. Ma designed and made the shirt for me. It’s nice, but simple. We used to go to the discount stores and purchase cheap items and decorate them ourselves. I’m going to miss doing those kinds of things with her. I pair the outfit with a pair of my knee high-heeled riding boots.
She’s taught me enough to where I can do them myself, but it won’t be the same. I hate that I dwell on the things I can’t fix, but I’m at an age where I need her and long for her advice— especially on relationships. I’m too young to not have her here for the girly conversations I’m in need of help with. I have Cameron, but it’s not the same thing as a motherly conversation. Cameron thinks about the here and now, where I want a talk on the future and how I can set my path and where I wish for it to go. A knock on my bedroom door takes me from my thoughts.
“Charlee girl, you ready to go?” I hear Country call from the other side of the door.
“Five more minutes!” I call out.
“Five minutes is five minutes Charlee girl, not thirty…right?”
“Yes Country, I promise I only need a couple of minutes.”
“Meet you in the living room.”
“Okay,” I call out. Not even five minutes later I walk into the living room and hear Country and Cameron talking.
“Gunner will be here in an hour to pick you up for Charlee girl’s party. Make sure you’re ready, you know how much he hates to be kept waiting,” Country tells her and I can’t help but roll my eyes. Cameron has the biggest crush on my brother and I know she’s going to go all out to try and impress him. I hope her feelings don’t get hurt tonight, nine times out of ten Gunner has a club bunny on his lap. He never sticks around long until he’s in his room getting his dick taken care of. I shudder at those thoughts, I don’t want to ever think about my brother and how one of those sluts takes care of him. I know they’re there for a reason, but eww…I hope Country hasn’t dipped his stick in any of them. I know better, but I just don’t like to think about it. I’d like to pretend he’s a monk who’s been waiting for me. I have a really bad feeling I’m going to be consoling a very upset Cameron tonight.
Dinner was nice, we went to a local diner that’s popular in our town. I’m happy that Country doesn’t think he has to impress me with nice restaurants. That’s not me or what I enjoy, just spending time with him and talking is nice. I don’t need a fancy meal to make me feel special to him, just him taking the initiative to show me a good time is more than enough for this girl. Country gets on his bike, as I go to swing my leg over he grabs me and pulls me to his front. He gives me a kiss and whispers, “Happy Birthday Charlee girl.”
“Thank you, you’ve made this day special for me.”
“You are special, and I strive to always make you feel like you are. You’re the most important person in my life. No one else matters to me the way you do. I care for my friends and future brothers, but none of them mean anything to me without you in my life.” I feel a tear slip from my eye which he immediately wipes away. “None of that Charlee girl, I never wanna be the reason even one tear slips from your eyes.” He kisses my cheek where he just wiped the tear away, I feel so loved and cherished in this moment.
I get on behind him and look over as I put my helmet on, I see the popular girls at school laughing and talking to each other behind their hands. As if I could hear what they’re saying from all the way over here. I hate pretentious girls, so I do what I do best, I give them the middle finger. See, you troublemaking ho’s don’t bother me none, I’ve got my man right here between my arms, what do these bitches have? Nothing that’s what, jealous cum twats.
When we make it to the clubhouse I’m excited to see my brother and club members. They’ve been my family for so long that celebrating with them doesn’t feel like betrayal to my folks all of a sudden. I let anticipation roll over me and get even happier when Country grabs my hand and holds it on the way inside the clubhouse. I see my brother as soon as I make it inside, and as I predicted he has a bunny in his lap. I look for Cameron and see her sulking in the corner by herself, I whisper in Country’s ear that I’m going to check on her. As I go to pass by Gunner he grabs me and pulls me into a hug causing the club bitch to squeak in surprise as she’s shuffled on his lap.
“Happy Birthday Twerp,” he says to me while still holding me in a tight embrace. I’ve had enough of the muttering the girl in his lap is spewing so I do what I want. I slap her right across her face and give Gunner my best ‘what are you thinking’ look. He in return gives me a ‘watch yourself’ look. He should know by now those don’t faze me any. I’ve grown up with these rough and gruff men and they don’t scare me one bit. The bitch however doesn’t let it go with Gunner giving me a look.
“What the fuck Gunner! Your bitch of a sister needs to be taught a lesson for putting her hands on me,” she screams out at him, but her angry glare is fixed on me. I’d like to know what lesson she thinks my brother will give me. He’s never put his hands on me and never will.
“Watch your mouth whore, no one puts their hands on my sister. So don’t even think about it, I know those wheels are turning in your head. You even think about it and you’ll be out of this clubhouse so fast your head will spin.”
“She had no reason to put her hands on me!”
“Don’t think for one second I didn’t hear the things coming out of your mouth, and from Charlee’s reaction she heard them as well. Don’t disrespect her or me by trying to deny it either!” he screams in her face. Ha, take that bitch.
Gunner turns toward me and tells me, “No glo
ating Twerp! You should’ve let me handle it.”
“Gunner, in this life I have to stand up for myself or I have no respect from anyone.”
“You’re no one’s old lady Twerp, watch yourself.”
“I may not be an old lady…yet, but I’m still family Gunner.” He sighs as if I’m not getting what he’s trying to say to me, but I do get it. I still feel I’m due respect. I’m blood, she’s absolutely nothing. I’m pissed at what he says to me, so I show my ass…what can I say, it’s what I’m best at doing.
“Can’t you at least wait until Cameron and I leave before you start showing your slut like tendencies Gunner! I mean fuck, you know how Cameron feels about you and you’re steadily shoving these whores down her throat. Don’t you have any respect for others?”
Yep, went too far this time, I see a vein throbbing in his neck which is his tell-tale sign when he’s fixing to lose his shit. This time I happen to be on the receiving end of his anger.
Charlee's Choices: DreamCatchers MC Page 6
