Club Thrive: Predator

by Alison Mello

  “Mmm. This is really good.” I push my plate away and wipe my mouth. I look over to see Ryker is still eating and has nearly finished his burger. He’s only eaten a few fries, but that’s okay, he has never been much of a french fry eater.

  “I’m trying to get Mac to give me the secret to how he makes his burgers so delicious without them being overly greasy, but he won’t spill.”

  “Damn right I won’t.” An older man comes walking over, pulling off his hat to reveal he has a head full of white hair. “Are you going to introduce me to this beautiful young lady?” He takes a seat from the table next to us and pulls it up to the edge of the booth.

  “Join us, won’t you?” Mikey busts his chops.

  “I would love to, thank you.” His light blue eyes are full of love, Mac plucks a fry from Mikey’s plate and shoves it into his mouth.

  Mikey shakes his head. “Mac, this is my friend, Shelly, and her son, Ryker.” Mac sticks out his hand to me and we shake while Ryker gives him a shy wave.

  The waitress comes back over and asks if she can get us anything else. My son lets out a yawn. “I think we’re good.” Mikey gives her a small smile.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for bringing this guy by my place. Now that he’s made it big, I don’t get to see him much anymore.” Mac slaps Mikey on the shoulder.

  “I wouldn’t say I’ve made it big, but I can hold my own now, thanks to you.” Mac looks at him with a sense of pride.

  “I’m proud of you and you know that, but stop in once in a while, will ya?”

  “What do you think, Ryker? Should we come back here for dinner again?”

  “Yes, please.” His voice is starting to pick up. He’s showing the happy little boy I know and love. “That milkshake was yummy.”

  “Yeah, what about that special burger I made you?” Mac points to Ryker’s near empty plate.

  My son giggles. “That was good too.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Mac smiles at him and the waitress returns with our bill. Mac tries to tell Mikey it’s on him, but Mikey refuses, leaving money on the table for the bill and tip.

  I slip out of the booth, grabbing Ryker from the little booster seat. He snuggles into my neck and yawns again. It’s almost his bedtime and he was up early this morning, so I have no doubt he’s tired.

  “Let’s get you home, little man.” We walk out to the SUV and I get him settled while Mikey starts the car. As soon as I’m in, he whisks us away.

  A short time later, Mikey is turning onto our street and I ask, “Do you want to come up for a few?”

  “Sure. I want to help you get Ryker and his seat upstairs anyway.” He shuts the car off, and as promised, he takes the car seat while I carry my sleeping son upstairs. As soon as we’re through the door, I tell Mikey he can leave the car seat where it was earlier and I take Ryker to his room. I slip his shoes and socks off and pull off his shorts. I’m a bit concerned he’s going to wet the bed, but I don’t want to wake him, so I deal with it by slipping a pull up on over his big boy underwear and tucking him in.

  “Sorry,” I tell Mikey, pulling the door shut.

  “You have nothing to apologize for. You need to keep doing a good job of taking care of little man. I respect that he comes first.” He takes a step toward me, I can see in his eyes he wants to come even closer, but he pauses and waits for me.

  I look to the floor. “Thank you so much for dinner. It was really good, and Ryker seemed to have a good time.”

  He takes another step, gently places his fingers under my chin, and forces me to look into his eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow night for dinner at Logan’s?”

  I nod. “Will you be picking us up?”

  “You better believe it.” He plants a kiss on my lips. I instantly lick the seam of his and our tongues collide. It’s amazing what this man does to me. He makes me feel so good.

  He pulls away. “Good night.” He smiles, presses a chaste kiss to my lips, and walks out the door. With a huge smile on my face, I start thinking about how far we’ve come already. I really like Mikey and I’m glad Ryker liked him too. It took him a few minutes, but he quickly saw that Mikey was a nice guy. I’m sure it will take him a little bit to fully trust him, but I’m willing to bet Mikey will earn it.

  “You wouldn’t believe the hottie I just saw step off the elevator. Lord have mercy.” Brea pauses, noticing the huge grin on my face as she shuts the door. “What did I miss?”

  “That hottie is Mikey, and he’s picking Ryker and I up for dinner at Logan’s tomorrow night.”

  “Holy shit. I can’t wait to meet him. Girl, you caught yourself a good one.” My sister nudges me playfully. I can’t help but giggle as the two of us sit on the couch so I can fill her in on my night.

  Chapter 2

  Mikey

  She’s all I’ve been able to think about since we’ve started dating about three weeks ago. I had an amazing dinner with her and Ryker last night, and as much as it killed me, I kissed her goodnight and left her in her apartment by herself.

  I’m excited I get to see them again tonight. Her son is so adorable and so polite. I took them out to dinner last night to Mac’s. He was so well behaved and he took to me right away.

  Tonight we’re off to Sky and Logan’s for dinner. Sky invited her while we were all at the grand opening and I’m really glad she accepted. We’ve been talking a lot over the phone and sending text messages. She’s on spring break this week from school, so we’re making plans to spend time with Ryker at the park, but I want more time with her alone, and I need to figure out how to tell her that.

  When I pull up to her apartment, I can’t help but take in the shitty area she lives in. Being poor as a child, I grew up in an area similar to this and I was determined to get out. Shelly reminds me a lot of me. Her determination to be able to provide for her family is amazing and it only fuels my desire to help her. I ring her buzzer and a second later Ryker’s raspy little voice rings over the intercom. “Who is it?” I chuckle picturing him standing on something to reach the button.

  “Hey, little man. It’s Mikey.”

  “Hi, Mikey.” He forgets to let go of the intercom button when he shouts. “Mommy, it’s Mikey.”

  I can hear her laugh just before the door buzzes. When I step inside the small dingy entryway, I can either take an elevator or the stairs. I’m tempted to take the stairs, since she only lives on the fourth floor and I like to stay in shape, but I had leg day at the gym, so I ditch the stairs for the elevator. It’s really slow and as dingy as the entry. There are four apartments on her floor, hers is Apartment 4A. I knock on the door and listen as I hear a bunch of locks being fumbled with. It sounds like she has the place locked up like Fort Knox. When she opens the door, she’s standing before me looking amazing with her hair in long curls and just a touch of makeup. She’s wearing jeans that hug her beautiful curves and a tunic top that sits off her shoulders, but covers her cleavage. I love that she knows how to dress.

  Ryker is at her feet. He breaks the trance we’re in when he shouts, “Mikey.” He looks so cute in his polo shirt and his khaki pants. Shelly has even gelled his hair. I kneel down in front of him and put out my fist. He bumps it with me and asks, “Do we get to have milkshakes again tonight?” I burst into laughter.

  “Nah, not tonight, little man. We’re going to my friend Logan’s house, but he has a son that just can’t wait to play with you.”

  “Is he five like me?” Ryker pokes at his chest with his thumb.

  I chuckle. “No, not quite, but he loves playing with cars and trucks.” Stephan is only three, so he’s a few years younger than Ryker, but still old enough to play with him.

  “Cool.” He jumps up and down.

  “Go get your shoes on, young man.” Shelly breaks up our conversation and Ryker goes to get his shoes. “Well, hello there, handsome.” A small smile plays at her luscious lips. Looking into her eyes, I lean in and press my lips to hers, my tongue instantly poking out and meeting her
s.

  Breaking our heated kiss, she pants, “Hey, babe.” She chuckles, shutting the door behind me.

  “Do I get an introduction or are you two just going to stand there gawking at each other?” a woman’s voice rings out, breaking our moment.

  Shelly sighs. “This is my loving sister, Brea.” Shelly holds her hand out, pointing to a woman that looks just like her.

  “You can certainly tell you two are sisters.” I hold out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  She shakes my hand. “I’m two years younger, but people often say we could pass for twins. It’s nice to meet you too, and while my nephew is in the other room, let me just say that my sister has been through hell. If I find out you hurt her in any way, shape, or form, I’ll cut your balls off and mail them to you,” she blurts out, dead serious.

  I turn back to Shelly, who looks completely shocked. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing I have no intention of hurting you, because I like my balls right where they are.”

  Both girls are laughing when Ryker comes running into the room. “What’s so funny?”

  I squat down. “Little man. These two women are picking on me. What do you say we get out of here before this gets out of control?” He gives me a high five, and just like that he’s on my side.

  “Wow, already turning my son against me?” Shelly questions.

  “No, just making the teams a bit more even,” I wink, amused by the look on her face.

  “Well, with that, I believe it’s time we get going.” Shelly hugs her sister goodbye and we head down to my SUV. “I need to grab the car seat from my car.”

  “Okay, I’ll take Ryker and you grab the car seat.” I take him from her arms and put him in the back of my SUV while she walks to her car and pulls the booster seat from the back. I make note to get one for my car so we don’t have to keep switching it out.

  As soon as we’re settled, I turn on some kids’ music, shifting the sound to the back speakers so Shelly and I can talk as we drive to Logan’s house. We have about a forty minute drive there, depending on traffic. “Tell me about your sister. I assume by her threat you guys are close?”

  She laughs. “We weren’t always close. When I got pregnant with Ryker, my parents were pissed. They told me that they raised their kids and they wanted no part of raising mine. They tried to force me into getting an abortion, and when I refused, they kicked me out and told me to go live with Eli, so I did.” When I stop at the light, I notice she’s staring out the window. This must be hard for her. I give her knee a gentle squeeze in support. She continues on. “Poor Brea was only seventeen at the time. She didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t just move out of my parents’ place, but she didn’t agree with their decision to kick me out either. We tried to visit each other when we could, but between my parents and what I was going through with Eli, it was tough, so we grew apart.”

  I glance in the rearview mirror to see Ryker happily bouncing his feet and singing to Mickey Mouse. “I’m sorry you had to deal with all of that. I can’t imagine how much it must hurt to have your parents turn their back on you.”

  She nods ever so slightly. “Yeah, it was hard. My sister told me my parents were moving because my father was being sent to a new plant. As a manager, they needed his help getting it off the ground. Things were getting really bad between Eli and I, so my sister and I forged a plan. Right before my parents moved out of California, we both ran. Ryker was two. We met up, found ourselves a place, and we’ve been busting our asses to keep it going ever since.” Brea started out working shifts early morning in a diner. It was great because it was opposite of my schedule, but then she got lucky and nailed a position as an administrative assistant. That’s when Carly started to help. Unfortunately, that company went under with the bad economy and Brea has been back at the diner since. She’s taking online classes while she watches Ryker so she can do better for herself as well. I’m quite proud of her.

  I really want to ask her what happened between her and Eli, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Not in front of Ryker. “You’re lucky to have such a great sister.”

  “I am. What’s your family like?”

  “I don’t have one anymore. My mom was a single mom like you and I had no siblings. Like I told you the other night, Mac is the one who saved me. He stepped up when he realized my situation and taught me to be a man. My mom died when I was twenty—wrong place, wrong time type of situation.”

  “Mikey, I’m so sorry.”

  “Thanks.” This conversation is way heavier than I intended, so I’m glad when Ryker screams from the backseat.

  “Mommy, are we almost there? I have to use the potty.” My eyes go wide. I adore this little man, but I don’t need him pissing in my Escalade.

  “We have a few more minutes, little man. Can you hold it?” He says nothing, but I catch him nodding his head in the rearview mirror as his legs bounce up and down.

  Nervous he can’t hold it much longer, I press my foot on the gas and hurry along. When we pull into Logan’s driveway, Shelly jumps out, grabbing Ryker, they run to the door. Sky opens it to greet her, and with panic, Shelly tells her Ryker needs the bathroom. I follow them in as Sky takes them through the house to the half bath on the first floor.

  When they come out, they find me in the kitchen talking with the guys. Shane, Slade, and Stone are already here. Jonah and Sadie aren’t going to make it tonight because Laney is sick. “Did he make it okay?” She gives me a proud nod. “Nice job, little man.” I give him a fist bump. “Can I introduce you to my friends?” He nods and I pick him up. “This is Logan, Slade, Shane, and Stone. Can you say hi?”

  He gives them a shy wave. He looks a bit nervous until Logan gets him excited for the playroom. “Do you want to meet my son Stephan, now?”

  “Yes, please.” Logan and I go to a small room off the kitchen that is exploding with toys. Ryker’s eyes go wide with excitement. Shelly does a great job with him, but let’s be real, being a single mom in med school, there’s just no way for her to give him the things Logan can provide for Stephan. He practically jumps down from my arms and runs into the room. Logan introduces them and they instantly start playing together.

  As usual, the girls are all around a small table they have set up in the kitchen, drinking wine and chatting. I’m so happy to see a smile on Shelly’s face. The girls have openly welcomed her into our little family. “Your son is adorable,” I hear Katie tell her.

  “Thank you, he can be a bit shy, but I promise, give him time and he’ll come around,” Shelly explains.

  “We’re a lot to take in,” Sky admits.

  “Earth to Mikey.” Logan busts my balls for catching me staring at my girl and listening to their conversation.

  “What?” I chuckle.

  “I take it things are going well.” Slade nudges me.

  I smile. “Actually yes, they are. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t been that long and we’ve only been on a few dates, but we talk almost daily, so yeah, we’re good.”

  “That’s cool. What’s her story?” Logan asks me.

  “I’m still figuring that out. We did a little talking on the way here, but it must have been rough, because her sister told me today that she’s been through a lot and if I hurt her she’ll cut my balls off.” The guys all burst into laughter. “To make it even funnier, she’s a tiny thing that’s the spitting image of Shelly.”

  “Dude, maybe you should wear a cup the next time you go to her house. Give you a little added protection.” Slade laughs.

  “Fuck you.” I shove him, shaking my head.

  The oven beeps and Logan announces dinner is ready. He made shells with sauce, salad, and garlic bread. Shelly grabs Ryker and brings him to the dining room, but he’s refusing to sit by himself. There are too many new faces for him. “I’ll take him. He can sit on my lap.”

  “Are you sure?” Shelly looks nervous.

  “Of course.” I slide my chair out a bit. “Ryker, will you sit with me?” He no
ds and climbs on my lap.

  Shelly stands from the table. “I’ll make you each a plate.”

  “Just put extra shells on my plate, that way he can eat from that. It’ll be easier.”

  She returns with two plates, one for me and one for her. She’s so awesome, she even put salad on it for me. When she sets the plate down, she hands Ryker a spoon and tells him to eat his dinner. Logan starts talking shop as usual and we all dig in. “So, Mikey. We need a new theme night for Oasis.”

  “Really?” Sky whines. “Do we always have to discuss the club?”

  “In his defense, we do come up with some great ideas,” Katie defends him while rubbing her pregnant belly.

  Shelly chuckles, and when I glance over, I catch her biting on that luscious lip of hers. “What are you thinking?” I ask her.

  “Well, it’s just funny that Logan brought up theme nights. I was cleaning the house the other day and a throwback song came on. I thought to myself that would make a great theme night for the club. You could do Flash Back Friday,” she suggests.

  “We do Armed Forces Friday,” Logan reminds her.

  She shrugs. “Change it to Military Monday, now you have a theme for every night.”

  Logan’s brows shoot up in shock. “I like it. What do you think, Mikey?”

  “I think my girl is brilliant.”

  “Uh oh,” Ryker breaks up our conversation.

  “Buddy, be careful, love. You’re going to get Mikey all dirty.” She grabs the napkin and begins wiping him up. Logan made the shells because he said it was easier for the kids to eat, but Ryker managed to drop a spoonful.

  “It’s fine, baby. If I was worried about it, I wouldn’t have let him sit on my lap.” I wipe his hands and hand him back his spoon.

  “Thank you, Mikey.” Ryker takes the spoon and scoops up another bite.

  “You’re welcome, little man. Is Logan a good cook?” He nods his head and continues digging into the pasta.