by Marie, Kay
“I’ll be back.” She walks away, grinning.
“Raven, have you been talking with Kicks,” I ask her.
“Every day, why?” she says curiously.
“Want to come with us to Texas so you can see him?”
“What? Are you serious? Hell yeah, I want to go!” A smile spreads across her face. “I’m going to go call him now.”
“So that’s who she has a thing for,” Wren says. She turns in my arms, so she’s facing me and wraps her arms around my waist.
“Yup. Crazy to think Kicks found someone to hold him down, huh?”
“He’s not someone I expected to ever settle for one girl,” she tells me.
A short time later, Luke and the guys from the shop show up. We sit around talking with everyone for the rest of the night. Nothing like club parties back in Texas, but they’ll get there. I love Texas, but I sure do miss living out here. I’ll have to bring Wren back out here to meet Mama Maggie soon.
* * *
The ride back to Texas was pure torture. I wanted Wren on the back of my bike with her arms wrapped around my waist, but she needed to drive my Civic back. Raven rode with her, while Aria rode back with Clutch. We pull up to the clubhouse around four o’clock. I watch Wren climb out of the car and all I want to do is kiss her, to let my hands roam over her body. But we haven’t told Shade about us yet. We wanted to talk to him about it in person.
Sienna runs out of the clubhouse. “Eeek! My best friend is back!”
“I missed you, too.” Wren laughs as they collide into a hug.
“We’re having a girls’ night tonight to celebrate,” Sienna mutters to her.
I smile, watching them together. The sparkle is still there in Wren’s eye. “Hey, Sienna. Where’s your Ol' Man?”
“He had an errand to run. He should be back soon.” She turns back to Wren. Wren introduces her to Aria and Raven. Kicks comes out a couple minutes later.
“What’s goin’ on . . .” Kicks pauses when his eyes land on Raven. His face splits into a huge smile. “Raven.”
She walks to him, wrapping her arms around him. He whispers something to her and they head back inside.
“Why don’t you have girls’ night with them and get to know everyone,” Clutch suggests to Aria.
“Yeah! Please come! I want to get to know my bestie’s secret bestie,” Sienna teases Wren, who rolls her eyes.
“I’d like that a lot. Thanks!” Aria grins. Clutch kisses her, then heads toward me.
“She’s gonna fit in great,” I tell him.
“Don’t I know it. I need a drink just thinking about it.”
I laugh. “They’re a wild bunch.”
“Ain’t that the truth,” Clutch agrees. We head inside, leaving the girls to talk.
“Welcome back.” Bull greets us as we walk in. “Let's talk.”
Clutch and I follow him into his office, sitting in the chairs in front of his desk.
“How’s the New Orleans chapter lookin’,” Bull asks.
“Real good. They have two club businesses they got up and running while we were there,” I tell him. “A repair shop they had before joining and a strip club. They also have something in the works with the Mad Tatter tattoo shop.”
Bull nods his head. “Any word on the clubhouse they plan to have built?”
“They’re breaking ground at the end of August,” Clutch informs him. “Their plan is to have it done by the end of the year at the earliest, February at the latest.”
“I’ll reach out to Gator later this week and plan a couple visits.” Bull isn’t speaking to us directly. More so, thinking out loud. He dismisses us. Walking into the main room, Wren, Aria and Sienna are sitting at the bar.
“You girls doin’ alright,” Clutch asks. He stands next to Aria, placing a kiss on her cheek, something I wish I could do with Wren.
“We were just waiting on y’all so we could tell you we were going up to Minx’s house,” Sienna says.
“Have fun,” I tell them.
“Always.” Wren winks at me. I watch as they walk out of the clubhouse. As soon as the door closes behind Wren, I turn and walk toward the rooms.
“I’ll be in my room if anyone needs me,” I call out over my shoulder.
26
Wren
“Knock, knock, bitches,” Sienna shouts as we walk into Minx’s house.
“What are you . . .” Minx pauses. “Wren! You’re back!”
She rushes at me, wrapping me in a tight hug. I squeeze her back.
“We missed you so much,” she adds.
“I missed y’all, too,” I respond.
“Come in and sit. We have a lot to catch up on.” Minx ushers me into the living room.
“Wren! I thought I heard you in there,” Cali says.
“It’s me! I had to come home before this little guy made an appearance.” I rub her belly. “How are you feeling?”
“I’m ready to be done being pregnant.” She laughs, “Don’t get me wrong, it’s been a wonderful experience, but it feels like I’ve been pregnant forever.”
“Do y’all have everything ready for him?”
“Sure do. We even painted his room. You should come by and see it,” she insists.
“Of course!”
“Sit and tell us where you’ve been for the past almost two months,” Cali says. Sienna walks by me, sitting on the couch, and Aria walks to my side.
“I want y’all to meet my friend Aria.” I introduce her to Minx, Cali, Rivet and Emma. We sit with Sienna. “What do y’all want to know first?”
“Um, where the hell were you?” Rivet blurts out.
“Why did you leave without telling anyone?” Hurt crosses Cali’s face.
I hesitate for a moment. Sienna and Aria each grab one of my hands, letting me know I’m not alone. I explain to the girls what happened with Zack and that I had to leave because I feared what he would do to those closest to me.
“But you’re back now. What changed,” Minx asks.
“Sketch. He helped me realize that the Savage Menaces would protect me and that they could handle Zack if needed.”
Cali’s eyes go as wide as saucers. “You two are together now, aren’t you?”
My cheeks heat.
“What?” Sienna shouts. “Are you? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Cat’s outta the bag,” Aria mumbles with a giggle.
“Um, well, Sketch and I wanted to tell you and Shade together,” I admit. “Since he wasn’t here when we got here, I was going to suggest we all go out for breakfast or something tomorrow.”
“That’s a good idea. I’ll try to act surprised when you tell him,” Sienna says.
I laugh. “Thanks, I appreciate that.”
“Ask her what they did last week,” Aria slyly adds.
I glare at her. “Aria!”
“Did you two . . .?” Minx stares at me.
“You had sex!” Rivet blurts out.
My face is on fire.
“You did,” Sienna shouts. “Tell us all about it! How was it? How was he?”
Before I can respond, the front door opens and closes.
Shade walks into the living room. “Where’s my baby sister?”
“Ugh, babe, we’re having a girls night! Couldn’t you have waited one more night,” Sienna asks him.
“I haven’t seen her in two months. I needed to see her.”
I stand and wrap him in a hug. He stiffens at first, but quickly relaxes, hugging me back. It’s been a long time since I’ve given him any kind of affection. It’s become a foreign concept for us— one I hope we can get back.
“Can we talk?” Shade hooks his thumb over his shoulder, gesturing to outside.
“Of course.” I follow him outside where we sit on the front steps.
“You look happier,” he says softly.
“I am.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “I wish you would have called me when you left.”
“I know
I should have. I’m sorry, Shade.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you’re safe and home. Do you want to tell me what ran you off in the first place?”
I take a deep breath. “Zack and I broke up, and I needed to get away for a while.”
“I didn’t even know you had friends in New Orleans,” he says.
“I wanted it that way,” I admit. “It kept it a safe place for me.”
“That’s what I don’t get. If you and Zack broke up, why couldn’t you call Sienna or me? Hell, or even Sketch?”
I sigh. “It’s not something I’m ready to talk to you about, yet.”
“Have you talked to anyone? You can’t keep shit bottled up, Wren.”
“Just because I don’t tell you, doesn’t mean I’m keeping it bottled up.” I grab his hand and squeeze. “I know how protective you are over me. I also know you tend to react without thinking things through.”
He lets out a half-huff, half-laugh sound.
“There are times where you need to keep something from me to keep me safe. This is what I’m doing for you. If and when you need to know, you will.”
Shade chuckles. “You sound more like me than you know.”
I roll my eyes. “Ugh, that’s the last thing I need.” I giggle.
“Ha-ha, don’t act like you never wanted to be like me growing up.”
“That was before I knew better,” I tease.
“You leave for a couple months, now all of a sudden you’re a comedian, huh?”
I grin. “Yeah, something like that.”
We’re quiet for a couple minutes. I end up breaking the silence. “You, me, Sienna, and whoever else wants to, should go to breakfast tomorrow.”
“I’d like that. Rosie’s at ten?”
“Perfect. I’ll let Sienna know.”
“Alright, get back to your girls night. I’ll see y’all in the morning.” He stands from the stairs.
“I love you, Bubba.”
“I love you, too, Sis.”
I watch him walk away for a beat before going back inside. I send Sketch a text.
To Sketch: Breakfast at Rosie’s at ten tomorrow.
“Everything okay,” Sienna asks.
“Better than ever,” I reply.
“Did you tell him about you and Sketch?”
“No, I’ll wait until Sketch is with me to tell him.” I sit back on the couch between her and Aria. “Speaking of, you, me, Sketch and Shade are going to breakfast tomorrow. If anyone else wants to come, you’re more than welcome to.”
“Where at,” Minx asks.
“Rosie’s at ten.”
“I’ll pass. I’m miserable enough as it is,” Cali says.
My phone vibrates in my hand.
From Sketch: I’ll be there.
From Sketch: I’m having withdrawals from your kisses.
My cheeks heat. Zack was never cheesy like Sketch is. It’s one of the things I love most about Sketch.
“What’s got you blushing over there?” Minx smirks at me.
“Huh? Oh, nothing.” I smile.
To Sketch: After tomorrow, you can kiss me anytime you want. ;P
From Sketch: I can’t fucking wait, Little Brid.
We end up ordering pizza for dinner and spend the rest of the night talking and catching up. Cali left shortly after dinner. With that baby coming any day now, she’s ready for bed by seven o’clock. I make my way to bed around ten, texting Sketch before I fall asleep.
To Sketch: I wish I was lying next to you tonight. Goodnight.
From Sketch: Me too. Sleep sweet, beautiful.
27
Sketch
I almost let it slip to Shade that Wren and I are together now. I’m confident he’ll be supportive of us, but I know he’ll appreciate us telling him together. Even if we have kept it from him for a week. I’ve been laying in my bed thinking about Wren since she last texted me. I got so used to having her fall asleep in my arms. Not having her here next to me feels wrong. After we tell Shade about us, everything will be fine. I finally drift off to sleep with nothing but Wren on my mind.
The next morning, I’m awake and out of bed by a quarter after eight. I send Wren a good morning text before taking a quick shower. A shower where I spend most of my time thinking about Wren. My dick grows harder with every thought of her. Imagining her delicious lips around my cock has me grabbing myself and slowly pumping my hand. I think about gently guiding her head up and down my dick and how it would feel having her moan with her mouth full of my dick. Before I know it, I’m shooting my load at the wall.
I speed through my normal shower routine and get out of the shower, frustrated more now than before my shower. I dress in jeans, a black shirt and my cut, then head out to the main room. Shade is already out here.
“What’s up, brother?” I sit on the couch across from him.
“Waitin’ to go to breakfast. You wanna come?”
I shrug. “Sure. Why not?”
Half an hour later, we’re pulling up to Rosie’s Diner. Clutch’s car is already here. I’m willing to bet Wren and Sienna rode with him and Aria. When we walk into the diner, the four of them are sitting in the waiting area. Wren’s eyes light up. If Shade wasn’t completely focused on Sienna, he would have called Wren out. I wink at her with a smile.
“Who all is coming,” Shade asks the girls.
“The six of us, plus Minx and Raze, Rivet, Saint, and I think Diesel and Hollywood,” Wren tells him.
Shade laughs. “Lolita is gonna hate us.” As the words leave his mouth, Lolita walks over to us.
“Your table is ready. Want to sit?”
“Sure.” Wren hops up from her seat and follows Lolita. She takes us toward the back of the diner, where they have some tables pushed together to accommodate all of us. Shade sits on one end with Sienna on his left and Wren on his right. Without hesitation, I sit next to Wren. Aria sits beside Sienna with Clutch on her other side.
We order our drinks while we wait for the others to show up. I lean my leg over enough so my knee touches Wren’s. She inhales a sharp breath, making me grin. There’s no way she truly thought I would sit next to her and not touch her. Shade can’t see our legs, so I’m not giving anything away. The others show up as Lolita brings out our drinks. They order their drinks, and we all order food. There might be a lot of us, but we’re an easy bunch.
“Hey, Shade. Sketch and I had something we wanted to talk to you about,” Wren says.
“What? That y’all hung out while you were in New Orleans? I already knew that.”
“Nah, bro. I claimed Wren as my Ol’ Lady.” I wrap my arm around her shoulders.
“‘Bout fuckin’ time,” Saint mutters from beside me.
Shade chuckles. “I was wondering how long that would take.”
“We’ve actually been together a week now,” Wren tells him.
“No shit? I can’t say I’m surprised. Y’all are perfect for each other.” Shade’s eyes lock on mine. “But hear me when I say, brother or not, you break her heart, I’ll break your jaw.”
“I hear you loud and clear. No need to worry though, she’s my end game.”
Out of the corner of my eye, Wren gapes at me. I smile and kiss her forehead.
“Fuck! Everyone is pairing up,” Saint says, glancing at Rivet.
“Don’t even think about it, sleaze-ball,” Rivet spits out at him. Everyone erupts in laughter.
I smile to myself. This is the shit I’ve dreamed about until now. The friends who have turned into family and the perfect woman by my side. Life is fucking perfect.
* * *
I’ve spent all week helping out at Savage Repairs as an extra hand, so if Buster needs to leave, he can without a problem. Some of the prospects have been helping, too. We have a couple that have been working the front of the shop for a while now. So if for any reason all of us need to leave, they have this place under control.
I’m working on rotating tires on a customer's car when Rascal walks up
with a goofy as fuck grin on his face.
“So, you and Wren, huh?” Rascal pries.
“Yup.”
“Were you ever worried Shade would kick your ass for touching his sister?” He laughs.
“Nope, but I would have gladly taken the ass beating for her,” I admit.
“Y’all are fuckin’ pussy-whipped bitches now.”
I laugh. “I could still beat your ass.”
“Is that a challenge?” Rascal smirks. “Because we can set up something for the octagon.”
I stand, facing him. We stand at the same height, with him a little bulkier than me. He might be a challenge, but I can take him. “Name the time and place, asshole.”
“Tomorrow night at the warehouse.” He sticks his hand out for me to shake.
I take his hand in mine. “I’ll be there.”
“This is gonna be fun. It’s been a minute since I stepped into the octagon.” He walks out of the shop toward the office. My phone vibrates in my pocket.
“Hello?”
“Sketch, I tried calling Buster, but he isn’t answering. Cali is in labor, we’re on our way to the hospital.” Sienna’s talking a hundred miles an hour.
“Calm down. He’s here, he’s been working on an engine. I’ll grab him and meet y’all at the hospital.”
“Hurry up.” She hangs up. Shit. I walk to the bay Buster is working in.
“Buster, where’s your phone?”
“What? It’s right here.” He holds it up. The screen black. “Fuck. It’s dead. What’s up?”
“Have Knuckles or the new guy take over, we gotta go.”
His eyes go wide. “Is she . . .”
“On her way to the hospital now. Sienna has her. Let's go.” I glance around as Knuckles walks out of the office. “Knuckles, come finish this car. I gotta get Buster to Cali.”
“You got it. Get outta here.”
“Buster, toss me your keys.” He tosses them with shaky hands and I almost miss them. We climb in and take off, making it to the hospital in record time.
28
