Betting on Forever

by Scarlett Black

  Feeling done and not really wanting to go further into that ordeal, I roll onto my back, pulling the covers over us, feeling the breeze fall over me, cooling my skin. Blade rolls over onto his side and pulls me back to him, then up against his chest. Kissing my shoulder, we fall into a deep restful sleep.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  Vegas

  Something wet pokes my face. Eww, for the love of all things holy, what was that? It pokes me again, then snorts bad breath up my nose. “Tugger! Don’t poke my face, dude, that’s so rude. Take yourself outside!”

  Pulling the blankets over my head, I cover my face from his doggy kisses. “Uhmf, get off the bed, Tugg! Jesus, fine I’ll take you out, God forbid you use the doggy door, dumb ass.” Frustrated because the floors are cold and I’m still naked, I stomp to the bathroom to pee, and, on my way out, I grab Blade’s shirt and jacket, along with my boots.

  “Alessia, you mad at Tugger, babe?” He’s laughing at me, which only pisses me off more. “I’ll take him out, you’re only half dressed and it’s cold out.”

  “Whatever, I’m dressed, I’ll take him out. Start the shower, I’ll be there in a second.” Slamming the door on my way out, I follow Tugger. For some reason, he always makes me take him out first thing in the morning. Probably because when he was a puppy, that was our routine. Why isn’t he past that?

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  After a hot, sexy shower, and a happy ending in there, we get dressed and eat our breakfast. Blade has just left to get to the clubhouse to do whatever the Prez does all day.

  Right on time, the sound of two, no, actually four, car doors shut. Tugger sits by the door wagging his cute tail back and forth, waiting for the girls to walk in. He’s so damn cute, but annoying first thing in the morning.

  In walk Dana, Jenn, Mom and Katie. “Well, hello, ladies, what a surprise! You all came to visit me? How sweet.” Pulling my hands up together up under my chin, I fake smile for them.

  My mom smiles back. “Morning, baby girl,” she says, then kisses my cheek. “Get your bag, you’re coming with us to breakfast, because we all are hungry and we all want the story of what happened last night. We waited for you, but one of the guys, Spider, he said you two had taken off for the night. Your Papa had me take your Tahoe to a hotel last night.” She smiles big, “I brought it back this morning with me and Katie.”

  Grabbing my purse and jacket, I follow my girl crew while listening to my Momma talk on and on. Even all the way to the diner, and while they order their food. I know she’s excited and happy for me. Seriously though, does she always talk this much? “Momma, cool it and slow down, no one else has even had a chance to get a word in. I’ll tell you all about it,” I tell her softly and squeeze her hand.

  “Sorry, sweetie, we just had such a great night, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you light up like that.”

  “I know, Momma.” Jenn and Dana look a little worried. They know this was a big night for me.

  “Vegas, when I was rounding the tables, I noticed Derrick later on, about halfway through the game. I didn’t know if he was just there waiting for you or waiting to leave. Never did order a drink from me. Did he go to the bar at all, Dana?”, Jenn asks her, lifting her cup and taking a drink of her coffee.

  “No, like you said, I noticed him off to the side, thinking the same. Next thing I know, I look over and you two are shutting the door to your office. It was a busy night at the bar. We were packed, which was good. What happened? What did he say?” Dana sounds distressed. Great, she probably didn’t sleep well. I never thought about texting either of them either. “I see that look, don’t worry, Axl told me you took care of it, and Blade and you were happy. Now details. Go.”

  “I was pretty blindsided and felt a little ambushed. One minute I’m collecting my winnings in my victorious sweep of the World Series. Next thing I know, Derrick is standing right in front of me. Two totally different feelings. One minute I’m crazed with a win, the next I’m being pulled down into a low reality. We talked in the office. He wanted to try again.”

  Waiting all this time, my mom deserves to hear it all. I do feel a little bad when I tell her about the other woman. She gasps and her face gets bright red. To give her credit, she does not say a word, which I’m sure she’ll unload on Papa, poor guy. I never mention Ashley though, because that ties her to Jenn, besides, I’m sure she’s still around.

  “After all these years I realize my part in it. Don’t get me wrong, he was way wrong for what he did, and that was what broke us apart eventually. But I just realized that, in my own way, I knew I was giving him too much space and didn’t protect our relationship like I should have. In my way, I was letting him go. I knew we didn’t fit, we didn’t love each other that way. We did love and that’s why his betrayal did hurt. We were friends turned into lovers stemmed from convenience and circumstance. I forgave him a long time ago, but, seeing him last night, I had to forgive myself. I just didn’t know that was my missing piece that I had left in the past. Forgiving the younger version of myself, I was protecting her.”

  Taking in a full breath and letting it out, I feel whole again. As if my family was a priest and I absolved myself of my sins. The waitress delivers our food and, noticing my mom, she takes off as fast as her feet will carry her.

  Except, I feel bad because my Momma is crying and that makes me feel awful. “Momma, don’t cry, it’s a good thing.” I start rubbing her back and she pulls me in for a hug.

  “Baby girl, I waited years to hear that story, and it’s so sad and so uplifting. Please finish your story. These damn hormones got me emotional. Please finish the rest. I ordered extra food because I know you’ll pick off my plate.” That gives me watery eyes. Damn, this woman knows me too well.

  Katie laughs at her. “One day you’ll get what she is saying. It’s hard for a mom to let go. Not be involved in your life and not help you fix it. It’s what mothers do, we worry, or we fix it. Plus, menopause is karma’s fucked up cousin.”

  All of us laugh because Katie is sweet and kind and when she says something that off from her character, it’s a priceless moment.

  Taking a moment to collect ourselves, I continue the story. “Right about the time I tell Derrick there is nothing between us like there should be, Blade knocks on my door and walks in. I swear Spider stood behind the door like an enforcer to scare the shit out of me. Standing there all badass, with his arms crossed. Derrick got the hint that Blade was there for me, he had nothing else to say at that point and walked out. Blade asked me if it was over, I said yes, it was so over. He asked what I wanted, and I said all I wanted was him. We took off after that short conversation. We went to my house where he stayed the night for the first time. It was really amazing, never have I ever experienced a night like that.” The feelings from the night with Blade come rushing back and have my face reddening.

  “Wow, so you guys are together, no more bullshit from now on?”, Jenn asks all perky, even for her.

  “Yes, no more pissing each other off and flirting around it. We agreed to give it a real shot.” I really believe deep down that we are giving us a real shot.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  After breakfast, I head home and my Mom comes with me. We spend the afternoon watching old movies and relaxing together. Knowing my Papa stays busy, I make a note to invite her to stay more often. I just miss her being around. Besides, she cleans, so yeah, definitely inviting her to come more often. Later, she comes to work with me, along with Katie, and when we aren’t too busy, we have mini dance parties, which is such a blast. How many people get to dance while at work, unless you’re a stripper? Not many, I know that.

  Papa picks her up around eight and they head over to my house to crash. Mom takes Tugger with her. We are getting ready to close for the night, so I text Blade to see if he’s still at the clubhouse.

  Me: Did you get dinner? How does a hamburger sound? At the clubhouse?

  Blade: No, I didn’t. Get your ass here with food. Yes, at the clubhou
se.

  Me: On it, and on my way.

  “Yo, Dana, let’s close this up for the night!”, I yell over the floor to her.

  “What do you think I was doing picking up these chairs and putting them on the tables for?”, she deadpans, the smart ass.

  “Har-har, I’ll start cleaning up the bar after I order some food. You want a hamburger? I’m heading over to the clubhouse. You wanna come with me?”

  “Yes, on the burger, I’m starving! And, yeah, I’ll head over to the club with you.” She gave in easily, which makes me a little suspicious. But then, her Dad could be there still. We work together, and, within ten minutes, we’re on the road.

  Getting there, we walk in and hear Guns N’ Roses’ Paradise City playing loud on the speakers. Dana and I both turn and say at the same, “Ghost.” If that song plays, better watch out because that’s his drinking fight song. That means he’s drunk and is looking to fight. Through the crowd near the bar, we see Tank, Axl, Spider and Blade all sitting at a table.

  Blade spots me, and, when I’m close enough, he pulls me down to sit in his lap. Happy to have my hands on him, my lips find his for a big kiss. “Hey, here, we brought you dinner and a few extra hamburgers, I figured you had your boys here still.” Blade looks stressed out and tired. Maybe I can get him to leave, get some sleep that he really needs.

  Axl shoves Tank over, giving Dana a seat next to me and Blade, but also giving her a seat next to him. “Where’s my kiss, princess?” She just rolls her eyes at him. “Then I want that burger,” he points to her bags of food.

  “Here, and I am not your princess!” Dana drops the bag in front of Axl like a brick on the table.

  “Yes, you are my princess, Dana. I’m too wiped out to fight you right now. We’ll have to pick this up tomorrow.” Dana rolls her eyes again, but it’s a little less angry than normal, or she is just as tired.

  “You tired?” I ask Blade, tracing my thumbs over the bags under his eyes. Blade closes his eyes, leaning deeper into my touch. Kissing his forehead, his eyes open and connect with mine. Poor man is tired. I’m betting with all these men here, they are working on something big. I know he won’t tell me unless he can or needs to. I will be his resting place, his home to come to when he needs me. The rest doesn’t matter to me, only him.

  “Thanks, babe.” Blade kisses me again. I hand him the burger and fries from the bag, and he begins to cram food into his mouth, then ends up eating all of his and most of my fries.

  Chapter 16

  Blade

  I’m tired, hungry and worn out. I would have headed out of here already, but since the Elko Prez, Ice, showed up, we’ve been hanging around the clubhouse catching up with the Elko crew. Sitting around for the last few hours, I’ve been observing the guys, looking for possible leads for a rat. This is putting me on edge and in an even worse mood.

  Vegas and Dana brought us food after they closed the bar. Looking over at the VP, you can tell that even though they aren’t anything yet, he’s happy with both the food and Dana being here. I lean in and give my woman a kiss that I’m sure I needed more than she did. I need to see another piece of my world that brings me strength and some happiness. Smelling her, feeling her grounds my world, makes it spin a little less chaotically.

  We settle into eating a late, or really early, depending on how you look at it, dinner, enjoying the food with no nonsense conversation. Rubbing the skin under her shirt with my thumb, I start to relax. I relax into the feeling of her body touching mine. My thoughts, though, stay focused on my tasks with the club. Taking on this club as my own, and now Alessia, it’s a solace I crave and need. Failing is not an option. I will take these fuckers who are threatening me and my family on. I will protect them with my life. If not for my future, I will be successful for theirs.

  Hate pumps through me when I see Tanya walking through the door, strutting her stripper red shoes. Displeasure is replacing the calm I just had. She is a fucking hot woman, always would fuck or suck my cock when I needed it. That fucking cunt rode up here with the crew from Las Vegas. She did that knowing that when I left, I made it clear we were done. Stupid slut thought I would make her used pussy my Ol’ Lady. Tired of my old life, I wanted new shit, better shit for me. Her looks don’t phase me and I’m tired of seeing her ugly, bitchy personality.

  Pulling my gun out and blasting her brains on the wall would satisfy me. Fucking club sluts are not a complication I want or need right now when I’m starting to get the shit I want. Tanya is pushing the demon to rise within me. The wicked thought of her dead and decaying corpse is a fantasy I could get hard to. I’m not going to make a scene, hoping she’ll mind her own god damn business. I’ll make sure they take her back to Las Vegas when they leave. That way I don’t have to explain to Alessia why that cunt is here, and why I don’t want her here. Tilting my chin towards the floor, I keep my eyes away from hers. Here’s to hoping the dumb cunt takes a clue.

  Alessia’s spine straightens and her muscles tense. And I know that bitch is standing right there. Shit makes me smile, and looking over the table, I see the challenge in Tanya’s face. She thinks my smile is for her. Tanya is so fucking wrong about that. Challenge my woman, bitch. I know Vegas will and can handle her own. If there was ever a time I regretted fucking Tanya, that time would be right now.

  “Well, who’s the new bitch on your lap, Blade? I thought you were saving me a spot? I’m here now, so you can find another dick to ride,” Tanya tosses her hand up, dismissing my woman. “That man is mine and has been mine for a while.” Vegas drops her burger, staring Tanya dead in her soulless eyes.

  She lowers her voice, crisp and clear, and it’s on. “Let’s clear shit up right now. I don’t know you, so don’t ever feel you can call me a bitch. Don’t you act like a bitch and ruin my dinner, shit is downright fucking rude. Mind your goddamn manners in this clubhouse. And lastly, I don’t pick random dicks to ride for the night. Know who you’re talking to before you open your mouth. You look stupid.” Vegas leans back against my chest waiting on the dumb cunt to leave.

  “Honey, you may have him for right now, but they all fuck around. I’ll have his dick again,” she sneers at my woman. I want to grab her by her hair and kick her out myself.

  Vegas stands, pulling her keys and phone out of her hoody pocket, handing them to Dana next to her. Leaning over the table, she says to Tanya, “Kick rocks, crazy, I won’t cat fight over a man, but I won’t hesitate to kick a bitch’s ass either.”

  I’ve had enough, and the demon is out. Bitch needs to know she’s in my club. Pushing myself out of the chair, I race around the table and stand right next to Tanya, put my gun to her head, cocking the hammer back. The room stops talking, everyone is quiet. Tanya brings her terrified tear-filled face up to me, at least as much as she can with my nine pushing against her skull.

  “Dumb cunt, do not come into my club like you are somebody here. You are some trashy ass pussy I used, get that through your skull or my bullet will. The next time you disrespect my Ol’ Lady will be your last. Get the fuck out, and do not come into my club again. Move!” My voice booms across the room.

  Damn terrified, stupid pussy takes off crying and twisting her ankle on the way out. Fucking dumb bitch. Sitting back in my chair, I pull Vegas to sit back down with me. I wrap my arm around her waist and hug her back to me where she belongs. On my side, as my Ol’ Lady. Conversations pick back up, men start to move back to what they were doing.

  Picking up my whiskey, I slam the rest back and drop the glass down. I turn my head and catch Hawk watching us. Seeing what he just lost has him watching my hand. Staring back at him, I’m thinking I could blow his brains out too. Instead, I feel like playing with the dirty fucker inside of me. A cold stone face filled with dominance slips over my face, my mask. I slip my hand up her shirt. Pinching her nipple hard has her gasping at me. I take her lips punishing her with my rage. She submits to my mood. Hawk glares, not able to stand the sight of her in my hands and takes off down the
hall to one of the rooms. Good, motherfucker, message received. What you let go, I took, so fuck off.

  Standing, I pull Vegas across the floor to our Church meeting room and slam the door shut. Tank got up and followed us to watch the door. I place my gun on the table right next to us. If someone does get through, they will catch a bullet to the head. Vegas beams with pride and lust at my demonic side. She knows I need her body as much as she needs me claiming her to the club. She pulls her sweatshirt and shirt over her head, leaving her lacy, black bra on. Her hands travel down to her pants unbuckling and pushing them, along with her G-string, to her knees.

  Bending her plump ass over the table has me losing my control at the sight of her bare pussy. I stand behind her and pull my own pants down, thrusting my stiff cock in her in one quick move. I slap her ass three times and I know that will hurt her. She’s slick and hot with her lust for me, for my crazy murderous side, claiming her as my bitch. Wrapping her hair in my fist, I pull just enough to arch her more for me. I grab her hip with my other hand, sliding my dick out and slamming it back inside her, punishing her pussy. I punch my dick in and out, releasing my stress with her body.

  Every thrust is pushing her body forward and she takes it all for me. She’s arching her ass back into me, excited for more. I feel myself coming inside of my pussy, because yeah, it’s mine, slowly rubbing and caressing it with my dick. I release my strong hold on her hair, running my fingers down the middle of her back. Moving my hand to her front, I rub her clit till she releases her cum on me. On my dick. On my hand. Drawing her back up to me, I turn her head and take her mouth while sticking my fingers back inside her pussy, feeling our releases mix together. Fucking perfect mess.