Old Ladies Club 2

by Kayce Kyle

  “Prospects! You heard her, get to it,” he says, turning his attention away from us once again.

  I don’t know what has him so fucking occupied elsewhere, but this shit isn’t working for me. I narrow my eyes at him and call out, “Excuse me!”

  “What?”

  “That’s better, at least you now are acknowledging my existence.”

  “Sorry, honey, I’m busy trying to check in on some of our friends. Whatcha need?”

  “Nothing exactly, just don’t like to be ignored and made to feel like a second-class citizen from my old man, I’ve been there and done that.”

  “Don’t go there, Cara, I’m nothing like that jackass.”

  “Never said you were, just stated that when I speak to you I expect the same level of respect I show you when you speak with me. That’s all,” I say shrugging my shoulders. He comes up to me and plants a kiss on my lips, and just like that all is good in my world.

  “Hey,” he says.

  “You may go back to your presidential duties,” I reply, giving him a wink. He slaps my ass and mouths to me, “you’ll pay for that” and takes off back to the circle he was in earlier. I love it when he makes me pay.

  Once the prospects come down with the stuff we packed up, the rest of my girls and I get it put away with their help. I appreciate the fact that they’re there to help, but sometimes, they don’t think practically. The last time we went to a giant warehouse store to stock up and they unloaded, we found the huge boxes of toilet paper in the room where we have the kids’ beds and stuff! I still think it was a joke, but it sure as hell wasn’t funny lugging that damn box down the hall, through the main clubhouse room and over to the storage room that Nan created, that’s for sure!

  Hannah

  I sit back and watch the family dynamics and long for the day I can begin a family with Smokey and Bandit. We’ve had this discussion and the guys simply aren’t ready yet, and I respect their choice knowing that one day it will happen. I shouldn’t be longing for a child yet since I’m still trying to find myself, so to speak, but when I’m around everyone and theirs I can’t seem to help myself. Would we have a little girl with long flowing hair or a little boy who’s just as rough and gruff as his daddies are? Daydreams are something that I’ve recently found myself lost in. My artwork is reflecting more of a family type scene, than that of my pinup girls and abstract art I love so much when I’m feeling down and out. It’s funny how quickly dreams can change, I used to dream about surviving my family and now I dream of growing one. But just as they have, I’ve grown as a person and as a woman and I’m finding that I like who I’m turning into. I wish I could say it was all me, but the men and this family I have gained have shown me a different way and have helped me tremendously with that growth.

  “Hannah, dinner’s up,” I hear Trinity call out to me, so I shake myself out of my train of thoughts and go and join the others at the buffet-style setting that’s been made. Food looks and smells really good, I’m glad we have an apartment-sized stove down here, it doesn’t allow us to cook large quantities at a time, but it gets the job done nonetheless. We’re just having something simple, but my stomach is rumbling and the smell is making it worse. I get my plate made and join the others at the tables that are set up. We all dig in as if this is our last meal, I’m guessing I’m not the only one who’s hungry enough to eat a cow.

  “When will we know how bad the storm has affected the town?” I ask my old men.

  “The worst of it should be upon us soon, guess it just depends on the severity of what we get hit with on how long it lasts,” Bandit tells me.

  “Don’t worry, doll, we’ll keep you entertained if you’re worried about getting bored,” Smokey says with a twinkle in his eye.

  “I’m not worried about getting bored, I’m worried about our town and the people who reside there.”

  “Has anyone checked on the post we put out to see if anyone’s replied yet?” Cara asks us.

  “I checked it a few minutes ago and there was nothing.” I pull out my phone and realize I no longer have a signal. “Anyone have a signal, because I sure the hell don’t?”

  “I had one earlier, let me check,” Trinity replies. “Nope, nothing, guess we’re on standby for awhile.”

  “That sucks!” DJ announces, “I’m with Cara, I’m worried about our friends, I hope they’re all fine and safe.”

  “We’ll keep trying, sooner or later one of us has to get reception,” I state. The next couple of hours consist of us playing board games, poker, playing with the younger kids and checking our devices. I send good vibes and thoughts to them and pray, even though I’m not the religious type, that all is good with each and everyone of them.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Keira

  My days consist of taking care of my kids, writing my next book, dreaming of the new baby, and being worried about the rest of the girls from the other clubs that we’ve become close to. Kenyon and Cory take up a majority of my time, but I’m going to have to learn to spread my time and attention even thinner when the new baby gets here.

  Blade is supposed to be back from his run tomorrow and if he’s going to be going on more and more of these, I may have to rethink my writing career. I’m not sure how I’m going to be able to keep up with three babies all on my own. Part of the charm of being my own boss and working from home is that I can work around their schedules. It’s going to be hard as hell to do that when I’m alone with more kids. At least until I get everyone in a routine. I may have to push a deadline or two back.

  Since my mind isn’t on the task at hand, I open the internet and see if anyone has posted their situation. Every hour that goes by with no word from the girls besides the ones belonging to the Wild Kings makes my nerves get worse and worse. I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re currently going through. We’ve never been through the type of storms they’re getting right now, and I hope we never do. However, that doesn’t stop my mind from wandering about things that we need to do to take precautions for different events that may take place. Other than lockdowns.

  I know that there are other posts from different girls from the other chapters, but I’m going to post anyway. I know that most of you are going through horrible weather right now. Please just check in when you can so we know that you, and your families, are okay.

  Glancing at the clock on my desktop, I see that I have about fifteen minutes to get my ass over to Skylar’s house. She’s still suffering from her migraine, even if it is starting to get better. We’ve all been taking turns getting her what she needs and taking care of the kids for her. It doesn’t help that she’s worried about everyone else and we can’t give her any updates. Today will be the same, but we’ll get through it like we always do.

  Today has been exhausting! I’ve made dinner for my kids, Skylar’s kids, and something for Skylar to try to get down. Cage and Joker came home for dinner and had to make a quick run to the clubhouse for a meeting. As soon as they got back, I practically ran through the door on my way home. Not only do I have to get my kids ready for bed and through their routine, I need to check my book sales for the day. And get ready to talk to Blade when he calls in a little while. Since he’s been gone, he tries to make it once during the day with a call so he can talk to the kids and then again at night when he knows they’re already in bed. That’s our time to talk about things we need to take care of. And have a little fun.

  Kenyon and Cory go down easier than usual tonight after all the excitement of the day. I’m honestly surprised they made it through bath time tonight. As soon as their precious little heads hit their pillows, they were out for the count. Now, I can take care of work things and be relaxed and in bed by the time my man calls.

  Skylar

  The last few days have been hell on earth. I’m not just talking about the storm raging through half the country, I’m also talking about this migraine. I haven’t had one this bad in a long time, and I’m not quite sure what’s brought this o
ne on. Or why it’s not letting up for anything. I’ve even resorted to taking the medicine I got prescribed a long time ago. It’s not even taking the edge off the pain. Looks like I can’t do anything more than continue to rest and stay in this quiet and pitch black room.

  I’m sure part of the reason is that I can’t personally check to see if anyone has posted on the site. Maybe when Maddie comes over in a few minutes I’ll have her send a message to one of the girls. With a plan in mind, I lay back down and wait for my friend to show up and try to keep me company for a little bit.

  “Skylar, I’m here,” Maddie calls out softly, walking through the door as quickly as possible. “Melody decided to come with me today too.”

  “Hey, honey! Are you feeling any better?” she asks, taking a seat in the chair by the bed.

  “Yes and no. The pain is starting to go away, but it’s still almost unbearable. Has anyone heard how the weather is in Texas? Any of the girls check in lately?” I ask, knowing that they’ll have probably checked the site.

  “I haven’t been able to today,” Maddie replies, pulling her phone out so that she can check the site. “Nope. Keira made another post asking them to check in as soon as they can. Let me see if I can send Jenalyn a message and get her to respond that way.”

  Maddie doesn’t say anything as she sends the message to our friend. Hopefully she’ll get it and be able to at least say they’re okay before something else happens and they can’t check in. If not, I guess we continue to wait until we hear from someone. As soon as she’s done, Maddie reads the message out loud to us.

  Maddie: Jenalyn, we’re trying to see if you guys are okay. I’m sure you have limited service and that’s why we haven’t heard anything. At least that’s what I’m telling myself. Please let us know you’re okay if you get this.

  Melody and I nod our heads to her and I settle back in to relax. My two friends try to let me relax and keep my mind off of everything I don’t need to be thinking about right now. Sami is with the kids and I’m sure she’s wearing them out. She’s so good with them. I’m sure that she has them out back somewhere since there isn’t a single noise in the house. When Sami is playing with them, the kids are full of laughter, screams, and squeals at all the games she makes up for them to play.

  At some point I must have dozed off again. I wake up to see Melody sitting on the end of my bed channel surfing and Maddie pulling her phone out of her pocket in the chair next to me. My hopes start soaring that maybe Jenalyn has responded to her, but I don’t want to think about it if that’s not the case.

  Maddie looks up at me and sadly shakes her head no to let me know that she still hasn’t heard back. Fuck! I wish they all lived closer, possibly somewhere we didn’t have to worry about storms like that. I know that’s not reality, but this shit sucks. Waiting is always the worst. Doing it with a migraine is hell.

  Melody grabs her cards and starts dealing a game of rummy for her and Maddie to play. I close my eyes and listen to them bicker, laugh, and complain that one another is cheating. What makes it even funnier is that they’re trying to be quiet as a mouse so they don’t disturb me. If I say anything about it, I know they’ll leave the room and that’s the last thing I want. Before I can think anymore about the game, Maddie’s phone goes off.

  Jenalyn: Hey! It’s Vanna from Jenalyn’s phone. She’s busy with screaming babies, but wanted me to check in. We can’t get a hold of our men either. We’re okay, well, alive at least...but we’re in the middle of what is definitely a horrible tornado. We’re all in Jenalyn’s closet hunkered down. Service keeps cutting in and out, so...

  Maddie reads us the message that Vanna sent back. I’m glad that they’re okay all things considered. My concern now is that they stay that way until the tornado clears out. What concerns me even more is that the men aren’t with them and that it’s still going on. Who knows when we’ll be able to hear from them again?

  “You going to let everyone else know?” Melody asks, relaxing back on the bed so that they can continue playing their game.

  “Yeah. I’m sending out a group text now,” she replies, typing away on her phone before placing it on the arm of the chair.

  Hopefully when I wake up again, the pain will be less severe and I can actually get out of bed. At this point, I’ll settle for just being able to sit up for a little while. I want to eat something solid instead of jello and broth. Most of all, I want Cage and Joker to chill the fuck out and not worry about me on top of everything else they have to do. I miss my kids and I want to play and laugh with them.

  When I wake up again, I see Joker sitting by our bed. He’s got a stack of papers in his lap and he’s trying to do paperwork for something. Thankfully, my head isn’t pounding and I don’t feel like I’m going to be sick. Sitting up, I wait for the wave of nausea to hit me. After a few minutes, nothing happens and I want to get out of bed.

  “What are ya doin’ baby?” Joker asks, setting his papers aside and standing up to help me.

  “I’m going to the bathroom, then I’m going to take a shower, and then I’m going to see what kind of mess you all have left our house,” I say, letting him know that my sass is back and I’m ready to be me again.

  “Are you sure you’re up for that?” he asks, the concern lacing his voice and a crease forming between his brows.

  “I am. Or is the house so bad that you don’t want me to see it?”

  “Nope. We’ve been keepin’ it clean. It may not be up to your standards, but it’s clean and all the kids are whole,” he tells me.

  “We’ll see about that,” I tell him, heading in the bathroom and shutting him out.

  Standing under the hot water soothes my aching bones. I may have only been laying in bed the last few days, but I’m still sore as hell. When I have these stupid migraines, they take a lot out of me. I think it takes longer to get back in the swing of things than it does to get rid of the pain in my head.

  Walking downstairs after taking my sweet ass time in the shower, I see Bailey and my men sitting in the kitchen. I can hear the kids down in their playroom, and amazingly my house is still semi-normal. Cage wraps me up in his arms and I feel his warmth surround me. Kissing him, I turn to give Joker a kiss before turning my attention towards Bailey.

  “Any word yet?” I ask, grabbing a glass of water and sitting down.

  “Nothing else. I’ll post again asking in a little while. It’s going to take some time before we hear anything though,” she says, heading to the stove to make something to eat.

  “I know. It just sucks that we don’t know what’s going on there. If they’re okay, if they need anything. I wish there was something we could do to help them out,” I tell her, letting all the possibilities swirl through my head.

  “They’ll send word when they can. I know they’ve probably got a lot goin’ on and are just as worried about you guys and everyone else as you guys are about them,” Cage tells me, pulling me back into his side again.

  “Maybe I can start getting some things ready and bake them some food to somehow send to them all,” I begin, my mind continuing to wander at all the possibilities of ways I can help them get through this.

  “Slow down a little bit, Sky,” Bailey tells me, turning her attention from the stove for a few minutes. “Let’s see what they say when they get back to us eventually and go from there. If they tell us they need something at that point, we’ll figure out how to get it to them.”

  I nod my head to her and tune everyone back out. Maybe Keira can use some of her royalties to help out. And I can have a bake sale. I’m sure there’s other things that we can all do to get them money or whatever else they need. Maybe I can get the girls together later on and brainstorm some ideas of how to make some money to send to everyone. I know Jenalyn and her girls aren’t the only ones to be going through some shitty weather right now.

  “I can see your mind whirling with ideas and shit from here,” Bailey tells me, putting a plate of bland food in front of me. “We’ll tal
k when they aren’t around here.”

  “We hear you, ya know?” Joker asks, giving me another kiss on the temple and standing up. “I know how to take a hint. Let’s go play with the kids, Cage.”

  We watch as my men disappear downstairs before Bailey sits down next to me. I stuff food in my mouth so I can have a few minutes to compose my thoughts before I tell her my plan. Once I swallow, I turn my focus on her and begin telling her my thoughts.

  “At some point, Keira is going to get some money for her books. I always have baked goods around here, and everyone else has things that they can do. I was thinking that we can use all of that and get some money together for when we hear from them again,” I tell her, making sure that she’s following me.

  Bailey sits and thinks for a few minutes before she responds to me. “I think that’s a good idea. And I’m sure the rest of the girls will be on board with that too. We’ll talk it over with them and set things in motion. I’m sure we’ll have to talk to the guys about it before we put the whole plan in motion. You know how they are.”

  “I do. We’ll figure it out though,” I tell her, turning back to my food so that I can get on with the rest of the day.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Lizzie

  I see that Trinity has made a post and that there has been no reply. So far, we only have heavy rain and wind. If that isn’t bad enough, I’m now really worried about each and every one of the girls. I make a separate post, hoping against all the odds that somehow, someway they are able to make contact.

  I post: I know that most of you probably can’t get to a computer, or phone, and that you most likely have a lot going on. Please, when you are able to check in with us and let us know if you are fine and well do so at your earliest convenience. We love you all, and have kept each and every one of you in our hearts and prayers.