by Xyla Turner
My head nodded in agreement with that statement. I certainly had.
"So, you have OCD?" Kylie asked.
"Well, not really. It's obsessive, but not necessarily compulsion. I can become hyper-focused on a person and not a bunch of things. It could even be a celebrity, and other signs are delusions, jealousy and things like that. It never got to that point, but if it would have gone unchecked, it might have," she confided.
"I see." My head nodded with recognition.
"Yeah, so go ahead, let me have it." Lori gave us a half-smile.
"No, kudos for you getting the help you needed," Kylie said. "That says a lot about you."
"Well, I wouldn't go that far." Lori’s eyebrow raised.
"I would," I chimed in. "One of the reasons why I never said anything to you about it is because on some level I felt like I had those same tendencies. I'd never admit that, but you did and more importantly, to yourself."
Lori's eyes started to fill with unshed tears.
"Oh no," Kylie stood up. "No crying, okay. It's eight in the morning. We haven't had coffee yet."
"Shay," Lori called. "You have no idea how much I needed to hear you say that."
She jumped to her feet and hugged me. Then she whispered in my ear, "You really don't know."
We embraced for a while until Kylie joined us. Once we stopped, I asked, "So you're back for good?"
"Yup, my job started Monday morning and right now, I'm still in the process of moving."
"Oh goodie, because we have a few good men that can help you." Kylie smiled. "Razor, Bronx. Get in here."
A few seconds later, they both strolled through the kitchen door looking to Kylie. Bronx no longer had a limp, but on rainy days, he ached and the limp was noticeable.
"Lori here, is back to stay, and she's moved near Baltic, and I thought it'd be nice if we all helped her." Kylie smiled sweetly.
"You mean, we move the shit, while you girls gab and shit," Razor growled.
"Something like that," I added. "Bronx are you..."
"Yes," his eyes narrowed on me.
I still worried. He was over it, of course.
My hands went up in defense so he would stop giving me the eyes.
"We'll call the prospects," Razor said as he pulled out his phone.
Lori leaned into me and said, "You finally bagged Bronx."
She was all smiles.
I laughed and said, "Yeah, girl. It's a long but short story, but he finally bagged me."
"So happy for you. I always knew you guys were missing out." She hugged my arm.
"Yeah, we were." I looked to Bronx, as he stared at me with those knowing eyes and a smirk.
He’d heard us.
14 - Finally
SHAY:
On the same Thursday that Lori came back, she declined our invites to go to Peppers. Actually, she wanted us to try some of the out of town bars. She even helped to get Kylie a gig. However, she finally came out with us that day because Kylie had to open for a local band that was quickly making a name for themselves. It would attract all types of people to Peppers, so it was good business.
She said she would meet us there, and things had just started to get in full swing when she arrived. The crazy part was as she was walking towards the table with me sitting on Bronx’s lap and Kylie’s legs around Razor, almost all conversation in our section died. Including ours as we screamed, “you made it.”
There were a few elbows that went towards Apollo and his face went ashen. Mouth open, eyes big and if his hair wasn't covering his cheeks, they were probably a shade of red.
“Yes, hey guys.” She waved towards all the guys. “I hope you don't mind but I ...”
“Loriline!!!” someone behind her yelled.
The smile that hit her face could not be mistaken. She really liked this guy and his eyes said it all. He more than liked her.
Her body turned around and he picked her up and kissed almost all over her face.
Apollo was right in my line of sight and I saw the anger that passed over it as he looked the other way. That was not to be confused with anything else but the man didn't seem to be happy at his previous stalker focusing on someone else. Or maybe it was something else.
Time would tell.
“Ah, get a room,” I yelled as Lori laughed hysterically.
The handsome man stopped and smiled at me, “You must be Shay.”
“You might be right.” I nodded and extended my hand.
We shook and then he turned towards Kylie and said, “Kylie?”
“Yup,” she looked at him with keen eyes and then shook his hand.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you guys. I've heard so much, it feels like I know ya.” He had a southern accent.
“Where are you from?” I asked.
“Virginia, born and raised,” he replied.
“What you doing up here?” Razor said with a little tension in his voice.
“You must be Razor. Oh, to answer your question, college. Went to Millersville over across town and just finished my masters at Bucknell.”
It grew silent, then Lori said, “Oh, I'm sorry. Everyone, this is Henry and Henry, this is everyone.”
“Nice to meet everyone,” he said as he tagged Lori’s hand. “Glad my lady is back amongst her true friends.”
Oh shit.
When I looked to see Apollo again, he was gone.
Well, so much for introductions.
The guys were murmuring amongst themselves, but treated the man with the same respect he had given them. The rest of the night went by seamlessly. Apollo had apparently left which concerned Bronx and Razor, even though they didn't say anything. A look passed between the two which said little but spoke volumes.
Surprisingly, I felt a little sorry for him. I'm not sure if that was because we were cool now or the fact that if he ever did like Lori, there was only a snowballs chance in hell it would ever happen.
Then the other side of me felt like, when you neglect to take advantage of a gem or even diamond in the rough, then that’s on you. I didn't blame Lori for leaving and now that I know why, I'm glad she did.
THE CLOSER KYLIE NEARED her wedding day, the antsier she became. It was, just like she predicted, a huge event at an exclusive banquet hall. Mrs. Mills and Razor fought about the attire for most of the wedding, which drove Kylie absolutely crazy. Eventually, they compromised on slacks, white shirts, cuts and ties. The men grumbled about that, but Razor put an end to their whining with one look.
As her matron of honor, I was in charge of everything that Mrs. Mills had not highjacked. The majority of my job was to keep Kylie calm because things started to get stressful. Her mom was feeling one-hundred percent better, as the cancer was in remission, but her attitude was back in full swing. When it was decided that the bride’s maids would wear knee-length elegant pink dresses with white chucks and Kylie decided to wear a white reception dress rather than a white traditional wedding gown with pink chucks. Mrs. Mill nearly lost her damned mind.
Mr. Mills had to calm her down after having ‘the’ talk that Kylie might put her own mother out of her wedding. She was a tough bird, but Kylie started to snap on everybody including Razor because of all the stress, so there was a high likelihood that she would have canceled the damned thing.
Well, she yelled that at the top of her lungs during one of the rehearsals, and that was when Razor stepped in to let Mrs. Mills know where she could go. The Mayor beat him to it and both parents backed off after that.
When Bronx and I arrived home that night, I told him, “I’m not going through that bullshit at our wedding. You understand?”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” he murmured. “This is our wedding, but if people decide to start their shit, I will put you on the back of my bike, and we’ll go to the court house.”
He was shaking his head in disbelief.
“Shit, I’m with you.” I thought about the reality of us getting married. “Wow, marriage, huh?”
“Fucking, right.” He took off his cut and stared at me.
“Wow, right?” I half-laughed and plopped on the couch.
“No.” He walked towards me and sat down. “There’s no wow. If you’re concerned about that shit from...”
“No, no,” I cut him off. “I mean, just wow. We are growing up, living life, and settling down. I mean, this was the shit we talked about and dreamed about. Now, it’s happening. Like, it’s happening, soon.”
Bronx pulled my feet into his lap, took off my sneakers and socks, only to begin rubbing my feet.
“Kitten, this is happening. If it’s the last thing I do, you’re going to have that life that I wanted you to have. The blessed thing, is that it’s going to be with me. Wouldn’t trade it for nothing in this world.” He moved my feet and leaned over me with my back to the couch. “So, buckle up. Let’s get through this wedding before Kylie cuts somebody and then we can start planning ours. Okay?”
“Okay, Bronx.”
He kissed my nose and then each eye as my fingers wrapped around his tight, straining arms, as he hovered over me.
“How many kids do you want?” he asked me.
“Three or four.”
He nodded and said, “Girls and at least one boy.”
“I know you think you rule the world, but you don’t control the gender of the baby, honey,” I laughed.
He could not be believed.
“Oh, kitten. You just do not know.” He pecked my lips. “I’ve had dreams about this and the good Lord knows my heart.”
“What happened in the dream?” I asked as my arms wrapped around his neck to pull him down.
“Mmm,” he murmured. “I’ll tell you later.”
Bronx’s lips captured mine and then he began to grind his hard cock into my center. I completely forgot about the dream after that motion because that only signaled one thing. I was about to get some, and that took priority at the moment.
RAZOR AND KYLIE’S ACTUAL wedding day was perfect; the weather, the mood, and the love was in the air. Lori, Dessy and I were dressed to impress and Bronx, Apollo, and Dash were the groomsmen. There were at least three-hundred and forty people in attendance from the biker community to the political movers and shakers in and outside of the county. They wrote their own vows, which were hilarious.
Kylie said she was not allowed to be called an old lady until she was over fifty-three years of age. Razor said that he promised to deal with all her shit and still they would just ride until their last breath. My sappy ass had tears in my eyes most of the time and I couldn’t look at Bronx because he was giving me the look. The same one that would have me balling and ruining my best friend’s wedding.
When it was over, Kylie’s mom apologized to her and said she was just so happy to actually be a part of it all, she kind of lost it for a bit. They hugged, danced and everything was forgotten. We stayed until they rode off into the evening on his bike and headed towards Italy for three weeks. It would be tough without them as they seemed to be a part of our everyday lives in some way.
Dessy would manage the store while Razor was out and help out with some of Kylie’s duties. She even had a job at RIGOR, so she was more than able to pay the rent and save money. My girl was doing really well for herself, and I made sure to let her know I was proud of her accomplishments when she came over for dinner, which was twice a week.
A couple of months later, at one of our gatherings at Peppers, as soon as I walked in, he met me in the middle of the bar and knelt down on one knee.
“Bronx?” I asked with raised eyebrows.
Kylie started to sing the song, Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran.
Oh shit.
Bronx took my hand into his and pulled out a black velvet box.
Holy fuck!
“Been carrying this around for a few months now.” He shook his head. “It’s time for us.”
“Holy fuck!” I exclaimed as tears rolled down my face. “Okay, wait. You can’t just drop that on me, like that. Shit, Bronx. My heart needs to be prepared.”
“Maybe we found love right where we are...” Kylie sang.
“Kitten, you’re prepared. We’ve had years to prepare and I won’t waste another minute waiting around for the right moment. Our moment is now, so get it together. I told you what I want, what I want for you and us. We’re on that path and we’re doing a damn good job. I love waking up to you tangled around me. Even your snoring is cute. I can’t be me without you. You’re my everything and it’s our time now.” His brown eyes stared into mine. “Marry me, kitten.”
“So, baby, now...” The music continued to stream through the speakers.
People were all around us and for the life of me, I couldn’t really tell what they were doing because like we usually were; Bronx and I were in our own world.
“Of course, you silly man. Who else would I marry?” I laughed. “Anybody else would strangle me.”
Somebody yelled, “Damn, right.”
“Shut the fuck up,” I yelled back.
Bronx rose to his feet, slid the ring on my finger and bent down to whisper, “So, I don't want any misunderstandings, no fucked up communications, and no drama. We good?”
“Oh my God,” I yelped. “Yes, Bronx, we are good.”
“Kiss me, you, crazy woman.” He smiled.
“With pleasure.” I jumped, wrapping my legs around his waist and kissed my man.
Finally.
15 - We Good?
BRONX:
Razor, Shiz, Snoop, Bear and I were in the compound having a drink when we heard shit being thrown in one of the rooms. We were all grown ass men, so if one of the brother’s got trashed and tossed shit every fucking where then that was fine by us. However, Razor and I wanted to keep an eye on Apollo because ever since that night when Lori showed her face at Peppers, he had been scarce and if he was present, he was mentally distant.
We had some thoughts about why, but the nurse seemed to be keeping him busy.
For now.
“The fuck is going on in there?” Bear barked.
His ass couldn’t help it because he was just loud as shit all the time.
“Fuck if I know,” Snoop said as he took another bite of his burger. “Think it’s Apollo back there. Hopefully banging the shit out of that nurse.”
Bear turned his head towards him and shook it.
“What?” Snoop asked. “You’re always shaking your head at me like I’m annoying you or something.”
“Because you are annoying,” Bear simply said and finished his drink.
Nothing else was said or exchanged between the two men, but Bear usually held nothing back. Since Shay had been at my house most of the time, I didn't get a chance to find out what was up with Dessy and him, but I was curious. Razor must have read my mind, because he turned around and asked, "Bear, you taking Dessy on?"
Bear almost looked shocked by the question, and that was confirmed when he said, "Pres, when did you start wondering who I'm fucking?"
Razor laughed.
"Fuck, inquiring minds want to know. You have me by a few years, and honestly, it was you who taught me about staying away from younger women. Just curious." He raised an eyebrow. "I mean, you did give me shit for breaking my age rule with Kylie."
Bear slammed his big hand down on the counter and said, "And look at ya now. A new fucking man. The happiest I've seen ya. What the fuck do I know?" He swiveled his chair to me and bellowed, "And Bronx is crazy as shit for even attempting to tame that woman, Shay. Spitfire, she is. What the fuck? But look at you."
He lifted his glass of beer and murmured, "What the fuck do I know?"
We all looked at each other, and then I purposefully looked at Razor, who clapped his hand on Bear's back. "I fucking know that look from anywhere."
I burst out laughing because soon and very soon, we'd have the conversation. Those fucking women. Once they got their claws in you that was it. You were done.
In a good way.
A life changing way.
"Speaking of women, my money is Lori's old boy is not going to last past another two months." Snoop added out of nowhere.
"Fuck you mean?" I asked.
"He's soft. All lovely dovey and shit. Lori was in love with Apollo and he's the complete opposite. Like, he will hunt you down and like it, opposite." Snoop joked.
"Where do you come up with this shit?" Bear shook his head.
"I don't know. That's how my mind works," he laughed.
Razor raised his head, so his chin was in the air, then he said, "I'm with Snoop."
"What?" I exclaimed.
"The boy is on to something. Old boy won't last." Razor's thumb jammed towards the rooms in the compound. "Plus, the added factor of Apollo."
"Say what now?" Bear added. "You think he wants her?"
"Oh yeah," Razor and I said at the same time.
"Fuck?" Bear's eyebrows came together, and his nose wrinkled around the top, causing his long beard to lift. "Y'all are fucking crazy."
Snoop waved his hand towards us. "I don't know, but I say let's make this shit interesting. What do y'all know that we don't."
Razor looked at me and I nodded for him to say it. "It's the look, man. Can't explain that shit, but that look," he pointed to Bear. "I had that same shit. So did Bronx and so did Apollo when that boy walked into Peppers and laid his hands on Lori. It's all in the look."
"What?" Shiz scoffed. "You are basing this hypothesis off a look?"
We nodded.
"I'm with Bear, y'all are crazy," Shiz shook his head.
"Okay." I mocked. "Mark my words. When that thing bites your ass, it does not let go."
Razor nodded, and Bear just stared off.
Then he murmured, "She's not ready."
"How do you know?" Razor asked.
"This shit is about to get deep," Shiz said, as he stood up. "I ain't trying to get bit by shit."
We laughed and then Snoop looked at us, gave us a salute and left.
