by KE Osborn
I bump her arm. “No, really. Growing up in my family was hard. Dad’s a drunk, Mom was gone… having you there really helped, Chloe.”
She cuddles into my side wrapping her arms around my waist. “You helped me, too. More than you know. You’re more like a brother than a cousin.”
I lean in kissing the bandana on her bald head. “I love you, kid.”
She chuckles. “Love you, too, you big lug. Now we just have to find a way for you to… get the girl.”
“I think we have more pressing issues at hand here, Chloe.”
She looks up at me raising her brow. “Like what?”
“Like why a twenty-two-year-old woman is wearing unicorn pajamas in the heat of summer!”
She laughs, slaps my leg, then she stands gesturing for us to go inside. “You want to order dinner?”
“Yeah, let’s get whatever you want. My treat.”
She stops, turning to face me with her hand on her hip. “Tremor, you pay for everything. Let me get this… please?”
Standing up, I walk over to her, grab her shoulders looking her in the eyes. “Chloe, you know I want to pay for your chemo. I need you to pull through this. If I lost you…” I pause my chest squeezing tight as her eyes begin to water.
She lets out a fake laugh as she slaps my chest. “I’m not going anywhere. Not with you helping me through.”
“Damn straight.”
“So the Chinese is on me tonight, no arguments.”
I chuckle. “Fine. But I don’t want the one you got last time, let me pick.”
She laughs as we settle for a night of food and binging on Netflix. Sure, Chloe’s my cousin. I’m certainly not in a relationship with her, but Lala doesn’t know who Chloe is. If she thinks I’m seeing another woman, if that thought will help her let me go, then I’m going to drag it out for as long as fucking possible. Because I need Lala to move on. I want her to be happy because I need my patch. I can’t have that and her as well.
As much as I fucking want both.
NEALA
The Next Day
After Tremor left last night, I felt sickness wash over me. We had a moment, a connection. But then he fractured it by mentioning Chloe—whoever the hell she is. Part of me wants to go to Ace. Ask him to put together a file on her. He’d do it for me because I’m the princess of the club. But that would be crossing a line, a line I’m not sure is mine to cross.
Tremor isn’t my guy. He never has been. And if he’s found solace in another woman, then maybe I need to let him go. Maybe I need to take his actions for what they are and do the same.
Who am I kidding, I don’t think I could even fathom dating another man right now. Tremor’s so ingrained into my mind it’s freaking annoying.
After I left the club, I went home and wallowed. I didn’t even have the strength to call Mia.
Some awesome business skills right there, Lala!
So, now as I sit on my sofa, coffee in hand, and I dial Mia’s number steadying myself to act like a professional.
It rings a few times answering soon after. “Hello, Mia speaking.”
Her formal tone shocks me. She sounds nothing like Zane who’s so casual, actually a bit of a joker at times. “Hi, my name’s Neala O’Shea. I’ve been given your number by—”
“Oh my God, I’ve been waiting for your call. I’m in desperate need of your help, Neala. When can you come over?” she cries out.
“Umm… I’m free now?”
Mia lets out a heavy sigh in what sounds like relief. “Excellent.”
She rattles off her address, then we say our goodbyes. I end the call somewhat stunned at the shortness of it. I thought we’d be running through ideas, my fee, or at least what room or rooms I’ll be doing, but nope, just a get here now.
Laughing, I walk to my design table gathering my things together. “You can do this, Neala,” I pep talk myself before placing the appropriate items into my case and turning to head for my car.
After a short drive, I arrive at Mia’s home finding it quaint and not what I was expecting. I’m not really sure what I was expecting, but if I was to guess, it would be some kind of rundown home knowing Zane’s history. He came from a broken family. His parents split when he and his sister were young. His mother took the kids, raising them as a single mother on a waitress’s salary. They grew up poor. So, I’m surprised when I see this home in its entirety. Though small, it looks quite established, or for lack of a better word—lavish.
The front yard is well maintained, and there’s even a white picket fence. Shaking my head, I walk to the front door pressing the doorbell. The tone rings through the home in a delicate song I’m unfamiliar with, but the tune is pleasant. I take a breath wondering how Mia came from practically nothing, to… this.
She opens the door, and my eyes automatically shoot to her massive stomach protruding out from her tiny waist. She appears like she’s about ready to burst. “Oh my God, thank you so much for coming. We’re so underprepared, Neala. I need your help, badly. I have no idea what I’m doing!” she gushes while grabbing my arm and yanking me inside.
I chuckle at the strength of her. She’s a tiny little thing, her almost white—it’s that blonde—hairstyle sits just below her ears with a slight wave to it. Her complexion is quite pale, but she pulls it off teaming it with a red lipstick. She’s wearing a fluffy white sweater and tight black pants. She looks stylish and not what I was expecting at all. I really don’t know why, but I was expecting a woman who’s perhaps a little rough around the edges. I certainly wasn’t expecting her to be pregnant. I guess that’s what preconceived notions do to you, and generally those notions are always wrong.
“Well, I’m glad I can help,” I murmur as she shuts the door behind me, pulling me into an expensive looking living room. It’s designed well with the perfect accents and furnishings. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure why the hell she needs me. As she drags me down the hall, I feel like I’m here just for the crazy ride.
“So, I don’t know what Zane told you… probably nothing. He’s useless when it comes to details. But my designer recently had a disagreement with Dale.”
I raise my brow. “Dale?” I ask.
She giggles. “Sorry, right, I forget you’re not a part of the family. Dale’s my husband. So anyway, he had a falling out with Mitchell because Mitchell and Lucas broke up, so Dale got angry because he really liked Lucas. He thinks Mitchell’s being an idiot—”
I hold up my hands. “Can we back up a second?” I chuckle my head swarming with all this information as she talks so fast I struggle to retain any of it. “Mitchell and Lucas were a couple?”
“Yes. The best gay couple ever. So much fun. Mitchell is throwing it all away over some Snapchat he saw.”
Drawing my brows together, I pull my lips in tight. “Right. So, who is Mitchell in the scheme of things?”
She lets out a laugh. “Oh, shit, sorry… Mitchell’s my husband’s gay brother. He was our interior designer, but since Dale and Mitchell are feuding over Mitchell’s love life, Mitchell is refusing to work for us.”
“Wow! I thought my family was complicated.”
“Oh, girl, you don’t know the half of it. Anyway, we’re about three weeks from bubs being born. We still don’t have her room ready, and now Mitchell’s pulled the plug on helping.”
I gasp then smile. “The room you need is a nursery?”
She opens the door to a massive room.
There’s boxes everywhere. A crib. That’s it.
It’s a blank canvas.
My smile turns wider as I look to Mia and reach out for her hand. “And bubs is a girl?”
Her hand instinctively moves to her stomach to caress it. “Yes, first baby for us. First grandchild. I’m hoping once she’s born, she’ll mend the rift between Dale and Mitchell.”
I take a deep breath. “Okay. So, I need to get her room right then.”
“This means a lot. Mitchell designed this entire house. The fact he’s n
ot doing our firstborn’s room…” She sighs.
I squeeze her hand. “I understand. So let’s make it something Mitchell will be proud of.”
Her eyes glisten as she looks up at me. “Now I see why Zane adores you.”
I raise my brow. “He what?”
“Zane says you’re the princess of the club. He also told me you’re practically spoken for by his fellow prospect. That everyone at the club loves you. I see why. You’re so lovely.”
I weakly smile, but on the inside, I frown. I’m not spoken for, not at all. My heart might belong to Tremor, but in no way do I actually belong to him. “Thank you.”
She looks me up and down. “Shame.”
Huh?
“You’d be a good match for my brother, Zane. I’m sure you could keep him in line. You sure you don’t want to trade prospects?” I let out a small laugh as she nudges my side. “Kidding… kinda.”
Something’s been bugging me since I got here. I think now is the right time to ask. If I hesitate, I might lose the opportunity, so I just go for it. “Mia, Zane has told me about how you grew up. You and him, alone with your mom working all the time, just getting by.” She looks at me like she can tell where this is going. “This house is so far removed from that situation.”
She chuckles. “That’s the most roundabout way of asking I’ve ever had. See, you are nice…” She sighs. “Yeah, I came from a shitty poor background. I hardly went to school, we barely had enough money to eat, and what I did get I gave to Zane. I looked out for him even when our father came back on the scene a few years ago and tried to bribe Zane into doing drug deals with him. Said if Zane didn’t, he was gonna kill Mom. So Zane did it, of course… got caught, of course. We didn’t have the money for the legal fees, so I went searching for a lawyer who could help us pro bono. I plead my case to so many, no one would listen… until Dale.”
“Dale, your husband, is a lawyer?”
“Yeah, he got Zane off the charges. Dad was found guilty then put away. All the while, Dale and I were growing closer. We were married not long after... this was nearly two years ago. Once Dad was put away, that’s when Zane joined the club. He wanted to connect with something which could provide protection for Mom and me in preparation for when Dad gets out. We didn’t want him to join a freaking biker club, but he’s flourished since he’s been with Defiance. It’s good for him.”
Slumping my shoulders, I sigh. “I had no idea that’s why Zane joined… I see him totally different now.”
“Enough to date him?” Her eyes light up, and she pushes her eyebrows up and down.
I let out a laugh. “Ha… no. But enough to treat him differently.”
“He likes how you are with him. As I said, he adores you.”
Warmth flows through me. I’m reeling at the thought that I’m admired around the club. It’s nice the brothers take to me so well. “Okay, let’s write down some ideas on this little princess’s room, shall we?”
Passion and enthusiasm floods through me as we walk inside.
My first real job.
It’s a freaking nursery!
Could it get any better than this?
After talking with Mia for hours about theme, colors, and style, I had enough to go on to get me through the design stage. So, after having some much-needed food together at a late lunch, I left and headed back to the clubhouse to tell Zane the good news.
I’m on a natural high—meeting with Mia was fun. She’s so full of energy, and while she does have a more sophisticated side to her now that she’s with Dale, her personality reminds me of Zane, and it shone through like no one’s business. She’s adorable. I think we could be really good friends actually. It’s great to make friends outside of the club, even if she’s still tied to it in some small way.
As I make my way back inside the clubhouse, it’s almost quiet in here for a Wednesday afternoon. A few brothers are scattered around the clubrooms playing pool or drinking at the bar, but it all looks fairly calm. I stride in pulling up a stool at the bar next to Chains as he looks me up and down with a smirk. I nudge his side while he fiddles with a length of chain in his hands.
“Why do you carry those chains around with you? I’ve always wanted to ask you,” I blurt out.
No hello, no how’s your day been, just straight to the damn point.
Fuck my life!
He tenses, his fingers looping around the cold metal as his knuckles turn white. A hard, pained look crosses his face, his eyes staring off into the distance as he becomes vacant. It shocks me. He’s always so in tune with everything around him. He’s always so switched on. I don’t know what I said, but he’s not with me right now. His hands are gripping so tight on the metal I’m surprised it’s not shattering by the strength in his hands. I glance to Ruby feeling like I might actually have to get someone to snap him out it when suddenly she slams her hand on the bar. A loud bang echoes through the room making everyone turn to look at us.
Chains jumps on his stool, his eyes gaining focus again as he looks at me, his fingers loosening around the length of chain. He takes a breath in that I’m sure he didn’t know he was holding.
I reach out placing my hand on his arm, he flinches away, but then gingerly smiles. “Are you okay?” I ask.
He plays it off, waving his hand through the air. “I drank too much last night, still hung over. I zone out sometimes when I’m in recovery. Sorry, Lala, you understand,” he defends, standing up and moving to walk off.
“Chains… wait. I…”
But it’s too late, he’s gone quicker than I can get the words out. I turn back to Ruby letting out a heavy sigh. “Shit, I had no idea I’d start something when I asked that question.”
She exhales slumping slightly. “I don’t know a lot… well, hardly anything, really. The only thing I do know is those chains he carries are somehow tied to his childhood. The one before he was fostered into Doctor Kline’s family.”
Gnawing on my bottom lip, my heart feels heavy. “Mmm… shit! Poor guy. He must harbor some pretty epic fucking demons.”
She wipes the bar with a deep exhale. “You’re telling me.”
“Do you think Bex knows? About his early childhood?” I ask.
Ruby shrugs. “I think Kline knows Chains better than any of us. She grew up with him. She’s known him since he was ten. Their bond has got to be pretty freaking strong.”
“I hope I didn’t stir up something for him. Maybe I should call Bex?”
Ruby shakes her head pouring me a pop. “I think you should leave it. If he’s fine, you calling Kline will only worry her, then it will probably make Chains even more uptight.”
Scrunching up my face, I sink into myself. “Thanks, Rubes. What would we do without you?”
She slides my drink over with ease. “Oh, this place would fall apart that’s for damned sure.”
We both giggle as my skin suddenly alights in goosebumps, the hairs on my arms standing to attention. My eyes clench shut for the briefest of moments as I let the energy wash over me. I know the feeling all too well, I just wish I could ignore it. But I can’t. If I’m going to be coming to the clubhouse, then I’m going to see him, I’m going to run into him. We can’t avoid each other. Honestly, I don’t want to. This feeling is way too addictive.
Opening my eyes, I swivel to see Tremor striding in with Zane alongside him. Tremor’s eyes meet mine. My body alights in an intoxicating fire. It’s overwhelming me as I suddenly feel way too hot. A bead of sweat forms on my temple as I attempt to calm my emotions.
Last time I saw him was in my bathroom.
I was naked.
The way he’s looking at me now, I know he’s picturing me the same way as his Adam’s apple bobs up and down dramatically in his throat. Zane chuckles, slapping his back as he leaves Tremor standing in the doorway of the clubhouse staring at me while Zane strides over to the bar.
“Lala, my stunning biker princess. How are you this fine afternoon?” Zane calls out as he plonks on the
stool that Chains just vacated.
My eyes finally leave Tremor’s as I look at Zane with a bright smile. Some of the sexual tension between Tremor and me is beginning to lift as I relax a little concentrating on my friend beside me. “I’m doing good. It’s actually you I came here to see,” I announce as I feel Tremor’s presence shifting beside me.
I look sideways to see him walking past us into the hallway. Then, in a blink, he’s gone. I let out a deep breath almost relieved. If he stayed to watch me talk to Zane, I would have been completely distracted. Now I can talk to my friend giving him my undivided attention.
“Aw shucks, Lala… I knew you were using Tremor to get to me all this time. Well, baby, I’m here, I’m yours. Just say the word!”
I let out a laugh as Ruby tries to hide her smile behind the bar. She continues to dry some steins as she pretends like she isn’t listening, but I know she is. “You’re a dick, but you know what they say?”
He cocks his head to the side. “Ladies love the dick?”
Rolling my eyes, I shrug. “Yeah… we’ll go with that.”
He bumps into my side as he bobs his head to Ruby. She starts to pour him a beer. It’s like a biker’s secret code. “So, if you don’t want my dick, why do you wanna see me?”
I swivel toward him. “I hung out with Mia this morning.”
He raises his brow. “Oh, I bet that was a barrel of fun for you. Mitchell betrayed us this, we have no designer that,” he mocks in a really bad put on female voice.
“You have no heart. I feel for her. She’s put in a tight spot. I, of all people, understand family drama when it comes to them not comprehending your choice in lovers.”
Zane glances at me. “I get it. I know Mitchell’s been with them through everything, he’s family. Don’t worry, they’ll sort it out once bubs comes along. He’ll be begging to be the doting guncle.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Guncle?”
“Gay uncle.”
“No. I know what a guncle is, I just had no idea you’d know what one is.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “It’s the twenty-first century, Lala. Men wear buns in their hair, have manbags, and know what guncles are… and that’s okay,” he says with a nod and a smirk. “The world is evolving, and with it… I am, too.”
