I can feel my heavy exhale and a deep sigh escape me as Justice and Burkes help me climb out of the boat. Justice leans down and presses his lips to my cheek before he plants one on Leo’s forehead. “Come on. I promise, it does get a little better from here, my everything.”
I want to believe him, and I hope that he’s right but so many thoughts swirl around in my head. “Do we have any update on Stormie and the baby yet?” I ask Justice.
He looks at Burkes considering he would be the one to get any information before us most likely from the hospital. Burkes shakes his head to answer no and my heart falls further into my stomach, settling into a deep place I didn’t know existed. “Jus, I have to know. And my mom? Mila?”
Justice opens the door to the SUV and straps Cami into her carseat before he turns to me. “Jen, my pops already told you everyone was fine.” He places his large hands on my shoulders. “I know this is a lot to absorb, babe. Let’s just get to the clubhouse and get settled in for now.”
I feel as my lower lip begins to pout and quiver as I nod. “We all need a bath, food, and... and.” My tears can no longer be held in and they slip, stalling my words.
Justice picks me up in his arms and physically places me in the front seat with our son in my arms before he kisses my temple. The warmth of his breath momentarily comforts me. “Breathe. Look at our children. They are safe. Everyone is safe, Jen.”
I turn around and look at Cami’s smiling face staring back at me. Immediately, I feel the tug of my own smile as it takes formation. It’s contagious, and she’s so oblivious to everything. In fact, this will be something we’ll be telling her about when she gets older as we have never had a storm devastate our town to this degree. I turn around and begin to look for the diaper bag Justice managed to swim through our house and get. Well, not really swim, but the water stopped just before my ankles. I couldn’t bear to look at most of our house. “Jus? Where’s my cell? I know I tucked it in here,” I tell him as I search through my pockets looking for it.
He climbs into the driver's seat. “It’s in there,” he tells me before he turns the key and starts the ignition, putting it into drive as he begins pressing the gas pedal.
“Wait! What about Burkes, babe?”
He immediately slams on the brakes. “For fuck’s sake, Jen. Don’t holler like that. Not right now. Burkes is going to do his job. Now, if you’ll let me complete mine and get my family to safety, that’d be great!”
“Sorry,” I tell him, before looking up briefly as I watch Burkes drive away. Silently I pray for him and anyone else still out there. “Found it,” I say out loud as I grab my cell and begin to point it out the window taking pictures. After the first sound of a snapshot with my phone being taken registers with my brain, I wonder about my camera. I wonder about my paintings. Are they all ruined? I have two cameras, but one you can’t put a monetary price tag on. It’s the one Justice gave me when we were kids. The more pictures I take as we drive, the more I realize that there’s nothing in our town that we can put a price tag on. Whether good or bad, this place has always been my home, and so are all of the memories I’ve made here.
As we pull into the parking lot of the clubhouse, my mom is standing outside waiting to greet me and the kids. Justice barely gets the SUV in park before she’s trying to pull the handle to the door open. Once it unlocks, she leans in and pulls me into her arms as she leans down and kisses the top of Leo’s head. “My babies.” I hear her voice crack. I know she’s trying to be strong because that’s who she is and what she does. She takes Leo from my arms and begins scanning the vehicle for Cami before she realizes that Justice already has her in his arms. She greets Cami the same way as I grab the only bag I have from the SUV. My mom takes Cami from Justice and darts inside with them. Justice walks up to me and wraps an arm around the back of my neck and it hangs over my shoulder. “All isn’t lost, Jen. It’s a lot to take in. And it’s gonna be awhile before things begin to feel like our normal again. Hell, some things may never look like our normal ever again, but hopefully we’ll have a new and improved town to make memories in. Right now, we take it one day at a time.” He takes one of my hands into his as he lifts it up to his lips and softly kisses it.
I still can’t believe the minimal damage to the clubhouse in comparison to other parts of this town. Hell, in comparison to our part of town and our home. It’s eerily quiet when we walk in and each couple are sitting or standing somewhere together as I look around. Mila is with Ace, Tess, and Carter. Sidney and Vault are having a drink at the bar with Patch, Casper and Demon. Everyone looks showered and tired. “Mom!” I holler out as she seems to have disappeared with my children.
“Took them to her and,” Casper pauses as he looks back down into his glass before he looks back up at me, “she said something about giving them a bath in her and your dad’s room,” he tells me.
I can tell my daddy’s passing is still hard for him. Hell, it’s still hard for me on the best of days. I can’t imagine my mother’s suffering, and pray I never have to. I shudder at the thought. “You cold?” Justice asks, grabbing a blanket off the back of a nearby chair as he lays it around my shoulders.
I look up at him and force a smile. “Yeah, something like that. Thanks, babe.” He wraps me up in his arms from behind. “Where’s Ty and Vanna?” I ask out loud as I look around for them and don’t see a trace of their presence.
“Ty’s room,” Patch answers.
I just nod my head. Maybe they’re already fast asleep and I don’t want to bother them. “Want to go check on the kids?” I turn and ask Justice.
“As long as I have you in my arms, I’ll do whatever you want,” he answers.
“Anything?” I ask. “Sounds like a dare.”
His hold around me increases as he tightens his arms around me. “Don’t get carried away, smartass.” He leans down and plants his lips on the nape of neck, causing my skin to raise and my eyes to close momentarily as I suppress my need for him to be inside me. I’m not sure what qualifies as a near-death experience, but I know each of us spent several hours unsure of what had become of the other. So, I imagine my mom will happily keep the children in her room tonight, because something tells me we’ll be making up for those lost hours.
Savanna
Right now, a part of me would rather be right back in that closet as Ty rips into me and as much as I want to fight back, I am ashamed, and his points are valid.
“How could you not tell me your period had been late and you thought pregnancy was a possibility, blondie?” He paces the floor with his hands covering the sides of his face every so often. He rarely makes eye contact with me. “I’m your man. You’re...you’re my blondie. The carefree woman that captured my heart nearly two years ago unexpectedly. The woman that doesn’t keep secrets, at least not from me. Or was I wrong about that all along, too?”
As soon as we arrived back here and made it to the room, my period started. It was like Niagara Falls and I cheered while I accidentally thanked the heavens out loud that I wasn’t pregnant. This is my karma for keeping this a secret from my man. I should always be able to confide in him, and I always have been. This time was different, because it felt like such a real possibility, and it scared the shit out of me. I stand and approaching him, I attempt to place my hands on his arms to put a stop to his pacing and talk this through with him. He shrugs me off. “No, Savanna.” He locks his eyes with mine. “Do you know how many times I’ve tried to have this conversation with you and you avoided it? That’s fucking rhetorical by the way. Right now we should be holding each other and loving on one another, but all I feel is betrayed. Your lack of confidence in me is like a fucking dagger to my heart.” His head falls. “I’ll be in Joker’s room tonight. Please don’t follow me. I need some time to think,” he says to me, while holding his hand up as he breaks the connection our eyes have finally made.
Speaking of daggers, the way he just looked at me? I could see the heartbreak and feel the betrayal hidden behin
d his blue eyes as they darkened. I’ve managed to dull their sparkle, and I alone am responsible for that. Everything he said is true. He slams the door behind him, and I can hear my father reprimanding him on the other side of the wall. I sit back down on his bed and pray for it to swallow me up whole. Tears from this and the entire day begin to prick the back of my lids and as much as I try, I can’t control them. It starts with one, and before I know it, they’re streaming down my face as hard and fast as the rain we had earlier. I lay myself down and curl up on Ty’s bed and as my head makes contact with his pillow, I bury my face into it, taking in the smell of his cologne and leather. This only serves to feed my emotionally charged state and eventually I wear myself out with my silent cry as I fall asleep.
Nine
Cara
I am sitting here listening to the other old ladies talking. I get a notification alert on my phone. I pull up my private messenger app and see Ashton is trying to get Bailey, Jenalyn and myself in a group message.
Ashton: Hey ladies, I know that there has been a countrywide storm that has affected many of us. I’d like to offer a woman’s ‘retreat’ for lack of a better word for us women. A neutral place where we can get together, help each other emotionally and mentally through this disaster and help each other deal with this catastrophe. I know my man will be reaching out to yours and offering assistance in whatever way he can. Whether it’s materials, manual labor or financial assistance. If you women, or any of your old ladies are interested in this getaway of sorts I’m planning let me know, the sooner, the better.
Sincerely your friend,
~ Ashton
Cara: I will speak with the other women of our club and see how they’re feeling on this. But I’d be willing to come, I’m actually excited at the prospect of getting to meet you and put faces with names. I know our men as well, have been speaking of reaching out and offering whatever assistance they can to each of your clubs. Who knows, by the end of this our men could become allies, now wouldn’t that be a sight to behold.
~ Cara
Jenalyn: Hey, girls. Things are still extremely hectic and crazy around here. Our town is almost completely washed away. I’m not sure if y’all have seen anything on the news, but there are news crews everywhere. All I know is that it’s going to take forever to rebuild and there are several casualties so far. None from our club, thank goodness. In fact, as chaotic and nightmarish as it was, Stormie brought life into the world during the disaster. It’s a girl! That, too, is a story in itself and I’ll fill you in when I know more. She and baby were doing just fine last we heard. We’re waiting on another update since they were airlifted to the hospital. Not sure if our men are going to let go of us right away, but I’ll definitely speak with the other women and my man about it. You know, kind of give him a heads-up about your men reaching out. I know there will be tons of people volunteering, but I think it’s safe to assume there’s nothing quite like the brotherhood and family of a club and them uniting once trust is established. Thanks for reaching out. I’ll be back in touch soon.
~Jenalyn
Bailey: I know that the women here would all be interested in meeting for a ‘retreat’ of some sort. We’ve all been doing various things to help raise some money and I know my man is already talking about reaching out to see where the men can be of most use. We have one member that is in construction and runs his own company, so he’ll be able to help where that is needed. Skylar is going crazy baking so that she can have bake sales almost every day. The rest of us have been doing what we can to raise money. In the next day or so, Skylar and the rest of us are putting a barbeque on to raise even more money. If the town knows that Skylar is cooking or baking, then they’ll stand in line all day to get her food. Please tell Stormie that we all say congratulations on the new baby. I’ll bring a surprise for her when we meet up. As soon as we know any details, I’ll message you. If any of you hear more about it, let me know please.
~ Bailey
Ashton: Yes, please congratulate Stormie on the birth of her baby girl. What a joy to have take place during such a scary time. A new life is something that we can celebrate during this time of need. Bailey, please thank Skylar, and Jenalyn, our motley crue of men will be willing to help in anyway they can, us women can be included in that as well. I’ll need a headcount whenever you can, so I can get plans set up. I’m available at all times if any of you are in need of getting in touch with me. I’d also like to know where neutral territory is for everyone...is Texas acceptable?
~ Ashton
Cara: I’ll get back in touch asap and let you know what the decision was and give you that headcount you are in need of. Thank you for reaching out and thinking of all of us, only someone who lives the lifestyle we do would understand the need to get away and not be underfoot while the men work to repair towns. Jenalyn, please give Stormie our best, and tell her congratulations from us all and let her know she’ll be in our thoughts and prayers.
~Cara
Jenalyn: Thank you all so much! I will pass on your congratulations to the proud Mom and Dad. Well, the Dad’s kind of a wild card, but I’ll definitely let Stormie know. I can’t speak (unfortunately) for the club and what is and isn’t going to be considered neutral territory. Last time I tried anything remotely similar, I got a good chastising -_- My man is mostly reasonable, so let me prime him yet again. Like I said, it’s utter chaos here right now. Ashton, if you, Bailey, and Cara could have your men reach out to our President, that’ll speed things up. Too much longer confined in here and I think we might all end up strangling our men. Sheesh, this has made them more overbearing. Fucking mother nature! Thanks again, ladies! I can already tell this is only the beginning of something lasting and great!
~Jenalyn
Bailey: As soon as my man gets home, I’ll talk to him about reaching out as soon as he can. I’m sure it will be either today or tomorrow. I have ways of bringing him around to my way of thinking. As far as Texas being acceptable, I’ll have to talk to him and then he’ll have to talk it over with everyone else. You know how it goes. I’ll talk to you all soon.
~ Bailey
Ashton: I’ll get my Ol’ man to reach out to your presidents and get the ball rolling. Hopefully they’ll all be amenable and we can go forward with plans. I too will have to do a little more persuasion to get my way, but as women that’s why the man above gave us the assets he did. I look forward to hearing back from each of you, I’ll start hitting up my contacts but will hold off on finalizing anything until I get the final word from my man and hear what yours have agreed to.
~Ashton
The chat ends, and hopefully everyone is going into planning mode. I for one am trying to figure out the best way possible to hit Braxton up with what was presented to us. He’s a reasonable man, but is wary when it comes to the unknown. We shall see what will happen once I put my plan in place. I’m uber excited about meeting the women and finally putting a face to the name of the person that I’ve become close to. Be as it may that it’s all online, for now, but these women have become an intrical part of my daily life. I silently wish them all well and luck as I go and speak to DJ. If anyone can put up a fit that the men have to listen to, it will be her. She has this knack for getting what she’s after, God help us all if she doesn’t.
Jenalyn
My mind is swirling around with thoughts and emotions that range from anger to elation. So much to be done around here, and lives that were taken too soon make my heart ache for their families. Then I think about these women and how willing they all are to hurry and uproot their own lives and daily routines to rush in and help us. Add in the fact that Stormie and Joker seem to have a healthy baby girl, and I can’t help but feel some form of happiness during such a tragic time. Justice and the other men are all downstairs having a meeting, and I need to go inform the other women of what’s been discussed. First, I need to know how Stormie and their baby is. Not knowing is beginning to frustrate and worry the hell out of me.
As I stroll down the stairs, I glance over toward my mom’s room and see her and Mila playing with the babies. A grin tugs at the corners of my lips as I briefly pause and watch them interact. I know if I dare interrupt a club meeting, Justice will paddle my ass, but desperate times and all that.
Before I can knock at the door, Heavy stops me. “Hey, Jenalyn.” I jump as he speaks, his voice startling me.
“Christ, Heavy! You scared the shit out of me! What is it?” I ask, relocating my hands to my hips as I feel my lips thin.
“I was told specifically that you would try to interrupt, well, if anyone would that it would be you. I was ordered to keep you away.” He throws his hands up in the air. “Now, I don’t want any trouble, Jenalyn. So, if you could please just make this one easy on me. Just this once. That’s all I’m asking.”
My gaze shifts to the floor and I know for certain this ‘order’ has Justice’s name written all over it. I cut my eyes back to Heavy as I approach him. “You know what? Fine.” I toss my hands up. “But just this once, Heavy.” I turn and begin to walk away. “But you owe me one, remember that!” I say, looking back over my shoulder. I notice his palm cover his face as I say that. I’ll handle Justice later. My mission before anything else right now is to find out the latest on Stormie and company.
Savanna walks out of Ty’s room and I can tell by her swollen, red eyes that she’s been crying. I rush up to her and pull her into an embrace. “Vanna, what’s wrong? Is it Stormie? Did you hear something?”
She rubs her eyes and yawns in my face. “What are you talking about? I haven’t had coffee, a shower or even meditated. It’s way too early for so many questions.”
Old Ladies Club Book 3: Rebel Guardians MC (The Old Ladies Club) Page 5
