Styx and Stones: A Demented Sons MC Texas Novel

by Kristine Allen

  “Uh, it was?” I tried my damnedest to act confused.

  “You know damn well it was. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that’s where you disappeared to that Saturday night.” My longtime friend grinned like the cat that ate the canary.

  Kristi mock glared at me. “For shame. And you tried to lay a guilt trip at our feet that you might have drowned in the damn ocean.”

  Knowing I was caught, I slouched in my chair. “I’d had a lot to drink. I was trying to forget Mitch and all his stupid crap.”

  They both cackled with glee, and I glared at them.

  “Oh! Prim and sweet little Gwen got it on with a biker!” Alesha crowed.

  Kristi smacked Alesha on the arm with the back of her hand. “What do you mean got it on? I’d bet she still is.”

  With knowing pursed lips, they stared at me.

  My entire face was burning. Burying it in my hands didn’t help, but it prevented me from having to look my friends in the eye.

  “Girl, you have to share the deets. Please. What’s he look like? Is he good in bed? What am I saying, he must be for you to give it up to him.” Alesha snorted.

  “Well, I wanna know what this biker boy looks like? Please don’t tell me he has a big belly and a nasty scraggly beard.” Kristi wrinkled her nose.

  It was my turn to snort. “Not hardly! He’s tall. Way taller than me. Like my head rests right between his pecs,” I said dreamily. Then I couldn’t stay quiet. Now that the cat was out of the bag, I had to share. “He has the bluest eyes and dirty-blond hair that is short on the sides, but long up top. Like I seriously want to spike it up one day like a mohawk. I bet it would be almost a foot tall,” I rushed out as I snickered at the visual.

  “But is he hung?” Alesha unabashedly questioned.

  “Oh my God, Alesha!” Kristi tried to act shocked by Alesha’s question, but she turned to me. “Well, is he?” she whispered.

  “I’m not going to kiss and tell. But let’s say I wasn’t sure if he’d fit.”

  They both squealed, and I fought grinning like a fool.

  “You lucky bitch!” Alesha laughed.

  “Do you have a picture of him?” Kristi asked.

  “No. My phone is the last thing I think of when we’re together.” I shrugged as I blushed. There was his contact photo, but his silly face wouldn’t do him justice.

  Rubbing her hands together with glee, Kristi nodded. “You gonna see him tonight?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Selfie time!” they both announced, then gave each other a high five.

  “Guys. I can’t do that. It would be juvenile.” Trying to get my mind off Styx’s package that was stuck in my head larger than life, I opened the grade book link.

  “Then take a pic of him without him knowing.” They shrugged like it was no big deal.

  “I can’t do that! It’s weird,” I argued.

  “Oh, come on. Surely you need pics for your spank bank,” Alesha argued.

  “Geez! What is wrong with y’all? I don’t need that.” My face was burning up.

  “Of course you don’t, you’re getting that big sausage on the regular,” my friend crudely teased.

  “Don’t y’all have grades to enter?” I asked in exasperation.

  “Ugh. Why’d you have to remind me?” They grumbled. Pouting, they both turned to go. I thanked the heavens above.

  “Pics or it didn’t happen!”

  “We need pics!”

  The girls both shouted as they left, laughing.

  It took me longer than I planned to get my grades entered, because I kept stopping to answer text messages from Styx, Alesha, Kristi, and my mother. The messages from Styx got progressively dirtier until I was sure my panties were soaked. Then my mom sent another text about Christmas, killing the mood.

  “Hey, chica! We’re done and taking off. We’d invite you out for dinner and drinks, but we figured you have a different D you’d rather get tonight. Have a Merry Christmas, if you don’t come up for air before then.” Alesha had poked her head in my room for that. I threw a dry erase eraser at her. It hit the wall a million miles from her head.

  “And that’s why you don’t coach softball,” she teased, causing me to roll my eyes at her. With a wave, she was gone. I still had several students to enter, so I focused on the task at hand. Finally, I entered the last one.

  My phone rang as I was gathering my things. A smile broke out over my face at the pic again. Laughter erupted when the ringtone registered with me.

  “Yessss?” I drawled.

  “Hey, beautiful. I’m missing you. You almost done?”

  “Leaving now.”

  “Hurry home. I have a surprise waiting for you.” He sounded all mysterious, causing me to giggle.

  “On my way.”

  After locking my door, I headed down the hallway. My steps echoed as my boots hit the floor. The school seemed deserted, though I knew there had to be someone else still working.

  A crisp wind blew, tangling my hair around my face as I stepped outside. The sky was overcast, and the parking lot was empty except for one car at the edge of the lot. I recognized it as one of the janitors who’d worked at the school for eons.

  Taillights flashed as I hit the unlock button. I’d tossed my bag to the passenger seat and was nearly in the car when I saw the paper. It was folded in half and fluttered where it was pinned under my windshield wiper.

  Prepared to toss it in the back seat with the rest of the trash, I paused when I realized it wasn’t a flyer. Curious to see what it was, I sat in my seat and closed the door to shut out the cold wind.

  Unfolding it, I froze. My stomach dropped, and I looked around, scanning the area to see if whoever had left it was lurking. There was no sign of anyone. Unease had me locking my doors.

  Like watching a train wreck, I couldn’t help but stare as I read it over and over.

  Spelled out in bold, black letters, it said:

  Stay away from him if you know what’s good for you. Tell him about this and he’s dead.

  “Breaking Down”—I Prevail

  I’d expected Gwen to come in and jump me, or at the very least be in a good mood since she was finally on break. What I wasn’t expecting was the pale, shaken woman who walked through the door. It was evident something was wrong.

  “What’s going on?”

  Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and I immediately jumped up from the couch. My hands grasped her shoulders, and I crouched slightly to look her in the eye. “Gwen?”

  A shake of her head was the only answer I got. As she turned to the side, it caused my hands to pull from her and fall helplessly to my sides. She moved past me toward her bathroom, where she closed the door.

  “The fuck?” She was fine when she’d left that morning. Excited about getting everything done so she could meet me at her place. She’d never acted like that before, and I wasn’t sure what to do. Patience was never my strong suit, so I knocked on the bathroom door. “Gwen. Talk to me.”

  “I’ll be out in a minute.” Her voice sounded garbled, and I knew she’d started to cry. My worry for her escalated, so I tried the door.

  Locked.

  “Gwen, let me in.” Palm flat on the door, I rested my forehead on the wood. When she didn’t answer, I prepared to break the door down. Seeing her upset made my guts tight. I didn’t like it.

  “Just give me a bit,” she finally said.

  I slapped the flat of my hand on the door in frustration.

  “Goddammit, Gwen. I need you to talk to me. You’re scaring the shit out of me. I need to see that you’re okay.” Seriously debating whether or not to break down the door, I stood there shifting from one foot to the other.

  It seemed like she was in there forever. Right when I was about to shoulder in the door, it slowly opened. Though lowered, her eyes were red-rimmed and slightly swollen. Her nose was red too. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind she’d been crying. What I wanted to know was why.

  “Gwen. What the
fuck? Talk to me.”

  “I’m not sure you should stay tonight,” she said without making eye contact.

  “What?” She wasn’t making any sense. I was wracking my brain trying to think of anything I might have done to upset her, but drew a blank. “Did I do something to upset you? Because I gotta say, I can’t think of anything.”

  “No. You didn’t do anything.”

  “Work? Your friends? Me? Give me something here, babe.” I was desperately trying to be patient, but I hated games and I wasn’t going to keep guessing.

  “Look, Styx, I’m not feeling great. You didn’t do anything, but I need some time.”

  Frustration made me angry, and I probably should’ve kept my mouth shut and left, but I didn’t. Nope. Instead my mouth got the better of me.

  “Fine. I’m out. Call me when you’re done playing games. I’m too old for that shit.” I turned my back and stalked to the door.

  “Styx, I’m sorry,” she started, but I cut her off when I turned to face her.

  “Save it. If you aren’t going to talk to me, I’m going.” When she held her silence, I shook my head and opened the door. With my back to her, I gave one last parting shot. “Merry fucking Christmas.”

  Then I left.

  Sweat dripped between my eyes and ran down between my shoulder blades.

  Right, left, right, right, left. Continuously.

  “Fuck, dude, who pissed in your oatmeal? You gonna leave that bag intact for the rest of us or split it open?” I hugged the bag that I’d been beating the fuck out of to stop its motion. Then I turned to face Lock and Truth.

  “Hey,” I breathed as my chest heaved to bring in enough oxygen to sustain the beating it was taking.

  “Damn, what did that bag do to you?” Lock asked with raised brows as he looked from me to the bag.

  “Just needed to catch up on my workout. Been slipping on my routine, that’s all,” I gasped as I leaned over, placing my hands to my knees. A grimace at the ache in every muscle told me I’d probably overdone things, but I didn’t give two shits.

  I’d tortured my body in a killer workout before hitting the bag, and I’d be paying for it in a couple days. Which suited me fine.

  “Sure you have.” Truth didn’t look convinced, but that wasn’t my problem. My workout was my business.

  “Styx, that’s not a workout, that’s a motherfuckin’ gladiator session,” Lock muttered as he stared at my wrapped hands and the bag. I’d brutalized them so bad, they were bleeding through the wrap and leaving marks on the bag.

  “It’s nothing. What’s up? I’m sure you didn’t come in here to watch me work out.” Forcing my feet to move, I grabbed my water bottle and towel. Then I shot water down my throat and over my head. The towel wiped off the excess.

  “Honestly, we wanted to see what the fuck was up with you. Straight said you stormed through the front without saying a word to anyone and that you’d been back here beating the fuck out of yourself ever since. So what the fuck is going on?” Lock tipped his head to the side and back to look down at me. When the silence got uncomfortable, I started to unwrap my hands.

  It took a lot not to wince as the wrap pulled away from my abused knuckles.

  “It’s been a rough week at work. That’s all.” I did my damnedest to act unaffected as I shrugged.

  “Bullshit. Even if that was true, I happen to know a certain little schoolteacher has been at your house almost every night this past week.” Lock wasn’t letting up.

  Slamming the wad of wrap in the trash at his words, I gritted my teeth and schooled my features.

  “You spying on me?” I drawled.

  “No, but I drove by a few times on my way home to see if you wanted to watch a game. But there was always a car there that I knew for sure wasn’t yours. I figured you had company the first time. After the second time, I figured it out.” He shrugged, and Truth laughed.

  “No, you didn’t, you had Check look up the plate number.” Truth ratted Lock out as he chortled.

  “Really? That’s kinda fucking shitty, bro. You ever heard of privacy?” I rolled my eyes.

  “You know she dated a cop, right?” Lock asked quietly.

  “Yeah, but it may not matter anymore.” Turning my back, I grabbed my towel from the bench and wiped my face.

  Neither of my brothers said anything. They simply waited for me to elaborate. I chose not to.

  Probably because the real reason I was literally beating myself up was because I’d been a dumbass. It took me removing myself from the situation to see it. And boy, did I see it. I’d really fucked up.

  I’d let my frustration with everything going on at the club and work snap my patience with someone amazing. Gwen had obviously had a bad day, but I got in my temper and let that rule the day.

  Now I didn’t know how to fix it, because I wasn’t sure if she’d talk to me.

  Hanging my head, I closed my eyes. “I think I fucked everything up with her, and I’m wavering between feeling like a major asshole and a pussy-whipped motherfucker.”

  “Well, you are pussy-whipped.” Truth shrugged.

  After lifting my head, I glared at him. “Thanks a lot, fucker.”

  “Shit, I’m not saying it like it’s a bad thing. Well, unless you don’t want to be with the chick. Do you?” He scratched his short beard.

  “I never thought I’d say it after the way Grace fucked me over, but yeah, I do,” I admitted.

  “Look, if you fucked up, then you go to her and tell her you fucked up.” Lock made it sound so easy.

  “It’s not that simple. Her parents are coming for the holidays.”

  “So?” Lock looked at me like I was being obtuse.

  “So she’s not ready for me to meet them.” It was a little embarrassing to admit that.

  “Is she ashamed of you? I mean, you are a scary-looking motherfucker. I don’t know if I’d want you to meet my parents.” Truth raised his brows and gave me an exaggerated wide-eyed look.

  “You don’t even talk to your parents.” Lock elbowed Truth, who acted like Lock had hurt him.

  “Ouch!” he whined, then returned his focus to me. “Well, is she?”

  “She says no, but I’m not really sure,” I muttered.

  “Then text her or call her and ask her to meet you somewhere. Surely she can get away from them for a few minutes.” Lock made it sound so damn easy.

  Sighing, I pulled out the band holding my sweaty hair back and ran a sore hand through it. Then I rebanded it.

  “I’ll try.”

  Truth gave my shoulder a friendly slap, and I winced.

  Fuck, I was gonna be suffering for days.

  “We need to get back to the shop. Lunch is over. If you need anything, call me, bro,” Lock said before he left the gym area with Truth.

  I gave him a nod.

  After they were gone, I grabbed my phone from the bench my towel had been on.

  Studying it a moment, I took a deep breath and opened it.

  Me: Can we talk? I was an asshole. I’m sorry.

  “Nothing Good About Goodbye”—Hinder

  Curled up on my couch, I stared at the message from Styx. Shivering, I wanted to cry but I was all cried out. I’d been sobbing in that same place since he’d slammed my door.

  At least twenty times I’d opened the message to reply. I wanted to tell him to come back so freaking bad. Except every time I went to answer him, that note flashed in front of my eyes.

  My phone rang, and I jumped, dropping it to the floor. When I picked it up, I saw my mother’s contact pic. With a sigh, I answered, “Hey, Mom.”

  One of those stupid stuttering inhales escaped after I spoke.

  “What’s wrong?” My mom may be a lot of things, but she was observant and tenacious to a fault. She’d never let something drop until she had the answers she wanted.

  Thinking fast, I grasped at the first thing I thought of. “I caught my foot on the coffee table. I think I broke my little toe. It hurt so bad it made
me cry. I’m good now.”

  “Hmm. Did you ice it?”

  “Yes, Mom. That’s why it’s better now.” I rolled my eyes at myself. Why was it so difficult to talk to my mom? Except this wasn’t the type of thing I could talk to her about. She’d insist I call the cops. No, thanks.

  Mitch would know all about it in a heartbeat.

  “If you say so. Anyway, I called to see if there was anything you wanted me to bring when we come.”

  Really? She made it sound like she was coming for dinner from the next town over. What the heck could she possibly bring from Florida that I’d need? “Umm, like what, Mom? You’re flying.”

  “Well, I know that, Gwendolyn. I wasn’t sure if you needed anything, that’s all. I do worry about you, you know. Will Mitch be coming for Christmas morning and dinner?”

  “Mom. I told you we broke up months ago.” Frustration laced my words.

  “Yes, I know you did, but I thought maybe you’d worked things out by now.” She sniffed.

  “Mom. He cheated on me. He was texting her while we were watching TV. If I hadn’t seen one of the explicit messages flash on his screen when he went to the bathroom, I’d have never known. I’m done with him. It’s over. Period.” Mom would talk shit about Darla’s boyfriends after they split, but I’d swear she liked Mitch more than she like me.

  “Fine, Gwendolyn. You don’t have to get snippy.” She had the nerve to act hurt. I rolled my eyes, thankful she couldn’t see. “Well, we’ll see you tomorrow morning. If there’s anything you think of, text me and I’ll toss it in the suitcase.”

  “Sure, Mom.”

  “Love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  After the call ended, I tossed my phone to the coffee table and pulled the blanket over my head so I wouldn’t be tempted to answer Styx. Though I should text him and tell him things weren’t working out and we needed to go our separate way, I couldn’t.

  Instead, I found a reserve supply of tears and cried myself to sleep on the couch.

  “Your eyes are all puffy. What eye cream are you using?” My mother had my face framed in her bejeweled hands.

  “I’m just tired. I didn’t sleep well.” I looked off to the side as she continued to study me. The truth was, Styx had texted me about forty times during the night. I’d awoken to find them waiting. I was afraid it was way too late for my heart, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to survive not being with him.