“Thank you, Atlas,” I say through uncontrollable laughter. “I’m not on my period, but you’ll be the first to know when I am.”
Aries walks over to his brother and whispers something into his ear. Atlas nods, then turns back to us. “Temper needs us. Can you hold down the fort while I go and see what’s up?”
Cam checks the daily schedule. “Yeah, we should be able to manage without you. Go see what the boss needs.”
We watch them leave, and I have to wonder what kind of stuff Temper needs them to do. I want to ask, but I don’t. I’ve only just started here and the last thing I want is them to think I’m being nosy about their business. I’m aware that they’re in an MC, but I really don’t know what that involves.
“Victoria will be in soon, so I’ll have you two out the front and I’ll be out the back. Call me if you need help with anything.” Victoria is our part-time receptionist, but like me, she’s an all-rounder and helps with whatever we need. There’s also Bronte, who works here doing all the back-end administrative stuff, but today is her day off. Along with Atlas, Aries and Diesel, another member of the Knights of Fury, that makes up our team. Cam said that she’s looking at hiring another mechanic, but she hasn’t found anyone who fits her criteria just yet.
I sent Rhett a text this morning asking him what his plans are this weekend.
Rhett: I’m busy this weekend, sorry.
Con: Okay, no worries. Rain check.
Rhett: Definitely.
While I’m disappointed, I’m beginning to like this casual thing we have going. There are no real expectations and no hurt feelings. We see each other whenever we can, and I really enjoy the time we spend together. Quality over quantity.
I spend my morning restocking the merchandise shelves, putting prices on things and helping customers who walk in.
I can’t help feel like ever since Cara came into my life I’ve been on a run of good luck. New job, new car, and now a new man has entered my life. One that fate seems to keep putting in front of me, first at the bar, then twice more. The fourth time he brought himself back to my house. I know he’s a biker, but he hasn’t spoken about that part of his life, and I haven’t asked. I figure he will tell me what he wants me to know. I considered asking someone at work if they know him and what his deal is, but I decided not to. He will tell me when he’s ready. He hasn’t worn his leather cut around me since I first saw him in it in the bar, so I’m not sure if that’s a coincidence or on purpose.
I’m not sure about a lot of things.
Maybe I’ll ask Cara and Clover if they would like to go shopping with me this weekend instead. Or we could go out for lunch or something. Ever since I started working here, I’ve been making a lot more money than at my old job, so it’s been nice to have a little extra money after each payday. I’m still living paycheck to paycheck, but it’s nowhere near as bad anymore, and I’ve slowly been paying off my debts. I even read a few books on finance, because I know I needed help to sort mine out. Give me a few years and I’ll be back on top of life, debt free and with a huge savings account.
It feels good to be able to look forward to the future.
And I didn’t even have to become a stripper, like my mom was and like I thought I’d eventually be when I became desperate for more money. Maybe eventually I could even go back to college, part-time even, and work on getting my degree.
I have so many opportunities now, and maybe all I needed was a little push, and to believe in myself.
And now it’s all coming together.
Chapter Eight
Rhett
“Who are you texting so much?” Dice asks me, nosily trying to look at my phone screen. We’re all at the clubhouse, hanging out.
“A friend,” I say, closing down my app so he can’t see. “You nosy fucker.”
“Just one? Not plural? That doesn’t sound like you,” he comments, the smart-ass.
Sledge, another prospect who just got patched in, smirks. “When you find the golden pussy, you don’t need plural.”
I’m about to knock these two out. Although with Sledge, I’m glad he’s on our side. He’s well over six feet tall and built like a brick house; he’s easily the biggest man we have in the MC.
None of them have met Con yet, and I don’t know when that will happen. I felt bad telling her that I’m busy this weekend when the truth is, I wish I could take her with me to the party I’m going to. I’m not looking forward to it at all, but I know that I have to go. It would be nice to have someone on my side, someone to help me navigate the night, but I don’t want to put her in that position. Although having her there might alleviate some of the tension between me and Cara.
But with everyone thinking that I’m a cheat—including my mom, who heard it from the grapevine—and Cara and Clover there, I don’t know if it’s a smart move.
I’m torn. I could just tell them all that Con is a friend of mine, and maybe it won’t be a big deal at all.
I don’t know.
I don’t want to throw Con into the deep end that is my family drama, but I also do want her to be there. But then if I invite her, am I taking this from casual to serious?
Fuck.
Cara is happily in a new relationship with a man she lives with, so why do I have to walk on eggshells?
Maybe I should just bring Con and let her meet everyone. While I don’t know what exactly this is, I know I enjoy her company and more than just in bed.
Rhett: I know I said I was busy this weekend, but the truth is, I have a party I have to go to. Do you want to come with me?
Con: I’d love to.
Shit. I guess I’m doing this.
Rhett: I can come and pick you up?
Con: No, it’s okay. I can drive there.
I have to try to explain the situation to her; I don’t want her walking in there blind. But how does one explain this shit show without scaring her away?
Rhett: I should probably tell you that my ex will be there with her new partner.
Con: Okay. That’s nice, that you guys can all be friends. Thanks for the heads up.
Shit. I want to explain to her that we aren’t exactly on great terms, but I decide to leave it. It might be perfectly fine after all. Who am I kidding? It will be a shit show.
And now when the MC sees Con, they will know that she’s the one I’ve been texting so much.
“We going for a ride or what?” I ask, sliding my phone away. Dice and Sledge instantly stop messing around and we get on our bikes.
The truth is, I’m not sure how this party is going to go. I probably should explain the situation to her in more detail, but I honestly don’t know how. I don’t want to lie to her like I’m lying to everyone else.