17. Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Fifteen
Medusa
I kiss Noah goodbye before climbing onto my motorcycle. I rev the engine and take off. My hair is a mess of wild curls thanks to no product in my hair after the sex and showers with this man. I can’t believe how my body is so alert right now. It’s like something awakened inside of me with his words and touches. I shake my head, trying to get the thoughts of last and this morning out, or I’ll need to go back and have him help me. My phone rings in my earbuds, letting me know my sister is calling.
“Hello?” I answer the call.
“Are you on your bike?” She chastises me as I find somewhere to pull into to talk to her.
“Hang on, I’m pulling into the grocery store parking lot to talk to you.” I shut my bike off once I’m parked. I lean against my bike to talk to her. “How are you?”
“I’m good. Classes are crazy right now.” There’s something in her tone I can’t quite define. I need not make it my business. Calm down, Amelia. “I was calling to see if you’ll be home this weekend. I need to grab some things.”
“What things? I can have TJ put them in his truck or grab my SUV to drop them off.”
“All of my stuff. I found a house with some friends. We’re all pitching in on the rent and bills. We have to furnish it ourselves. Is there any furniture you don’t want?” She sounds hopeful.
“No. I want all of the furniture in my house. I bought everything when I designed it.”
“Oh. I guess I’ll have to buy furniture. Can I borrow some money for that?” Again, sounding hopeful.
“No. I don’t have money to throw at you. You have your own money.”
“But you’ve been paying for my tuition. Why can't you help with this? It’s not like you’re hurting for money.”
“Michelle, it’s my money. I earned it. I’ve been giving you money for years. You have a savings account you’ve used for your trips over your breaks. I paid your tuition and board. If you’re not staying on campus, that’s on you.” I hold back my temper.
“Where is this coming from? You’ve always paid for everything. I don’t get it. Are you treating me this way because I didn’t attend the stupid sibling brunch?”
“Stupid siblings brunch? Michelle, you started it when you went to college. I’m sorry if you’re not happy about things. You have money but graduate in a year and must learn to stand on two feet. This is great practice for you.”
“Whatever. You’re no help whatsoever. Are you going to be home or not?” Michelle’s tone is harsh. I breathe out.
“What time? I’m not sitting at the house all fucking day. I do have businesses to run.”
“I don’t know. The football team is playing, so we are tailgating.”
“How about you give the address to TJ, and he’ll drop it off at your new place so you don’t have to come to the house and see me? If I’m this horrible person for not caring for you anymore.”
“Fine!” she yells and hangs up the phone.
“Call TJ,” I say to my phone.
The automotive voice tells me it’s calling TJ's mobile. “Yo!”
“Michelle is going to call you with an address. She moved out of her dorms. She wanted me to waste my Saturday waiting for her to show up to take her stuff from my house. She wanted my furniture too. We just got into it when I wouldn’t give in to her.”
“She’s calling now, but she can go to voicemail. What do you mean she’s leaving the dorm?” I explain the conversation to him, and he swears. “I’m glad you’re putting your foot down. Are you going to pay for the house?” I shake my head, knowing he can’t see me.
“I’ll continue to pay for her college education, but everything is her responsibility,” I growl. “Am I doing the right thing?”
“Yes. It’s going to be hard for you, especially because you’ve done everything to make sure neither one of us felt the sting of Mom leaving us. You gave up everything. She doesn’t get that because, no offense, she's like our egg donor, entitled and expects everyone to take care of her and cater to her every need.”
“I agree with your words, but my heart hurts,” I whisper. TJ is probably one of the few people I can be myself with and not worry about vulnerability. I scan the parking lot as I talk on the phone.
“Sis, it’s going to be okay. We will get through this. I have your back. I’ll come by tomorrow and help you pack up her shit. I’ll see if Noah has any boxes left from his move.” I smile at his name. “Or you could since I saw your bike at his place this morning.”
“Getting off the phone now. I love you.” He cackles like a woman who just found out some top secret information.
“Fucker.” I hang up, smiling. I head to the clubhouse to prepare for my shift at the Temptation Tease. I nod as the girls open the gate for me. The club is busy at eight in the morning. I shut off my bike and head into the club. I nod to some prospects and members. They greet me with a good morning. The prospects are cleaning.
“What’s going on here?” I ask Pop, who comes out of the kitchen with coffee. He raises the pot, asking if I want one. I nod. I walk over to the bar.
“Some members decided they wanted an impromptu hazing last night.” Pop shakes his head. I raise my eyebrow.
“Does Tripline know, or did she sanction this?” Pop shrugs. I know Tripline is in charge of the prospects, but I like to be in the know of shit like this happening in my club. “Is she here?” He nods. I thank him and get up to go to her room. I bang on her door a few times before she opens it, wearing just her bra and panties.
“What?!” she yells, then she visibly cringes. “Sorry. I thought you were one of the prospects. What do you need, Medusa?”
“Hazing? In the clubhouse?” I crossed my arms as I left my nectar of Gods at the counter. “One rule: no hazing in the clubhouse. It looks like a fucking bomb went off in there!” I point to the main area. My voice isn’t quiet at all. She cringes as she holds her head. She opens the door, and I step in. Tripline grabs a t-shirt on the floor, throwing it on to cover herself up. I don’t care if she's in her bra and underwear. We’ve all seen each other undressed one time or another. “I didn’t get a message about it.”
“I thought what happened with the prospects was under my discretion?” I sigh, pinching my nose.
“You know they are but it stays away from the clubhouse. Did I really see powder residue on tables? Drugs stay out of here!” I yell. “You of all people should know why we don’t allow drugs or drug users in our ranks.” Tripline’s younger brother was walking home from middle school and was shot by a gang member when cops were chasing him. He was dealing drugs on a street corner.
Tripline stands right up to me—she’s taller than me, so I look up to her. “Don’t you dare compare the two. We don’t talk about him, ever!”
“If I see you spiraling, I’m going to call you on your bullshit. You can’t have it both ways, Trip and you know it. Drugs out of this clubhouse. What if a cop showed up here? They would arrest all of us whether we were all here or not! Do that shit again and you’re going to have some problems. Get your ass up and clean up with the prospects.” She opens her mouth, “Speak one word right now and I’ll call Church. Do you want to be put down to prospect? I’ll do it in a heartbeat. I won’t let you be the junkie dealer who gets everyone hooked.” I walk toward her door. I open it not looking back, “Wipe your nose, it’s bleeding.” I slam the door and head to my room. I take the hottest shower, wash my hair and run through my routine.
Once I’m dressed in my black leather shorts, white tank top and motorcycle boots, I head out of my room. I check my phone.
NOAH: So I think TJ knows about us. He’s been looking at me and giggling.
ME: He knows. He’s a pain in my ass.
NOAH: Okay. Have a good day at work.
ME: Thank you. Try not to let TJ bust your balls too much.
I head into my office and grab some paperwork I need for the club. There’s a knock on the door and I see Bubbles standing there. She walks in shutting the door.
“Did Trip tattle on me?” I smile.
“No. Pop told me. He heard the whole fight even with the door closed. Trip’s a mess right now. They burned most of the tables which had the residue on it. She ordered new stuff. He sent her to her room to sober up. What are we going to do?”
“The anniversary is coming up. She gets like this, but I didn’t think she’d bring it to the clubhouse. We need to watch her closely. You and I will take over the prospects while Trip figures shit out.” My phone buzzes and I see Noah’s name come up with a text message. I blush and Bubbles notice.
“Is it the lawyer?” She teases. I nod. “So you spent the night with him, are you going to give me details?”
“I want to get to know him first before I say anything. I like this one. He makes me feel important. Noah says all the right words but I want to see the action to back it up.”
“Take the time to enjoy the fun, whether it leads to anything.” She hugs me. “I’m sticking around here today to keep an eye on Trip.”
“Thanks.” We hug again and I lock up my office. I’m walking out throwing on my cut with the Valkyries logo. Bubbles is heading to the kitchen when I grab her arm.
“Michelle got a house with some friends off campus. She wanted my furniture. TJ is going to be taking stuff to her this weekend. I might need some help loading up his truck or we might get a rental. Once she’s gone for good, I’m not giving her the codes. She’s on her own. I’m not adding any more money into the account for her. I will pay for her college like I did for TJ. It hurts, but I need to do it.”
“You’re listening to us?” I nod wiping the lone tear that rolls down my cheek. “I’m sorry.” She whispers. I nod and walk away before I cry even harder. I throw on some sweats I keep in my saddlebag so I can ride my bike into work. I check my phone to read the message from Noah.
NOAH: Can you send me the list of products you need for your hair and what body wash you use so I can get them for my apartment? Also, will you be coming over tonight after work?
ME: I’ll buy my own products. I don’t know yet. It depends on what time I get off work. I might just crash at the clubhouse.
NOAH: Okay. Let me know so I can wait up for you.
ME: Sounds good. Get to work and stop slacking off.
NOAH: Yes, boss
ME: Smart ass
I put my phone away and head to the club.